Modern Languages and Literature

Welcome to the Department of Modern Languages and Literature home page. The Department offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in French and Spanish, and cooperates in offering majors in Italian, Latin American, European and Asian Studies, with the Departments of Art, History and Political Science.

Minors are available in French, German, Italian, Italian Studies and Spanish. Students interested in a minor in these languages are encouraged to consider a European Studies major. This major along with their language skills will reflect their knowledge of the changes in the new integrated Europe. It will also be a marketable degree. A three-year language program is offered in Japanese. All language majors are encouraged to become proficient in a foreign language through study abroad. Please note that some language programs require study abroad for majors. Secondary education language majors are also required to study abroad. All language majors take a comprehensive exams; content varies by language.

A waiver for lower division requirements maybe granted by the chairperson of the department on recommendation of faculty, according to the student's level of achievement or background. All majors need a minimum of 18 credits at the 300 level or above.

Credit will be granted if the student has achieved a score of four or higher on the Advanced Placement Examination. Credit will not be given to native speakers of a language for their knowledge of that language. Native speakers or students with near-native fluency will be placed into upper division courses according to their skills. No course can be challenged for credit.

For information about Study Abroad Programs, please check individual languages.

The Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, and European Studies Programs, which are part of the International Studies major, are fully described under International Studies.