Modern Languages and Literature

Chairperson: Martha Gonzales

Professor: G. Brooke, B. Semple
Associate Professors: L. Garcia-Torvisco, M. Gonzales, F. Kuester (Emerita), S. Nedderman
Assistant Professors: B. Boyer, T. Haaland, R. Stephanis, R. Marquis
Senior Lecturer: D. Birginal, S. Katsushima
Lecturer: U. Perz-Owens

The Department of Modern Languages and Literature offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in French and Spanish, and cooperates in offering majors in Italian studies, Latin American studies, European studies and Asian studies, with the Departments of Art, History and Political Science; more information on these programs can be found elsewhere in this catalogue.

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 its language skills, will provide an understanding of the changes in the new integrated Europe. It will also be a very marketable degree. All language majors are encouraged to become proficient in a foreign language through study abroad; secondary education language majors are required to study abroad. All language majors take a comprehensive exam or write a thesis; content varies by language.

A waiver for lower division requirements may be granted by the chairperson of the department on recommendation of faculty according to the student’s level of achievement or background. Majors need a minimum of 19 credits (French) or 22 credits (Spanish) at the 300 level or above. Three or six credits will be granted to students who achieve a score of four or five 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 not be allowed to enroll in first year language courses in their native language. They will be placed into an appropriate course level according to their skills. No language courses may be challenged for credit.

Gonzaga also offers a one year or one semester program of study in Paris, France. Courses taken at the Sorbonne and/or the Institut Catholique may be transferred to Gonzaga and applied to the major requirement. Gonzaga-in-Florence, Italy, admits students for a year or a semester of study. There is also a summer program in Florence. The department has a fall and spring semester program in Granada, Spain, plus a summer intensive program (up to six) credits) in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Study abroad programs in Japan and China are also available through the University. Study in Germany with the Goethe-Institut is available during the summer.

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

Core Curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences

The core curriculum or common body of knowledge of the College of Arts and Sciences consists of 59 to 62 credits which are common to and required of all degree programs in the College: the first 31 credits (of which there is a more complete description in the General Degree Requirements and Procedures section of this catalogue) form the University Core, while the remaining 28 to 31 credits are common to all Arts and Sciences degrees.
Students should attempt to spread the core curriculum over their entire fours years at Gonzaga.

  1. Thought and Expression (7 credits): ENGL 101, SPCO 101, and PHIL 101 (preferably in the same semester).
  2. Philosophy (9 credits): PHIL 201, PHIL 301, and  PHIL  400 level elective.
  3. Religious Studies (9 credits): RELI 100, 200, and 300 levels: one course from each level.
  4. Mathematics (3 credits): one MATH (not CPSC) course on the 100 level or above; NURS 320 is substituted for a MATH course for BSN students; MATH 203 fulfills this requirement only for students who graduate with certification in Elementary Education.
  5. English Literature (3 credits): ENGL 102 or 103H or 105 or 106.
  6. History (6 credits): HIST 101 and either HIST 102 or HIST 112 in their first year. If they are unable to complete all six 100-level HIST credits in their first year, HIST 201 or 202 may be substituted for one 100-level course after the first year.
  7. Fine Arts (3 credits): one course in either VART, MUSC, or THEA from courses approved by Dean of Arts and Sciences.
  8. Laboratory Science (4 credits): one course with laboratory in either BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS.
  9. Mathematics or Natural Science (3 credits): one course in either MATH, CPSC, BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, or ITEC.
  10. Literature (3 credits): one British or American literature course (ENGL 201 - 285).
  11. Social Science (6 credits): CRIM 101, ECON, SOCI, POLS, or PSYC: two courses from these departments.
  12. Foreign Language or Culture (3 credits): one course in any foreign language (classical or modern) or one (foreign culture) course approved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences.  Foreign-language speaking students from foreign cultures who have completed the nine English core credits at Gonzaga prior to their fourth year (last thirty credits) may petition the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences for a waiver of the foreign language or Culture requirement..
  13. Social Justice (3 credits): One course on Social Justice issues related to experiences of difference (like race, class, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation), from courses approved by the Dean of Arts & Sciences; (may be combined with other core or major requirements).