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.