The Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics offers the following majors. A grade of "C–" or better must be earned in each course applied toward any major or minor degree earned in the department. A grade of "C–" or better is required for students to advance to subsequent language levels. No courses may be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis except for language internships. All of the following majors also require a minor (unless students decide to double major). Courses taken to satisfy the minor may not be double counted toward Liberal studies credit. Three hours of course credit can double count toward both the major in the language or linguistics and Liberal Studies requirements.
Modern Languages and Linguistics Programs
Chinese: The Chinese Language and Culture major requires thirty semester hours numbered above 2220 including a minimum of six semester hours at the 4000 level. A maximum of nine semester hours from 3000-level courses in Chinese culture and literature may count toward the thirty semester hour requirement.
French: Thirty semester hours numbered above 2999 are required, including two out of three from the series FRE 3501, FRW 3100, FRW 3101; FRE 3420, FRE 3421, FRE 3780 (or FRE 4410), FRE 4422; and three additional 4000-level courses (nine semester hours), at least two of which (six semester hours) must be in literatures, cultures and/or societies of French expression. One 3000–4000 level French elective will complete the requirements. Students are also strongly advised to take the sequence FRW 3100–3101 concurrently with the grammar/composition sequence FRE 3420–3421. Any number of 3000-4000 level French courses taught in English with the written work done in French may count toward the major. Native speakers should register for courses numbered 3000 and above.
German: Thirty semester hours numbered above 2999 are required, including GER 3400 and GER 3500. For students entering the major from GER 2220, GER 3400 is required to fulfill the composition component; students who enter with advanced proficiency take GER 4420. Students should consult with an advisor to ensure proper placement. Students should have a minimum of six semester hours of skills courses (e.g., GER 3310, GER 3400) and six semester hours of literature, film, and culture classes (e.g., GER 3500, GER 3930). A minimum of nine semester hours must be taken at the 4000 level. A maximum of six semester hours from among the following coursework may count toward the thirty semester credit hours requirement: GET 3130, GET 3524.
Italian: Thirty semester hours numbered above 2220 are required, including ITA 2240, 3420, 3421, at least one 3000-level literature course in Italian (ITW 3100, 3101), and a minimum of twelve semester hours at the 4000 level. A maximum of six semester hours from among the following coursework may count toward the thirty semester hour requirement: ITT 3430, 3500, 3501, 3520, 3523r.
Japanese: The major in Japanese Language and Culture requires 30 semester hours numbered above JPN2220 including a minimum of six semester hours at the 4000-level. A maximum of three semester hours from the following coursework may count toward the thirty semester hour requirement: JPW 2501r, JPN 1112r, JPN 3302r, JPN 3132, JPN 3133. A maximum of nine semester hours in Japanese culture and literature can count toward the thirty semester hour requirement.
Linguistics
The linguistics degree consists of 30 credits. Of these, 18 credit hours correspond to six required core courses, and 12 credit hours correspond to electives. The electives allow students to choose between two different majors in linguistics:
- a General Linguistics major, where majors take four linguistic electives (at least one of them has to be at the 4000 level), and
- a Linguistics and Languages major, where majors take two linguistic electives and complete two semesters of a language course beyond or different from the language courses used to satisfy the Arts and Sciences language requirement.
Students select one or the other major based on their choice of electives. Students can get a B.A. or B.S. degree in either major, depending on their coursework. Students who would like to pursue a B.S. will take at least two electives in research methods, language acquisition, statistics, mathematics, computational linguistics, or computer science. For a list of courses, please click here.
Russian: Thirty semester hours numbered above 2220 are required, including RUS 2330, 3400, 3420, and at least twelve semester hours of Russian and Slavic coursework at the 4000 level or above.
Spanish: Thirty semester hours, distributed in the following manner, are required: fifteen semester hours of 3000-level courses including SPN 3300, SPN 3400; SPT 3503; one SPW 3000-level literature course; a departmental linguistics course (usually LIN 3041). Required at the 4000 level are fifteen semester hours in SPN or SPW courses, including at least one senior seminar (SPN 4540, SPN 4930, SPW 4930, or SPN 4700). SPT 3100 and SPT 3130 will not count for major credit. Heritage speakers must take SPN 3350 plus one additional 3000- or 4000-level SPW or SPN course (excluding SPN 3400) instead of the required SPN 3300 or SPN 3400.