University Catalog > LAHS > Modern and Classical Languages

Modern and Classical Languages

• Faculty
• Course Work
• Courses that Fulfill General Education Requirements
• Undergraduate Programs
  • Foreign Languages, BA
    • Writing-Intensive Requirement
    • Concentration in French
    • Concentration in Spanish
    • Comparative Literature Emphasis
    • Teacher Licensure
  • Minor in Chinese, French, German, Latin, Russian, or Spanish
    • Requirements for Chinese Minor
    • Requirements for French Minor
    • Requirements for German Minor
    • Requirements for Latin Minor
    • Requirements for Russian Minor
    • Requirements for Spanish Minor
  • Minor in Classical Studies
• Graduate Programs
  • Foreign Languages, MA
    • Admission Requirements
    • Degree Requirements
    • Concentration in French
    • Concentration in Spanish
    • Concentration in French and Spanish
    • Concentration in Spanish/ Bilingual-Multicultural Education

Phone: 703-993-1220
Web: mcl.gmu.edu

Faculty

Professors:Elstun, Francescato, Gilbert, Ricouart, Winkler

Associate professors: Berroa, Chamberlain (chair), Christensen, Goldin (associate chair), Levine, Rabin, Roman-Mendoza

Assistant professors: Carreño-Rodríguez, Leeman, Ramos-Pellicia, Sanusi, Zhang

Term assistant professors: Logrande, Roberts, So

Term instructors: Alonso, Fyfe, Hilmi, Lee, McCabe, Mircea-Pines, Planas, Sievern

Course Work

This department offers all course work designated ARAB, CHIN, CLAS, FREN, FRLN, GERM, HEBR, ITAL, JAPA, LATN, RUSS, and SPAN in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.

The following courses are offered in English. Knowledge of a foreign language is not required:

ARAB 325. CHIN 310, 311, 320, 325, 328; FREN 325, 329; GERM 301, 325; RUSS 325, 326, 327, 353, 354; SPAN 321, 322, 325, 329; and all courses designated CLAS and FRLN. Courses numbered 325 may be repeated once for credit if the authors studied are different.

Courses that Fulfill General Education Requirements

Language courses through the intermediate (200) level can be used to fulfill the college-level requirement in foreign languages for the BA degree in LAHS. Approved literature courses offered by the Department of Modern and Classical Languages can be used to fulfill the university general education and college-level requirements in literature. FREN 451, and RUSS 353 and 354 fulfill the college-level requirement in non-Western culture. RUSS 353 and 354, and SPAN 322 fulfill the university global understanding requirement.

Undergraduate Programs

Foreign Languages, BA

This degree, which offers concentrations in French and Spanish, prepares students for teaching careers at the secondary school level, graduate study in languages, and research and professional work in government and private enterprise. Language majors are encouraged to complete a minor or, if possible, a second major in another field. Students who want a double major in a language and another subject should plan a program of study in consultation with advisors from both disciplines.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated writing intensive in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students in language concentrations may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing FREN 352 or SPAN 452.

Concentration in French

In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements and requirements for a BA degree in LAHS, candidates must complete a minimum of 33 credits in French courses at the 300 level and above, each with a minimum grade of 2.00. Students are expected to complete a balanced program that includes courses in language, culture and civilization, and literature. The 33 credits required in the concentration must include the following:

• One advanced language course (6 credits)
  • FREN 309 Reading and Writing Skills Development
• Two courses (6 credits) in literature and civilization chosen from the following:
  • FREN 340 Francophone Identities
  • FREN 370 French Civilization, Culture, and Literature: Middle Ages to 1789
  • FREN 371 French Civilization, Culture, and Literature: 1789 to the present
• Three electives (9 credits) in FREN at the 300 level or above
• Four courses (12 credits) of FREN courses at the 400 level or above: application of French language, and French and francophone literary and cultural competencies, to the study of a given period, genre, or theme

Prerequisites: 15 credits of FREN courses at the 300 level, including FREN 309, or permission of the instructor.

No more than one course (3 credits) conducted in English (FREN 325, 329) may be used to fulfill requirements for the concentration in French.

Students are encouraged to take courses in other languages and literatures, and in related disciplines such as music, art, history and philosophy.

Concentration in Spanish

In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements and requirements for a BA degree in LAHS, students in this concentration complete 33 credits in Spanish courses at the 300-level and above, each with a minimum grade of 2.00.

• SPAN 301 Grammar and Syntax
• SPAN 302 Reading and Writing Skills
• SPAN 390 Introduction to Hispanic Literary Analysis (prerequisite: SPAN 302)
• SPAN 452 Advanced Written Spanish (prerequisite: SPAN 302)
• SPAN 461 or 466 Spanish or Latin American Civilization and Culture (prerequisite: SPAN 452)
• The following three courses (prerequisites: SPAN 390 and 452):
  • SPAN 483 and 484 The Literature of Spain I and II
  • SPAN 488 The Literature of Spanish America
• Two or more electives that may include other SPAN courses not specifically required or not chosen to fill a requirement; courses transferred from other universities; courses taken on overseas study programs; special topics courses; independent studies and internships; and 500-level courses with permission of the professor. (No more than one course taught in English may applied toward the concentration in Spanish).

Only courses with a satisfactory grade (2.00 or higher) may be applied to the major program.

Comparative Literature Emphasis

This program combines the study of a language with cross-cultural literary study. The program requires 10 courses above the 200 level, distributed as follows:

• Two courses in a foreign literature with selected readings in the original language
• Two courses in English or American literature
• Three courses designated as comparative or world literature by the Comparative Literature Committee. These courses include CLAS 390; ENGL 431, 436, 437; and appropriate special topics courses designated CLAS, FREN, GERM, RUSS, and SPAN.
• CL 300 Introduction to Comparative Literature
• One course in literary criticism, as appropriate for the student’s focus: ENGL 494 or 551, FREN 381, or SPAN 390
• CL 514 Theories of Comparative Literature

Students should consult with their advisor to design a program of study focusing on a specific genre, period, issue, or other cross-cultural topic.

For more information, contact the Department of Modern and Classical Languages or the Department of English.

Teacher Licensure

Students who wish to become teachers should consult the CEHD chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.

Minor in Chinese, French, German, Latin, Russian, or Spanish

Prerequisite: Completion of an intermediate (202 or 209) course in Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish, or Latin, or equivalent placement test score.

A minor in any of these languages consists of 18 credits above the intermediate level in a single language, distributed as follows. Students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course applied to the minor. Except for the minor in Latin, no more than one course taught in English may be applied to the minor.

For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.

Requirements for Chinese Minor

• Three of the following (9 credits):
  • CHIN 300 Reading Development
  • CHIN 301 Advanced Grammar and Syntax
  • CHIN 305 Chinese for the Business World
  • CHIN 480 Fourth-Year Chinese I
  • CHIN 481 Fourth-Year Chinese II
• One of the following (3 credits):
  • CHIN 318 Introduction to Classical Chinese
  • CHIN 355 Readings in Chinese Poetry and Poetics
  • CHIN 365 Readings in Post-Mao Fiction
• One additional Chinese course (3 credits) chosen from either of the above groups
• One of the following (3 credits):
  • CHIN 310 Survey of Traditional Chinese Literature
  • CHIN 311 Modem Chinese Literature in Translation
  • CHIN 320 Contemporary Chinese Film
  • ARTH 384 Arts of China
  • HIST 353 History of Traditional China
  • HIST 354 Modern China
  • HIST 355 Mao’s China and After
  • HIST 387 Women and Family in Chinese History
  • RELI 314 Chinese Philosophy and Religious Traditions

Requirements for French Minor

• One advanced language course (6 credits)
  • FREN 309 Reading and Writing Skills Development
• Two courses (6 credits) in literature and civilization chosen from the following:
  • FREN 340 Francophone Identities
  • FREN 370 French Civilization, Culture, and Literature: Middle Ages to 1789
  • FREN 371 French Civilization, Culture, and Literature: 1789 to the present
• Three electives (9 credits) in FREN at the 300 level or above

Requirements for German Minor

• Three of the following (9 credits):
  • GERM 310 Conversation and Composition
  • GERM 316 German for the Business World
  • GERM 318 Translation of Texts
  • GERM 415 Advanced Grammar and Style
  • GERM 418 Advanced Composition
• One of the following (3 credits):
  • Genre courses at the 300 level
  • Period courses at the 400 level
• One of the following (3 credits):
  • GERM 301 Culture and Civilization
  • GERM 340 Survey of German Literature
• One German elective at the 300 level or above (3 credits)

Requirements for Latin Minor

• 18 credits from the following:
  • LATN 351 Roman Prose Literature
  • LATN 352 Roman Poetry
  • LATN 451, 452 Studies in Roman Literature

Courses vary in content, and may be repeated for credit.

Requirements for Russian Minor

• Three of the following (9 credits):
  • RUSS 302 Russian Conversation and Composition or RUSS 303 Russian Advanced Conversation
  • RUSS 380 Advanced Russian I
  • RUSS 381 Advanced Russian II
• One of the following (3 credits):
  • RUSS 310 Readings in Russian Literature
  • RUSS 311 Contemporary Russian Short Fiction
• One of the following (3 credits):
  • RUSS 353 Russian Civilization
  • RUSS 354 Contemporary Post-Soviet Life
• One Russian elective at the 300 level or above (3 credits; course must be conducted in Russian)

Requirements for Spanish Minor

• Two required courses (9 credits):
  • SPAN 301 Grammar and Syntax
  • SPAN 302 Reading and Writing Spanish (6 credits)
• Two elective courses (6 credits) chosen from:
  • SPAN 390 Introduction to Hispanic Literary Analysis
  • SPAN 452 Advanced Written Spanish
  • SPAN 461 Spanish Civilization and Culture
  • SPAN 466 Latin American Civilization and Culture
  • SPAN 483, 484 The Literature of Spain I, II
  • SPAN 488 The Literature of Spanish America
• One Spanish elective at the 300-level or above (3 credits)

Minor in Classical Studies

The minor is for students who wish to become familiar with the classical cultures and broaden their knowledge of the foundations of Western civilization, and for students who are studying other areas of the humanities, especially English, languages, comparative literature, history, art history, philosophy, or religion. The minor provides enough flexibility for students to choose relevant courses according to their primary interests.

The minor in classical studies consists of the following 18 credits, each with a minimum grade of 2.00:

• 6 credits in classics, including CLAS 250
• 3 credits in classical history (HIST 301, 302, 304, 388, or with approval, 480)
• 3 credits in classical art history or classical philosophy, and religious studies
• 6 credits of approved electives from classical art history, classics, classical history, classical philosophy, and religious studies

Graduate Programs

Foreign Languages, MA

This program meets the needs and interests of prospective and practicing teachers and other professionals, and prepares students for doctoral study at other institutions. The program offers three concentrations: French or Spanish, French and Spanish, and Spanish/bilingual-multicultural education.

Admission Requirements

In addition to satisfying general admission requirements for graduate study, applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree in French or Spanish, have at least a 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in the field, and submit two letters of recommendation from people familiar with their academic qualifications.

Applicants whose baccalaureate degrees were earned in other fields or who otherwise do not meet the above requirements, but who provide evidence of a capacity to pursue graduate study, are encouraged to apply and may be admitted to the program with provisional status. Applicants in this category may be asked to appear for a personal interview and take the appropriate parts of the GRE. They may also have undergraduate deficiencies to make up before being advanced to degree status.

Degree Requirements

Students who elect a concentration in one language must complete a program of 30 credits. Those who concentrate in two languages must complete a program of 42 credits. The concentration in Spanish/bilingual-multicultural education requires 36 credits. In all three concentrations, 6 of the total credits may be earned with a thesis. Regardless of the concentration selected, all students must meet the core and distribution requirements given below and pass an oral comprehensive exam.

Concentration in French

Students must complete 30 credits, with at least 18 earned in courses with the subject code FREN and distributed as follows: at least 6 credits in literature courses covering two different periods, at least 6 credits in language and linguistics courses, and at least 6 credits of French electives in either literature or language. The remaining 12 credits are electives, of which up to 6 may be used for directed reading and research (798) and thesis (799).

Concentration in Spanish

Students must complete 30 credits, distributed as follows:

• 9 credits of core courses:
  • SPAN 502 Hispanic Sociolinguistics (3 credits)
  • SPAN 505 Applied Spanish Sylistics (3 credits)
  • SPAN 510 Introduction to the Graduate Study of Literature in Spanish (3 credits)
  • Full-time students must take this core in their first year. Part-time students must include these courses within their first 12 credits. Core courses may be taken concurrently with other courses.
• 9 credits of courses in Spanish selected from the following:
  • One course (3 credits) in the literature of Spain
  • One course (3 credits) in the literature of Spanish America
  • One course (3 credits) in Spanish language or Spanish linguistics
• 12 credits of electives selected from the following:
  • Additional courses in Spanish language and literature, including courses taken through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
  • Up to 6 credits in SPAN 798 Directed Reading and SPAN 799 Thesis
  • Courses under the rubric FRLN
  • Courses transferred from other universities, including study abroad
  • Up to 6 credits of course in related fields
  • Students intending to go on for the PhD in linguistics or literature are strongly encouraged to pursue the thesis option. Independent studies courses are not available for graduate students of Spanish.

Concentration in French and Spanish

The concentration requires 42 credits, including 18 credits in French distributed according to the requirements for the concentration in French, and 18 credits in Spanish distributed according to the requirements for the concentration in Spanish. The remaining 6 credits are electives, which may be used for directed reading and research (798) and thesis (799).

Concentration in Spanish/ Bilingual-Multicultural Education

The concentration requires 36 credits, including at least 18 credits in SPAN distributed according to the requirements for the concentration in Spanish, and 6 credits of bilingual education seminars selected from EDCI 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, and 521. The remaining 12 credits are electives, of which up to 6 may be used for directed reading and research (SPAN 798) and thesis (SPAN 799).