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Language Core Requirements
Core requirements may be fulfilled by successfully completing two semesters at the intermediate level of any language listed among the offerings of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Core mission statement
The study of languages is a key element in working and learning across cultures and geographical boundaries. Language in the Core Curriculum focuses on the acquisition of the skills of reading, listening, speaking, and writing, though the emphasis varies according to the chosen language. Students in core language study acquire knowledge about other cultures, literatures, and historical periods. It is expected that students will use the skills and knowledge acquired in language courses in practical and intellectual pursuits.
Through their study of foreign languages, students will:
- be able to read a passage of moderate difficulty in their chosen language and be able to communicate with a native speaker
- learn grammatical and syntactical rules which will facilitate oral and written expression in the language
- become acquainted with the life, customs, and cultural traditions where the language is spoken
French Requirements
French Major
French majors elect a minimum of 30 upper-division credits in French or approved French-related courses for a total of 10 courses, which may include FR 0211 with a grade of B or better and approved courses from study abroad partners (list available upon request):
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
Complete at least 7 courses taught in French | 21 |
Complete another 2 courses from the department's French offerings or from a list of approved courses in other departments | 6 |
Complete one capstone seminar taught in English | 3 |
Total Credits | 30 |
Students select their course of study from a variety of offerings including courses on composition and conversation, creative writing, France's culture, francophone culture, literature and film. French majors also have the opportunity to apply for internships that count towards the major. Students are encouraged to study abroad in France or in a francophone country either during the junior year or in the summer. The final course for the French major must be taken at Fairfield University.
All majors are urged to work closely, as soon as possible, with an advisor of their choice to plan a program.
French Minor
Students seeking a minor in French complete 15 upper-divsion credits in French or approved French-related courses for a total of at least five courses, which can include FR 0211 with a B or better, as well as approved courses from study abroad partners (list available upon request):
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
Complete at least 3 courses taught in French | 9 |
Complete another 2 courses from the department's offerings in French or English, or from a list of approved courses in other departments s | 6 |
Total Credits | 15 |
Students select their courses in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Course List:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
FR 0211 | Intermediate French II | 3 |
FR 0219 | French Syntax and Expression | 3 |
FR 0220 | Topics in Language and Culture | 3 |
FR 0251 | Culture & Civilization of France and the Francophone World I | 3 |
FR 0252 | Culture & Civilization of France and the Francophone World II | 3 |
FR 0260 | Introduction to Sub-Saharan African Culture (taught in English) | 3 |
FR 0265 | French Translation Workshop | 3 |
FR 0267 | French Commercial Culture | 3 |
FR 0271 | Contemporary French Press & Media | 3 |
FR 0301 | Survey of Literature in French I | 3 |
FR 0302 | Survey of Literature in French II | 3 |
FR 0305 | French & Francophone Women Writers | 3 |
FR 0337 | Literature of the 19th Century: Romanticism to Naturalism | 3 |
FR 0366 | Film & Literature in French | 3 |
FR 0377 | Internship I | 3 |
FR 0378 | Internship II | 3 |
FR 0381 | Coordinating Seminar I | 3 |
FR 0382 | Coordinating Seminar II | 3 |
FR 0399 | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
List of courses in English approved to count toward the French Major and Minor:
Course List:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AH 0120 | Medieval Art of Western Europe | 3 |
AH 0152 | Modern Art | 3 |
EN 0103 | Fairy Tales | 3 |
EN 0114 | Caribbean Literature: History, Culture, & Identity* | 3 |
EN 0117 | Introduction to Francophone Sub-Saharan African Culture* | 3 |
EN 0316 | Theoretical Readings of 19th Century Novel | 3 |
HI 0230 | Early Modern France | 3 |
HI 0316 | The French Revolution & Napoleon | 3 |
PH 0209 | Existentialism | 3 |
PH 0307 | Descartes | 3 |
PH 0316 | Bergson | 3 |
*May require some additional work in French to be determined by the French advisor
German Requirements
German Major
German majors elect a minimum of 30 upper-division credits in German or approved German-related courses for a total of 10 courses, which may include GM 0211 with a grade of B or better and approved courses from study abroad partners:
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
Select at least 7 courses taught in German | 21 |
Select up to 2 courses taught in English, either from the department's offerings or from a list of approved courses in other departments | 6 |
Select 1 capstone taught in English | 3 |
Total Credits | 30 |
German majors also are encouraged to study abroad in Germany with Fairfield's programs in Bonn or Berlin either during the junior year or in the summer. The final course for the German major must be taken at Fairfield University.
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
Complete at least 3 courses taught in German | 9 |
Complete another 2 courses from the department's offerings in German or English or from a list of approved courses in other departments | 6 |
Total Credits | 15 |
Students select their courses with a departmental advisor.
Course List:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GM 0211 | Intermediate German II | 3 |
GM 0220 | Topics in Language & Culture | 3 |
GM 0241 | German Cinema | 3 |
GM 0251 | German Civilization & Culture I | 3 |
GM 0252 | German Civilization & Culture II | 3 |
GM 0262 | Survey of German Literature | 3 |
GM 0291 | Modern German Literature | 3 |
GM 0377 | Internship | 3 |
GM 0378 | Internship | 3 |
GM 0381 | Coordinating Seminar | 3 |
GM 0382 | Coordinating Seminar | 3 |
GM 0399 | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
The following list of courses taught in English have been approved to count toward the German Major and Minor:
Course List:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AH 0191 | Art and Mythologies of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy & Bolshevik Russia | 3 |
EN 0113 | Literature of the Holocaust | 3 |
HI 0210 | The Third Reich | 3 |
HI 0212 | Modern Germany: From Reich to Republic | 3 |
HI 0304 | The Holocaust in History and Memory | 3 |
MU 0124 | Bach and Beethoven | 3 |
PH 0311 | Immanuel Kant | 3 |
PH 0312 | Hegel | 3 |
Italian Requirements
Italian Major
Italian majors elect a minimum of 30 upper-division credits in Italian for a total of 10 courses. This may include IT 0211 with a gread of B or better and approved courses from study abroad.
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
Complete at least 7 courses taught in Italian | 21 |
Complete another 2 courses from the department's offerings in Italian or English or from a list of approved courses in other departments | 6 |
Complete 1 capstone seminar taught in English | 3 |
Total Credits | 30 |
Students select their course of study from a variety of offerings including courses on creative writing, contemporary culture and film, the short story, literature of the New World, theater, and Dante (which is offered in translation; majors are encouraged to do their written work in Italian). Italian majors also have the opportunity to apply for internships that count towards the major. Students are encouraged to study abroad at our affiliate in Florence either during the junior year or in the summer. The final course for the Italian major must be taken at Fairfield University.
All majors are urged to work closely, as soon as possible, with an advisor of their choice to plan a program.
Italian Minor
Students seeking a minor in Italian complete 15 upper-division credits in Italian for a total of 5 courses. This may include IT 0211 with a grade of B or better and approved courses from study abroad partners.
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
Select at least 3 courses taught in Italian | 9 |
Complete another 2 courses from the department's offerings in Italian or English, or from a list of approved clourses in other departments | 6 |
Total Credits | 15 |
Students select their courses in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Course List:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
IT 0211 | Intermediate Italian | 3 |
IT 0219 | Italian for Professional Applications | 3 |
IT 0220 | Topics in Language & Culture | 3 |
IT 0222 | Made in Italy | 3 |
IT 0233 | Creative Writing | 3 |
IT 0240 | The Language of Food in Italian Culture | 3 |
IT 0253 | Contemporary Italian Culture | 3 |
IT 0255 | The Novella | 3 |
IT 0257 | Theatre in Italy: Comedy from Machiavelli to Fo | 3 |
IT 0289/EN 0115 | Dante (taught in English) | 3 |
IT 0290 | Italian-American Cinema (taught in English) | 3 |
IT 0330 | Redifining the Cosmos: Voyages to the New World in the Italian Renaissance | 3 |
IT 0381 | Coordinating Seminar | 3 |
The following list of courses taught in English have been approved to count toward the Italian Major and Minor
Course List:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
HI 0203 | European Society Middle Ages | 3 |
HI 0222 | TThe Roman Revolution | 3 |
HI 0223 | The Roman World in Late Antiquity, 284-642 AD | 3 |
PO 0123 | Modern Political Ideologies | 3 |
PO 0139 | European Politics | 3 |
RS 0343 | The Papacy | 3 |
AH 0112 | Etruscan & Roman Art & Archaeology | 3 |
AH 0130 | Early Renaissance Art in Italy | 3 |
AH 0140 | Baroque Art | 3 |
AH 0191 | Art & Mythologies of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Bolshevik Russia: Comparative Systems & Outcomes | 3 |
Spanish Requirements
Spanish Major
Spanish majors elect a minimum of 30 upper-division credits in Spanish for a total of 10 courses, which may include approved courses from study abroad partners.
Course List:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SP 0220 | Topics in Language & Culture | 3 |
SP 0245 | Analysis & Interpretation of Hispanic Literature | 3 |
SP 0381 | Coordinating Seminar | 3 |
Select one course from each of the following 3 areas:
Area 1: Peninsular (Spanish) Literature and Culture
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SP 0251 | Spanish Civilization & Culture | 3 |
SP 0311 | Glory, Splendor & Decay: Spanish Golden Age Literature | 3 |
SP 0331 | Love & Deception in 19th-Century Spanish Literature | 3 |
SP 0341 | 20th Century Spanish Literature | 3 |
SP 0346 | Contemporary Spanish Theatre | 3 |
SP 0357 | The Spanish Novel | 3 |
Area 2: Latin American Literature and Culture
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SP 0253 | Spanish-American Civilization | 3 |
SP 0271 | Hispanic Film | 3 |
SP 0305 | Popular Culture in Latin America | 3 |
SP 0306 | Cuban Film: A Close Look at Revolution | 3 |
SP 0353 | Spanish-American Narrative | 3 |
SP 0359 | Culture, Civilization, & Literature in the Spanish-American Caribbean Region | 3 |
SP 0360 | Dictatorship & Revolutionary Movements in Contemporary Latin America | 3 |
SP 0363 | Literature & Culture of the Hispanic Caribbean Migration & Diaspora | 3 |
SP 0371 | Images of Latin American Indians | 3 |
Area 3: Structure of the Spanish Language
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SP 0225 | Spanish & English in Contrast | 3 |
SP 0231B | Career-Oriented Spanish for Business | 3 |
SP 0231N | Career-Oriented Spanish for Nursing & Health Studies | 3 |
SP 0285 | Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | 3 |
SP 0309 | Bilingualism in the Spanish-Speaking World | 3 |
Select 4 additional 200- or 300-level Spanish Courses | 12 | |
Total Credits | 30 |
Notes:
- SP 0220 is a prerequisite for all subsequent Spanish classes. After taking SP 0220, students may take all remaining courses (required and elective) at any time and in any order, provided individual course prerequisites are met.
- If students have received their High School education in a Spanish-speaking country, and if those classes were given in Spanish, then the student needs to meet with a Spanish Professor to have his/her level determined. If it is determined that the student should not take SP 0220, he/she would still need to complete the required 30 credits for the major.
- Study Abroad: Students are encouraged to study abroad in a Spanish speaking country. In order to have courses taken abroad count toward the Spanish major or minor two conditions must be met:
- The courses are taught entirely in Spanish
- The content is related to some aspect of Latin American or Spanish culture, history, linguistics, politics, or literature.
- Any questions regarding the major should be directed to the director of the Spanish section.
Spanish Minor
Students seeking a minor in Spanish complete 15 upper-division credits in Spanish (beyond SP 0211) for a total of 5 courses. There is one required course and four electives:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SP 0220 | Topics in Language and Culture | 3 |
Complete 4 upper-division Spanish electives | 12 | |
Total Credits | 30 |
*These electives can include any 200- or 300-level Spanish course beyond SP 0211 taught at Fairfield University, courses taken abroad, or the coordination seminar (with professor approval).
Notes:
- We strongly recommend that all minors also take SP 0245 Analysis and Interpretation of Hispanic Literature and SP 0285 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics.
- SP 0220 is a prerequisite for all subsequent Spanish classes. After taking SP 0220, students may take all remaining courses (required and elective) at any time and in any order, provided individual course prerequisites are met.
- If students have received their High School education in Spanish-speaking country, and if those classes were given in Spanish, then the student needs to meet with a Spanish Professor to have his/her level determined. If it is determined that the student should not take SP 0220, he/she would still need to complete the required 15 credits for the minor.
- Study Abroad: Students are encouraged to study abroad in a Spanish speaking country. In order to have courses taken abroad count toward the Spanish major or minor, two conditions must be met:
- The courses are taught entirely in Spanish
- The content is related to some aspect of Latin American or Spanish culture, history, politics, literature or linguistics.
- Any questions regarding the minor should be directed to the director of the Spanish section.
Other Languages
Arabic
- AR 110-111: Elementary Modern Standard Arabic
- AR 210-211: Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic
- AR 215: Intermediate Intensive Modern Standard Arabic
- AR 220: Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I
- AR 381-382: Coordinating Seminar/Independent Study
Chinese
- CI 110-111: Elementary Chinese
- CI 210-211: Intermediate Chinese
- CI 220: Advanced Chinese
- CI 250/EN 118: Modern China through Fiction and Film
- CI 251: New Chinese Cinema
- CI 252/EN 119: The City and Modern China
- CI 253: China and the West: Stories of Encounter
- CI 381-382: Coordinating Seminar/Independent Study
Hebrew
- HE 110-111: Elementary Hebrew
- HE 210-211: Intermediate Hebrew
Japanese
- JA 110-111: Elementary Japanese
- JA 210-211: Intermediate Japanese
Portuguese
- PG 110-111: Elementary Brazilian Portuguese
- PG 210-211: Intermediate Brazilian Portuguese
Russian
- RU 110-111: Elementary Russian
- RU 210-211: Intermediate Russian