Foreign Language, Literature and Cultures

Department Website

Why Study Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures?
Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures at CMU
French Major - B.S. in Ed.
French Major - B.A. and B.S.
French Major - Commercial French Concentration
French Minor - B.S. in Ed., Elementary
French Minor - B.S. in Ed., Secondary
French Minor - B.A. and B.S.
German Major - B.S. in Ed.
German Major - B.A. and B.S.
German Minor - B.A. and B.S.
German Minor - B.S. in Ed., Elementary
German Minor - B.S. in Ed., Secondary
Spanish Major - B.S. in Ed.
Spanish Major - B.A. and B.S.
Spanish Minor - B.A. and B.S.
Spanish Minor - B.S. in Ed., Elementary
Spanish Minor - B.S. in Ed., Secondary
The Faculty
FLN Course Descriptions
FRN Course Descriptions
GER Course Descriptions
GRK Course Descriptions
JPN Course Descriptions
LAT Course Descriptions
OJB Course Descriptions
RUS Course Descriptions
SPN Course Descriptions

Why Study Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures?
Students planning on using language as a primary skill in foreign language teaching, interpreting, and translating will pursue studies in this area. These studies are also for students who want to use language as an auxiliary skill. Wider employment opportunities are available for those who combine a knowledge of a foreign language with majors such as: anthropology, broadcast and cinematic arts, business and administration, counselor education, journalism, library science, political science, social work, travel, tourism, and hospitality. Foreign languages should also be considered by students who plan on attending graduate or professional schools, those wishing to gain a greater understanding of their cultural heritage, and those who want to enrich their leisure time pursuits.

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at CMU
Students with no previous language experience should begin with a language course numbered 101. Students with previous language experience must take the placement exam. In each language the course sequence is 101, 102, 201, 202. If you have any questions regarding your placement, contact an advisor. Advisors are: for French - Dollard, Gunther, Labrie, Palka; for German - Moffit (teaching degrees), Jones and Lein (non-teaching degrees); for Japanese - Richardson; for Spanish - Courtad, Gillingham, Hurtado, Jackson, Knight, Kulawik, Rengifo, Richardson, and Torres-Rivera.

Study Abroad. Students can register at CMU to study abroad at the following institutions:

French - in Paris at the Alliance Française, in Rennes at the University of Haute-Bretagne; in Angers at the Centre International d’Etudes Françaises; in Canada at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi. CMU and the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi offer a joint scholarship of $600 for study during the five week immersion program. This grant is for majors or minors in French to study at UQAC.

German - in the spring semester at the Tandem Program in Bielefeld. The course lasts for 16 weeks, and the students get 12 credits upon successful completion. Programs at Goethe Institutes can be taken in the summer. In addition, we offer three exchange scholarships to eligible majors in German for a year’s study at a German University. The scholarship includes tuition, room and board, and spending money for the entire year. A summer internship in a German company is available to students majoring/minoring in both German and business.

Japanese - in Hikone at the Japan Center for Michigan Universities, and in Nara at Nara University of Education.

Spanish - in Spain: the University of Alicante, the University of Sevilla, Center for Cross-Cultural Studies (Sevilla), Cursos Americanos e Internacionales (Segovia); in the Dominican Republic: the Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra; in Chile: at the Universidad Austral de Chile (Valdivia); in Mexico: the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, the Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro; in Ecuador: the Universidad San Francisco de Quito.

Residential College. In collaboration with the Office of Residence Life, the department offers a residential college for students intending to major or minor in foreign language. Here students will be able to develop their foreign language skills through a variety of study and social opportunities involving their peers, the foreign language faculty, and foreign students and faculty on campus

Credit for courses abroad is arranged in consultation with advisors from the foreign language faculty and the director of the Center for International Education. Guaranteed Student Loans, Pell Grants and other financial aid plans are available for programs abroad.
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Majors and Minors

The department offers majors and minors in French, German, and Spanish. The sequences 101 - 102 - 201 - 202 provide the basis for all advanced study in French, German and Spanish. In Spanish, 214 is added to this basis. Without previous language experience, prospective majors and minors begin with 101. Students who have studied a foreign language must take the placement test. They are placed higher in the sequence based on previously attained skills in the language .

Notes:
All majors in a language are required to take nine hours of language at the 300 level or above on campus.

One course at the 200 level and one course at the 300 level or 400 level taken on a CR/NC basis may be counted toward a major or minor.

CLEP: The department accepts up to four credit hours of CLEP credit per language.

Advanced Placement: Credit is given for a score of three or above after a departmental review of each case and an interview with the student.

International Baccalaureate: Credit is given for a score of three or above after a departmental review of each case and an interview with the student.

Transfer Students majoring in a foreign language must earn at least nine credit hours in their major at CMU; those minoring must earn at least six credit hours in their minor at CMU. These hours must be taken on campus.

Retroactive Credit: Students who enroll in an entry level course (102, 201, 202), or a course beyond 202 (FRN 315 or 316, GER 311 or 312, or SPN 214 or 331), and receive a B (3.0) or better are eligible for up to 8 hours of retroactive credit. To qualify, students must be enrolled at the level determined by their score on the placement test, or at a higher level. Earned credits count toward the University Program, but retroactive credits do not.
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French Language

French Major
B.S. in Ed., Elementary or Secondary Education Emphasis
At least 34 hours of FRN courses including 31 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses include: (7-15 hours)
FRN 201 (4) Intermediate French I*
FRN 202 (4) Intermediate French II*
FRN 315 (3) Advanced French I
FRN 316 (3) Advanced French II
FRN 430 (1) French Culture Web Pages**

Other requirements: (12 hours)
Courses in French and Francophone culture and/or literature from:
FRN 301 (3) French Civilization
FRN 302 (3) France Today
FRN 303 (3) Survey of French Literature (Beginning to 1800)
FRN 304 (3) Survey of French Literature (1800 to Present)
FRN 305 (3) Survey of Francophone Literature
FRN 403 (3) French Literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance
FRN 404 (3) French Literature of the Seventeenth Century
FRN 406 (3) French Literature of the Eighteenth Century
FRN 407 (3) French Literature of the Nineteenth Century
FRN 409 (3) French Literature of the Twentieth Century
FRN 420 (3) Literature and Culture of Quebec
FRN 591 (1-6) Studies in French Culture

Electives at 300 level or above (9-12 hours)

B.S. in Ed. degree requirements: (4 hours)
FRN 411 (3) Practicum in Teaching French
FRN 412 (1) Practicum: Field Experience

Total: 34-40 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
**This is the Capstone course for French majors.

Additional requirements for K-12 certification on B.S. in Ed. degree options (5 hours):
An additional hour in FRN 412 (for a total of two hours)
FRN 421 (1) Foreign Language in Elementary School
EDU 310 (3) Psychological Foundations of Education (on the B.S. in Ed. degree Elementary Emphasis) OR EDU 280 (3) Education of Children (on the B.S. in Ed. degree Secondary Emphasis)

Total: 39-45 semester hours
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French Major
B.A. and B.S. degrees
At least 30 hours of FRN courses including 28 hours at 300 level or above.

Required courses (7-15 hours):
FRN 201 (4) Intermediate French I*
FRN 202 (4) Intermediate French II*
FRN 315 (3) Advanced French I
FRN 316 (3) Advanced French II
FRN 430 (1) French Culture Web Pages**

Electives at 300 level or above (9-12 hours)

Total: 30-36 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
**This is the Capstone course for French majors.
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French Major
Commercial French Concentration
B.A. and B.S. degrees
At least 30 hours including 24 hours at the 300 level or above.

Depending on a student's initial placement by the department, required courses include:
FRN 201 (4) Intermediate French I
FRN 202 (4) Intermediate French II
FRN 211 (2) French Conversation
FRN 212 (2) French Language Study: Structure and Composition
FRN 311 (3) Advanced French and Conversation

Plus 6-9 hours from:
FRN 301 (3) French Civilization
FRN 302 (3) France Today
FRN 303 (3) Survey of French Literature (Beginning to 1800)
FRN 304 (3) Survey of French Literature (1800 to Present)
FRN 332 (3) Advanced Language Skills Composition

Plus 13-17 hours from:
Paris Internship and Study Program
FRN 310 (7-11) Study Abroad
FRN 410 (6) Study Abroad

The courses taken in Paris can vary, but will always be French language and content courses relative to business. To qualify for the Paris Internship and Study program, students must have at least a 3.0 GPA in French and a 2.75 GPA overall. A written French language exam is required as part of the admission process. They must also have participated in a study program for a minimum of 6 weeks, or had a living experience in a French-speaking country or have obtained an intermediate-high rating on the ACTFL oral proficiency interview.

Total 30-36 semester hours
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French Minor
B.S. in Ed. Elementary Emphasis
At least 23 hours of FRN courses including 19 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses: (10-18 hours)
FRN 201 (4) Intermediate French I*
FRN 202 (4) Intermediate French II*
FRN 315 (3) Advanced French I
FRN 316 (3) Advanced French II
FRN 411 (3) Practicum in Teaching French
FRN 421 (1) Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools

Other requirements: (6 hours)
Courses in French and Francophone culture and/or literature from:
FRN 301 (3) French Civilization
FRN 302 (3) France Today
FRN 303 (3) Survey of French Literature (Beginning to 1800)
FRN 304 (3) Survey of French Literature (1800 to Present)
FRN 305 (3) Survey of Francophone Literature
FRN 403 (3) French Literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance
FRN 404 (3) French Literature of the Seventeenth Century
FRN 406 (3) French Literature of the Eighteenth Century
FRN 407 (3) French Literature of the Nineteenth Century
FRN 409 (3) French Literature of the Twentieth Century
FRN 420 (3) Literature and Culture of Quebec
FRN 591 (1-6) Studies in French Culture

Electives at 300 level or above (3-9 hours)

Total: 23-27 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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French Minor
B.S. in Ed. Secondary and Secondary Special Education Emphasis
At least 23 hours of FRN courses including 19 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses: (9-17 hours)
FRN 201 (4) Intermediate French I*
FRN 202 (4) Intermediate French II*
FRN 315 (3) Advanced French I
FRN 316 (3) Advanced French II
FRN 411 (3) Practicum in Teaching French

Other requirements: (6 hours)
Courses in French and Francophone culture and/or literature from:
FRN 301 (3) French Civilization
FRN 302 (3) France Today
FRN 303 (3) Survey of French Literature (Beginning to 1800)
FRN 304 (3) Survey of French Literature (1800 to Present)
FRN 305 (3) Survey of Francophone Literature
FRN 403 (3) French Literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance
FRN 404 (3) French Literature of the Seventeenth Century
FRN 406 (3) French Literature of the Eighteenth Century
FRN 407 (3) French Literature of the Nineteenth Century
FRN 409 (3) French Literature of the Twentieth Century
FRN 420 (3) Literature and Culture of Quebec
FRN 591 (1-6) Studies in French Culture

Electives at 300 level or above (3-8 hours)

Total: 23-26 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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French Minor
B.A. and B.S. degrees
At least 20 hours of FRN courses including 15 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses: (6-14 hours)
FRN 201 (4) Intermediate French I*
FRN 202 (4) Intermediate French II*
FRN 315 (3) Advanced French I
FRN 316 (3) Advanced French II

Electives at 300 level or above (3-9 hours)

Total: 20-23 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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German Language

German Major
B.S. in Ed., Elementary or Secondary Education Emphasis
At least 34 hours of GER courses including 31 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses: (10-18 hours)
GER 201 (4) Intermediate German I*
GER 202 (4) Intermediate German II*
GER 311 (3) Advanced German I
GER 312 (3) Advanced German II
GER 411 (3) Practicum in Teaching German
GER 412 (1) Practicum: Field Experience

Other requirements: (12 hours)
Courses in German culture and/or literature from:
GER 335 (3) The Culture of the German Economy
GER 336 (3) The Culture of German Business
GER 341 (3) German Cultural History I
GER 342 (3) German Cultural History II
GER 343 (3) Survey of German Literature I
GER 344 (3) Survey of German Literature II
GER 347 (3) German Cultural History III
GER 370 (1-4) Advanced Studies in German
GER 403 (3) German Literature to 1776
GER 405 (3) German Classicism
GER 407 (3) German Literature of the Nineteenth Century
GER 409 (3) German Literature of the Twentieth Century
GER 470 (1-4) Advanced Studies in German

Electives at the 300 level or above (9-12 hours)

Total 34-39 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.

Additional requirements for K-12 certification on B.S. in Ed. degree options: (5 hours)
An additional hour in GER 412 (for a total of two hours)
GER 421 (1) Foreign Language in Elementary School
EDU 310 (3) Psychological Foundations of Education (on B.S. in Ed. degree Elementary Emphasis) OR
EDU 280 (3) Education of Children (on the B.S. in Ed. degree Secondary Emphasis)

Total: 39-44 semester hours
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German Major
B.A. and B.S. degree
At least 30 hours of GER courses including 27 hours at the 300 level or above

Required courses: (6-14 hours)
GER 201 (4) Intermediate German I*
GER 202 (4) Intermediate German II*
GER 311 (3) Advanced German I
GER 312 (3) Advanced German II

Other Requirements: (12 hours)
Courses in German culture and/or literature from:
GER 335 (3) The Culture of the German Economy
GER 336 (3) The Culture of German Business
GER 341 (3) German Cultural History I
GER 342 (3) German Cultural History II
GER 343 (3) Survey of German Literature I
GER 344 (3) Survey of German Literature II
GER 347 (3) German Cultural History III
GER 370 (1-4) Advanced Studies in German
GER 403 (3) German Literature to 1776
GER 405 (3) German Classicism
GER 407 (3) German Literature of the Nineteenth Century
GER 409 (3) German Literature of the Twentieth Century
GER 470 (1-4) Advanced Studies in German

Electives at the 300 level or above (9-12 hours)

Total: 30-35 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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German Minor
B.A. and B.S. degree
At least 20 hours of GER courses including 15 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses include: (6-14 hours)
GER 201 (4) Intermediate German I*
GER 202 (4) Intermediate German II*
GER 311 (3) Advanced German I
GER 312 (3) Advanced German II

Other requirements (6 hours)
Courses in German culture and/or literature from:
GER 335 (3) The Culture of the German Economy
GER 336 (3) The Culture of German Business
GER 341 (3) German Cultural History I
GER 342 (3) German Cultural History II
GER 343 (3) Survey of German Literature I
GER 344 (3) Survey of German Literature II
GER 347 (3) German Cultural History III
GER 370 (1-4) Advanced Studies in German
GER 403 (3) German Literature to 1776
GER 405 (3) German Classicism
GER 407 (3) German Literature of the Nineteenth Century
GER 409 (3) German Literature of the Twentieth Century
GER 470 (1-4) Advanced Studies in German

Electives at 300 level or above (3-9 hours)

Total: 20-23 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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German Minor
B.S. in Ed., Elementary Emphasis
At least 23 hours of GER courses including 19 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses include: (10-18 hours)
GER 201 (4) Intermediate German I*
GER 202 (4) Intermediate German II*
GER 311 (3) Advanced German I
GER 312 (3) Advanced German II
GER 411 (3) Practicum in Teaching German
GER 421 (1) Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools

Other requirements: (6 hours)
Courses in German culture and/or literature from:
GER 335 (3) The Culture of the German Economy
GER 336 (3) The Culture of German Business
GER 341 (3) German Cultural History I
GER 342 (3) German Cultural History II
GER 343 (3) Survey of German Literature I
GER 344 (3) Survey of German Literature II
GER 347 (3) German Cultural History III
GER 370 (1-4) Advanced Studies in German
GER 403 (3) German Literature to 1776
GER 405 (3) German Classicism
GER 407 (3) German Literature of the Nineteenth Century
GER 409 (3) German Literature of the Twentieth Century
GER 470 (1-4) Advanced Studies in German

Electives at 300 level or above (3-7 hours)

Total: 23-27 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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German Minor
B.S. in Ed., Secondary and Secondary Special Education Emphasis
At least 23 hours of GER courses including 18 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses include: (9-17 hours)
GER 201 (4) Intermediate German I*
GER 202 (4) Intermediate German II*
GER 311 (3) Advanced German I
GER 312 (3) Advanced German II
GER 411 (3) Practicum in Teaching German

Electives at 300 level or above (3-8 hours)

Total: 23-26 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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Spanish Language

Spanish Major
B.S. in Ed., Elementary, Secondary Education Emphases
At least 34 hours of SPN courses including 28 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses: (18-29 hours)
SPN 201 (4) Intermediate Spanish I*
SPN 202 (4) Intermediate Spanish II*
SPN 214 (3) Intermediate Conversation and Composition*
SPN 331 (3) Advanced Grammar and Composition
SPN 371 (3) Advanced Spanish Conversation

Plus 6 hours from:
SPN 381 (3) Spanish Civilization I
SPN 382 (3) Spanish Civilization II
SPN 383 (3) Spanish-American Civilization I
SPN 384 (3) Spanish-American Civilization II

Plus 6 hours at the 400 level or above

Electives at the 300 level or above (6-12 hours)

B.S. in Ed. requirement (4 hours):
SPN 411 (3) Practicum in Teaching Spanish
SPN 412 (1) Practicum: Field Experience

Total 34-39 semester hours

Optional K-12 certification requirements: (5 hours)
An additional hour in SPN 412 (for a total of two hours)
SPN 421 (1) Foreign Language in Elementary School
EDU 310 (3) Psychological Foundations of Education (on B.S. in Ed. degree Elementary Education Emphasis OR
EDU 280 (3) Education of Children (on the B.S. in Ed. degree Secondary Emphasis)

Total: 39-44 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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Spanish Major
B.A. and B.S. degree
At least 30 hours of SPN courses including 24 hours at the 300 level or above.

Including 6 hours from:
SPN 381 (3) Spanish Civilization I
SPN 382 (3) Spanish Civilization II
SPN 383 (3) Spanish-American Civilization I
SPN 384 (3) Spanish-American Civilization II

Plus 6 hours at the 400 level or above

Electives at the 300 level or above (6-12 hours)

Total: 30-35 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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Spanish Minor
B.A. and B.S. degrees, Plan A and B
At least 20 hours of SPN courses including 15 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses: (9-20 hours)
SPN 201 (4) Intermediate Spanish I*
SPN 202 (4) Intermediate Spanish II*
SPN 214 (3) Intermediate Conversation and Composition*
SPN 331 (3) Advanced Grammar and Composition
SPN 371 (3) Advanced Spanish Conversations

Including 3 hours from:
SPN 381 (3) Spanish Civilization I
SPN 382 (3) Spanish Civilization II
SPN 383 (3) Spanish-American Civilization I
SPN 384 (3) Spanish-American Civilization II

Electives at the 300 level or above (6-12 hours)

Total: 20-26 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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Spanish Minor
B.S. in Ed., Elementary Education Emphases
At least 20 hours including 19 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses: (13-21 hours)
SPN 201 (4) Intermediate Spanish I*
SPN 202 (4) Intermediate Spanish II*
SPN 214 (3) Intermediate Conversation and Composition*
SPN 331 (3) Advanced Grammar and Composition
SPN 371 (3) Advanced Spanish Conversations
SPN 411 (3) Practicum in Teaching Spanish
SPN 421 (1) Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools

Plus 3 hours from:
SPN 381 (3) Spanish Civilization I
SPN 382 (3) Spanish Civilization II
SPN 383 (3) Spanish-American Civilization I
SPN 384 (3) Spanish-American Civilization II

Electives at the 300 level or above (6-7 hours)

Total: 20-30 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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Spanish Minor
B.S. in Ed., Secondary and Secondary Special Education Emphases
At least 20 hours including 18 hours at the 300 level or above.

Required courses: (12-20 hours)
SPN 201 (4) Intermediate Spanish I*
SPN 202 (4) Intermediate Spanish II*
SPN 214 (3) Intermediate Conversation and Composition*
SPN 331 (3) Advanced Grammar and Composition
SPN 371 (3) Advanced Spanish Conversations
SPN 411 (3) Practicum in Teaching Spanish

Plus 3 hours from:
SPN 381 (3) Spanish Civilization I
SPN 382 (3) Spanish Civilization II
SPN 383 (3) Spanish-American Civilization I
SPN 384 (3) Spanish-American Civilization II

Electives at the 300 level or above (6-8 hours)

Total: 20-29 semester hours

*These courses may be required, depending on a student's initial placement by the department.
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B.S. in Ed. degree, Elementary, Elementary Special, Secondary, and Secondary Special Education Emphases

B.S. in Ed. degree options require students pass a proficiency exam in each language. Majors and minors will be admitted to student teaching in foreign language only if they have a GPA of 3.0 in foreign language studies. 411, 412 and 421 are not courses in language studies and are not considered in this GPA. Student teaching must be arranged for the fall semester; exceptions may be made by the department chairperson.
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The faculty: James Courtad, Joan Dollard, Cynthia Espinosa, Mary Gillingham, Scott Gunther, Dale Hartkemeyer, Luz Marcela Hurtado, Mary-Garland Jackson, James Jones, Susan Knight, Krzysztof Kulawik, Gilles Labrie, Janet D. Lein, Gisela Moffit, Keith Palka, Alejandra Rengifo, Norma H. Richardson, Carl Rothfuss, Rebeca Torres-Rivera
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