French Major is on hiatus until further notice.
Karen Spira, Associate Professor of Spanish, Chair
David J. Limburg, Professor of German
Hiroko Hirakawa, Professor of Japanese
Benjamin Romero Salado, Visiting Assistant Professor of Spanish
Mission Statement
Offering courses in French, German, Japanese and Spanish, the Department of Modern Language Studies is integral to the College’s mission to produce creative and critical thinkers with the global perspectives necessary to promote positive change in the world. Our purpose is to graduate students who effectively use the four major skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in the target language; who demonstrate familiarity with various cultures of the world where the target language is spoken; and who demonstrate the critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to function as global citizens. We likewise provide leadership in the internationalization of the College’s curriculum.
Introduction
The goal of the Department of Modern Language Studies is to impart a sense of global community in all students. More so than ever before, students must be aware of other cultures and their multiple ways of understanding the world. To this end, the Department of Modern Language Studies considers the study of language and culture as integral to the formation of global citizens.
Beginning at the introductory level, our courses stress communication in the target language. Throughout our curriculum, we emphasize culture broadly defined, from the political, social and historical to the artistic and literary. Essential to the modern language curriculum is study abroad, for no classroom can duplicate the experience of living in another land and interacting in another language. The Modern Language Studies Department helps to prepare all students, not just majors and minors, for their study abroad goals. The department’s commitment to global understanding is evident in the many clubs, service projects, language tables and film festivals we organize. A modern language major is an excellent choice for any student desiring a career abroad or one that requires interaction with diverse groups of people. Students wishing to pursue careers in health care, law, human services, business, entertainment, or government, strengthen their portfolio by adding a double major in Modern Language Studies.
Degrees Offered
The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in Modern Language Studies with French, German/German Studies, Japanese Studies, and Spanish Tracks.
Major Requirements
Each track (with the exception of Spanish) requires a minimum of 32 credit hours numbered 102 or above and including at least one 400-level course. The Spanish Track requires 34 credit hours, including a 2-credit internship. All majors are expected to study abroad with an appropriate Guilford program for a semester before graduating. Approval of the department is necessary to either waive this requirement or to participate in another program abroad. Please also note that a 3-week study abroad course does not satisfy this requirement. Students may complete a senior thesis (470) or departmental honors (490) on a topic approved by the department. This will count as one of the required courses, but will not replace the required 400-level course. Students planning to attend graduate school are urged to choose the senior thesis. Modern Language Studies majors should consider a second major in a related field in order to consolidate and complement their major field of study or to enhance career opportunities.
Course Prerequisites
Language courses require a specific sequencing. The introductory sequence (100 level) is a prerequisite for the intermediate level; the intermediate sequence (200 level) is a prerequisite for the higher levels.
NOTE: With the exception of MLS 210, courses in English cannot count for the French, Spanish or German Tracks.
MLS 210. Interdisciplinary Language Studies. 4.
MLS 220. Experiential/Immersive Language Studies. 4.
A track-specific course taught in the target language.
French Courses
FREN 101. Communicating in French I. 4. FREN 102. Communicating in French II. 4. Prerequisite:
FREN 101 or placement. Spring. Fulfills foreign language requirement (1998). Modern language 102 requirement (2019).
FREN 111. French Around the World, Communication and Cultures. 4. FREN 150. Special Topics. 1-8. FREN 203. Intermediate French I. 4. Prerequisite:
FREN 102 orplacement. Fall.
FREN 204. Intermediate French II. 4. FREN 220. Introduction to Literary and Cultural Analysis. 4. FREN 250. Special Topics. 1-9. FREN 260. Independent Study. 1-8. FREN 275. French-Speaking Africa, in English Translation. 4. Prerequisite: Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Art/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).
FREN 290. Internship. 1-8. FREN 310. Contemporary France. 4. FREN 311. The Francophone World. 4. Prerequisite:
FREN 220 or placement. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Art/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).
FREN 315. French and Francophone Cinema. 4. Prerequisite:
FREN 220. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).
FREN 350. Special Topics. 9. FREN 360. Independent Study. 1-8. FREN 365. Literature and Culture: Period. 4. FREN 375. Literature and Culture: Theme. 4. FREN 385. Literature and Culture: Genre. 4. FREN 390. Internship. 1-8. FREN 400. Senior Seminar. 4. Prerequisite:
FREN 220, a 300-level course and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).
FREN 450. Special Topics. 1-8. FREN 460. Independent Study. 1-8. FREN 470. Senior Thesis. 1-8. FREN 490. Departmental Honors. 1-8.
German Courses
GERM 101. Communicating in German I. 4. GERM 102. Communicating in German II. 4. Prerequisite:
GERM 101 or placement. Fulfills foreign language requirement (1998). Modern language 102 requirement (2019).
GERM 150. Special Topics. 1-8. GERM 201. Intermediate German. 4. GERM 202. Intermediate German II. 4. Prerequisite:
GERM 201 or placement. Spring.
GERM 250. Special Topics. 1-4. GERM 260. Independent Study. 1-8. GERM 290. Internship. 1-8. GERM 310. Contemporary German Culture. 4. Prerequisite:
GERM 202 or placement. Fall, every third year.
GERM 311. German Youth Culture. 4. Prerequisite:
GERM 202 or placement. Fall, every third year. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/ humanities requirement (2019).
GERM 312. German Composition. 4. Prerequisite:
GERM 202 or placement. Fall, taught in Munich.
GERM 320. Culture and Society: The Weimar Republic. 4. Prerequisite:
GERM 202 or placement. Fall, every third year. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).
GERM 350. Special Topics. 1-8. GERM 360. Independent Study. 1-8. GERM 390. Internship. 1-8. GERM 400. Seminar. 4. Prerequisite: GERM 300 level or placement and Historical Perspectives. Spring; repeatable. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).
GERM 450. Special Topics. 1-8. GERM 460. Independent Study. 1-8. GERM 470. Senior Thesis. 1-8. GERM 490. Departmental Honors. 1-8.
Japanese Courses
JAPN 101. Communicating in Japanese I. 4.
Basic building blocks of grammar, emphasis on oral communication and culture. Laboratory Day required. Fulfills foreign language requirement (1998). Modern language 101 requirement (2019).
JAPN 102. Communicating in Japanese II. 4.
Continuation of Japanese I with more emphasis on grammar and developing writing skills. Emphasis still on oral communication and culture. Laboratory Day required.
Prerequiste:
JAPN 101 or placement. Fulfills foreign language requirement (1998). Modern language 102 requirement (2019).
JAPN 150. Special Topics. 1-8.
JAPN 201. Intermediate Japanese I. 4.
Advanced grammar study, conversation practice and increased emphasis on reading and writing.
Prerequiste:
JAPN 102 or instructor permission.
JAPN 202. Intermediate Japanese II. 4.
JAPN 220. Women in Modern Japan. 4.
JAPN 221. Contemporary Japanese Society. 4.
Interdisciplinary course examines popular American attitudes toward Japan and social construction of national identity in contemporary Japan (as well as challenges to this identity). Studies social conditions, popular culture and racial and ethnic minorities in Japan. Taught in English. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).
JAPN 250. Special Topics. 1-8.
JAPN 260. Independent Study. 1-8.
May also be offered at 360 and 460 levels.
JAPN 290. Internship. 1-8.
May also be offered at the 390 level.
JAPN 301. Early-Advanced Japanese. 4.
Solidifies the foundations of grammar, vocabulary and kanji that were built at the intermediate level, and helps students read and communicate more in detail and at greater lengths about various topics.
Prerequiste:
JAPN 202.
JAPN 310. Media, Gender and Nation in Japan. 4.
JAPN 350. Special Topics. 1-12.
JAPN 360. Independent Study. 1-8.
JAPN 390. Internship. 1-8.
JAPN 400. Senior Seminar. 4.
Topic of this capstone for Japanese Studies track will vary, but will focus on important questions in Japanese studies. Students will explore more advanced approaches to culture and literature and conduct research on a final paper.
Prerequiste:
JAPN 301 and Historical Perspectives.
JAPN 450. Special Topics. 1-16.
JAPN 460. Independent Study. 1-8.
JAPN 470. Senior Thesis. 1-8.
Spanish Courses
SPAN 101. Communicating in Spanish I. 4. SPAN 102. Communicating in Spanish II. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 101 or placement. Students may not receive credit for both
SPAN 102 and
SPAN 112. Fulfills foreign language requirement (1998). Modern language 102 requirement (2019).
SPAN 111. Communicating in Spanish for Business I. 4. SPAN 112. Communicating in Spanish for Business II. 4. SPAN 150. Special Topics. 1-8. SPAN 201. Intermediate Spanish. 4. SPAN 202. Intermediate Conversation and Composition. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 201 or instructor permission.
SPAN 211. Intermediate Spanish for Business I. 4. SPAN 212. Intermediate Spanish for Business II. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 211 or placement or instructor permission.
SPAN 221. Advanced Spanish for Business. 4. SPAN 250. Special Topics. 1-9. SPAN 260. Independent Study. 1-8. SPAN 290. Internship. 1-8. SPAN 301. Advanced Grammar and Composition. 4. SPAN 310. Contemporary Latin America. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 221 or
SPAN 301. Fulfills intercultural requirement (1998). Sociocultural engagement requirement (2019). Alternate years.
SPAN 311. Contemporary Spain. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 301 or instructor permission. Alternate years.
SPAN 320. Culture and Society: Mexico, Central America and Caribbean. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 221 or
SPAN 301. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).
SPAN 321. Culture and Society: Golden Age of Spain. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 221 or
SPAN 301. Fulfills intercultural requirement (1998). Sociocultural engagement requirement (2019).
SPAN 322. Culture and Society: South America. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 301 or instructor permission. Alternate years. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).
SPAN 323. Culture and Society: Beginnings of a Nation (The Integration of Three Cultures). 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 221 or
SPAN 301. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Sociocultural engagement requirement (2019).
SPAN 324. Indigeneity and Representation. 4. SPAN 340. Film, Life and Literature of Latin America. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 301 and another SPAN 300-level course.
SPAN 342. Latinx Cultures in the United States. 4. SPAN 350. Special Topics. 1-9. SPAN 360. Independent Study. 8. SPAN 390. Internship. 1-8. SPAN 402. Senior Seminar: Latin America. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 301 and another SPAN 300-level course and Historical Perspectives
SPAN 403. Senior Seminar: Spain. 4. Prerequisite:
SPAN 301 and a second 300-level course and Historical Perspectives.
SPAN 450. Special Topics. 1-8. SPAN 460. Independent Study. 1-8. SPAN 470. Senior Thesis. 1-8. SPAN 490. Departmental Honors. 1-8.