Modern Language Studies
Karen Spira, Associate Professor of Spanish, Chair
David J. Limburg, Professor of German
Hiroko Hirakawa, Professor of Japanese
Maria Bobroff, Professor of French (on leave for 2021-22 academic year)
Alfonso Abad-Mancheño, Associate Professor of Spanish (on study-leave for 2021-22 academic year)
Janet Starmer, Visiting Instructor of French
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, human services, business, entertainment, or government, strengthen their portfolio by adding a double major in Modern Language Studies.
Language Laboratory
Beginning language students gain additional language practice in the target language during weekly lab meetings. Students of French, German and Spanish use language-learning software; students of Japanese work in small groups with the instructor and several teaching assistants.
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 36 credit hours numbered 102 or above and including at least one 400-level course. The Spanish Track requires 38 credit hours, including a 2-credit internship. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, all majors were expected to study abroad with an appropriate Guilford program for a semester before graduating. While the pandemic persists, students may study abroad but study abroad is not required. The temporary waiver of this requirement does not impact the number of credits needed to complete the major. If a student chooses to study abroad, approval of the department is necessary to participate in a non-Guilford program. Students may do 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 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 translation cannot count for the French, Spanish or German Tracks.
A variable-topics course taught in English.
MLS 220. Experiential/Immersive Language Studies. 4.
A track-specific course taught in the target language.
French Courses
Continuation of French I with more emphasis on grammar and developing reading and writing skills. Emphasis still on oral communication and culture. Laboratory Day required.
May also be offered at 250, 350 and 450 levels.
Introduction of more advanced aspects of French grammar, vocabulary and culture in addition to continued speaking and comprehension, as well as increased emphasis on reading and writing in French.
Continuation of more advanced aspects of French grammar, vocabulary, and culture introduced in French 203, with an increased emphasis on reading and writing skills.
An introduction to important literary and cultural texts and to the tools required to understand and discuss them. This course enables students to engage more sophisticated texts and cultural artifacts from different discourses, periods and cultures, and is the prerequisite of all 300-level courses.
May also be offered at 360 and 460 levels.
Study of significant literatures, cultures and major currents of French- speaking Africa, including the Maghreb and sub-Saharan regions.
May also be offered at the 390 level.
Study of the institutions and society of France today, with an emphasis on developing the vocabulary and cultural context required to understand them.
Study of significant literatures, cultures and major currents of the French-speaking world other than those of France, with particular emphasis on Africa and the Caribbean. Course is repeatable with different topics.
Study of French and Francophone cinema as well as societal and cultural influences. Specific directors, films and themes will vary. Course is repeatable with different topics.
Study of French and Francophone culture and society within a defined period of time, e.g., the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, along with the period’s defining characteristics and lasting influences. Course is repeatable with different topics.
Study of French and Francophone culture and society through the lens of a particular theme. Themes may be universal in nature (love, death, the nation, the Other) or more specific (the City of Paris, Revolutionary writings, the Dreyfus affair). Course is repeatable with different topics.
Study of French and Francophone culture and society through a particular literary genre, e.g. the novel, theatre, poetry. Consideration will be given to how historical periods have given rise to certain literary genres and how genres have influenced literary and cultural movements. Course is repeatable with different topics.
Topic of this capstone for majors will vary, but will focus on important questions in French and Francophone studies. Students will explore more advanced approaches to culture and literature and conduct research on a final paper. Required of majors.
4.
German Courses
Basic building blocks of grammar, emphasis on oral communication and culture. Laboratory Day required. Fall, also taught in Munich. Fulfills foreign language requirement (1998). Modern language 101 requirement (2019).
Continuation of German I with more emphasis on grammar and developing writing skills. Emphasis still on oral communication and culture. Laboratory Day required.
May also be offered at 250, 350 and 450 levels.
Review of basic structures and introduction of more advanced aspects of grammar and vocabulary. Increased emphasis on conversation, reading and writing skills.
Continuation of German 201. Increased emphasis on discussion skills. Students read and discuss two youth novels.
May also be offered at 360 and 460 levels.
May also be offered at the 390 level.
Analysis and discussion of literary and cultural texts and films from 1945 to the present. Further development of writing skills.
Analysis and discussion of youth literature, as well as journalism and film aimed at German youth.
Advanced grammar work and writing practice, with increased attention to complexity and style.
Analysis and discussion of German films and literature of the Weimar Republic, as well as short texts of cultural, political and historical relevance.
Students will explore more advanced approaches to culture and literature and conduct research on a final paper. The seminar will focus on pre-19th century, 19th century, and 20th century/contemporary material in a three-year sequence. Required of majors.
4.
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).
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).
May also be offered at 250, 350 and 450 levels.
Advanced grammar study, conversation practice and increased emphasis on reading and writing.
Prerequiste: JAPN 102 or instructor permission.
Examines the lives of Japanese women within the contexts of such social institutions as education, marriage, family, work and mass media. Taught in English. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).
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).
May also be offered at 360 and 460 levels.
May also be offered at the 390 level.
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.
Examines the roles of mass media in the construction of gendered national identity in Japan. Taught in English. Fulfills intercultural requirement (1998). Sociocultural engagement requirement (2019).
JAPN 350. Special Topics. 1-12.
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 490. Internship. 1-8.
Spanish Courses
Continuation of Spanish I with more emphasis on grammar and developing writing skills. Emphasis still on oral communication and culture. Laboratory Day required.
Continuation of SPAN 111. Basic building blocks of grammar, emphasis on oral communication and culture, particularly as they relate to the workplace in various settings such as business, health, travel and social services. For CE students only. Students may not receive credit for both SPAN 102 and SPAN 112.
May also be offered at 250, 350 and 450 levels.
Introduction of more advanced aspects of Spanish grammar and vocabulary in addition to continued speaking and comprehension, increased emphasis on reading and writing in Spanish using culture-oriented material. Students cannot receive credit for both SPAN 201 and SPAN 211.
Thorough review of Spanish grammar as needed, intensive work on oral and written expression on a variety of topics and exposure to a wide range of cultural “texts” (from traditional literature to more recent media). Students cannot receive credit for both SPAN 202 and SPAN 212.
SPAN 211 parallels SPAN 201 (Intermediate Spanish) in its emphasis on learning and practicing more advanced elements of Spanish grammar, developing vocabulary as well as improving speaking and comprehension skills using culture-oriented materials related to the workplace and stressing practices in the Hispanic business world. Students may not receive credit for both SPAN 201 and SPAN 211.
Again, paralleling SPAN 202 (Intermediate Spanish Conversation/Composition) this course will review aspects of grammar learned in previous Spanish courses to help students attain greater proficiency in the use of Spanish structures. Class sessions will emphasize oral and speaking skills using a wide range of cultural texts related to the workplace. Class is conducted in Spanish. Students may not receive credit for both SPAN 202 and SPAN 212.
In this course students will strengthen their communicative skills in Spanish for professions with an emphasis on business and increase their knowledge of the cultures of Spanish-speaking peoples. Class is conducted in Spanish.
May also be offered at 360 and 460 levels.
May also be offered at the 390 level.
In this theoretical and practical course students explore Spanish sounds and practice their pronunciation. They will learn phonetic transcriptions. The class also expands on the history of the Spanish language, which prepares students to take more advanced classes in Spanish literature and linguistics (300-level literature courses and 400-capstone). Students will analyze and compare literary texts from a linguistic point of view and link the evolution of the language to historical events important on both sides of the Atlantic. There is also an advanced grammar component and a service learning project. Course must be taken at Guilford College.
Through multiple perspectives (economic, historical, political, social and religious), students will explore different themes relating to situations in contemporary Spanish America, utilizing art, literary texts and public speeches to illustrate these themes and to form connections between the various countries.
This course will study the dramatic changes that have occurred in Spain since the death of Francisco Franco in 1975: the development of a democratic government, the social and economic challenges faced in Spain’s attempt to become one of the important players in the European Union and the positive and negative effects resulting from such a position.
Examination of the literature and culture against a historical background from the colonial period, with an emphasis on the 20th century.
Examination of the culture, literature and historical contexts of the 16th and 17th centuries in Spain.
Examination of the literature and culture against a historical background from the colonial period, with an emphasis on the 20th century.
Examination of the culture, literature and historical contexts of Medieval Spain with an emphasis on the contributions of Jews, Christians and Moslems.
A view of Latin American culture, society and contemporary issues through film and literature. At times taught in English for IDS 400 credit. For Spanish credit, class meets one extra time and all work is done in Spanish.
A study of the different Hispanic cultures in the U.S. through literature, essays and film with special emphasis on the image of self as “other,” exile, biculturalism, bilingualism and the fusion of cultures. Taught in English for IDS 400 credit. For Spanish credit, class meets one extra time and all work is done in Spanish. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Sociocultural engagement requirement (2019).
Students will explore more advanced approaches to culture and literature and conduct research on a final paper. Possible topics: Indigeneity and Representation, The Latin American Novel.
Students will explore more advanced approaches to culture and literature and conduct research on a final paper. Possible topics: Social and Cultural Impact of the Spanish Civil War, Women in Spanish Literature and Film.
4.