Liberal Arts

Modern Languages

Professors Garrison (chair), Hye

Associate Professors O'Brien, Petreman

Assistant Professors Caldwell, Halling

Lecturers Douglas, Haritos

Instructors Broughton, Galbraith

The contributions of foreign language study to international understanding and world peace, and the value of language literacy to a liberal education, have long been recognized. The foreign language program combines oral and written proficiency with knowledge of the culture and literary heritage of societies other than our own. The department provides excellent preparation for entrance into many crucial and challenging fields, including the diplomatic corps, foreign trade, government, business, industry, and teaching.

Students should be aware that knowledge of a foreign language alone is often insufficient for many careers. Therefore, the goal should be to combine knowledge of a language with another discipline or skill. A minor, major, or double major (combining a language and some other field) can greatly enhance job opportunities.

Students who wish to teach French, German, or Spanish in Ohio public schools pursue the B.A. degree in the respective major. Upon completion of this undergraduate degree program in the College of Liberal Arts, students then need to complete a graduate level teacher preparation program. They are then eligible to seek licensure from the Ohio Department of Education for the Pre-K–12 Multi-Age License. Currently credentialed teachers may wish to pursue the degree of Master of Education: Classroom Teacher, Modern Languages, through Wright State’s College of Education and Human Services.

Requirements for admission to the teacher education program include a minimum GPA, admission testing, and interviews. Throughout their undergraduate work, students should consult regularly with an advisor in the College of Education and Human Services to ensure that they are meeting requirements of the program.

In addition to major programs in French, German, Modern Languages, and Spanish, the department offers basic courses in Chinese, Danish, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, comparative literature, foreign cultures, literature in translation, linguistics, and phonetics. Students can also minor in any of the three principal languages (French, German, Spanish) offered by the department.

Placement

Students with up to two years of a foreign language in high school or an average grade of "C" or lower in high school language classes are advised to enroll in FR or GER or SPN 101, 102, 103 for credit.

Students who have studied a foreign language for three or more years in high school and received an average grade of "B" or better should enroll in FR GER, or SPN 201.

Students may take a computerized placement test in the department office to determine the appropriate starting point within the language sequence.

Proficiency

Proficiency credit may be earned in two areas: 300-level conversation courses (4 credit hours) and 300-level composition courses (8 credit hours).

Degree Requirements - French

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Degree Requirements - German

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Degree Requirements - Spanish

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Degree Requirements - Modern Languages

Bachelor of Arts Degree

The degree in Modern Languages is a combination of at least three languages: 36 credit hours in a primary field and 36 credit hours in a secondary field. A primary field is a concentration in French, German, or Spanish; a secondary field is any combination of languages the department offers other than the one selected for the primary field, but at least one of the second languages must be pursued through the 203 level. First-year courses will not be counted toward the primary field but may be used to fulfill the requirements for the secondary field. The primary field must include at least two courses at the 400 level.

Cultural Proficiency Requirement

Each student wishing to graduate with a major in the Department of Modern Languages will be required to pass a test based on the department’s cultural handbook. This booklet of basic facts about French, German, Spanish, and Latin American culture is presented to all students when they declare a major in the department. The test is given on the first Friday of every quarter and may be taken any given quarter. The minimum passing grade is 95 percent.

Modern Language Minors - French, German, Spanish

A minor in a foreign language greatly enhances a student’s career prospects. Minors are offered in French, German, and Spanish and require a minimum of 32 credit hours selected from courses at the 200 level or above (excluding LI 371, FR 361, and SPN 361). A minor in Spanish, for example, might consist of the following courses:

A student beginning the program above the 200 level need take only five courses at the 300 or 400 level for minor.

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