Description and requirements Faculty Courses

Description:

Knowledge of foreign languages and an awareness of other cultures are of critical importance in today’s world, in which international communication is instantaneous and events taking place at great geographical distances have immediate global repercussions.

The language and culture program offers students the opportunity to acquire fluency in at least one language and to gain familiarity with the society (or societies) in which that language is used. Keeping in step with the increasingly complex interactions among countries, the program also allows students to explore a diversity of cultures through the wide choice of courses that fulfill requirements for the major.

The language and culture major offers a full program in French and Spanish, with opportunities to study Chinese, German, Hebrew, Italian, linguistics, and Portuguese. A course in Nigerian/Hausa language and culture is also available through the anthropology program.

Modern languages are taught through an approach that immediately involves students in oral interactions in the target language, while developing their linguistic and cultural awareness. Beginning French and Spanish courses also include interactive language labs. As students acquire fluency, they are introduced to varied aspects of the language’s cultural context. These include courses in civilization, translation, literature, and history.

Foreign Language Placement

All students are required to complete a foreign language placement exam before enrolling in any language course. Faculty members monitor their class lists to ensure that students have taken the exam and are enrolled in the appropriate level.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the college’s study abroad programs. These interdisciplinary programs include courses that fulfill requirements for the major in language and culture and/or General Education requirements.

Minors in the Language and Culture Program

Students majoring in any discipline may pursue a minor offered by the language and culture program: Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, and linguistics. Students interested in pursuing any of these minors should submit a completed Declaration of Minor form  to the School of Humanities main office.

Related Interdisciplinary Minors:

Asian Studies | Latin American, Caribbean, and LatinX Studies

Requirements:

In addition to meeting  General Education requirements and other degree requirements, all students majoring in language and culture must complete 40 total credits as listed below:

1. Complete the Translation course in the selected language concentration with a grade of B or higher.

    • SPA3735/Spanish Translation (4 credits)
    • FRE 3735/French Translation (4 credits)

Note: For the French Concentration, if FRE 3735/French Translation is not being offered during a particular year, LAC 3430/An Introduction to Linguistics may be substituted for this requirement if your Advisor permits.

2. Complete Two 3000 level language courses from your chosen concentration below: (8 credits total)

3. Four courses in Hispanic or Francophone culture from your chosen concentration below: (16 credits total)

Note: For the French concentration, the same courses cannot be taken for requirements 2 and 3. For example, if you take FRE3230/The Island as Laboratory, it will fulfill either 2 or 3, and not both.

4. One elective from the list of courses in requirements 2 and 3 that have not been taken or one of the following courses:

5. Complete a two-semester Senior Project with a focus in one of the following areas: (8 Credits) 

  • Language Pedagogy: Creating a lesson plan and classroom materials for language instruction and applying pedagogical principals learned in the Methods of Language Teaching class.
  • Translation: Propose a translation for a passage of a novel, film, etc. applying the theory and methodology of translation studies learned in the Translation course.
  • Literature (Hispanic or Francophone): Engage in research on literature and supplement with materials from History, Philosophy, Art History, Political Science, etc. It is encouraged that students write their project in French or Spanish but it is not required.
  • Topics in Hispanic or Francophone Culture: Students may research on topics such as Cinema, Politics and Visual Arts
  • Creative Projects: Students with artistic skills may submit an original work in their genre of choice. The work must reflect Francophone or Hispanic cultures and include an explanatory essay. Approval from an advisor is needed.

Faculty

  • Carlos Amado

    Assistant Professor of Communications and French
    • BA International Development, Brigham Young University
    • MBA International Administration, Thunderbird School of Global Management
    • MA French Studies, Brigham Young University
    • MA French, Vanderbilt University
    • PhD French, Vanderbilt University

  • Patrizia Farina

    Lecturer of Italian
    • BA, University of Pisa (Italy)
    • PhD, University of Alberta (Canada)

  • Camilla Jantke-Chiappari

    Lecturer of German
    • BA, Humberside Business School (UK)
    • BA, Fachhochschule Münster (Germany)
    • MA, Manhattanville College

  • Gari Laguardia

    Associate Professor of Spanish and Literature
    Co-Chair of Language and Culture
    • BA, Columbia University
    • PhD, University of Pennsylvania

  • Andoveloniaina Rasolofo

    Lecturer of French
    • Licence-ès-Lettres, Maitrise-ès-Lettres, University of Antananarivo (Madagascar)
    • MA, University of Cincinnati
    • PhD, University of Oregon

  • Deborah Symons

    Lecturer of Spanish

  • Ernesto Menedez Conde

    Adjunct Assistant Professor of Language and Culture

    PhD, Duke University

  • Xiang He

    Adjunct Assistant Professor of Chinese and Asian Studies

    PhD, NYU

  • Liat Kadosh

    Lecturer of Hebrew

    MA, Bar Ilian University and Laura/Alvan Siegal College of Judial Studies

  • Dianey Lujan

    Lecturer, Language and Culture

  • Chris Reineck

    Lecturer, Language and Culture

  • Mary Waller

    Lecturer of Spanish
    • BA, University of Leeds, England

Contributing Faculty

  • Robert Watson

    Lecturer of Cinema Studies

    BA, Baylor University
    MA, University of Leeds (UK)
    PhD, Vanderbilt University

Courses