Stephen F. Austin State University

Department of Modern Languages

Areas of Study & Degrees (French, German, Spanish)

Faculty

Objectives

The Department of Modern Languages recognizes three principal objectives:

  1. to develop competence in understanding, speaking, reading and writing a foreign language;
  2. to cultivate an appreciation for the culture and civilization of the people whose language is being studied; and
  3. to provide guidance in preparation for the various opportunities in language work.

Mission

The department seeks to prepare students to participate in an increasingly complex and diverse society. The programs of the department provide students with the opportunity to enhance their communications skills, both oral and written, and to enrich their understanding of cultural diversity through the study of foreign language, literature and culture. Maintaining high academic standards, the department encourages students to explore linguistic and cultural systems other than their own; to think critically about the nature of language; to examine value systems; and to appreciate the diversity of cultures in society. The department seeks to provide instruction that will give students the skills necessary to function and continue to learn as true world citizens.

French National Honor Society

Membership in Phi Delta Pi, the National French Honor Society, is open to outstanding advanced-level students of French.

Spanish National Honor Society

Membership in Sigma Delta Pi, the National Hispanic Honor Society, is open to outstanding advanced-level students of Spanish.

Definition of Majors & Minors

French

Students who wish to graduate with a major in a Modern Language must complete all requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. The major in French usually consists of 34 semester hours in the language: FRE 132, 231, 232 and 235 plus at least 21 hours of upper-division courses, including 303. At least six advanced hours must be 400-level courses. A second major requires the same lower-division hours plus 15 hours of upper-division courses, including 303, with at least three hours at the 400 level. Students wishing a teaching certificate should consult the appropriate program in the James I. Perkins College of Education.

Minors in French consist of 22 semester hours: FRE 132, 231 and 232 plus 12 advanced hours or nine advanced hours and 235. Students may take only one conversation course (235 or 335) for the minor.

Spanish

Students who wish to graduate with a major in a Modern Language must complete all requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. There are two tracks for the major in Spanish, each requiring 33 hours in Spanish. For non-native speakers of Spanish, the required courses are 231, 232, 235, 303 and an additional 21 advanced hours, six of which are to be 400 level. For native and heritage speakers of Spanish, the required courses are 241, 242, 335, 303 and an additional 21 advanced hours, six of which must be 400 level.

For the second major in Spanish, non-native speakers of Spanish take 231, 232, 235, 303 and an additional 15 advanced hours, three of which must be at the 400 level; native and heritage speakers of Spanish take 241, 242, 335, 303 and an additional 15 advanced hours, three of which must be 400 level.

For the minor in Spanish, non-native speakers of Spanish take 231, 232, 303 and an additional 12 advanced hours or 235 and an additional nine hours; native and heritage speakers of Spanish take 241, 242, 303 and an additional 12 advanced hours.

Teacher Certification Program

Requirements for certification in Spanish or French are listed earlier in this bulletin under the section on educator certification in the College of Education.

Advanced Placement & Bypass Credit

Advanced placement with credit for courses bypassed may be earned in French, German and Spanish. Such credit is available in the sequence of French, German and Spanish 131-132, 231-232, and French and Spanish 303. In the 131-303 sequence, the student must earn a grade of C or higher in the course taken in order to receive bypass credit. Repeated courses do not carry bypass credit. In all cases, the student must apply for bypass credit through the Department of Modern Languages.

Students who are unsure as to proper placement in language courses are strongly encouraged to take the placement examination offered free each semester by the department. The examination carries no credit and is for placement only. On the basis of the score earned on the examination, the language adviser recommends a course commensurate with the student's level of competence in the language.

Courses in French (FRE)

Unless otherwise indicated, courses are 3 semester hours credit, 3 hours lecture per week.

131.

Elementary French I (FRE 1411) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two one-hour laboratory periods each week. Introductory study of French language and Francophone culture, with speaking, listening, reading and writing practice. Lab fee $10.

132.

Elementary French II (FRE 1412) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two one-hour laboratory periods per week. A continuation of FRE 131. Prerequisite: C or better in FRE 131 or equivalent. Lab fee $10.

231.

Intermediate French I (FRE 2311) - Continued development of oral expression and listening comprehension with increased emphasis on reading and writing skills. Prerequisite: C or better in FRE 132 or equivalent.

232.

Intermediate French II (FRE 2312) - Continuation of French 231. Prerequisite: C or better in FRE 231 or equivalent.

235.

French Conversation (FRE 2306) - Development of basic conversational functions (such as giving advice, eliciting and expressing opinions, and narrating events); conversational management skills (such as taking turns, asking for clarification, circumlocution); and understanding of different spoken registers of French. Prerequisite: FRE 231 or equivalent.

303.

Advanced Grammar and Composition - Development of the reading and composition skills necessary for advanced coursework in French. Prerequisite: FRE 232 or equivalent.

304.

Introduction to French Literature - Readings from each of the major literary genres including lyric poetry, theatre and narrative fiction. Prerequisite: FRE 232 or equivalent.

315.

Topics in French Film and Culture - Exploration of cultural themes such as childhood, family life, social marginality, crime and punishment, and war using French and Francophone film. May be repeated once for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: FRE 232 and FRE 235 or equivalent.

330.

French Civilization - Study of contemporary French culture and of the historical origins of the institutions of modern French life, such as family, religion, government and education. Prerequisite: FRE 232 or equivalent.

335.

Advanced French Conversation - Development of speaking and listening skills aimed at a high level of oral proficiency, with emphasis on topics pertaining to French or Francophone culture. Prerequisites: FRE 235 or equivalent.

435.

Special Studies in French Language and Civilization - Variable topics including women and French society, Francophone Africa, the Enlightenment, the history of French cinema, French for teachers, business French, and translation. May be repeated once for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: six hours of advanced French.

436.

Special Studies in French Literature - Seminar for advanced studies in French literature. Variable topics including Francophone literature of Africa and the Caribbean, women writers, the contemporary novel, issues in theatre, as well as studies in specific periods. May be repeated once for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: six hours of advanced French.

475.

Advanced Independent Studies in French - Individual instruction, conference and research for advanced students. May be repeated for credit when topics change. By permission of department chair.

Courses in German (GER)

Unless otherwise indicated, courses are 3 semester hours credit, 3 hours lecture per week.

131.

Elementary German I (GER 1411) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two one-hour laboratory periods each week. Introductory study of German language and culture of German-speaking countries, with speaking, listening, reading and writing practice. Lab fee $10.

132.

Elementary German II - (GER1412) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two one-hour laboratory periods per week. A continuation of GER 131. Prerequisite: C in GER 131 or equivalent. Lab fee $10.

231.

Intermediate German I (GERM 2311) - Continued development of oral expression and listening comprehension with increased emphasis on reading and writing skills. Prerequisite: C in GER 132 or equivalent.

232.

Intermediate German II (GERM 2312) - Cultural and literary readings, composition and grammar review. Prerequisite: GER 231 or equivalent with a grade of C or better.

Courses in Independent Language (ILA)

Unless otherwise indicated, courses are 3 semester hours credit, 3 hours lecture per week.

111.

Elementary Language Course I - Languages offered vary. Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two one-hour laboratory periods each week. May be repeated for credit with change of language. Lab fee $10.

112.

Elementary Language Course II - Languages offered vary. Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two one-hour laboratory periods each week. May be repeated for credit with change of language. Prerequisite: C in ILA 111 or equivalent. Lab fee $10.

315.

Special topics in foreign languages and cultures - Variable topics in foreign languages, cultures and literatures. May be taught in English. May be repeated once for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

Courses in Spanish (SPA)

Unless otherwise indicated, courses are 3 semester hours credit, 3 hours lecture per week.

131.

Elementary Spanish I (SPAN 1411) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two one-hour laboratory periods each week. Lab fee $10. Does not count toward a Spanish major or minor. Introductory study of Spanish language and Hispanic culture, with speaking, listening, reading and writing practice.

132.

Elementary Spanish II (SPAN 1412) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two one-hour laboratory periods per week. A continuation of SPA 131. Prerequisite: C in SPA 131 or equivalent. Does not count toward a Spanish major or minor. Lab fee $10.

231.

Intermediate Spanish I (SPAN 2311) - Continued development of oral expression and listening comprehension with increased emphasis on reading and writing skills. Prerequisite: C in SPA 132 or equivalent.

232.

Intermediate Spanish II (SPAN 2312) - Cultural and literary readings, composition and grammar review. Prerequisite: SPA 231 or equivalent with a grade of C or better.

235.

Spanish Conversation (SPAN 2306) - Development of interactive conversational skills with progress toward a more academic style of speaking. Review of grammatical structures of Spanish, enrichment of active vocabulary, and understanding of different levels of formality of spoken Spanish. For non-native speakers of Spanish only. Prerequisite: SPA 231 or the equivalent with a grade of C or better.

241.

Spanish for Heritage Speakers I (SPAN 2313) - Development of oral and literacy skills with emphasis on academic discourse, and understanding of different levels of formality of Spanish. For native and heritage speakers of Spanish. Prerequisite: Permission of the department.

242.

Spanish for Heritage Speakers II (SPAN 2315) - Development of oral and literacy skills with emphasis on academic discourse, and understanding of different levels of formality of Spanish. For native and heritage speakers of Spanish. Prerequisite: C in SPA 241 or the permission of the department.

250.

Intermediate Study Abroad for Spanish Students - Three to six credit hours. Prerequisite: C in Spanish 231 or the equivalent.

303.

Advanced Grammar and Composition - Development of the reading and composition skills necessary for advanced Spanish coursework. Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in SPA 232 or 242 or equivalent.

304.

Introduction to Hispanic Literature - Introduction to basic concepts of literature (genre, movements, theory) and literary analysis through a selection of Peninsular Spanish and Hispanic American classics. Prerequisite: SPA 232 or 242 or equivalent.

310.

Spanish Phonetics - An introduction to the study of Spanish phonetics and phonology. Thorough review of the principles of Spanish pronunciation with extensive oral practice. Prerequisite: SPA 232 or 242 or equivalent.

320.

Spanish for the Professions - Emphasis on acquisition and development of advanced conversational skills with a focus on profession-specific vocabulary. Prerequisites: SPA 235 or equivalent.

330.

History of Hispanic American Culture I - Overview of Hispanic American history from pre-Columbian civilizations to the wars of independence from Spain, with emphasis on political, social, artistic and cultural trends. Prerequisite: SPA 232 or 242 or equivalent.

331.

History of Hispanic American Culture II - Overview of Hispanic American history from the aftermath of the Wars of Independence from Spain to the present, with emphasis on political, social, artistic and cultural trends. Prerequisite: SPA 232 or 242 or equivalent.

335.

Advanced Oral Skills in Spanish - Development of speaking and listening skills aimed at a high level of oral proficiency. Emphasis on academic and persuasive discourse, analysis of cultural topics, and public speaking. Prerequisite: SPA 235 or 242.

340.

History of Spanish Culture I - Overview of the history of Spain from pre-Roman times to the Napoleonic invasion, with emphasis on political, social, artistic and cultural trends. Prerequisite: SPA 232 or 242 or equivalent.

341.

History of Spanish Culture II - Overview of the history of Spain from the Napoleonic invasion to the present, with emphasis on political, social, artistic and cultural trends. Prerequisite: SPA 232 or 242 or equivalent.

350.

Advanced Study Abroad for Spanish Students - Three to six credit hours. This course may be repeated in a different study-abroad program. Prerequisite: C in Spanish 232 or the equivalent.

409.

Hispanic Culture and Literature in the United States - Study of the Hispanic presence in the United States, examining the historical, political, linguistic and literary evolution of major Hispanic groups. Prerequisite: Six hours advanced Spanish (SPA 303 and 304, 330, or 331).

420.

Applied Spanish Linguistics - Review of the principle grammar topics of Spanish as well as an introduction to recognized pertinent pedagogical approaches. Prerequisite: six hours advanced Spanish including SPA 303 or consent of instructor.

430.

History of the Spanish Language - A study of the origins of the Spanish language and its development into modern Spanish, taking into account linguistic, socio-political and literary factors. Prerequisite: Six hours advanced Spanish.

433.

Special Studies in Language and Applied Linguistics - Variable topics. May be repeated once for credit with different topic. Prerequisite: six hours advanced Spanish including SPA 303.

435.

Special Studies in Latin American Literature and Civilization - Advanced studies in the literature and civilization of Latin America. Variable topics. May be repeated once for credit with different topic. Prerequisites: Six hours advanced Spanish (SPA 303 and 304, 330, or 331).

445.

Special Studies in Peninsular Literature and Civilization - Advanced studies in the literature and civilization of Spain. Variable topics. May be repeated once for credit with different topic. Prerequisites: Six hours advanced Spanish (SPA 303 and 304 or 340).

460.

Spanish Internship - Nine to fifteen hours of work experience per week in a community agency that deals with native Spanish speakers. Emphasis on cultural understanding and communicative skills. Writing-enhanced. Prerequisites: Six semester hours of 300- or 400-level Spanish coursework and consent of department chair.

475.

Advanced Independent Studies in Spanish - Individual instruction, conference and research for advanced students. By permission of department chair.