College of Arts and Sciences

2000 - 2001 Bulletin Information

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

Chair: Bernard Quinn (460-6291)
Professors: Jones, Mozur, Quinn
Associate Professors: Brown, Perez-Pineda.
Assistant Professors: d’Aquin, Grey, Laurita, Lomangino, McCready, Willis
Instructors: Laszlo, Wilbanks

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers a full range of undergraduate courses for students interested in language study. In addition to multilevel offerings in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, and Russian, students may choose elective credits from a variety of courses, taught in English, that focus on the literature and culture of one or more foreign countries. The department offers under-graduate majors and minors in French, German, Russian, and Spanish. In the first-year sequences (Introductory) the student is given a basic foundation in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Typically, the emphasis is on ear training and oral practice followed by development of reading and writing skills. The second-year courses (Intermediate) build upon the skills acquired in the first year. Upper-level courses provide students with comprehensive knowledge of the important writers and movements of each language area’s literary legacy, while other courses concentrate on language and culture. Students with previous language training will be placed at the appropriate level.

The department plays a major role in helping to improve students’ abilities to communicate with and understand other cultures in an increasingly interdependent world. In addition to providing students with opportunities for participation in study-abroad programs, the department also offers advice concerning the role of language study in career planning. The connection between foreign language training and employment may not be obvious to students who assume that foreign languages are used only by interpreters, teachers, and translators. Knowing another language can actually broaden the scope of job opportunities. If one has almost any “marketable” skill plus a foreign language, one’s chances of finding an interesting job are often improved considerably. Students who already have a solid foundation in one foreign language are strongly encouraged to develop proficiency in a second language, as is often the case with their counterparts in Asian and European universities. Knowledge of two or more languages is becoming increasingly important in the rapidly developing global economy and could significantly enhance future career options.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CREDIT POLICY
It is to the advantage of students to begin their study of a foreign language at the highest possible level because they can gain college credits through advanced placement. Students who have had three to five years of a foreign language in high school may wish to take the CLEP examination in that language and earn as many as twelve(12) semester hours of lower-division credit. On the basis of the Foreign Language department’s evaluation of their previous foreign language training and/or proficiency test scores, students may also elect to begin in the second semester of the introductory sequence, or the first semester of the intermediate sequence, and qualify for advanced placement credit. By earning a C or better in the higher level course the student may petition the department for either 3 or 6 semester hours of introductory-level credit. Native speakers not eligible.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS
Students in the College of Arts and Sciences with previous foreign language experience may satisfy the one-year foreign language requirement by taking a proficiency test administered by the department. The proficiency test measures levels of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. A fifteen-minute oral test will be scheduled after satisfactory completion of the written component. Grading will be S/U. Non credit.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN A LANGUAGE
A minimum of 36 semester hours in one language is required. After completing the lower-division courses (Introductory and Intermediate sequences), students will be required to:

  1. complete the specific upper-division courses indicated under the chosen option;
  2. select their remaining credits from the additional courses listed.

PACE DEGREE PROGRAM (FRENCH)

01 General Education Requirements

See General Education Requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

02 Foreign Language (6 HRS)

Satisfied with major requirements

03-10 General Education Requirements

See General Education Requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

11 Major (36 HRS)

LG 111
LG 112
LG 211
LG 212
LG 311
LG 312
LG 313
LG 314 (repeat for 3 credit hrs)

Select 12 hours at the LG 300 and/or LG 400 level

12 Major Residency/GPA

Complete at least 15 semester hours in residence in major at the 300 and/or 400 level. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in major.

13 Minor

See specific department.

15 University Residency Requirement/GPA

Complete at least 32 semester hours in residence at the 300 and/or 400 level. An overall GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation.

PACE DEGREE PROGRAM (GERMAN)

01 General Education Requirements

See General Education Requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

02 Foreign Language (6 HRS)

Satisfied with major requirements.

03-10 General Education Requirements

See General Education Requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

11 Major (36 HRS)

LG 151
LG 152
LG 251
LG 252
LG 366
LG 367 (repeat for 3 credit hours)
LG 368

Select three: LG 361, LG 362, LG 363, LG 364
Select six hours: LG 200, LG 300, LG 400 level

12 Major Residency/GPA

Complete at least 15 semester hours in residence in major at the 300 and/or 400 level. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in major.

13 Minor

See specific department.

15 University Residency Requirement/GPA

Complete at least 32 semester hours in residence at the 300 and/or 400 level. An overall GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation.

PACE DEGREE PROGRAM (RUSSIAN)

01 General Education Requirements

See General Education Requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

02 Foreign Language (6 HRS)

Satisfied with major requirements.

03-10 General Education Requirements

See General Education Requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

11 Major (36 HRS)

LG 171
LG 172
LG 271
LG 272
LG 372
LG 374
LG 376
LG 375 (repeat for 3 credit hrs)

Select one: LG 380, LG 381
Select nine hours: LG 200, LG 300, LG 400 level

12 Major Residency/GPA

Complete at least 15 semester hours in residence in major at the 300 and/or 400 level. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in major.

13 Minor

See specific department.

15 University Residency Requirement/GPA

Complete at least 32 semester hours in residence at the 300 and/or 400 level. An overall GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation.

PACE DEGREE PROGRAM (SPANISH)

01 General Education Requirements

See General Education Requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

02 Foreign Language (6 HRS)

Satisfied with major requirements.

03-10 General Education Requirement

See General Education Requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

11 Major (36 HRS)

LG 131 and LG 132 or LG 134
LG 231 and LG 232 or LG 234
LG 333
LG 334
LG 336
LG 431
Select 9 hours: LG 300 and/or LG 400 level
Select 3 hours: LG 200, LG 300, LG 400 level

12 Major Residency/GPA

Complete at least 15 semester hours in residence in major at the 300 and/or 400 level. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in major.

13 Minor

See specific department.

15 University Residency Requirement/GPA

Complete at least 32 semester hours in residence at the 300 and/or 400 level. An overall GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MINOR IN A LANGUAGE
Students must complete a minimum of nine semester hours beyond the Introductory and Intermediate sequences. The student must complete the following upper-division courses depending on the language in which the student elects to minor: French - LG 313 and 311 or 312; German - LG 366 and either 367 (to be taken three times for a minimum of three course credits), or 368; Russian - LG 374 or 376; Spanish - LG 333 and 334. Remaining credits, if any, are to be selected from the upper-division courses in the appropriate language. N.B.: Native or near-native speakers of a language may not enroll in upper-level conversation courses.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS (NASILP)
The Department offers several languages under the auspices of the National Association of Self-Instructional Language Programs, a professional organization that provides guidelines, develops materials, and sets standards for self-instructional language programs throughout the United States. Success in these courses requires a high degree of motivation, self discipline, and a long-term commitment to developing oral/aural proficiency in the target language. Students, working on their own 10-12 hours a week with audio and video tapes and written materials, follow a carefully organized sequence of lessons and normally meet three times a week in small groups (3-6) with native drill instructors. NASILP-approved examiners are invited to the campus to administer final student performance evaluations. Success in this program depends upon students’ willingness to assume responsibility for learning appropriate listening and speaking skills. Before enrolling in a NASILP course students are urged to discuss course requirements and testing procedures with the local program coordinator. Call 460-6291 for more information. Fee.

GRADUATE STUDIES
Although the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures has no graduate degree program, graduate-level course work is offered in several languages under the rubrics of “Special Topics,” “Seminar,” and “Directed Studies.”

Descriptions of all Languages (LG) ourses

Descriptions of all Self-Instructional Languages (LGS) courses

College of Arts and Sciences

 

Table of Contents

USA Logo

University of South Alabama   -  Mobile, AL 36688-0002 / (334) 460-6101
For comments or questions about our web site, please Contact Us.

Last date changed: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 09:30:26 AM
URL: http://www.southalabama.edu/bulletin/artfor.htm