| DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
AND LITERATURES Chair: Bernard Quinn (460-6291)
Professors: Jones, Quinn, Mozur
Associate Professors: Lloyd, Pérez-Pineda
Assistant Professors: Brown, Laurita, Lomangino, Willis
Instructors: d'Aquin, 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 undergraduate majors and minors in French, German, Russian, and Spanish;
credits earned in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, or Japanese may be used to complete requirements
for one of several minors in International Studies. 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.
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. The following specific upper-division courses are required, depending on
which language the student wishes to major in: French, LG 311, 312, 313,
314 (to be taken 3 times for a minimum of three course credits); German,
LG 366, 367 (to be taken 3 times for a minimum of three course credits), 368, and at least
9 hours from the following courses: LG 361, 362, 363, and 364; Spanish LG
333, 334, 336, and 431; Russian, LG 372, 374, 375 (to be taken 3 times
for a minimum of three course credits), 376, and either 380 or 381. A maximum of two
courses offered in English may count toward the major with prior approval of the student's
advisor.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MINOR IN A LANGUAGE
Students must complete a minimum of 9 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 LG 311 or 312; German, LG 366 and either 367 (to be taken 3
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.
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.
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) COURSES
DESCRIPTIONS OF
ALL SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL LANGUAGES (LGS) COURSES
College
of Arts and Sciences
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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
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