Foreign Languages
Chair, Department of International Studies, Languages,
History, and Political Science:
William C. Clary, Ph.D.
Foreign Languages Faculty:
William K. Clary, Ph.D.
Nancy Molavi, Ph.D.
The foreign language curriculum includes a sequenced study (elementary, intermediate
and advanced) in French and Spanish and beginning study in Chinese and Japanese.
As an integral part of a liberal arts education, the study of foreign languages
frees the student from monolingualism and narrow cultural perspectives. Students
of international trade, fashion and the performing arts, as well as the humanistic
disciplines—literature, art
history, philosophy and political science—can strengthen their degree
programs by supportive study in one or more foreign
languages.
Given the internationalization of the workplace in the United States as well
as the expansion of job opportunities overseas, proficiency in a foreign language
is an increasingly important skill. Graduates with a major in Spanish or a minor
in either French or Spanish significantly improve their chances for employment
in a wide variety of fields. In order to complement their coursework at Stephens,
students who choose to major in Spanish, to minor in Spanish or French, or to
complete a liberal studies major in foreign languages, are encouraged to participate
in study abroad programs in Spanish-, French-, Chinese- or Japanese- speaking
countries.
The Department of International Studies, Languages and History offers a major
in Spanish and a minor with an emphasis in either French or Spanish. Students
interested in international business are encouraged to develop a student-initiated
major by combining study in a foreign language with business administration or
to pursue the international studies major. Students also may pursue a student-initiated
major that combines a minor in French or Spanish
with study in another discipline.
Requirements for the
B.A. Major in Spanish
(In cooperation with
Universidad Católica, Quito, Ecuador)
A major in Spanish requires the completion of liberal arts requirements as
well as 10 specified SPN course credits and 3.0 specified liberal arts credits.
Although
SPN 251 is required as part of the credits, students who are able to demonstrate
language proficiency at this level (by means of exam) are not required to take
the course. All students in the major are required to earn at least 3.0 credits
from the Universidad Católica in Quito, Ecuador. These courses may be
substitutes for required SPN, required liberal arts, or elective courses approved
in advance
by the chair of the Department of International Studies, Languages and History.
Students are allowed to take additional courses for a maximum of 15.0 credits
in a 40.5 credit degree program. Spanish majors must maintain a C average over
all courses in the major. In the four (4.0) required language course credits,
students must earn at least a C in each course. Students who fail to achieve
the
minimum grade are required to repeat the class in order to improve
the grade.
NOTE: In the following course listings, (1c) = 1.0 course
or 3 semester hours.
Required Courses in Language
Four of the following:
SPN 251L: Intermediate Spanish Review (1c)
SPN 252L: Intermediate Reading and Writing (1c)
SPN 325: Advanced Reading and Writing (1c)
SPN 308: Conversation (.5c) (may be repeated for credit)
SPN 313: Commercial Translation (.5c)
SPN 315: Legal Spanish (.5c)
Required Courses in Literature
SPN 356: Survey of Spanish Literature (1c)
SPN 357C: Topics in Hispanic Literature (1c)
(May be repeated for credit with a different topic)
Required Courses in Civilization
SPN 338D: Topics in Hispanic Civilization and Culture (1c)
(May be repeated for credit with a different topic)
Required Capstone Course
SPN 493: Senior Project (1c)
Required Study Abroad Course
Universidad Católica, Quito (3c)
Required Liberal Arts Courses
ENG 256L: Border Literature (1c)
GEG 201S: Introduction to Geography (1c)
ENG 340E: Language: Uses and Abuses (1c)
or approved substitutes at Universidad Católica in Quito (3c)
Liberal Studies Major in Foreign Languages
In the residential program, two foreign language minors,
French and Spanish, are available as options to include in the Liberal Studies
major. Students may also complete a liberal studies major in foreign languages.
See the Liberal Studies section
of the catalog for complete information about the major.
Requirements for a Minor in French or
Spanish
The minor in French or Spanish requires completion of
5.0 courses, including at least 2.0 courses at or above the 300 level. Students
may elect additional courses for a total of 8.0 in the minor, within a 40.5
course degree program. Students who demonstrate proficiency at the intermediate
level will substitute advanced-level foreign language courses to fulfill the
5.0 courses required for a minor.
Required Courses
Foreign Language CoursesTwo of the following:
FRN or SPN 251L: Intermediate (1c)
FRN or SPN 252L: Intermediate (1c)
SPN 325: Advanced Reading and Writing (1c)
One of the following:
FRN 354: Topics in French Literature (1c)
SPN 356: Survey of Spanish Literature (1c)
SPN 357C: Topics in Hispanic Literature (1c)
One of the following:
FRN 326D: Topics in French Civilization and Culture (1c)
or
SPN 338D: Topics in Hispanic Civilization and Culture (1c)
Chinese
CHN 165L: Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture
(1.0 courses)
(Open to all students)
Taught by a native speaker of Chinese, this course introduces students to the morphology of the Chinese language and includes basic speaking and writing skills, as well as material about the linguistic and cultural heritage of China. May be repeated for credit with the same prefix and number when offered under the rubric of Chinese Language and Culture II, which expects some prior familiarity with basic Chinese.
French
FRN 101L: Intensive Elementary French
(1.5 courses)
(Open to all students with little or no previous study of French; ordinarily not more than two units of high school French)
Oral comprehension, speaking, reading and writing at an elementary level of proficiency. Offers insights into the culture and intellectual heritage of the French people.
FRN 102L: Elementary French II
(1.5 course)
(Prerequisite: one semester of college French or at least two units of high school French)
Continuation of FRN 101L.
FRN 251L: Intermediate French Review
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: at least two units of high school French or FRN 102L)
Designed to review and reinforce the four language skills: comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. The study of structure and grammar is complemented by intermediate readings and conversation, emphasizing French culture.
FRN 252L: Intermediate Reading and Writing
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: French 251L or at least three units of high school French)
Designed to teach students to write correct French with increasing degrees of authenticity and style. Written work complemented by literary readings and oral discussions. Introduction to French intellectual and cultural heritage.
FRN 326D: Topics in French Civilization and Culture
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: HUM 121A or PSC 210S or HIS 230H or HIS 231H or FRN 101L or FRN 102L or FRN 251L or FRN 252L)
(Taught in English; may be repeated for credit with different topic and with permission of instructor; some topics cross-listed as HIS 326D)
The development through the ages of French civilization as reflected in historical events, social institutions, women's contributions, economics, literature and the arts. Specific topics have included: French culture from medieval times through the period of the Sun King; the Age of Enlightenment and the French Revolution, the contemporary French-speaking world and XIXth century culture and civilization.
FRN 354: Topics in French Literature
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: FRN 252L, four years of high school French or permission of instructor)
(Course may be repeated for credit with different content and permission of instructor and may also be taught in translation)
A study of representative literary works of the French-speaking world from medieval times to the present. Specific topics have included: Medieval French literature through the Classical age; Romanticism and Realism, Contemporary Francophone Literature and French drama.
FRN 493: Senior Project
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: Must be needed for completion of requirements for minor or liberal studies major)
A capstone course designed to permit students to conduct independent research through a project or to engage in a practical experience involving foreign language studies. Students with a student-initiated major in business-foreign languages are ordinarily expected to complete a project in commercial translation.
Japanese
JPN 160L: Introduction to Japanese Language and Culture
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
Taught by a native or near-native speaker of Japanese, this course introduces students to the morphology of the Japanese language and includes basic speaking and writing skills, as well as material about the linguistic and cultural heritage of Japan. May be repeated for credit with the same prefix and number when offered under the rubric of Japanese Language and Culture II, which requires some prior familiarity with basic Japanese.
Spanish
SPN 101L: Intensive Elementary Spanish
(1.5 course)
(Open to all students with little or no previous study of Spanish; ordinarily not more than two units of high school Spanish)
Objectives: basic structures, acquisition of vocabulary, simple reading and writing, and development of basic conversational skills. Introduction to Spanish-speaking peoples and cultures.
SPN 102L: Elementary Spanish II
(1.5 course)
(Prerequisite: SPN 101L or at least two units of high school Spanish)
Continuation of SPN 101L.
SPN 251L: Intermediate Spanish Review
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: SPN 102L or at least two units of high school Spanish)
Designed to strengthen four language skills: comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. The study of structure and grammar complemented by intermediate readings and conversation; emphasizes the culture of the Spanish-speaking world.
SPN 252L: Intermediate Reading and Writing
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: SPN 251L or at least three units of high school Spanish)
Designed to teach students to write correct Spanish with an increasing degree of authenticity and style. Written work complemented by literary readings and oral discussions; an introduction to the cultural and intellectual heritage of the Spanish-speaking world.
SPN 308: Conversation
(.5 course)
(May be taken three times for credit)
(Prerequisite: SPN 251L, equivalent intermediate proficiency attained in college or high school, or consent of instructor)
Designed to improve communication skills in a wide range of contexts. Considerable time is devoted to vocabulary and structures used in real-life interactions as well as discussion of contemporary issues. The class is conducted in Spanish.
SPN 313: Commercial Translation
(.5 course)
(Prerequisite: SPN 251L, equivalent intermediate proficiency attained in college or high school or consent of instructor)
The course acquaints students with everyday business terminology and the basic workings of the various economies in the Spanish-speaking world. It includes a study of essential vocabulary, procedures and style specific to commercial transactions along with actual practice in correspondence skills and translation of documents, particularly in the import/export field.
SPN 315: Legal Spanish
(.5 course)
(Prerequisite: SPN 251L, equivalent intermediate proficiency attained in college or high school or consent of instructor)
This course will familiarize the student with the language of the legal system through a systematic study of appropriate vocabulary and idiomatic usage in Spanish. The course will introduce the student to the most important features of legal Spanish. Included in the varieties of legal discourse studies will be the language of the courts, wills and trusts, contract and immigration law, and divorce. The course also will emphasize oral communication and spoken practice of the structures and vocabulary acquired in the class.
SPN 318: Medical Spanish
(.5 course)
Prerequisite: SPN251 or permission of instructor)
Medical Spanish is designed to familiarize students with the terminology and lexical skills necessary to be able to discuss the fields of medicine and health care in the Spanish language.
SPN 325: Advanced Reading and Writing
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: SPN 252 or permission of instructor)
This course is designed for students with considerable background in Spanish who wish to continue to improve the four fundamental skills involved in second language acquisition (reading, writing, listening and speaking). Although some grammatical review will be included, a good deal of the content of the class focuses on the most advanced grammatical structures that require additional practice, exercises and guided compositions. The class will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
SPN 338D: Topics in Hispanic Civilization and Culture
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: HUM 121A or PSC 210S or HIS 230H or HIS 231H or SPN 101L or SPN 102L or SPN 251L or SPN 252L)
(Taught in English; may be repeated for credit with different topic and with permission of instructor; some topics are cross-listed as HIS 380D)
The development through the ages of Spanish and Latin American civilizations as reflected in historical and political events, colonization, social institutions, women's contributions, economics, literature and the arts. Recent topics have included Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Latin American Civilization through Literature, Contemporary Latin American Politics and Society, Latin America and the United States.
SPN 356: Survey of Spanish Literature
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: SPN 252L, four years of high school Spanish or permission of instructor) (Course may be repeated for credit with different content and permission of instructor)
The course introduces students to the background and analysis of Spanish American and Hispanic literature of the modern period. The class is conducted in Spanish.
SPN 357C: Topics in Hispanic Literature
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: SPN 252L, four years of high school Spanish or permission of instructor) (Course may be repeated for credit with different content and permission of instructor)
This course is organized around a topic or literary genre, and may also be taught in translation in order to accommodate all students interested in Hispanic literature. Recent offerings have included Spanish American Poetry, Latin American Drama, Latin American Women Writers and the Spanish American Short Story.
SPN 493: Senior Project
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: junior or senior standing and permission of instructor)
A capstone course designed to permit students to conduct independent research through a project or to engage in a practical experience involving foreign language studies. Business-foreign languages student-initiated majors are ordinarily expected to complete a project in commercial translation.
Independent Study
Independent studies (special studies, tutorials, readings, projects) in Spanish may be proposed by students who wish to investigate a subject not otherwise available. Information about independent study may be obtained in department offices or in the Office of the Registrar.
