Foreign Languages and Literatures Churchill 255C 541-552-6435 Daniel Morris, Chair

SOU CATALOG HOME : SCHOOLS AND DEPARTMENTS : FOREIGN LANGUAGES : COURSES

Professors: Francisco Cabello, Priscilla Hunter, Daniel Morris, Roger Stevenson

Associate Professor: Gudrun Gill

Assistant Professors: Marianne Golding, Silvia Gonzalez-Martinez

Adjunct Faculty: Marina Kendig, Noriko Kuwabara, Maria Lumbreras, Denise Prado, Ruth Rush

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers courses and degree options in French, German, and Spanish. The courses range from beginning language instruction to the study of literature, linguistics, and culture at the graduate level. First- and second-year instruction is also available in Japanese.

After earning a bachelor's degree a student can earn a basic teacher license in French, German, or Spanish at the secondary level through the Education Department's Master of Arts in Teaching. The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers graduate coursework toward the interdisciplinary masters degree in education.

Degrees

• BA in language and culture, with options in French, German, or Spanish
• BA in arts and letters with an option in French, German, or Spanish
• BA in interdisciplinary studies with an option in French, German, or Spanish
• MA or MS in arts and letters with an option in French or Spanish

Minors

French, German, or Spanish

Language Requirements

International Studies Degree

Students who major in international studies through the Department of Political Science must complete 12 credits of upper division coursework or a year of foreign study in a foreign language that corresponds to the area of specialization.

Proficiency Examination for BA Requirement

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers the proficiency examination for the BA requirement during registration week of fall quarter. To pass the proficiency exam, a student must perform at the intermediate-low proficiency level as established by the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). To make an appointment for the exam or for further information about the nature of the exam, contact the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures prior to fall registration.

BA in Language and Culture

A major in language and culture with options in French, German, or Spanish prepares students for a variety of careers where cultural understanding, international or community- based work experience, and practical application of a second language are important. A major in language and culture is an excellent complement to a second major in many career fields. It will add valuable foreign language and cultural competency and international or multicultural experience to knowledge in other disciplines, preparing students for careers in government or civil service, law enforcement, health and human services, travel and tourism, or entrepreneurial business. The degree also prepares students for graduate work in the language, literature, and culture of their concentration, as well as in linguistics, comparative literature, cultural studies, international studies, international business, teaching, or law.

The language and culture major is designed to enable midintermediate to advanced students to maximize their competency in language skills and cultural proficiency by placing an emphasis on communication, practical applications, research and analysis, language fluency, and cultural knowledge and understanding. In French and Spanish, two options are offered in the language and culture major in order to enable undergraduate students with varying needs to reach their potential in language and culture proficiencies. Option A is called the "International Residency/Internship" option and requires a threemonth foreign residency and a tenweek work internship with an international component; preferably, the internship will be completed abroad. Option B is called the "Integrated Skills" option and requires additional coursework and a 120 to 150 hour communitybased or foreign work internship with either a multicultural or an international component; the internship may be completed locally or abroad.

The language and culture major is also designed to increase students' preparedness to enter the work world. To this end, both options require the student to complete either a minor or a second major in another field.

Accelerated Baccalaureate

The language and culture major is an option for students participating in the Accelerated Baccalaureate Degree Program. For information on this program see page 144 or visit our website.

Admission to the Major

To be admitted into the language and culture baccalaureate program, students must have:

1. Completed the equivalent of the first and second years of French, German, or Spanish at the college level;

2. Attained a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 in all coursework; 

3. Attained a cumulative GPA of a least 3.0 in all coursework in the language option chosen; and

4. Demonstrated an oral proficiency level of intermediatemid on the scale published by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Requirements for Major

Students in all languages and options complete the following minimum requirements:

1. All core curriculum and baccalaureate degree requirements as stated beginning on page 31.

2. A core of cultural courses (8 credits), some of which may be in the language of specialization.

3. A set of languagespecific core credits (20 credits).

4. All language electives of either Option A: International Residency/Internship or Option B: Integrated Skills (12­18 credits).

5. A culturespecific work experience (4­6 credits).

6. A capstone project (2 credits).

7. A minor or a second major.

8. A minimum of 3.0 GPA in all upper division coursework in the language of specialization.

Students in Option A in all languages also complete the following:

9. A twelveweek foreign residency in the culture of concentration.

10. A final senior interview.

Language and Culture Core Courses

(required of all students)

All students complete the 8-credit culture core and the 20-credit upper division language core in the language of their specialization, as listed below.

Culture Core Requirements

(8 credits)

• Introduction to French Literature (Fr 301) or Introduction to Reading Hispanic Literature (Span 301), or Introduction toLiterary Criticism (Eng 300) 4
• Cultural Anthropology (Anth 213), or Intercultural Communication (Comm 235) 4

Language Core Requirements

(20 credits)

1. Complete 12 credits in the language of specialization:

• French Culture, Composition, and Conversation (Fr 314, 315, 316) 12
• German Culture, Composition, and Conversation (GL 301, 302, 303) 12
• Spanish Culture, Composition, and Conversation (Span 310, 311, 312) 12

2. Complete 8 credits in the language of specialization:

• Survey of French Literature (Fr 311, 312) 8
• Major Figures in German Literature (GL 413) 4
• Germany from 1945­90: From Division to Unity (GL 441) 4
• Nineteenth Century Hispanic Literature (Span 322) 4
• Twentieth Century Hispanic Literature (Span 323) 4

Language and Culture Options

After completing the language core, students select either Option A, International Residency/Internship or Option B, Integrated Skills. Option B is only available in French and Spanish.

Option A: International Residency/Internship

(French, German, Spanish)

(18 credits)

Language Electives

(12 credits)

Choose 12 credits from the language of specialization.

French 

• French Trailer Course (Fr 308) 1­2
• French Pronunciation and Phonetics (Fr 331) 4
• Topics in French Film (Fr 350) 4
• Topics in French Literature (Fr 426) 4
• Non Continental Francophone Literature (Fr 427) 4
• Topics in French Culture (Fr 428) 4
• Advanced French Grammar (Fr 445) 4
• Translation (Fr 460) 4
• Business French (Fr 480) 4
• OUS French Study Abroad programs (variable credit, as approved by advisor)

 

German

• German Trailer Course (GL 308) 1­2
• Germany 1845­1945: Germany's Search for Unity (GL 440) 4
• Deutsche Sommerschule am Pazifik up to 10 credits
• OUS Study Abroad programs (variable credit as approved by advisor)

 

Spanish

• Spanish Trailer Course (Span 308) 1­2
• Selected Genre or Period Studies (Span 421) 1­6
• Major Literary Figures (Span 422) 1­6
• Topics in Hispanic Culture (Span 441) 1­6
• Topics in Contemporary Hispanic Literature and Society (Span 460) 1­6
• Topics in Applied Spanish Linguistics (Span 481) 1­6
• Topics in Writing and Translation (Span 482) 1­6
• Universidad de Guanajuato or OUS Study Abroad program, as approved by advisor.

Internship

(minimum of 6 credits)

• Complete the international work internship (minimum of ten weeks of fulltime work) in the language of specialization.
• Professional Internship (Fr 408) 6
• Overseas Internship (GL 408) 6
• Community-Based Work or Internship Experience (Span 408) 6

 

Under Option A, the internship comprises a minimum of 6 credits (Fr 408, GL 408, Span 408), covers a minimum of ten weeks of fulltime work, has an international focus, and preferably, is completed abroad. Students who complete the internship in a foreign country meet the foreign residency requirement for Option A. Students in Option A who have financial or other hardships that do not allow them to complete this requirement abroad, may petition to fulfill it locally in an approved internship in which the language of specialization is used in an international context.

The internship is undertaken once the student has achieved an appropriate level of oral, aural, reading, writing, and cultural proficiency, usually towards the end of the junior year. The internship project or projects are carried out in the language of specialization and are overseen by a member of the Foreign Languages and Literatures faculty. The internship includes statements of work objectives, journals, interviews, reports, and employer evaluation.

Foreign Residency Requirement and Study Abroad

(no specific credit)

Option A, International Residency/Internship in all languages requires a minimum threemonth residency abroad in an approved international work or study program in a country where the language of specialization is spoken. Previous international experience prior to entering the program may fulfill this requirement, upon approval of the advisor.

Capstone

(2 credits)

All students must complete a capstone project in the language of specialization that demonstrates the skills and knowledge acquired during the completion of the major.

Choose from the following:

• Capstone (Fr 490) 2
• Capstone (GL 490) 2
• Capstone (Span 490) or Capstone: Research and Writing Seminar (Span 498) 2­4

 

Under Option A in all languages, the student, in consultation with a faculty member, designs an independent research project (Fr 490, GL 490, or Span 490), or completes a capstone seminar (Span 498). The capstone reflects the student's personal interests and career goals and, with advisor approval, may be linked to the internship. The project results in an analytical research paper and annotated bibliography written in the language of  the option chosen by the student. Capstones may be in the areas of language, literature, or culture. An oral presentation of the project is made in the target language to the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures faculty. Spanish students in Option A may also choose the Span 498 capstone course (see Option B section below) to fulfill their capstone requirement.

Senior Interview

(no credit)

During the final quarter of the student's program, the student must complete a senior interview as specified above. The interview must be with a faculty member other than the student's advisor.

Option B: Integrated Skills

(French or Spanish)

(22 credits)

Language Electives

(18 credits)

1. Choose 6 credits in the language of specialization:

• Topics in French Film (Fr 350) 3­4
• Topics in French Literature (Fr 426) 1­4
• Non Continental Francophone Literature (Fr 427) 1­4
• Topics in French Culture (Fr 428) 2­6
• Topics in Applied Spanish Linguistics (Span 481) 1­6
• Topics in Writing and Translation (Span 482) 1­6

 

2. Choose 12 credits in the language of specialization:

• French Pronunciation and Phonetics (Fr 331, 332) 2 each
• Translation (Fr 460) 4
• Business French (Fr 480) 4
• Advanced French Grammar (Fr 445) 4
• Topics in French Culture (Fr 428) 2­6
• French Trailer Course (Fr 308) 1­2
• Survey of French Literature (Fr 311 or 312) when not used for core 4
• Selected Genre or Period Studies (Span 421) 1­6
• Major Literary Figures (Span 422) 1­6
• Topics in Contemporary Hispanic Literature and Society (Span 460) 1­6
• Spanish Research and Writing Capstone (Span 498) 2

Foreign Residency and Study Abroad

Option B, Integrated Skills (French and Spanish) encourages students to take advantage of the many varied and high quality study abroad programs available, but does not require students to study or reside abroad. Approved study abroad and OUS Exchange program credit is accepted as approved by the advisor.

Culture-Based Work Experience

(4 credits)

• Complete the culturebased work experience (minimum of 120 hours) in the language of specialization.
• Professional Internship (Fr 408) 4
• Capstone: Community-Based Work or Internship Experience (Span 408) 4

 

Under Option B, the internship gives a minimum of 4 credits (Fr 408, Span 408), covers the minimum equivalent of three weeks, may have either an international or multicultural focus, and is completed in an advisor-approved internship or practicum undertaken locally or abroad.

The culture-based community work experience under Option B is undertaken once the
student has achieved an appropriate level of oral, aural, reading, writing, and cultural proficiency, usually towards the end of the junior year. The Option B internship project or projects are carried out in the language of specialization and are overseen by a member of the Foreign Languages and Literatures faculty. The internship includes statements of work objectives, journals, interviews, reports, and employer evaluation.

Capstone

(2 credits)

All students must complete a capstone project that demonstrates the skills and knowledge acquired during the completion of the major.

• Capstone (Fr 490) 2
• Capstone: Research and Writing Seminar (Span 498) 2­4

 

Under Option B in Spanish, the student completes a reading, research, and writing project in a senior capstone seminar (Span 498, 4 credits). The capstone project results in an analytical research paper and annotated bibliography based on the seminar topic. The paper and bibliography follow standard MLA rules and are written in Spanish; they are then presented in Spanish to the faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Two credits from the capstone seminar may be applied towards the language electives with advisor approval. (Spanish students in Option A may also choose this course to fulfill their capstone requirement.)

Minors

Students may earn a minor in French, German, or Spanish by completing 24 upper division credits in one language:

French

Required Courses

Select 24 upper division course credits in French as follows:

• French Culture, Composition, and Conversation (Fr 314, 315, 316) 12

 

Choose 4 credits from the following: 4

• Introduction to French Literature (Fr 301)
• Survey of French Literature (Fr 311, 312)

 

Choose 8 credits from the following: 8

• *Introduction to French Literature (Fr 301)
• *Survey of French Literature (Fr 311, 312)
• French Trailer Course (Fr 308)
• French Pronunciation and Phonetics (Fr 331, 332)
• Translation (Fr 460)
• Business French (Fr 480)
• Seminar (Fr 407)
• Topics in French Literature (Fr 426)
• Non Continental Francophone Literature (Fr 427)
• Topics in French Culture (Fr 428)
• Advanced French Grammar (Fr 445)

*These courses may be used as electives when not used to fulfill requirements above.

German

Required Courses

• Select 24 upper division credits in German as follows:
• German Culture, Conversation, and Composition (GL 301, 302, 303) 12

 

Select 12 credits from the following: 12

• Seminar (GL 407/507)
• Overseas Internship (GL 408/508)
• Business German (GL 411, 412)
• Major Figures in German Literature (GL 413)
• Germany: 1845­1945 (GL 440)
• Germany: 1945­1990 (GL 441)
• German Trailer Course (GL 308)

Spanish

Required Courses

Select 24 credits of upper division courses in Spanish, 8 credits of which must be taken at SOU as follows:

• Introduction to Reading Hispanic Literature (Span 301) 4
• Hispanic Culture, Composition, and Conversation (Span 310, 311, 312) 12
• Nineteenth or Twentieth Century Hispanic Literature (Span 322 or 323)¹ 4­8

(NOTE: Span 312 and Span 301, 322, or 323 must be taken in regularly scheduled coursework at SOU.)

Optional electives chosen from: 0­4

• Spanish Trailer Course (Span 308)
• Practicum: Community-Based Work Experience (Span 409)

Teacher Licensing

Students who want to teach French, German, or Spanish at the middle school and/or high school level in Oregon public schools must complete a bachelor's degree in Spanish, or the language and culture degree with emphasis in French, German, or Spanish, before applying for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at SOU. Interested students should consult the department chair for an appropriate advisor and also consult the Education Department regarding admission requirements for the MAT teacher education program.

This competitive program requires students to prepare in advance to enhance their acceptance into the program. Practica, internships, and volunteer experiences working with children in the public schools prior to application to the MAT program are required.

Study Abroad

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures strongly recommends and encourages its students to participate in any of the study abroad opportunities available through the Oregon University System (OUS). There are OUS programs in Ecuador, France, Germany, Japan, and Mexico. Southern Oregon University has an exchange program with the University of Guanajuato, Mexico. For most year-long programs, students must complete two years of study in the foreign language prior to participation.

Credit earned for study abroad programs is transferred back to the home campus. Financial aid can be used for these programs. Students interested in more information about any of the programs should consult the Director of International Programs or faculty members of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.