George Mason University 1999-2000 Catalog

Catalog Index
Course Descriptions

Search the 1999-2000 Catalog:

Modern and Classical Languages

Faculty

Professors: Aguera, Aksyonov (Robinson Professor), Elstun, Francescato, Gerdes (chair), Gilbert, Hecht, Wagner, Warner, Winkler

Associate professors: Berroa, Chamberlain, Christensen, Cordero, Goldin, LePage, Levine, Ricouart

Assistant professors: Rabin, Roman-Mendoza, Wekerle

Visiting assistant professors: Kurlat-Ares, Mothion

Visiting instructors: Klien-Samanez, Mellander, Widmayer

Course Work

This department offers all course work designated CLAS, CHIN, FREN, FRLN, GERM, LATN, RUSS, and SPAN in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.

The following courses are offered in English (the knowledge of a foreign language is not required):

CLAS 250, 260, 390; FREN 325, 329; GERM 301, 325; RUSS 300, 326, 327, 353, 354; SPAN 321, 322, 325, 329; and all courses designated FRLN. (Courses numbered 325 may be repeated once for credit if the authors studied are different.)

Courses that Fulfill General
Education Requirements

  1. Language courses through the intermediate level (through the 200 level) can be used to fulfill the general education requirement in foreign languages for the B.A.
  2. Literature courses offered by the Department of Modern and Classical Languages can be used to fulfill the general education requirement in literature for the B.A. and B.S.
  3. The following courses fulfill the non-Western culture requirement for the B.A.: FREN 451, RUSS 353, RUSS 354.

Undergraduate Programs

Foreign Languages, B.A.

This program, which offers concentrations in French and Spanish, prepares students for teaching careers at the secondary school level, for graduate study in languages, and for research and professional work in government and private enterprise. Language majors are encouraged to complete a minor or, if possible, a second major in another field. Students who want a double major in a language and another subject should plan a program of study in consultation with advisors from both disciplines.

Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students in language concentrations may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing FREN 352; or SPAN 352 or 452.

Concentration in French

In addition to meeting the general requirements for the B.A., students must complete a minimum of 30 credits in French courses at the 300 level and above. Students are expected to complete a balanced program that includes courses in language, culture and civilization, and literature. The 30 credits required in the concentration must include the following:
  1. One advanced language course (FREN 350, 351, 352, 355, 357, 460, 461, or 462)
  2. One course in French civilization (FREN 375 or 376)
  3. One survey course in French literature (FREN 377 or 378)
  4. Four courses at the 400 level or above

No more than one course (three credits) conducted in English may be taken for credit for the concentration in French.

Students are encouraged to take courses in other languages and literatures, and in related disciplines such as music, art, history, and philosophy.

Concentration in Spanish

In addition to meeting the general requirements for the B.A., students must complete 30 credits in Spanish courses at the 300 level or above. Students are expected to complete a balanced program that includes courses in language, culture and civilization, and literature. The 30 credits required in the concentration must include the following:
  1. Four language skill courses (SPAN 300, 301, 352, 452)
  2. One course in Hispanic civilization (SPAN 461 or 466)
  3. Three literature courses (SPAN 390 and two of the following: SPAN 483, 484, 485, 486)

No more than one course (three credits) conducted in English may be taken for credit for the concentration in Spanish.

Comparative Literature Emphasis
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and the Department of English offer a B.A. with an emphasis in comparative literature. This program permits the student to combine the study of a language with cross-cultural literary study. It requires 10 courses above the 200 level, distributed as follows:

  1. Two courses in a foreign literature with selected readings in the original language.
  2. Two courses in English and/or American literature.
  3. Three courses designated as comparative or world literature courses by the Comparative Literature Committee. These courses include ENGL 431, 436, 437; CLAS 390; and appropriate special topics courses in CLAS, FREN, GERM, RUSS, and SPAN.
  4. CL 300 Introduction to Comparative Literature.
  5. One course in literary criticism: ENGL 494, ENGL 551, FREN 381, or SPAN 311, as appropriate for the student's focus.
  6. CL 514 Theories of Comparative Literature.

Students should consult with their advisors to design a program of study focusing on a specific genre, period, issue, or other cross-cultural topic.

For more information, contact the Department of Modern and Classical Languages or the Department of English.

Teacher Licensure (Certification)
Students interested in becoming elementary or secondary school teachers should consult the requirements for teacher licensure (certification) listed in this catalog in the "Graduate School of Education" chapter. See the secondary education advisor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages for more information.

Minor in French, German, Russian, Spanish, or Latin

Prerequisite: Completion of an intermediate (202 or 209) course in French, German, Russian, Spanish, or Latin, or equivalent placement test score.

A minor in any of these languages consists of 18 credits above the intermediate level in a single language. Except for the minor in Latin, no more than one course taught in English may be applied to the minor.

Requirements for the Minor in French

Three of the following (nine credits):

  • FREN 350 French Conversation
  • FREN 351 Advanced French Grammar
  • FREN 352 French Composition
  • FREN 357 Introduction to Translation
  • FREN 391 French for the Business World I

Two of the following (six credits):

    FREN 375 French Civilization:
      From Ancient Gaul to the French Revolution
    FREN 376 French Civilization:
      From the Revolution to Contemporary France
    FREN 377 Survey of French Literature:
      Middle Ages to 1800
    FREN 378 Survey of French Literature: 1800 to Present

One French elective at the 300 level or higher (three credits)

Requirements for the Minor in German

Three of the following (nine credits):

  • GERM 310 Conversation and Composition
  • GERM 316 German for the Business World
  • GERM 318 Translation of Texts
  • GERM 415 Advanced Grammar and Style
  • GERM 418 Advanced Composition

One of the following (three credits):

  • Genre courses at the 300 level
  • Period courses at the 400 level

One of the following (three credits):

  • GERM 301 Culture and Civilization
  • GERM 340 Survey of German Literature

One German elective at the 300 level or higher (three credits)

Requirements for the Minor in Russian

Three of the following (nine credits):

  • RUSS 302 Russian Conversation and Composition or RUSS 303 Russian Advanced Conversation
  • RUSS 380 Advanced Russian I
  • RUSS 381 Advanced Russian II

One of the following (three credits):

  • RUSS 310 Readings in Russian Literature
  • RUSS 311 Contemporary Russian Short Fiction

One of the following (three credits):

  • RUSS 353 Russian Civilization
  • RUSS 354 Contemporary Post-Soviet Life

One Russian elective at the 300 level or higher (three credits)

Requirements for the Minor in Spanish

The following three courses (nine credits):

  • SPAN 300 Reading Skills Development
  • SPAN 301 Grammar and Syntax
  • SPAN 352 Spanish Composition

Two of the following (six credits):

  • SPAN 390 Introduction to Hispanic Literary Analysis
  • SPAN 452 Advanced Written Spanish
  • SPAN 461 Spanish Civilization and Culture
  • SPAN 466 Latin American Civilization and Culture
  • SPAN 483, 484 The Literature of Spain I, II
  • SPAN 485, 486 The Literature of Spanish America I, II

One Spanish elective at the 300 level or higher (three credits)

Requirements for the Minor in Latin

Eighteen credits from the following:

    LATN 351 Roman Prose Literature LATN 352 Roman Poetry LATN 451, 452 Studies in Roman Literature

Courses vary in content and may be repeated for credit.

Minor in Classical Studies

The minor is intended for students who wish to become familiar with the classical cultures and to broaden their existing knowledge of the foundations of Western civilization, and for students who are studying other areas of the humanities, especially English, languages, comparative literature, history, art history, philosophy, or religion. The minor provides enough flexibility for students to choose relevant courses according to their primary interests.

The minor in classical studies consists of the following 18 credits:

  1. Six credits in classics, including CLAS 250
  2. Three credits in classical history (HIST 301, 302, 303, 388 (with approval), 480)
  3. Three credits in classical art history or classical philosophy, and religious studies
  4. Six credits of approved electives from classical art history, classics, classical history, classical philosophy and religious studies

Graduate Programs

Foreign Languages, M.A.

The Master of Arts in Foreign Languages is designed to meet the needs and interests of prospective and practicing teachers and other professionals, and to prepare students for doctoral study in languages at other institutions. The program offers three concentrations: (1) French or Spanish; (2)French and Spanish; and (3) Spanish/bilingual-multicultural education.

Admission Requirements
In addition to satisfying the general admission requirements for graduate study, applicants seeking degree status must hold a baccalaureate degree in French or Spanish; have at least a 3.000 grade point average (on a 4.000 scale) in the field; and submit two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with their qualifications.

Applicants whose baccalaureate degrees were earned in other fields or who otherwise do not meet the above requirements, but who provide evidence of a capacity to pursue graduate study, are encouraged to apply and may be admitted to the program with provisional status. Applicants in this category may be asked to appear for a personal interview and to take the appropriate part(s) of the Graduate Record Examination. They may also have undergraduate deficiencies to make up before being advanced to degree status.

Degree Requirements
Candidates who elect a concentration in one language must complete a program of 30 credits of study. Those who concentrate in two languages must complete a program of 42 credits. The concentration in Spanish/bilingual-multicultural education requires 36 credits. In all three concentrations, six of the total credits may be earned with a thesis. Regardless of the concentration selected, all students must meet the core and distribution requirements given below, and must pass an oral comprehensive examination.

Concentration in French or Spanish

Thirty credits, including at least 18 (FREN or SPAN) with the following distribution: at least 6 credits in literature courses covering two different periods and at least 6 credits in language/linguistics courses. The remaining 12 credits are electives, of which up to 6 may be used for directed reading (798) and thesis (799).

Concentration in French and Spanish

Forty-two credits, including 18 in each of the two languages (FREN and SPAN), with the following distribution: at least 6 credits in literature courses covering two different periods and at least 6 credits in language/linguistics courses. The remaining six credits are electives, which may be used for directed reading (798) and thesis (799).

Concentration in Spanish/Bilingual Multicultural Education

Thirty-six credits, including 18 (SPAN) with the following distribution: at least 6 credits in literature courses covering two different periods and at least 6 credits in language/ linguistics courses; 6 credits of bilingual education seminars, selected from among EDUC 517, 518, 519. The remaining 12 credits are electives, of which up to 6 may be used for directed reading (SPAN 798) and thesis (SPAN 799)


George Mason University:1999-2000 University Catalog: Catalog Index: College of Arts and Sciences: Modern and Classical Languages