The Specifics

Major in Modern Foreign Language

Students who are majoring in modern foreign languages must take a total of 18 hours beyond the 102-level in each of the two languages.

 

Study Abroad

To truly become immersed in another culture, it is recommended that you spend time abroad.

 

Exchange programs exist between PC and universities in Japan, China, India, Korea, Finland, Germany, Australia, England, and Scotland, among others.

 

PC is also a cooperating institution with Central College in Iowa, which maintains semester and junior year programs in France, Spain, Germany and Austria, and Mexico.

 

A similar arrangement with the Institute for American Universities allows students to enroll in French language programs in Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, or Toulon for a summer, semester, or year.

 

General Education Requirements

Of course, you'll have to fulfill certain general education course requirements in order to obtain the Bachelor of Arts in Modern Foreign Languages from PC. If you choose this as your major, please work closely with your academic advisor to make sure you select the proper general education and other courses.

 

Course Descriptions

French (FREN)

101-102. Introductory French (4 each sem)
A basic course designed to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and an awareness of francophone culture.

151. Accelerated Introductory French (4)
An accelerated course for students with previous study of French. Continues the development of fundamental skills with an emphasis on speaking and comprehension. (Credit cannot be received for both 151 and 102.)

201-202. Intermediate French (3 each sem)
(Prereq: FREN 102 or 151 or placement test) A study of French civilization with grammar review, pronunciation, and aural comprehension practice.

258. Special Topics (1-6)

301-302. Advanced French Composition and Conversation (3 each sem)
(Prereq: FREN 202 or placement test) An advanced course designed to develop oral and written proficiency in French. Continues the acquisition of language skills through discussions, oral presentations, and essays based on readings about contemporary France.

322. Introduction to French Cinema (3)
(Prereq: FREN 202; crosslisted with INTD 322) A survey of the history of French cinema from the silent era to the present day. Important genres, theories, and techniques from all periods will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on the most representative French cinematographic schools and auteurs throughout history, including Truffaut and the nouvelle vague and Malle and the cinéma engagé.

333. Introduction to Literary Appreciation (3)
(Prereq: FREN 202) An introduction to the vocabulary and techniques of literary criticism and to the nature of the main literary movements.

343. French Apprenticeship (3)
(Prereq: FREN 302 and consent of the department) Students observe beginning language classes and eventually teach segments of the course and prepare audio-visual materials and tests under the close supervision of the first-year teacher.

391. Advanced Grammar and Phonetics (3)
(Prereq: 3 hrs at 300 level) A study of French grammar, syntax, and phonetics designed to address the difficulties encountered by the advanced students seeking to perfect their mastery of the language. (Alternate years)

398. Honors Research (3-6)

401. French Literature before 1600 (3)
(Prereq: FREN 333) A survey of French literature in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. (Alternate years)

402. Seventeenth Century French Literature (3)
(Prereq: FREN 333) An examination of French classicism and the relationship of literature to painting, architecture and music. (Alternate years)

403. Eighteenth Century French Literature (3)
(Prereq: FREN 333) The history of the Enlightenment in France through the works of Montesquieu, Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau and Beaumarchais. (Alternate years)

404. Nineteenth Century French Literature (3)
(Prereq: FREN 333) A study of the major literary movements in France during the 19th century including romanticism, realism, symbolism, and naturalism. (Alternate years)

405. Contemporary French Drama and Poetry (3)
(Prereq: FREN 333) A survey of representative modern French poetry and theatre.
(Alternate years)

406. French Novel: Twentieth Century (3)
(Prereq: FREN 333) A study of major authors and new developments in the novel during the 20th century. (Alternate years)

410. French Civilization (3)
(Prereq: 3 hrs at 300 level) A study of French civilization from prehistoric times to the present with emphasis on geography, history, social structure, and artistic contributions of the society. (Alternate years)

442. Directed Study in French (3-9).
(Open to French majors who have completed FREN 301-302, 333 and at least six additional hours beyond FREN 202) Readings and research on a topic approved by the department.

444. Internships

446. Readings.

448. Research

450. Seminar

452. Special Projects.

458. Special Topics in French (1-6).
(Prereq: FREN 202) Directed independent studies in areas of French civilization or foreign language teaching methods on topics approved by the department.

German (GERM)

101-102. Introductory German (4 each sem)
A basic course designed to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and an awareness of German culture.

201-202. Intermediate German (3 each sem)
(Prereq: GERM 102 or placement test) A continuation of GERM 101-102 with increased emphasis on German civilization, aural comprehension, and conversation.

258. Special Topics (1-6)

301-302. Advanced German Composition and Conversation (3 each sem)
(Prereq: GERM 202 or placement exam) An advanced course designed to develop skills in oral and written communication in German. Discussions, oral presentations, and essays based on contemporary texts and tapes.

321. Survey of German Literature I (3)
(Prereq: GERM 302 or consent of the instructor) A study of representative German dramas and novellas of the 18th and 19th centuries. (Every three years)

322. Survey of German Literature II (3)
(Prereq: GERM 302 or consent of instructor) A study of representative German prose works of the 20th century. (Every three years)

343. German Apprenticeship (3)
(Prereq: GERM 302 and consent of the department) Students observe beginning language classes and eventually teach segments of the course and prepare audio-visual materials and tests under the close supervision of the first-year teacher.

398. Honors Research (3-6)

405. German on the Internet (3)
(Prereq: GERM 302 or consent of instructor) This course will explore and contrast various German-language media, both popular and legitimate, and develop critical insight into their treatment of topics such as politics, business, sports, popular culture, and general culture. ((Every three years)

410. German Civilization (3)
(Prereq: GERM 302 or consent of instructor) A study of German civilization including geography, history, social structure, and cultural life. ( (Every three years)

420. German Film and Society (3)
(Prereq: GERM 302 or consent of instructor) This course will study a representative selection of German-language films from the early 20th century up to recent works. They will be discussed in connection with the contemporary social and political developments in the German-speaking countries. (Every three years)

440. German Literature Capstone (3)
(Prereq: GERM 302 or consent of instructor) This course will study several major German-language literary works from different historical periods, focusing on the development of language, form, and themes in the historical context. (Every three years)

442. Directed Studies in German (3-9)
(Prereq: GERM 302) Open to students planning to major in German who will complete their major with a junior year abroad or for students taking German as the second foreign language for a modern foreign languages major.

444. Internships.

446. Readings.

448. Research.

450. Seminar.

452. Special Projects.

458. Special Topics in German (1-6).
(Prereq: GERM 302) Directed independent study on a topic approved by the department.

Spanish (SPAN)

101-102. Introductory Spanish (4 each sem)
A basic course designed to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and an awareness of Hispanic culture.

151. Accelerated Introductory Spanish (4)
An accelerated course for students with previous study of Spanish. Continues the development of fundamental skills with an emphasis on speaking and comprehension. (Credit cannot be received for both 151 and 102.)

201-202. Intermediate Spanish (3 each sem)
(Prereq: SPAN 102, 151, or placement test) A study of Hispanic culture accompanied by a thorough review of grammar and continued oral-aural work as well as continued practice in writing.

258. Special Topics (1-6).

300. Introduction to Literary Genres (3)
(Prereq. SPAN 202 or permission of the instructor) An introduction to the critical reading and analysis of poetry, narrative, and drama.

301-302. Advanced Spanish Composition and Conversation (3 each sem)
(Prereq: SPAN 202) An advanced course designed to develop skills in oral and written communication in Spanish. Discussions, oral presentations, and essays on material from Spanish magazine articles, short stories, and tapes.

315. Spanish Civilization (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 202) A study of Spanish civilization with emphasis on geography, history, social structure, and artistic contributions of the society.

316. Latin American Civilization (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 202) A study of Latin American civilization from the pre-Columbian era to the present, including history, geography, politics, and artistic contributions of the society.

318. Political Violence and Culture in Latin America (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 202; crosslisted with INTD 318) The Twentieth Century saw Latin America preoccupied by the struggle over socialism and communism. This course will examine cultural representations of this struggle through film and short stories. Films will have subtitles and short stories will be available in English and Spanish. Students will be able to receive credit for the course in English (INTD 318) or Spanish (SPAN 318).

321. Survey of Spanish Literature I (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 202) An introduction to Spanish literature from its beginnings through the 18th century. (Alternate years)

322. Survey of Spanish Literature II (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 202) An overview of Spanish literature of the 19th and 20th centuries. (Alternate years)

331. Survey of Spanish-American Literature I (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 202 ) An introduction to various genres written from the colonial period to modernism. (Alternate years)

332. Survey of Spanish-American Literature II (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 202) An overview of the principal literary movements from modernism to the present.

333. Issues in Spain (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 301, 300, or permission of the instructor) This seminar focuses on issues in modern Spain. Possible topics include the role of Spain in the European Union, globalism, immigration, nationalism and identity, terrorism, post-civil war generation, gender and sexuality, and the role of the Catholic Church in the 21st century. With approval of the Modern Foreign Languages Spanish faculty, this course may be taken more than once for credit.

334. Issues in Latin America (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 301, 300, or permission of the instructor) This seminar focuses on issues in Latin America. Possible topics include the representation and voice of Latinos/Hispanics in the United States, interventionism, exile and migration, globalism, and indigenous cultures. With approval of the Modern Foreign Languages Spanish faculty, this course may be taken more than once for credit.

341. Business Spanish (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 202) A course designed to perfect skills in the language and procedures used by the Hispanic business world. Includes terminology and methods used in marketing, labor relations, international commerce, and banking; practice in interpreting and writing for business use; and acquaintance with the history, geography, culture, and economic status of the Spanish-speaking nations.

343. Spanish Apprenticeship (3)
(Prereq: SPAN 202 and consent of the department) Students observe beginning language classes and eventually teach segments of the course and prepare audio-visual materials and tests under the close supervision of the first-year teacher.

398. Honors Research (3-6).

442. Directed Studies in Spanish (3-9).
(Prereq: SPAN 202) Open to students planning to major in Spanish who will complete their major with a junior year abroad or for students taking Spanish as the second foreign language for a modern foreign languages major; readings and research on a topic approved by the department.

444. Internships.

446. Readings.

448. Research.

450. Seminar.

452. Special Projects.

458. Special Topics in Spanish (1-6).
(Prereq: SPAN 202) Directed independent study on a topic approved by the department.

Portuguese (PORT)

101-102. Introductory Portuguese (4 each sem)
A basic course designed to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and an awareness of Luso-Brazilian culture. (Alternate years)

151. Accelerated Introductory Portuguese (4)
An accelerated course for students with previous study of a Romance language, especially Spanish. Continues the development of fundamental skills with an emphasis on speaking and comprehension.

201-202. Intermediate Portuguese(3 each sem)
(Prereq: PORT 102 or placement test) A study of Luso-Brazilian culture accompanied by a thorough review of grammar and continued oral-aural work as well as continued practice in writing. (Alternate years)

324. Contemporary Brazilian Film (3)
(Crosslisted with INTD 324) This course focuses on the development of Brazilian film from precursors of the “Cinema Novo” movement of the 1950s and 1960s to the recent resurgence in Brazilian cinematography since the late 1990s.

442. Directed Studies in Portuguese (1-9)
(Prereq: two years of Portuguese) Directed independent study in Portuguese on a topic approved by the department.

444. Internships.

446. Readings.

448. Research.

450. Seminar.

452. Special Projects

458. Special Topics.

Chinese (CHIN)

101-102. Introductory Chinese (4 each sem)
A basic course designed to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and an awareness of the Chinese culture.

201-202. Intermediate Chinese (3 each sem )
A continuation of the study of the Chinese language.

442. Directed Studies in Chinese (1-9).
(Prereq: two years of the appropriate language) Directed independent study in Chinese on a topic approved by the department.

444. Internships

446. Readings.

448. Research.

450. Seminar

452. Special Projects.

458. Special Topics

Visit campus

Call our office at 1-800-960-7583. An admissions counselor will be glad to help you arrange a visit and meet with faculty, sit in on a class, or stay overnight in a dorm.
Email or call for more information - we look forward to hearing from you!