Foreign Languages and Literatures

Dawn Bratsch-Prince, Chair of Department
University Professors: Courteau
Professors: Bratsch-Prince, Henry, Leonard, Rectanus
Professors (Emeritus): Bernard, Dow, Frink,
Judith Lacasa
Associate Professors: Bowles, Mariner, Matibag,
Mattson, McGlew, Mook, Nabrotzky
Associate Professors (Emeritus): Dial,
Jaimee Lacasa, Thogmartin
Associate Professors (Adjunct): Rosenbusch
Assistant Professors: Allen, Amidon, Gasta, Haywood-Ferreira, L’hote, Mesropova, Mu, Sipe, Thomas
Assistant Professors (Emeritus): Chatfield, Johnson
Instructors (Adjunct): Kottman
Senior Lecturers: Waldemer
Lecturers: Martin
Undergraduate Study

Foreign language study should be a part of the program for most students. The theoretical understanding of and practical experience in language underlie many intellectual disciplines that try to meet the complex problems of contemporary society. Courses offered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures are designed to develop students’ understanding of a second culture through the language spoken by that culture.

At the completion of their program of studies in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, students who have majored in French, German, Russian Studies, and Spanish will demonstrate proficiency in five goal areas: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. Students will be able to: (a) use their major language to present and interpret information and to communicate both orally and in writing; (b) demonstrate an understanding of the relationships among the products, practices, and perspectives of the culture(s) in which their major language is spoken; (c) demonstrate their ability to acquire information and further their knowledge through their major language; (d) demonstrate an understanding of the nature of language and the concept of culture by making comparisons with their own language and culture(s); and (e) demonstrate a desire to become a life-long learner of their major language.

Graduates will achieve both linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy through the study of the language and culture of their program. Linguistic proficiency entails the ability to function effectively in the target language and the ability to communicate competently with native speakers of the target language. Students of Latin and Ancient Greek demonstrate proficiency by becoming able to read the languages and to translate from these languages into clear and idiomatic English. Cultural literacy includes a general knowledge of the culture’s history, familiarity with its literature, and basic knowledge of its social and political institutions.

The Department offers both majors and minors in French, German, Russian Studies, and Spanish, leading to the bachelor of arts degree; minors in Chinese Studies, Latin and Portuguese; and instruction in Italian, Classical Greek, Czech, Polish and Serbo-Croatian through the Rees Consortium . A minor in any foreign language or any area-studies program requires at least 15 credits, nine of which must be at the 300 level or higher. Of these, 3 credits must be in literature or culture. Please consult the specific requirements for each language group. A full statement of requirements for majors and minors may be obtained from the Department. For a complete statement of all the college degree requirements, see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curriculum. Current and detailed information about the Department, including placement information, is available on-line at www.public.iastate.edu/~flng_info /homepage.html.

Students who have had formal training in foreign languages offered at Iowa State may obtain credit by passing appropriate examinations. Students with native fluency in languages taught at Iowa State may not enroll in or take the Exam for Credit in elementary or intermediate courses (100 and 200 level) in their native language. Students are considered to have native fluency if their ethnic first language as indicated on the matriculation form is the language in which they wish to enroll. Students are also considered to have native fluency if they have had substantial attendance at a secondary school or university where the language of instruction is the language in which they wish to enroll at ISU. Students with native fluency may be eligible to enroll in literature and civilization courses in their native language at the 300 level or above; such students must also consult the department office to determine eligibility for advanced composition and conversation courses (300 level and above).

Students who have completed three or more years of high-school foreign language study may not enroll in or receive credit for 101-102 in those languages; credit may be obtained by passing the appropriate Exam for Credit or by completing an advanced sequence (200-level or higher) in that language. 101-102 may not be taken on a remedial basis.

Students who have completed two years but less than three years of a single high-school foreign language may not enroll in 101. These students may enroll in either 97 or 102. Before enrolling in either 97 or 102, students are recommended but not required to take the placement test available for 101-102 level languages. (see www.language.iastate.edu/PlacementMain.htm). 97 is designed for students who need additional remedial work in the language at the first-year level (101-102) and are not planning to continue their language study at the second-year 201-202 level. Students who complete 97 with a C- or better will have fulfilled the LAS foreign language requirement and are eligible to receive retroactive credit for 101. Students who have completed 97 and wish to pursue further language study at the 201-202 level may enroll in 102.

Students with disabilities who need to satisfy the foreign language requirement, may direct questions to their academic advisor and the Disability Resource Office.

Credit by examination in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures for courses numbered 101, 102, 201, and 202 is available only to students who are not currently enrolled in the course. Credit by examination for other courses in the Department is not normally available.

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures participates in the Iowa Board of Regents’ foreign language summer programs in France and Spain, and the Regents’ semester program in Spain. The Department also offers summer programs in Bolivia, Greece, Russia, Spain and Mexico; and a semester program in Mexico and Spain. Information concerning these programs can be obtained directly from the Department. The Department also houses the Classical Studies Program.

Language and literature courses numbered 300 and above are principally taught in the target language; courses numbered in the 370s are taught in English. For courses taught in English about Ancient Greek and Rome, see Classical Studies. Students may not take intermediate (200 level) courses for credit after successfully completing any advanced (300/400 level) course, except those in the 370 series or courses taught in English translation. Students who have successfully completed any course in the intermediate (200 level) sequence may not take a lower-numbered course in that sequence for a grade.

Students at all levels of foreign language study will have access to the Foreign Language Learning Resource Center, located in 312 Pearson. The resource center contains an extensive collection of foreign language materials, including audio-visual materials, music, books, computer software and hardware, and course-related materials.

Materials fees: Each student enrolled in a 97 course; 100-level or 200-level modern foreign language course; a 300-level modern foreign language skills course (301, 302, 303, 304, 310), or a foreign language film course will be assessed a materials fee of $20.00. This fee is charged for each of theses courses regardless of the number of foreign language courses in which you are enrolled for the semester. If you drop all courses subject to the fee by the 15th day of the semester you will not have to pay any of the fee.

English proficiency requirement: The Department requires a grade of C- or better in each of Engl 104 and 105 (105H), and a grade of C or better in any course numbered between 370 and 379 (with the exception of Rus 375 and Rus 376) taught by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures or the interdepartmental program in Classical Studies.

Students with primary majors or curricula in the College of Business or the College of Engineering are encouraged to complete the LCP second major option in French, German, Russian Studies, Spanish, or Chinese Studies (minor only) in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. The primary objective of the LCP option is to provide opportunities and a learning environment for students within which they can achieve global literacy, linguistic proficiency, and inter-cultural competence. In the LCP curriculum, students will learn how professions are shaped by social and cultural forces and, alternatively, how professions shape society. In courses on contemporary culture and society, students will identify and analyze issues dealing with the complex interrelationships of languages and cultures and consider how they may affect their chosen profession. Students will experience living and working in diverse cultural settings through study abroad and internship opportunities offered through the LCP program and/or in collaboration with the Colleges of Business and Engineering. Students enrolled in the LCP second major option may receive non-graded academic credit for the successful completion of internships (FLL courses numbered 499).

For the LCP second major option, students will complete 30 credits within the option beyond the fourth-semester level, selected from the list of approved LCP core courses and electives designated for their respective college curricula in either Business or Engineering. Students may only enroll in the LCP as a second major or curriculum and may not graduate with the LCP option alone.

Students in the College of Business may combine course work in the International Business (IB) Secondary Major with course work in LCP by selecting from a list of approved options. Students should consult their academic advisor in the College of Business and in FLL for coursework and international experience that fulfill requirements in both the IB and LCP major options.

Options for the Curricula in International Business Secondary Major and Languages and Cultures for Professions Second Major

In addition to the current International Business Secondary Major in the College of Business, students may select from one of the following options:

I. International Business Secondary Major and Foreign Language and Literatures Minor with LCP Emphasis (27 cr. total)

IB Courses=12 cr. selected from IB list of approved courses LCP/FLL Minor courses=15 cr. at the 300-level or above, selected from the FLL list of approved courses (including internship or study abroad)

FLL courses numbered 304 (Languages for Business and Professions) and the internship or study abroad may be double counted. The internship or study abroad course fulfills the IB three-month international experience requirement.

II. International Business Secondary Major and LCP Major Option (42 cr. total)
IB Courses-12 cr. selected from IB list of approved courses LCP Courses=30 cr. selected from LCP list of approved courses (including 3 cr. internship or study abroad course, which fulfills the IB three month international experience requirement)

III. LCP Major Option for Business Majors (without IB Secondary Major)
LCP Courses=30 cr. total (27 cr. and 3 cr. internship or study abroad course)
Graduate Study

The Department of Foreign Languages offers work for a graduate minor in French, German, Latin, Russian Studies and Spanish. The graduate minor in each of these languages is designed to provide an opportunity for graduate students to further their knowledge of that language to complement work in their major disciplines. The graduate minor provides formal recognition of student achievement and expertise in one of the languages above. Graduate minor credits are also offered in Greek and Portuguese.

Graduate Minor

Program Requirements:

a. Prerequisites: Graduate students who wish to minor in one of the languages above must have 400-level proficiency in that language. When this is not the case, the student may be required to take a language course below the 400-level, which would not count towards the graduate minor requirements.

b. Course Requirements: For the M.A. or M.S.: Three courses in the language of the minor. No more than three credits may be in courses numbered 401, 402, and 403. For the Ph.D.: Four courses in the language of the minor which must include at least one three credit course at the 500 level. No more than three credits may be in courses numbered 401, 402, or 403. At least two courses for the M.A. and the Ph.D. minors must be taken in residence at Iowa State University. Papers written for these courses are expected to have a content and depth commensurate with the graduate status of the student.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: Chin 490; F Lng 486, 498; Frnch 304, 440, 471, 472; Ger 304, 440, 471, 472; Greek 441, 442; Latin 441, 442; Port 321, 330; Rus 304, 401, 440; Span 304, 330, 331, 332, 351, 352, 401, 440, 441, 445, 462, 463.