Modern Languages, B.A.

Objectives

The aim of the Modern Languages Major is twofold: to build fundamental skills in two modern languages (Concentration A and Concentration B), additional to English and to develop transcultural and intercultural proficiency. Students may choose to concentrate on any two of the following languages offered in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures (but not beyond): Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Students start Concentration A with the third course (i.e., CHIN 2103 Chinese 3, FREN 2103 French 3, GRMN 2103 German 3, ITAL 2103 Italian 3, SPAN 2103 Spanish 3) or higher and Concentration B with the first course (i.e., CHIN 1101 Chinese 1, FREN 2101 French 1, GRMN 2101 German 1, ITAL 2101 Italian 1, SPAN 2101 Spanish 1) or higher.

Through a structured sequence of courses and a strong recommendation to participate in semester or summer study abroad programs, the Modern Languages Major prepares students for a world in which transcultural and intercultural understanding provides the basis for mutual respect, social justice and global harmony.

The program encourages and advises students in undertaking research, extracurricular activities, and community-based learning that further cultivate their ability to speak, understand, and write two additional languages as well as linguistically analyze them, to know the principal aspects of the cultures where those languages are spoken, and to exercise transcultural and intercultural agency.

The Modern Languages Major is highly desirable to those interested in international communications, media, diplomacy, business, education, immigration, social work, law, theology, theatre, and the visual arts. Competence in multiple languages, ability to connect and act across cultures, and a sharply honed set of skills in logical reasoning, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving prepare the student well for employment in the globalized economy.

Modern Languages majors who have German in their choice of languages and a minimum GPA of 3.5 are eligible once per year for the Conrad Lester merit-based scholarship.

Students who are placed above the minimal required language levels (third course for Concentration A, first course for Concentration B) upon entering the Major must take additional upper division elective courses in relevant Concentration to meet the credit requirement in that Concentration. If no such courses are offered by the Department of Modern Languages and Literature in a semester necessary for students to take them, they may fulfill up to four credits by taking appropriate cultural studies courses offered outside the Department. In such cases, however, students must have pre-approval from the Modern Languages Program Coordinator and the Department Chair prior to taking the courses. 

Modern Languages Student Learning Outcomes

Modern Languages majors will know:

• The principal aspects of two additional languages and cultures through the study of cultural productions and practices (e.g. linguistics; literature; film; art; philosophy; social, historical, and civilizational practices)

Modern Languages majors will be able to:

• Speak, understand, and write two additional languages as well as linguistically analyze them
• Read a variety of texts in two languages and evaluate their content, technique, and cultural significance

Modern Languages majors will be able to demonstrate that they value:

• Communicative competency in multiple languages and across multiple cultures
• The ability to understand and appreciate cultural productions and practices from diverse societies and civilizations 
• The potential to forge alliances, form communities, and inspire collaborative actions across the world to meet shared challenges of humanity

Major Requirements

A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in all lower division courses taken for the major’s A and B language concentration areas.

A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be maintained in all upper division courses taken for the major’s A and B language concentration areas.

A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in both MDLG required courses (MDLG 3400 Linguistics and FNLT 4200 Comparative Cultures or MDLG 4400 Selected Topics in Linguistics).

This minimum grade requirement applies to courses taken from the Department’s Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish program offerings; to pre-approved (by the MDLG Coordinator and Department Chair) LMU courses taken outside the Department; and to any pre-approved LMU or non-LMU Study Abroad program courses where letter grades are given.

The minimum grade requirement of C (2.0) applies to any course substitution. A course substitution must be approved by the Modern Language Program Coordinator and Department Chair prior to the student taking the course. Note that permission is granted only in extraordinary cases.

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Students start Concentration A with the third course ( i.e., CHIN 2103 Chinese 3, FREN 2103 French 3, GRMN 2103 German 3, ITAL 2103 Italian 3, SPAN 2103 Spanish 3) and Concentration B with the first course (i.e., CHIN 1101 Chinese 1, FREN 2101 French 1, GRMN 2101 German 1, ITAL 2101 Italian 1, SPAN 2101 Spanish 1).

Modern Languages Model Four-Year Plan

The normal course load is 16 semester hours per semester (4 classes). By following the model below, a student will complete all lower division core requirements by the end of the sophomore year as well as all major prerequisites. Note that core areas are suggested to provide a distribution of various disciplines every semester. Please be flexible implementing these suggestions, given your own interests and course availability. In four years, this plan meets all common graduation requirements.