2012-2013 - Sweet Briar College

Modern Languages and Literature
The Modern Languages and Literatures Major
(45 semester hours)
Required:
Choose 21 credits in a language of principal concentration (French, German, Italian or Spanish),
including only courses creditable to the major in that language of which at least 6 credits must be in
literature and one course must be the senior seminar.
Choose 15 credits in courses creditable toward the major in a second language (French, German,
Italian or Spanish).
Choose 9 credits in courses above the intermediate level (202) in a third language (French, German,
Italian or Spanish).
Modern Languages and Literatures
The modern language curriculum is designed to give students an opportunity to become conversant in
one or more languages from linguistic, literary and cultural perspectives. We encourage serious
students to examine the social, philosophical and aesthetic themes in literature and to acquire fluency
and sensitivity to structure and style in the languages offered which include French, German, and
Spanish.
Careers in such fields as government, law, business, medicine, social service, journalism, or education
are enhanced by the knowledge of foreign languages. Many graduate programs require proficiency in a
foreign language.
Majors are offered in French, German, and Spanish, and also in modern languages and literatures (the
study of three languages). Students should spend their junior year in an approved program of studies
abroad, or participate in an approved program of summer studies. Minors are offered in French,
German, and Spanish. In cooperation with other academic departments, the department also
participates in programs providing a major in German Studies and a minor in Latin American Studies.
The programs are designed to encourage the student to combine her interests in a language with other
disciplines. The student considering such a program, or planning to study abroad, should consult the
department chair as soon as possible to assure proper preparation.
A student who chooses one of these majors is expected to achieve a reading, writing, and speaking
knowledge of the language (or languages) in which she concentrates. The foreign language is used
exclusively in all advanced courses and as much as possible in the others. Not more than one approved
course given in English may be credited toward the major. The department recommends participation
in a Junior Year Abroad program or a residence of six weeks or more in a summer school where the
exclusive use of the foreign language is required. Courses taken in programs abroad must be evaluated
and approved by the appropriate departmental faculty before credit is granted toward the major. A
student who has begun the study of a language in college will still find it possible to fulfill the major
requirement in the language by arranging her courses in consultation with her major professor.
The Department of Modern Languages does not approve credit for online courses taken at any level.