For 2011- 2012 Bulletin

Major in french, german, or spanish

A major consists of at least 24 credits beyond 212/243, which must include the following distribution:

• at least 9 credits must be at the 300 level;
• at least 6 credits must be above the 300 level; of these, 3 credits must be at the 500 level (capstone course);
• Five writing intensive classes (W) in the department are required of all majors.
• Spanish majors must take one full 3-course sequence of survey courses in either Peninsular or Latin American Literature, or a combination of both that covers all three chronological periods. That is, Spanish majors must take 353 OR 363; 354 OR 364; and 355 OR 365.

Only one professional Spanish course (SPA 432 or SPA 433) will count towards the Spanish major, although students are free to take both.

Capstone course:  All students must take a 500-level capstone course in residence during their last semester in the major.  This course, in addition to integrating the various skills acquired during the course of study while focusing on a cohesive theme, will constitute a moment of recapitulation, synthesis, and reflection on a student’s experience in the major as well as a bridge towards graduate-level studies, should s/he decide to pursue them.

Of the 24 credits required for the major, a minimum of 12 credits must be earned in courses taught by MLL faculty (whether on campus or in faculty-led study-abroad programs). Since we encourage students to study abroad in UM-sponsored programs, up to 12 credits from these programs may be applied toward the major. Up to 6 transfer credits from other institutions may count toward the major; whether these are credits transferred from another U.S. institution or from non-UM study abroad programs, transferred credits must be granted UM equivalency in order to be eligible to count toward the major. Please note, however, that the total number of combined UM study-abroad (exclusive of MLL faculty-led programs) and transfer credits shall not exceed 12 credits.

For example:
      *A student may use 3 transfer credits with UM equivalency and 9 credits from a UM-sponsored study abroad program toward fulfillment of the major; the remaining 12 credits must be earned in courses taught by MLL faculty.
      *A student may use 6 transfer credits with UM equivalency and 6 credits from a UM-sponsored study abroad program toward fulfillment of the major; the remaining 12 credits must be earned in courses taught by MLL faculty.
      *A student may use 12 credits from a UM-administered study-abroad program not led by MLL faculty and 12 credits in courses taught by MLL faculty to fulfill the major.

Exceptions to this 12-credit rule may be made in cases where a student will participate in a UM-administered study-abroad program for a full academic year.

Double Majors

All areas of literature studies are covered in the curriculum, with faculty often emphasizing comparative literature, critical theory, and multicultural and cross-disciplinary issues.  Many students combine advanced foreign language study with majors in other fields. Students who major in foreign language may choose second majors in pre-law fields such as International Studies, Communications, History, and Political Science; and in pre-med fields such as Biology, as well as in other fields such as Finance, Latin American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Sociology, and Philosophy.

You do not have to be a student in the College of Arts and Sciences to major or minor in a Modern language; you need only the approval of your college or school advisor and to complete the departmental requirements.  If you wish to complete a double degree, consult with an Arts and Sciences advisor.