About the Department

Coursework is available in American Sign Language, Chinese, Classical Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and heritage languages such as Arabic and Korean. Among the wide range of offerings in this culturally diverse department are language and literature courses ranging from antiquity through the modern period, classes in commercial and business language and interpreting, cinema, feminism, current literary theory, applied linguistics, terminology studies, classical mythology, art and archaeology of the Mediterranean, and courses (taught in English) on the cultures of France, Germany, Russia, Spain, Latin-America, and ancient Greece and Rome. On the graduate level, the department offers the M.A. degree in French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian and Spanish.

Bachelor of Arts Programs in Foreign Languages and Literatures

Foreign language degree programs are designed for students who seek a traditional liberal arts education with a major in one of the languages listed above. The classics program combines study in classical Greek and Latin with a wide range of English language courses in the humanities. All these degree programs constitute the basis for careers in teaching, government and tourism. They also provide the foundation for graduate work which may lead to the Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees.

Bachelor of Arts Degrees in American Sign Language, French, German, Latin, Russian or Spanish

Students pursuing majors in one of the foreign languages listed above complete a total of up to 49 credit hours in the major field. Students majoring in a language may waive any portion of the basic 14 hours with demonstrated proficiency. Those majoring in Latin should consult the department for placement advice.

Bachelor of Science Program in Modern Language Translation(French, German, Russian and Spanish)

Translation is a career-oriented major for students interested in working as technical, commercial or literary translators or as language specialists in areas such as software localization. Translators need advanced training in one modern language, secondary competence in a specialty area (business marketing, technology, science, premedical program, criminal justice, computer science, literature, fashion, another language, etc.), and training in translation.
The core curriculum consists of 27 hours in the basic language, including courses in language, conversation, composition, phonetics, civilization and 16 hours in translation courses. Thirty-nine hours in a domain specialty which may include up to 17 hours in a second foreign language are required. It is strongly recommended that students in this program spend their third year abroad.

K-12 Ohio Teaching Licensure

Students who major in American Sign Language, French, German, Latin, Russian or Spanish and complete an education minor (totaling 37 hours) may earn K-12 teaching licensure in the state of Ohio. This entire teacher preparation curriculum totals from 121 to 126 semester hours and can usually be completed in four academic years.

Bachelor of Arts in Classics

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in classics complete coursework in Latin, Greek, classics and ancient ­history.

Foreign Language Placement

University, college and departmental requirements are stated in terms of proficiency levels which students can attain most efficiently by beginning with the language course appropriate for their level of high school preparation. The following guidelines are recommended:

A. Students with no high school foreign language or with only one year of such study should enroll in the Elementary I course.

B. Students with preparation in Latin should consult the department for placement advice.

C. Students with two or more years with grades of B or better in a modern language should enroll in Elementary II or above in that language.

Placement testing in French, German and Spanish is available through PASS or the Student Advising Center in Lake Hall. Students uncertain about placement should consult with the department basic studies advisor.

Foreign Language Proficiency Testing
Upon entering the university and prior to taking any courses in the language sequence, students may choose to take the CLEP examination. Students who successfully complete the CLEP exam may earn up to 14 hours of college credit for competency acquired in high school.

Minors and Other Programs

The Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies offers minors in many foreign languages (American Sign Language, French, German, Greek, Latin, Russian, Spanish and classics) plus a variety of interdisciplinary “certificates” in German studies, Hellenic studies, and Russian studies.

Latin American studies major and minor programs provide a broad background with a regional focus for students particularly interested in understanding Latin America. Students may combine language courses in Spanish and/or Portuguese and integrate them with the Latin American studies.

Russian majors may opt for a second and interdisciplinary major in Soviet and East European studies.

Business students can pursue a minor in business language.

Students in a variety of majors (e.g., justice studies, ­nursing) can pursue a minor in American Sign Language.