
Information found in this online edition of the 2008-09 catalog is unofficial and for informational purposes only. By authority of the dean of the College, some factual corrections to the printed version may appear here. The official document of record is the printed edition of the 2008-09 Catalog. For more information, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
|
 |
Foreign Languages and Literatures
Chair: Nicole Aas-Rouxparis
Consistent with the international orientation of Lewis & Clark, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers students a program of language, literature, literature in translation, and overseas study. Students learn to communicate in a foreign language, to think and read critically, and to understand values, beliefs, and cultural patterns that are different from their own. Recognizing the importance of learning the language in an environment where it is spoken, the department requires overseas study of its majors.
Courses in eight languages, including four major and three minor programs, are available for students who wish to pursue particular career or professional objectives; to continue studies in language, linguistics, and literature in graduate school; or to obtain a broad liberal arts education.
The Major Programs
The department offers four major programs: French Studies, German Studies, Hispanic Studies, and Foreign Languages. Minors are offered in Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. Majors are encouraged to combine their knowledge of the language and literature of an area of the world with fields such as American and English literature, anthropology, art, business, communication, economics, history, international affairs, and sociology. Students should declare a major at the latest by the end of the sophomore year, at which time they choose a departmental advisor. Majors are encouraged to select an advisor as soon as possible since their major program, which includes overseas study, will require careful planning. Students who double-major select advisors in both departments. Faculty advisors provide counsel on course selection; major, minor, and general graduation requirements; international programs; careers; graduate study; and teaching assistantships. The department holds group meetings for majors at the beginning of each school year and as needed during the year.
Overseas Study
All majors are required to participate in one of Lewis & Clark's international programs. Overseas study is the most effective way for students to improve their language skills and experience the culture they are studying.
In Chinese, the following overseas programs are available:
- Foreign languages majors with Chinese as their primary language may spend the fall semester in Beijing, China, and may extend their stay for a full year. Internship and practicum opportunities are available. Chinese 202 or the equivalent is a prerequisite.
- Foreign languages majors with Chinese as their primary language may spend the spring semester in Harbin, China. Language immersion and research tutorial are the topics in Harbin. Chinese 202 or the equivalent is a prerequisite.
The above programs fulfill the overseas requirement for the East Asian studies major and the foreign languages major with Chinese as the primary language. Both overseas programs are highly recommended for the Chinese minor.
- For summer language study, students should consult with Chinese language faculty or the Office of Overseas and Off-Campus Programs.
Students may combine two of the programs listed in 1-3 above for a full year of study.
In French, the following overseas programs are available:
- French studies majors are required to spend at least one semester studying at the University of Nancy or Strasbourg, France, or at the University of Dakar, Senegal. A full year of study is strongly recommended. The Nancy and Strasbourg programs are available fall and/or spring semester; prerequisites are junior standing, completion of French 202, and a GPA of 3.000 in French courses. The Senegal program is available spring semester only; prerequisites are junior standing, completion of French 321, and a GPA of 3.000 in French courses.
- For nonmajors, the country study in Strasbourg or Nancy is scheduled annually for both fall and spring semesters. French 202 and a GPA of 3.000 in French courses are prerequisites. The Senegal program is also open to nonmajors. Prerequisites are junior standing, French 202, and a GPA of 3.000 in French courses.
In German, the annual full-year academic program in Munich is open to German majors and nonmajors. It is affiliated with the University of Munich, where students may take courses in many fields. German 202 and a GPA of 3.000 in German courses are prerequisites.
In Japanese, the following programs are available:
- Kansai Gaidai in Osaka. Fall or spring semester or the full year. Japanese 102 and an overall GPA of 3.000 are prerequisites.
- Waseda University in Tokyo. Full year only. In cooperation with Waseda, Lewis & Clark offers advanced students a full year of Japanese language study. Japanese 310 and a GPA of 3.000 in language study are prerequisites.
- Hokusei Gakuen University in Sapporo. Fall or spring semester or the full year. Japanese 102 is a prerequisite.
All three programs satisfy the overseas study requirement for the East Asian studies major and the foreign languages major with Japanese as a primary language. All three are also highly recommended for Japanese minors. For foreign languages majors and East Asian studies minors, the Kansai Gaidai and Waseda programs are recommended.
In Russian, the following programs are available:
- Foreign languages majors with Russian as their primary language spend the fall or spring semester or the full year on the language intensive program in St. Petersburg or Vladivostok. Prerequisites are two years of college Russian and a GPA of 3.000 in Russian courses.
- For Russian minors and nonmajors, the intensive language programs in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok are available fall or spring semester. Prerequisites are two years of Russian and a GPA of 3.000 in Russian courses. Alternatively, Russian minors and nonmajors may spend either fall or spring semester enrolled in the area study program at St. Petersburg. Russian 102 and a GPA of 3.000 in Russian courses are prerequisites.
In Spanish, the following programs are available:
- A biennial spring semester program in Seville, Spain. Spanish 201 is a prerequisite.
- Fall/spring/full-year program in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. Spanish 202 is a prerequisite.
- Fall/spring/full-year program in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Spanish 321 or participation in the fall semester program in Santiago de los Caballeros or the spring semester program in Seville, Spain, is a prerequisite.
- An annual fall/spring/full-year program in Santiago, Chile, at the Catholic and National universities and/or in Valparaiso, Chile, at the Catholic University. Spanish 321 or participation in the fall semester program in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, is a prerequisite.
For Hispanic studies majors, a GPA of 3.000 in Spanish courses is required for participation in overseas programs. Hispanic studies majors are required to participate in at least a one-semester program in either Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, or Chile. The department recommends that Hispanic studies majors spend a full year in Chile or the Dominican Republic or combine one semester at another site with a semester in Chile or the Santo Domingo program.
Major Requirements: French, German, Or Hispanic Studies
These majors provide courses in language, literature, and culture to prepare students for graduate study and for careers in teaching, bilingual education, translating and interpreting, or other areas in which foreign language skills are applied. Major requirements are distributed as follows:
French Studies
- A minimum of 36 semester credits (nine courses) beyond French Studies 202, distributed as follows: a) 301, 321, 410, and 450 (may be repeated for credit). b) Five elective courses from on-campus or overseas offerings: The three elective courses offered on campus are 330, 340, and 350.
- Overseas study: A minimum of one semester on the Nancy, Strasbourg, or Senegal programs. A full year of overseas study is strongly recommended. Students participating in a one-semester overseas program are advised to take French 321 on campus.
- Majors are required to pass a senior oral proficiency evaluation.
Note: Courses taken on campus on a credit-no credit basis cannot normally be counted toward the major.
German Studies
- A minimum of 36 semester credits (nine courses) beyond German Studies 202, distributed as follows: a) 301, 321, 410, and 411 (available in Munich only), 422 (available in Munich only), 450 (may be repeated for credit). b) History 120, 121, 225, 226, 227, or 323 or equivalent on campus or overseas. c) Two elective courses to be selected from offerings on-campus or overseas. Four credits from 251/252 may be used as one elective.
- Overseas study: Full-year Munich program. Exemption only with departmental approval.
- Majors are required to pass a senior oral proficiency evaluation.
Note: Courses taken on campus on a credit-no credit basis cannot normally be counted toward the major, except conversation courses 251 and 252.
Hispanic Studies
- A minimum of 36 semester credits (nine courses) beyond Hispanic Studies 202, distributed as follows: a) 301, 321, 380 or 390, 410, and 440 or 450 (may be taken twice for credit). b) Four elective courses are to be selected from offerings on-campus or overseas. Four credits from 230, 251/252, 261/262 may be used as an elective. One course on Latin American history or politics selected from International Affairs 231, History 141 or 142, or equivalent overseas may also be used as an elective.
- Overseas study: A minimum of one semester in Chile or the Dominican Republic. A full year is strongly recommended. If participating in a one-semester overseas program, students must take Hispanic Studies 321 on campus.
- Majors are required to pass a senior oral proficiency evaluation.
Note: Courses taken on campus on a credit-no credit basis cannot normally be counted toward the major, except conversation courses 251, 252 and 261, 262.
Major Requirements: Foreign Languages
This major allows students to pursue the study of any two of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. The foreign languages major is appropriate for students interested in foreign language skills and the structure of language. The department encourages students to combine their language skills with fields such as American and English literature, anthropology, art, business, communication, economics, history, international affairs, and sociology. The major requires a minimum of 16 semester credits in a primary language, 12 semester credits in a secondary language, 4 semester credits in linguistics (for a total of 32 semester credits), and one semester overseas, distributed as follows:
- Foreign Languages 240 (Introduction to Linguistics).
- In the primary language, a minimum of 16 semester credits (four courses) beyond 202, distributed as follows. If French, German, or Spanish is the primary language: a) 301 or equivalent from overseas. b) 321 or equivalent from overseas. c) If French: 330, 340, 350, 410, or 450. If Spanish: 380, 390, 410, 440, or 450. If German: 410 or 450. If Chinese, Japanese, or Russian is the primary language: a) Three upper-level courses (a minimum of 12 semester credits) beyond 202 taught in the language, one of which must be taken on campus. b) Chinese, Japanese, Russian 230 or 290.
- A minimum of one semester (including one to three courses taught in the primary language) studying overseas.
- In the secondary language, three upper-level courses (a minimum of 12 semester credits) beyond 202 selected from the following. If French, German, or Spanish is the secondary language: a) French, German, Spanish 301. b) French, German, Spanish 321 or equivalent. c) German, Spanish 230. d) Two conversation courses (251, 252 or 261, 262). e) With special permission, French 330 or 340 or 350, Spanish 380 or 390, German 410 or 450. If Chinese, Japanese, or Russian is the secondary language: a) Chinese, Japanese 310, Russian 330. b) Chinese 320, Japanese 320, Russian 351. c) One literature in translation course (Chinese, Japanese, Russian 230 or 290). d) Chinese, Japanese 410, Japanese 420, Russian 420. e) Two Chinese, Japanese, Russian conversation courses (251 and 252).
Note: Overseas study is not required for the secondary language. For those who do study abroad in a secondary language, at least one upper-level course must be taken on campus.
Oral proficiency evaluations are not required for the foreign languages major. Study of a third language at the 100 and 200 levels will not count toward graduation with the exception of languages that are not regularly taught at Lewis & Clark and are part of an overseas program.
Minor Requirements: Chinese, Japanese, And Russian
These minors serve students who wish to learn Chinese, Japanese, or Russian language and literature as a complement to their major. They are attractive to students majoring in fields such as anthropology, art, business, communication, East Asian studies, economics, history, international affairs, and sociology.
Chinese Minor
- A minimum of 20 semester credits (five courses) beyond 202, distributed as follows: a) Chinese 230 or 290. b) A minimum of four courses from the following list: Chinese 251, 252 (if two courses are taken); 310, 320, 410; overseas offerings 308, 309, 315, 316, 408, 415, 416; overseas offerings International Studies 240, 241, 242. At least one 4-semester-credit language course must be taken on campus.
- Participation in an overseas program in China is highly recommended.
- No more than two courses applied toward the minor may be used to complete requirements for another major or minor.
Japanese Minor
- A minimum of 20 semester credits (five courses) beyond 202, distributed as follows: a) Japanese 230 or 290. b) A minimum of four courses from the following list: Japanese 251, 252 (if two courses are taken); 310, 320, 410, 420; overseas offerings 308, 309, 315, 316, 408, 409, 415, 416; overseas offerings International Studies 240, 241, 242. At least one 4-semester-credit language course must be taken on campus.
- Participation in an overseas program in Japan is highly recommended.
- No more than two courses applied toward the minor may be used to complete requirements for another major or minor.
Russian Minor
- A minimum of 20 semester credits (five courses) beyond 202, distributed as follows: a) Russian 230 or 290. b) A minimum of four courses from the following list. Russian 251, 252 (if two courses are taken); 330, 351, 420; overseas offerings 315, 316, 415, 416; overseas offerings International Studies 240, 241. At least one 4-semester-credit language course must be taken on campus.
- Participation in an overseas program in Russian is highly recommended.
- No more than two courses applied toward the minor may be used to complete requirements for another major or minor.
Special Programs
The foreign language department's literature and culture programs are complemented by several interdisciplinary programs. Students of Chinese or Japanese may major or minor in East Asian studies. (See separate listing in this catalog.) Students of Spanish may choose an interdisciplinary minor in Latin American studies. (See separate listing in this catalog.) Students of Greek or Latin may choose an interdisciplinary minor in Classical studies. (See separate listing in this catalog.)
Honors
The department invites outstanding students to submit proposals for an honors project to be defined in consultation with department faculty. Students must have a GPA of 3.500 or higher in the major and overall. The program entails a two-semester independent-study research project culminating in a paper. Students must begin their projects no later than the first semester of their senior year and present them to the department by the 10th week of the final semester. While writing their honors projects, students must be enrolled in 490, Honors Thesis, for a total of 4 semester credits, credit-no credit. Credit earned for the honors project is in addition to the nine courses required for the major.
Resources For Nonmajors
Students who have had no language training should begin a foreign language at the 101 level. Others who have had experience with a foreign language may take a placement examination upon entering Lewis & Clark to determine the level at which they should start their college language program. Anyone with adequate background may take any and all courses offered in that language. The department offers a linguistics course and literature courses in English translation.
Faculty
Nicole Aas-Rouxparis, professor. French, 20th-century French and Francophone literatures, women writers.
Katharina Altpeter-Jones, assistant professor. German, medieval and early modern German literature, women writers.
Therese Augst, assistant professor. German.
Keith Dede, associate professor. Chinese language and linguistics.
Isabelle DeMarte, associate professor. French, 17th- and 18th-century French literature.
Tatiana Osipovich, associate professor. Russian literature, language, culture.
Matthieu Raillard, assistant professor. Hispanic studies, 18th- and 19th-century Peninsular Spanish literature.
Molly Robinson Kelly, assistant professor. French, medieval French literature and philology, place studies.
Bruce Suttmeier, associate professor. Japanese language, contemporary Japanese literature.
Juan Carlos Toledano, associate professor. Hispanic studies, 19th- and 20th-century Spanish American literature, Hispanic-Caribbean literature.
Freddy O. Vilches, assistant professor. Hispanic studies, contemporary Spanish American literature, poetry, and song, Latin American cultural studies.
Wendy Woodrich, senior lecturer. Spanish language, Latin American literature and culture, Hispanics in the United States.
Visiting Faculty
Gordon Kelly, visiting assistant professor of humanities. Latin and Greek language and literature, Roman and Greek history.
Claudia Nadine, visiting assistant professor of humanities. French, 19th-century literature.
Instructors
Cecilia I. Benenati. Spanish language.
Michie Shinohara Deeter. Japanese language.
Meiru Liu. Chinese language.
Marisela Nyoka. Spanish language.
M. Esperanza Outeirino-Feijoo, Spanish language.
FL 299, 499 Independent Study
Staff
Content: Available in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish. Independent work dealing with the language, literature, or culture of the country or countries being studied. Students design the course in consultation with a faculty member as to title, content, means of evaluation, and amount of academic credit.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Taught: Each semester, 1-4 semester credits.
Linguistics
FL 240 Introduction To Linguistics
Dede
Content: An introduction to the scientific study of language that explores the methodology linguists use to discuss language, as well as the ways in which language interacts with other disciplines. The structures underlying individual languages, language families, and human language generally. The degree to which language is shaped by the society in which it is used, how it changes over time, and its complex relationship to the human brain. Readings and first-hand investigation.
Prerequisite: The completion of one foreign language through the 201 level.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits.
Back to Catalog front page.
|