FR-100  French Language and Culture I
FR-120  French Language and Culture II
FR-200  French Language and Culture III
GN-100  German Language and Culture I
GN-120  German Language and Culture II
GN-200  German Language and Culture III
SC-105  Fundamentals of Oral Communication
SN-100  Spanish Language and Culture I
SN-120  Spanish Language and Culture II
SN-200  Spanish Language and Culture III

FR-100     French Language and Culture I 

Catalog Description (including prerequisites)

Acquisition of an appreciation of the culture of French-speaking peoples and study of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing French.  (3)

Course Content

Students learn to pronounce French words and to use basic vocabulary and structures.  Structures include present tense of regular and common irregular verbs, negative and interrogative structures, articles, and prepositions.  Students will learn basic French vocabulary needed to function in a French speaking environment.

Students will compare structures in French and English, such as subject-verb agreements, word order, notions of gender, formal and informal address, etc.  They will be called upon to use critical thinking and analytical skills.

Cultural content is an important part of the course.  Students will learn basic geography and become familiar with features of daily life:  food, shopping, university life, cultural life, etc.  They will engage in guided out-of-class activities, including library projects and attendance at French films.  Cultural awareness and interrelationships are discussed.

Nature of Course

This course combines an introduction to the study of the French language with a study of some major aspects of French culture.

Emphasis is on the use of French in oral communication situations, e.g., asking questions, describing daily activities, food, weather, numbers, time expressions, etc.  Class activities involve oral assignments, pronunciation practice, slides, films, and reports on cultural figures.

Student Expectations

The course includes frequent quizzes and exams over French vocabulary and structures.  Students will be expected to write brief reports in English on cultural topics or on French films.

Continued study of the culture of French-speaking peoples through the practice of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing French.  Prerequisite:  FR-100 or equivalent.  (3)

Students who complete this course as their first course in French are eligible to receive an additional 3 credits under the Department of Foreign Language Retroactive Credit policy.

Course Content

This course continues the study of French language and culture.  Emphasis is placed on developing increased proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing French.

Students learn the structures of the language, as well as the cultural context of the language, through practice of oral communication situations.  Structures introduced at this level include narration in the past and future, the use of descriptive adjectives and adverbs, and the use of prepositions.  Students will be expected to master the use of these and other structures.  In addition, students will compare structures of English and French in order to understand the functioning of language.

The cultural content of the course will be integrated with the oral communication activities.  Students will master certain cultural skills and knowledge through the appropriate use of the language in context. 

Nature of Course

This is a participation course in which students increase their oral communication abilities in French and become acquainted with the cultural context of the French-speaking peoples. Class activities involve oral assignments, pronunciation practice, slides, and reports on French films.

Student Expectations

Students will participate in individual and group projects both in and outside of class, using materials in the textbook and resources available on campus.  The course includes frequent quizzes and exams over French vocabulary, structures, and culture.  Students are also expected to write brief reports on cultural topics.  Grades are based on a composite of students' oral and written performance as well as their demonstration of cultural knowledge and understanding. 

FR-200    French Language and Culture III   

Catalog Description (including prerequisites)

Continued study of French language and culture.  Cultural, conversational, and structural activities leading to increased proficiency and cross-cultural awareness.  Prerequisite:  FR-120 or equivalent.  (3)

This course is open to beginning freshmen who have had very good high school preparation in French (3-4 years).  Students who complete this course as their first course in French are eligible to receive an additional 6 credits under the Department of Foreign Languages Retroactive Credit policy.

Course Content

This course builds on students' previous knowledge of French to develop proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.  Major aspects of French culture and contemporary French life are included in the material presented.

The course consists of regular assignments from the textbook for recitation in class, as well as written homework and oral presentations in French.  Also included are readings from outside sources and listening comprehension activities in the language laboratory.

Nature of Course

The class emphasizes an active approach to learning.  Student involvement and participation in class is essential.  In addition to material assigned for class preparation, individual or group culture projects may be assigned.

Student Expectations

There are frequent quizzes and exams in class, as well as written and oral assignments and projects.  Grades are based on a composite of students' written and oral performance and a demonstration of their knowledge and understanding of French culture.  Students also write reports on French films.

GN-100    German Language and Culture I

Catalog Description (including prerequisites)

Acquisition of an appreciation of the culture of German-speaking peoples and study of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing German.  (3)

Course Content

Students learn to pronounce German words and to use basic vocabulary and structures.  Structures include present tense of regular and common irregular verbs, negative and interrogative structures, articles, and prepositions.  Students will learn basic German vocabulary needed to function in a German speaking environment.

Students will compare structures in German and English, such as subject-verb agreements, word order, notions of gender, formal and informal address, etc.  They will be called upon to use critical thinking and analytical skills.

Cultural content is an important part of the course.  Students will learn basic geography and become familiar with features of daily life:  food, shopping, university life, cultural life, etc.  They will engage in guided out-of-class activities, including library projects and attendance at German films.  Cultural awareness and interrelationships are discussed.

Nature of Course

This course combines an introduction to the study of the German language with a study of some major aspects of German culture.

Emphasis is on the use of German in oral communication situations, e.g., asking questions, describing daily activities, food, weather, numbers, time expressions, etc.  Class activities involve oral assignments, pronunciation practice, slides, films, and reports on cultural figures.

Student Expectations

The course includes frequent quizzes and exams over German vocabulary and structures.  Students will be expected to write brief reports in English on cultural topics or on German films. 

GN-120    German Language and Culture II

Catalog Description (including prerequisites)

Continued study of the German-speaking peoples through the practice of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing German.  Prerequisite:  GN-100 or equivalent.  (3)

Students who complete this course as their first course in German are eligible to receive an additional 3 credits under the Department of Foreign Languages Retroactive Credit Policy.

Course Content

This course continues the study of German language and culture.  Emphasis is placed on developing increased proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing German.

Students learn the structures of the language, as well as the cultural context of the language, through practice of oral communication situations.  In addition, students will compare structures of English and German in order to understand the functioning of language.

The cultural content of the course will be integrated with the oral communication activities.  Students will master certain cultural skills and knowledge through the appropriate use of language in context.

Nature of Course

This is a participation course in which students increase their oral communication abilities in German and become acquainted with the cultural context of the German-speaking peoples.  Class activities involve oral assignments, pronunciation practice, slides, and reports on German films.

Student Expectations

Students will participate in individual and group projects both in and outside of class, using materials in the textbook and resources available on campus.  The course includes frequent quizzes and exams over German vocabulary, structures and culture.  Students are also expected to write brief reports on cultural topics.  Grades are based on a composite of students' oral and written performance as well as their demonstration of cultural knowledge and understanding.

Continued study of German language and culture.  Cultural, conversational, and structural activities leading to increased proficiency and cross-cultural awareness.  Prerequisite:  GN-120 or equivalent.  (3)

This course is open to beginning freshmen who have had very good high school preparation in German (3-4 years).  Students who complete this course as their first course in German are eligible to receive an additional 6 credits under the Department of Foreign Languages Retroactive Credit policy.

Course Content

This course builds on students' previous knowledge of German to develop proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.  Major aspects of German culture and contemporary German life are included in the material presented.

The course consists of regular assignments from the textbook for recitation in class, as well as written homework and oral presentations in German.  Also included are readings from outside sources and listening comprehension activities in the language laboratory.

Nature of Course

The class emphasizes an active approach to learning.  Student involvement and participation in class is essential.  In addition to material assigned for class preparation, individual or group culture projects may be assigned.

Student Expectations

There are frequent quizzes and exams in class, as well as written and oral assignments and projects.  Grades are based on a composite of students' written and oral performance and a demonstration of their knowledge and understanding of German culture.  Students will also write reports on German films.

The development of proficiency in oral communication through the study of rhetorical theories, principles, and strategies.  (3)

Course Content

Because there are few professions for which effective communication skill is not important, this course is potentially valuable to any student, regardless of major.

The course is designed to acquaint students with the basic principles of effective oral communication and, more importantly, to give students first-hand experience in sharpening their communication abilities.  The goal of the course is to teach students to make intelligent rhetorical choices.

Course content includes the types and functions of public speaking, classical rhetorical theory, delivery and nonverbal communication, style, organization, use of evidence and reasoning, strategies of persuasion, informative speaking, visual aids, the role of speaker credibility, and motive appeals.

Nature of Course

Emphasis on Reading:  The primary source of reading assignments is the textbook, but students are also expected to do outside reading in connection with a semester project (see below) and in researching their classroom presentations.

Group Projects:  Team or group projects may be assigned.  For example, the argumentative speech is frequently done with a partner as a debate.

Emphasis on Writing:  Students are required to submit complete outlines of the speeches they present.  In addition, a 3-5 page analysis of a significant instance of rhetoric.

Out-of-class Projects:  Students are expected to prepare their presentations and papers outside of class.  Classroom time is devoted to treatment of communication principles and to presentation and discussion of students’ speeches.

Teaching Format:  A variety of teaching formats, including lecture, in-class exercises, and group discussion are utilized.  The primary teaching format involves student presentations.

Other:  The department believes that effective communication skills are crucial in today's modern society and that they can be learned by anyone, regardless of previous experience or natural ability.  By the same token, the department does not believe that skill in communication is merely a knack or a talent.  Rather, its development must be based on sound theory and principles.  While instructors strive to create a non-threatening classroom atmosphere, hard work and concerted study are required to develop effective communication abilities.  The department rates the course as "moderately difficult."

Student Expectations

1. Classroom Presentations:  Typically, over the course of the semester students are required to present 3-4 speeches including:
   a. Speech of introduction.  2-3 minutes
   b. Expository speech (to inform on a significant subject within the University Studies categories of either Natural Systems or Human Institutions).  5-8 minutes
   c. Argumentative (debate) speech (may be done with a partner) on a question of judgment.  5-8 minutes
   d. Persuasive speech (advocating a policy or solution to a problem).  7-10 minutes
2. Examinations:  Typically, two exams, a mid-term and a final, usually of the objective type, are given.
3. Papers:  A 5 page analysis of a significant speech or other form of rhetoric from American or world history is required.

Acquisition of an appreciation of the culture of Spanish-speaking peoples and study of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Spanish.  (3)

Course Content

Students learn to pronounce Spanish words and to use basic vocabulary and structures.  Structures include present tense of regular and common irregular verbs, negative and interrogative structures, articles, and prepositions.  Students will learn basic Spanish vocabulary needed to function in a Spanish speaking environment.

Students will compare structures in Spanish and English, such as subject-verb agreements, word order, notions of gender, formal and informal address, etc.  They will be called upon to use critical thinking and analytical skills.

Cultural content is an important part of the course.  Students will learn basic geography and become familiar with features of daily life:  food, shopping, university life, cultural life, etc.  They will engage in guided out-of-class activities, including library projects and supplementary reading in English.  Cultural awareness and interrelationships are discussed.

Nature of Course

This course combines an introduction to the study of the Spanish language with a study of some major aspects of Spanish culture.

Emphasis is on the use of Spanish in oral communication situations, e.g., asking questions, describing daily activities, food, weather, numbers, time expressions, etc.  Class activities involve oral assignments, pronunciation practice, slides, and reports on Spanish films.

Student Expectations

The course includes frequent quizzes and exams over Spanish vocabulary and structures.  Students will be expected to write brief reports in English on cultural topics.

Continued study of the culture of Spanish-speaking peoples through the practice of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Spanish.  Prerequisite:  SN-100 or equivalent.  (3)

Students who complete this course as their first course in Spanish are eligible to receive an additional 3 credits under the Department of Foreign Language Retroactive Credit policy.

Course Content

This course continues the study of Spanish language and culture.  Emphasis is placed on developing increased proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Spanish.

Students learn the structures of the language, as well as the cultural context of the language, through practice of oral communication situations.  Structures introduced at this level include narration in the past, the use of descriptive adjectives, and the subjunctive.  Students will be expected to master the use of these and other structures.  The cultural content of the course will be integrated with the oral communication activities.  Students will master certain cultural skills and knowledge through the appropriate use of the language in context. 

Nature of Course

This is a participation course in which students increase their oral communication abilities in Spanish and become acquainted with the cultural context of the Spanish-speaking peoples.  Class activities involve oral assignments, pronunciation practice and reports on Spanish films.  The class is conducted mainly in Spanish.

Student Expectations

Students will participate in individual and group projects both in and outside of class, using materials in the textbook and resources available on campus.  The course includes quizzes and exams over Spanish vocabulary, structures, and culture.  Students are also expected to write brief reports on cultural topics or films.  Grades are based on a composite of students' oral and written performance as well as their demonstration of cultural knowledge and understanding.

Continued study of Spanish language and culture.  Cultural, conversational, and structural activities leading to increased proficiency and cross-cultural awareness.  Prerequisite:  SN-120 or equivalent.  (3)

This course is open to beginning freshmen who have had very good high school preparation in Spanish (3-4 years).  Students who complete this course as their first course in Spanish are eligible to receive an additional 6 credits under the Department of Foreign Languages Retroactive Credit policy.

Course Content

This course builds on students' previous knowledge of Spanish to develop proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.  Major aspects of Hispanic culture and contemporary Hispanic life are included in the material presented.

The course consists of regular assignments from the textbook for recitation in class, as well as written homework and oral presentations in Spanish.  Also included are readings from outside sources and listening comprehension activities in the language laboratory.

Nature of Course

The class emphasizes an active approach to learning.  Student involvement and participation in class is essential.  In addition to material assigned for class preparation, individual or group culture projects may be assigned.

Student Expectations

There are frequent quizzes and exams in class, as well as written and oral assignments and projects.  Grades are based on a composite of students' written and oral performance and a demonstration of their knowledge and understanding of Hispanic culture.  Students will also write reports on Spanish films.

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