Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
| Professors Emeriti |
Joan T. Grimbert; J-M Heimonet; Stefania Lucamante; Mario A. Rojas |
| Associate Professors |
Julia G. Young, Interim Chair; Mario A. Ortiz; Daniel García-Donoso; Margaret Ann Kassen |
| Clinical Assistant Professors |
Cybèle Arnaud; Kenyse Lyons; Charmaine McMahon; Katharina Rudolf; Anastasiya Stoyneva |
| Clinical Instructors |
Yung-Yung Chang; Valeria Garino; Jennifer Maxwell |
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers a Bachelor of Arts and minor in Global Studies. The Department also offers an array of language courses including beginning and intermediate-level courses in Modern Standard Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Irish (Gaelic), Italian, and Spanish, as well as introductory courses in American Sign Language (ASL). The Department also offers foundational courses in Explorations of Literature, as outlined under the B.A. degree requirements.
The Global Studies B.A. and minor are designed to meet the demands of students who wish to obtain language skills that will serve them well in the workplace, to gain cultural competence in one or more regions of the world, and to acquire the expertise to address one or more global issues through the lens of Catholic social teaching.
Students who complete a Global Studies major or minor will be prepared to communicate with speakers of languages other than English, to live and work abroad, and to understand and address the most pressing global issues of the day. Internships and study abroad are a central component of the major, with the former required and the latter highly encouraged. As a result, graduates with a Global Studies degree will be ready to embark on a wide array of careers or graduate study in areas including: foreign affairs and diplomacy, international business, the non-profit and NGO sector, international human rights organizations, research and investigation, risk analysis, peace and conflict resolution, environmental advocacy, and many more.
MLL administers the Global Studies major and minor and will offer the majority of its required courses. At the same time, students are strongly encouraged to take at least two classes from departments and programs across the University that offer courses on global and region-specific issues. As a result, the Global Studies major is not only highly interdisciplinary, but also functions very well as a double major. The Global Studies minor, for its part, is similarly flexible and interdisciplinary and will offer students the opportunity to explore their interests in global languages, regions, and issues, and to incorporate cultural competence into their undergraduate degree and professional skill set.
Foreign Language Requirement
The foreign language requirement for degrees in the School of Arts and Sciences may be fulfilled by satisfactorily completing the intermediate level (103-104) in Modern Standard Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Irish, Italian, or Spanish. In Spanish students may complete the requirement with SPAN 111, for heritage speakers only, or SPAN 113. SPAN 113 (6 credits) is an accelerated intermediate-level equivalent to 103-104, open by departmental permission only to highly-qualified students. In addition to placement, a prerequisite for continuing enrollment in 102, 103, and 104 is a minimum grade of C- in the previous course in the sequence. For 113, a B- or better is required.
Depending on background or placement, elementary-level language courses may be required to reach the intermediate level. Elementary language courses are numbered 101 and 102; the four-credit FREN 122 or SPAN 112 is an accelerated elementary-level equivalent to 101-102, open by placement to students with some previous experience with the language. Elementary language courses 101, 102, and 112 count as free electives only.
Note: All entering first year students with two years of high school Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Irish, Italian, or Spanish who wish to continue in that language are required to take a placement examination. They cannot receive any Catholic University credit for courses in that language without placement. The resulting placement will be valid up to one year after the date of the examination. See the Department's Website for more information.
Major Programs
Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies
The requirements for the major can be found at Global Studies - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
The Global Studies major at Catholic University consists of eleven courses. It is designed to be robust but also flexible, with opportunities for students to double count courses with second majors in other departments. All Global Studies majors will take the core class, Introduction to Global Studies, which introduces students to the study of global languages, regions, and issues. It also serves as an introduction to the concept of cultural competence, and prepares students to study and work in diverse cultural, ethnic, and linguistic contexts.
Students are required to reach intermediate proficiency in one language of their choice. This proficiency can be demonstrated by passing intermediate level modern language classes (103 and 104) with a C- or above or by testing out of a language. Students who test out of the language focus are required to add two electives, or could opt to take courses in a second language instead. Students choose to add either a) an advanced language class to their language focus in order to develop practical real-world skills or b) a class on cultural competence related to their language focus area. They can also add a course in a second language related to their regional focus (for example, students studying Spanish and Europe could add a German readings course). Students also take three regional focus courses, so that they can specialize in a specific region or global community by learning about its culture, history, and society. Regions and global communities include but are not limited to: Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Multi-regional. The requirement can also be fulfilled with approved courses taken during study abroad in the region of focus. Students narrow their focus of study further with the addition of two courses on a global issue of their choice. These courses need not be explicitly located within a student’s focus region, but they should cover issues that are relevant to that focus region.
Students can also propose other issues within their areas of interest for approval by the advisor. These courses can be cross-listed from other departments, and also be fulfilled with approved courses taken during study abroad.
Internship and capstone project. Students expand their experiential learning and professional development by taking one internship course, working at an organization whose mission centers on global issues and global service.
Students will finish their major by completing a senior capstone project, designed in conjunction with their major advisor, in which they conduct significant research into a global issue in their region or global community of focus.
Bachelor of Arts in French and Francophone Studies
**Admission to the French and Francophone Studies major is currently suspended**
The requirements for the major can be found at French and Francophone Studies - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
The Major in French and Francophone Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the French-speaking world. It is designed to provide students with a solid background in the cultural history of France and the Francophone countries. Students combine language, culture, and practical skills courses in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures with a practical immersion experience in a French-speaking country. Students are encouraged to supplement their studies with courses dealing with the Francophone world in areas such as Anthropology, Art, Drama, History, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, and Sociology.
Education Abroad
French and Francophone Studies Majors are required to spend a semester studying abroad in a French-speaking country. All credits earned abroad are eligible for transfer if the student is enrolled in affiliated programs. FREN 300 and FREN 489 must be taken at Catholic University. Under special circumstances students may petition that the study abroad requirement be waived. In these cases the department will consider summer abroad programs, approved cultural immersion experiences, or internships instead.
Free Electives and Liberal Arts Courses
French and Francophone Studies Majors are strongly advised to complete the course work for the Certificate in European Studies. Students are also strongly encouraged to add minors or a second major in related disciplines, such as Art, Drama, History, International Business, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, or Politics.
Bachelor of Arts in German Studies
**Admission to the Minor in German Studies is currently suspended.**
The requirements for the major can be found at
The Major in German Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the German-speaking world. It is designed to provide students with a solid background in the cultural history of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Students combine language, culture, and practical skills courses in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures with a practical immersion experience in a German-speaking country. Students are encouraged to supplement their studies with courses dealing with the German-speaking world in areas such as Anthropology, Art, Drama, History, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, and Theology and Religious Studies.
Education Abroad
German Studies Majors are required to spend a semester studying abroad in a German-speaking country. All credits earned abroad are eligible for transfer if the student is enrolled in affiliated programs. GER 300 and GER 489 must be taken at Catholic University. Under special circumstances students may petition that the study abroad requirement be waived. In these cases the department will consider summer abroad programs, approved cultural immersion experiences, or internships instead.
Free Electives and Distribution Courses
German Studies Majors are strongly advised to complete the course work for the Certificate in European Studies . Students are also strongly encouraged to add minors or a second major in related disciplines, such as Art, Drama, History, International Business, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, or Politics.
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish for International Service
**Admission to the Spanish for International Service major is currently suspended**
The requirements for the major can be found at Spanish for International Service - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
The Major in Spanish for International Service (SIS) is a pre-professional career-oriented program designed to prepare students for service in government or private agencies and business in Spanish-language related fields. In addition to providing a solid background in the cultural history of Latin America, Spain, and the Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States, the major emphasizes the development of practical skills to prepare students for careers in international service.
Education Abroad
Spanish for International Service Majors are required to spend a semester studying abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. All credits earned abroad are eligible for transfer if the student is enrolled in affiliated programs. SPAN 300, SPAN 302, and SPAN 489 must be taken at Catholic University. Under special circumstances students may petition that the study abroad requirement be waived. In these cases the department will consider summer abroad programs, approved cultural immersion experiences, or internships instead.
Free Electives and Liberal Arts Courses
SIS Majors are strongly advised to complete the course work for either the Certificate in European Studies or the Certificate in Latin American and Latino Studies. Students are also strongly encouraged to add minors or a second major in related disciplines, such as Art, Drama, History, International Business, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, or Politics.
Minor Programs
Minor in Global Studies
A Global Studies minor is a flexible and valuable complement to any major, minor, or certificate across the University. Adding a Global Studies minor offers students the opportunity to develop linguistic expertise and a comprehensive understanding of global issues, while incorporating cultural competence into their undergraduate degree and professional skill set.
The Global Studies minor requires six courses. Two of these courses must be intermediate-level (103 and 104) language courses. The remaining four courses will emphasize the diverse skill sets required for working in an increasingly globalized world: one is the core course (GS 101); one must fulfill the practical language skills focus; one must fulfill the regional focus; and one must fulfill the global issues focus.
Minor in French
**Admission to the Minor in French is currently suspended.**
The requirements for the minor can be found at French - Minor
N.B. Native speakers of French (francophones) may not enroll in any 200-level course in French. Upper-level literature and culture courses as well as 200-level courses in English are open to qualified native speakers with permission from the instructor.
Minor in German Studies
**Admission to the Minor in German Studies is currently suspended.**
The requirements for the minor can be found at German Studies - Minor
No more than 2 courses taught in English count toward the minor. In consultation with the academic advisor, study abroad courses may be counted toward the minor.
Minor in Italian Studies
**Admission to the Minor in Italian Studies is currently suspended.**
The requirements for the minor can be found at Italian Studies - Minor
Students should consult the advisor in Italian concerning combinations of courses. Study abroad courses may also be approved by the advisor.
Minor in Hispanic Studies
**Admission to the Minor in Hispanic Studies is currently suspended.**
The requirements for the minor can be found at Hispanic Studies - Minor
Certificate Program
Certificate in Spanish for Health Care
The requirements for the certificate can be found at Spanish for Health Care - Certificate
Program Director: Jennifer Maxwell, Clinical Instructor (maxwellj@cua.edu)
This program is designed for students to gain competence in medical Spanish and cultural awareness to better serve the health needs of the Hispanic community. Following the prerequisite of one semester of Beginning Spanish (or the equivalent), a total of 5 courses are required for the certificate. Depending on placement as determined by the program director, students may begin with SPAN 107, Spanish for Health Care I, SPAN 108 Spanish for Health Care II or SPAN 207 Advanced Spanish for Health Care I. The CUA language requirement is fulfilled by completing SPAN 207. The remainder of the courses for the certificate (5 total) are selected with the director’s approval from the approved list.