Canisius College - Undergraduate Catalog

Full-Time Faculty: Julia L. Wescott, Chair; Anne Barrau, Peter Boehm, Linda Grabner-Coronel, Genevieve L. James, Laverne M. Seales-Saley. Margaret Stefanski.

The Department of Modern Languages offers full and varied programs leading to majors in French, German, and Spanish. Instruction is also provided in Italian and ASL . Dual majors with virtually every other academic discipline are encouraged and easy to implement. Courses in Latin and Greek are provided by the Department of Classics.

The primary goal of the Department is to develop the student's ability to understand, speak, read, and write the language(s) of his or her choice. At the same time, it strives to instill an understanding and appreciation of the culture, history, literature, and diversity of other peoples. A further aim is to give the student a comprehensive grasp of the structure of language as an end in itself. In short, the Department seeks to provide its students with the skills and intellectual breadth needed for them to communicate effectively and to play an active role in today's world.

Proficiency in foreign languages enables students to broaden their intellectual and aesthetic horizons. Specifically, such mastery can lead to rewarding careers in social work, international business (sales, management, banking, import-export), government service (customs and immigration, foreign service, AID, USIA, CIA, NSA), teaching, interpreting and scientific research, to mention but a few. Language skill can often be the deciding factor in finding a job in competition with equally qualified but monolingual peers. Finally, proficiency in one or more foreign languages is useful and often required for students who go on to seek the master's or doctoral degrees.

Admission

Students planning to major in French, German, or Spanish are accepted only after completion of FRC 215-216, GER 215-216 or SPA 215-216 (SPA 250 if the student is a native speaker of Spanish) with a C average or better. In addition, each student must secure permission from the chair before the major is officially approved. Admission to language-education and dual-major programs is governed by the same procedures.

Prerequisites and requirements for specific language courses may be summarized as follows:

1. All 103-104 courses are designed for students with no prior skill or training in the language. Students of French, Italian, or Spanish with one year of high school training in said language are not allowed to take 103-104 level courses in that language except by written permission of the department chair or an adviser. Students with two or more years of prior language training are directed to the intermediate level courses. Students with prior training in German should consult with a language adviser before selecting an entry-level course.

2. Intermediate level courses (113-114, 115-116, 123, 124, 133-134) normally presuppose one or two years of high school language study. These courses stress the oral/aural approach and are generally aimed at a practical command of a foreign language for specific purposes, e.g., FRC/GER/SPA for travel or business.

3. Review/Advanced courses (215-216 level) are open to students who have completed the intermediate level or the equivalent, normally three or four years of high school language study.

4. Courses above the 215-216 level are normally taken only after successful completion of the 215-216 level. Exceptions are courses given in translation, which have no prerequisites.

5. Students enrolled in FRC/GER/SPA 103-104,115-116, 123-124, 133-134, 323-324, ITA 103-104, 113-114, 123-124, must register simultaneously for Language Lab (FRC/GER/ITA/SPA 299). One credit is awarded for each semester's work in the lab.

Modern Language Curriculum (for Graduate-Track Majors):

1. ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 (4 courses) (12)

2. Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas:

I, II, IV, V, VI, VII (12 courses) (36)

3. Major course requirements: (18 courses)

FRC/SPA 115-116 Transitional/Intermediate French/Spanish

OR (8)

FRC/GER 123 French/German for Travel

FRC/GER 124 French/German Society and Culture

OR (8)

FRC/GER/SPA 215-216 Review/Advanced French/German/ Spanish (6)

FRC/GER 323 Immersion in French/German Conversation (4)

OR

SPA 323 Immersion in Hispanic Cultures

FRC/GER 324 Immersion in Contemporary French/German Cultures

OR (4)

SPA 324 Introduction to Hispanic Literature

FRC 331-332 Stylistics and Advanced Grammar

SPA 331 Style and Substance I (6)

SPA 332 Contemporary Translation Styly and Subtance II

OR

GER 331 Stylistics and Advanced Grammar (18)

GER 332 Stylistics II and Translation

Second language (intermediate level proficiency): four courses (12)

4. French/German electives (6 courses) (18)

OR

Spanish electives (5 courses)

SPA 451 (senior seminar) (1 course)

Total (40 courses) (122-124)

Recommended Schedule:

Fall Spring

Freshman Year

ENG 101 3 ENG 102 3

FRC/GER/SPA 123 4 RST 101 3

or FRC/SPA 115 FRC/GER/SPA 124

FRC/GER/SPA 299 0 or FRC/SPA 116 4

AS 3 FRC/GER/SPA 299 0

AS 3 AS 3

AS 3 AS 3

Total 16 Total 16

Sophomore Year

PHI 101 3 FRC/GER/SPA 216 3

FRC/GER/SPA 215 3 AS 3

AS 3 AS 3

AS 3 AS 3

Elective 3 Elective 3

Total 15 Total 15

Junior Year

FRC/GER/SPA 299 1 FRC/GER/SPA 299 1

FRC/GER/SPA 323 3 FRC/GER/SPA 324 3

FRC/GER/SPA 331 3 FRC/GER/SPA 332 3

Second language 3 Second language 3

AS 3 AS 3

Elective 3 Elective 3

Total 16 Total 16

Senior Year

FRC/GER/SPA elective 3 FRC/GER/SPA elective 3

FRC/GER/SPA elective 3 FRC/GER/SPA elective 3

FRC/GER/SPA elective 3 FRC/GER/SPA elective 3

Second language or elective 3 Second language or elective 3

Elective 3 Elective 3

Total 15 Total 15

Total 122-124

Dual majors in French, German or Spanish and another department must complete FRC/GER/SPA 215-216, 323-324, 331-332 plus four French or German electives; and three Spanish electives plus SPA 451. Dual majors in two languages must complete FRC/GER/SPA 215-216, 323-324 and 331-332 in both languages plus four electives in their primary language (except in Spanish, where they must complete 3 electives and SPA 451) and two electives in their secondary language. Native speakers of Spanish may be allowed to replace one or more of the required 300-level courses with a 300- or 400-level major elective, upon consultation with their departmental adviser. Second language proficiency is required ONLY for graduate-track majors, although it is strongly advised for language-education majors.

Other Programs

Language study lends itself uniquely to the concept of the dual major. Students may combine language programs with virtually any major, but of particular interest and practicality are dual majors with International Business, International Relations, Communication, Economics, Marketing-Management, Philosophy, History, English, Political Science, and Art History.

The Department encourages travel and study abroad, and maintains its own unique programs at the University of Lille (France), the University of Dortmund (Germany), the University of Oviedo (Spain) and the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (Mexico). Eligible students, whether majors or not, are urged to spend a semester of study abroad, and/or to participate in one of the non-academic summer internships that are maintained by the college in France, Germany, Mexico and Spain. Examples of the latter include teaching English at a school or teaching the mentally or physically challenged in France, working at a bank or insurance company in Germany, serving as a camp counselor or English teacher in Spain, or working at a hotel or law office in Mexico. Qualified students in French, German, and Spanish may also opt for a community service internship in the Buffalo area in a school, hospital, or governmental agency. Through these internships students earn academic credit and gain practical experience while using and perfecting their language skills. Recent intern hosts have included hospitals, schools, and social service agencies.

COURSES: 2003 - 2005

FRC 103-104 Elementary French 8
Listening, speaking, reading, writing. Introduction to French culture. Class work. Intensive analysis of culture and/or selected literary problems. Research paper required. In French. Supplemented by required aural-oral practice in Language Laboratory (FRC 299). (AS VIII) Prerequisite for 103: Permission of chair and/or adviser. Prerequisite for 104: FRC 103 or permission of chair

FRC 115-116 Transitional/Intermediate French 8
Continued development in speaking, listening, writing, and especially reading French literary and cultural material. Comprehensive grammar review. Lab required. (AS VIII).
Prerequisite for 115: FRC 103-104 or two years of high school French. Prerequisite for 116: French 115 or permission of chair.

FRC 123 French for Travel 3
Oral/aural skills needed for coping with travel in francophonic regions. Practical situations and travel planning highlighted. Language Lab required (FRC 299). (AS VIII)
Prerequisite: FRC 103-104 or two years of high school French.

FRC 124 Francophone Society and Culture 3
Contemporary politics, education, family life, popular language (inc. non-verbal communication), and popular culture (movies, TV, advertising, etc.). Language Lab required (FRC 299). (AS VIII) Prerequisite: FRC 103-104 or two years of high school French.

FRC 133-134 French for Business 6
Oral/aural skills needed for doing business in francophonic regions. Practical situations and correspondence highlighted. Language Lab required (FRC 299). (AS VIII)
Prerequisite: FRC 103-104 or two years of high school French. 2001-2002 only

FRC 215-216 Review/Advanced French 6
Analysis of advanced grammar. Introduction to "explication de texte" and study of culture and literary excerpts. (AS VIII)

FRC 299 French Language Lab 0
Students enrolled in FRC 103-104, 115-116, 123, 124, 133-134, 323-324 must register for one hour per week practice in Language Lab. One credit awarded per semester per course.
Prerequisite: Registration for one or more of courses listed above.

FRC 323 Immersion in French 4
Conversational skills acquired through situation-based interactive communication , aural and oral pronunciation drills, vocabulary acquisition exercises, and role playing. Language Lab required.

FRC 324 Immersion in Contemporary French Culture 4
Contemporary communication skills emphasized in general exploration of contemporary culture of French-speaking society. Language lab required.

FRC 331 French Stylistics and Advanced Grammar I 3
Advanced grammar concepts. Writing as process: practice exercises in personal, business, discursive, and literary writing.

FRC 332 French Stylistics and Advanced Grammar II 3

FRC 333-334 Survey of French Literature 6
Selected readings in French literature from the "Chansons de Gestes" to the 20th century. Supplementary lectures on the history of French letters. In French.

FRC 335 French Phonetics and Linguistics 3
Detailed analysis of the French sound system and current trends in French linguistics. Practice in phonemic transcription and orthophony.

FRC 337 French History 3
Chronological survey of French history from pre-historic times to Fifth Republic. Emphasis on development of Etat centralise. In French.

FRC 345 French Poetry 3

FRC 400 French Internship 3
Qualified students are placed in jobs or service programs where they will use and perfect language skills. Prerequisite: Permission of chair.

FRC 451 French Seminar & Special Topics 3

FRC 499 Independent Study 3
Prerequisite: Permission of chair.

GER 103-104 Elementary German 8
Reading, conversation, grammar. Required use of Language Laboratory (GER 299) to reinforce aural-oral classwork. Introduction to German culture. (AS VIII) Prerequisite for 103: Permission of chair and/or adviser. Prerequisite for 104: GER 103, or permission of chair.

GER 113-114 Intermediate German 3
Continued development of speaking, listening, writing, and especially reading skills. Translation and analysis of German literary and cultural material. Comprehensive grammar review. Language Lab required (GER 299). (AS VIII)

GER 123 German for Travel 4
Oral/aural skills needed for coping with travel in German-speaking regions. Practical situations and travel planning highlighted. Language Lab required (GER 299). (AS VIII)
Prerequisite: GER 103-104 or two years of high school German.

GER 124 German Society and Culture 4
Contemporary politics, education, family life, popular language, and culture (movies, TV, advertising, etc.) Language Lab required (GER 299). (AS VIII) Prerequisite: GER 103-104 or two years of high school German.

GER 133-134 German for Business 6
Oral/aural skills needed for doing business in German-speaking regions. Practical situations and correspondence highlighted. Language Lab required (GER 299). (AS VIII)
Prerequisite: GER 103-104 or two years of high school German.

GER 215-216 Review/Advanced German 6
Further development of fluency in reading and writing. Discussion of difficult problems in grammar. Introduction to literary works of well known authors. (AS VIII)

GER 221 German Civilization and Culture I 3
Review and analysis of German history and culture. Introduction to German art, music, literature, and philosophy. Use of films and videos. In English. Formerly GER 222.
(AS III)

GER 222 German Civilization and Culture II 3
Survey of German intellectual and cultural history in the twentieth century, including the destruction of culture during the Nazi period. Formerly GER 323. (AS III)

GER 299 German Language Lab 0
Students enrolled in GER 103-104, 115-116, 123-124, 133-134, 323-324, 353-354 must register for one hour per week practice in Language Lab. One credit awarded each semester per course. Prerequisite: Registration for one or more of courses listed above.

GER 319-320 Germany Today 6
The many political, economic, and social issues that currently beset German society. Assessment of values and attitudes. In German.

GER 323 Immersion in German 4
Conversation on wide variety of topics, involving a sophisticated vocabulary. Writing of compositions, letters, etc. Language Lab (GER 299) required. (AS VIII)

GER 324 Immersion in Contemporary German Culture 4
Contemporary communication skills emphasized in a general exploration of contemporary culture of Germany Language lab required.

GER 331 German Stylistics and Advanced Grammar I 3
Advanced grammar concepts. Writing as process: practice exercises in personal, business, discursive, and literary writing.

GER 332 Stylistics II and Contemporary Translation 3

GER 353-354 Advanced German for Business 6
Advanced aural/oral and writing skills needed for working in a German speaking environment. Practical situations, technical vocabulary, and correspondence highlighted. Preparation for Wirtschaftsdeutsch International Exam. In German. (AS VIII) 2003-2004 only

GER 365 A Socio - Cultural Survey 3
Germany, Austria, Switzerland since 1945.

GER 400 German Internship 3
Qualified students are placed in jobs or service programs where they will use and perfect language skills. Prerequisite: Permission of chair.

GER 441-442 The German Novel 6
Theoretical, historical, and critical analysis of the German novel from Parzival to the postwar novels of Boll, Grass, etc. In German.

GER 499 Independent Study 3
Prerequisite: Permission of chair.

SPA 103-104 Elementary Spanish 6
Listening, speaking, reading, writing. Hispanic culture. Language Lab (SPA 299) required. (AS VIII)
Prerequisite for 103: Permission of chair and/or adviser.
Perequisite for 104: SPA 103, or permission of chair.

SPA 115-116 Transitional/Intermediate Spanish 6
Communication skills refined through focus on everyday topics. Reading and writing skills strengthened. Spanish grammar expanded beyond simple tenses and subject-object-verb syntax. Lab required. (AS VIII). Prerequisite for 115: SPA 103-104 or two years of high school Spanish.
Prequisite for 116: SPA 115, or permission of chair.

SPA 215-216 Review/Advanced Spanish 6
Analysis of advanced grammar problems and refinement of oral/aural competence. Readings, discussions and compositions based on Peninsular and Latin-American cultures. (AS VIII)

SPA 299 Spanish Language Lab 0
Students enrolled in SPA 103-104, 115-116, 123, 124, 133-134, 323-324 must register for one hour per week practice in Language Lab. One credit awarded per semester per course.
Prerequisite: Registration for one or more of the courses listed above.

SPA 323 Immersion in Contemporary Hispanic Cultures 4
Contemporary communications skills emphasized in a general exploration of contemporary Spanish-speaking cultures. Language lab required.

SPA 324 Introduction to Hispanic Literatures. 3
Approaches to the genres, themes and styles of literary discourse in Spanish.

SPA 331 Substance and Style: Effective Writing in Spanish 3
Distinguishing and producing effective writing of four different sorts: personal, business, newspaper, and literary.

SPA 332 Contemporary Translation 3
A study of the structures and vocabularies of Spanish and English and Problems of equivalencies between the two.

SPA 333-334 Survey of Spanish Peninsular Literature 6
Selected readings in Spanish Peninsular literature from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Emphasis on the Golden Age. In Spanish.

SPA 337 Hispanic Civilization and Culture I 3
Survey of outstanding achievements of Peninsular and Latin American cultures in architecture, art, music, philosophy, science, and technology. Assessment of values. In Spanish. 2003-2004 only

SPA 338 Hispanic Civilization and Culture II 3
Survey of contemporary Hispanic politics, education, family life, popular culture (movies, TV, non-verbal communication, etc.), and values. In Spanish. (ICD)

SPA 343-344 Survey of Latin American Literature 6
Selected readings from works of major Latin American poets, essayists, novelist, and playwrights. In Spanish.
2003-2004 only

SPA 345 Hispanic Poetry 3
Hispanic lyric, narrative, and epic poetry from the Middle Ages to the present. Introduction to Spanish versification. In Spanish.
2003-2004 only

SPA 350 Hispanic Short Stories 3
Critical survey of outstanding short stories ranging from Bequer to Matute in Spain and Quirogas to Allende in Latin America. Special attention to film adaptations of works by authors such as Marquez and Borges.

SPA 351 Junior Spanish Seminar & Special Topics 3
Intensive analysis of selected literary works. Research paper required. In Spanish.

SPA 400 Spanish Internship 3
Qualified students are placed in jobs or service programs where they will use and perfect language skills. Prerequisite: Permission of chair.

SPA 431-432 (WST 369-370) Hispanic Women's Writings 6
In-depth theoretical and critical analysis of Latin American "feminist" writing since the advent of the so-called "Boom." Analysis of works by Poniatowska, Lydia Vega, Allende, Anzaldua, Alvarez, and Sefchovich, and others.
2003-2004 only

SPA 451 Senior Spanish Seminar 3
Intensive analysis of culture and/or selected literary problems. Research paper required. In Spanish.

SPA 452 Senior Latin American Special Topics 3

SPA 499 Independent Study 3
Prerequisite: Permission of chair.

ASL 103 American Sign Language I 3
Introduction to ASL, its structure, major grammatical features and language functions. Vocabulary acquisition. Captioning and telecommunication devices. Deaf cultural information. Deaf co-teacher and deaf consultants. (AS VIII) Language lab required.

ASL 104 American Sign Language II 3
Builds on basic ASL grammar and conversational skills. Increases expressive/receptive fluency. Linguistic and cultural ASL concepts are expanded and deaf traditions studied. Deaf co-teacher and deaf consultants. (AS VIII) Language lab required. Prerequisite: ASL 103.

GREEK - See Classics Department.

ITA 103-104 Elementary Italian 6
Listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Italian culture. Language laboratory supplements classroom instruction and exercises. Language Lab required (ITA 299). (AS VIII)
Prerequisite for 103: permission of chair and/or adviser.
Prerequisite for 104: ITA 103, or permission of chair.

ITA 113-114 Intermediate Italian 6
Continued development of speaking, listening, writing, and especially reading skills. Translation and analysis of Italian literary and cultural material. Comprehensive grammar review. Language Lab required (ITA 299). (AS VIII)
Prerequuisite for 115: ITA 103-104, or permission of chair.
Prerequisite for 116: ITA 115, or permission of chair.

ITA 123 Italian for Travel 3
Oral/aural skills needed for coping with travel in Italian-speaking regions. Practical situations and travel planning highlighted. Language Lab required (ITA 299). (AS VIII)
Prerequisite: ITA 103-104 or two years of high school Italian.

ITA 124 Italian Society and Culture 3
Contemporary politics, education, family life, popular language, and culture (movies, TV, advertising, etc.). Language Lab required (ITA 299). (AS VIII)
Prerequisite: ITA 103-104 or two years of high school Italian.

ITA 499 Independent Study 3
Prerequisite: Permission of chair.

ITA 221-222 Italian Civilization and Culture 6
Assessment of values, goals and achievements of Italian art, architecture, music, philosophy, government, technology, etc. from the Caesars to contemporary times. In English. (AS III)

ITA 299 Italian Language Lab 1
Students enrolled in ITA 103-104, 113-114, 123, or 124 must register for one hour per week practice in Language Lab. One credit awarded per semester per course.
Prerequisite: Registration for one or more of courses listed above.

ITA 499 Independent Study 3
Prerequisite: Permission of chair.

LATIN - See Classics Department.

1 Areas III and VIII are automatically fulfilled because this program is in both the Art/Literature and Language areas.

2 May be substituted on consultation with department chair and/or freshman adviser for students with three or more years of high school French, German or Spanish.

3 Native speakers of Spanish must register for SPA 250 instead of SPA 215. Before registration, however, they should consult with the department chair or an adviser from the Spanish section. In the semester following SPA 250, They should take either SPA 216 or an upper-level Spanish elective, as directed by the adviser. The elective, if taken, is in addition to the six Spanish electives required of all majors.