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Modern Languages

Requirements for Majors and Minors

The modern languages major is available as a bachelor of arts degree only.

The Department of Modern Languages offers coursework in seven distinct concentrations:

  • American Sign Language (MLSL)
  • Chinese (MLCH)
  • French and Francophone Studies (MLFR, MLFA)
  • German (MLGR)
  • German Studies
  • Japanese (MLJP)
  • Latin (MLLA)
  • Spanish (MLSP)

Courses that serve all language concentrations are labeled MDLA.

For entering students who place into a 300-level course, the department will waive four of the 40 credits required for the major.

Study Abroad: All majors and minors are required to study abroad, majors for a year and minors for a semester. Students must take an appropriate language course at the 300 level on the home campus after their study abroad. In cases where this is not possible a student may take two 300-level courses above 301 prior to the semester abroad. Courses taken abroad for the major
or minor must deal with the culture of the host country. Majors and minors must work closely with their language advisors to choose appropriate courses during the study abroad experience.

Course grades: Courses in which a student has earned a grade less than C may not be counted toward either the major or the minor.

CHINESE

For a minor in Chinese Studies: 27 credits including 4 semesters of Chinese language study (only credits from MLCH 201 and above will count toward the minor); minimum of 10 credits of Chinese language and Chinese Studies coursework taken abroad (Linfield Programs in Beijing or Kong Hong are recommended). No more than 12 credits taken abroad may be applied to the Chinese Studies minor; at least one Chinese Studies content course taken at Linfield should be taken after the student returns from study abroad.

FRENCH

For a major in French Studies: 40 credits in language courses numbered 202 and above, including MDLA 380, MLFR 485, and MDLA 483 or MLFR 490. The year abroad normally yields at
least 20 of the 40 required credits.
For a minor in French Studies: 20 credits in courses numbered 202 and above. Up to twelve credits may be available during the semester abroad, depending on program offerings.
For a major in Francophone African Studies: 46 credits in courses numbered 202 and above, including MLFA 230 and 240; MLFR 301 and 302; MDLA 380; MDLA 483 or MLFR 490 (Honor Thesis – by departmental invitation only); MLFA 486; and 2 additional courses taught in English by other departments on campus (see below) or at Gaston Berger in Senegal. Courses with a significant content related to Africa or people of African descent include: AAVC 210; ANTH 111; ENGL 305, 365; HIST 123, 125, 318; MUSC 080, 253; SOAN 265; courses with the same theoretical framework as African Studies (Postcolonial Studies, Gender Studies, Postmodern Studies, etc.) or that can be used as a background to understand African realities include: EDUC 302; PHIL 430 (if topic pertains to African Studies); POLS 210, 370 (if topic pertains to African Studies), 384; RELS 140, 210, 310, 452. The two semesters of study in Senegal normally yield at least 16 of the 46 required credits. Candidates for the major who have spent at least a year in a Francophone African country other than Senegal before coming to Linfield may need to study only one semester in Senegal. This depends on their French language proficiency and placement when entering Linfield, which must be determined by the French faculty.
For a minor in Francophone African Studies: 23 credits including MLFR 202 and 301; MLFA 230 or 240; one course from another department from among approved courses on campus; and 9 credits taken abroad.
Study abroad: Majors and minors in French Studies study in France (Angers, Aix, or Marseille). Majors and minors in Francophone African Studies study in Senegal (Dakar and St. Louis).

GERMAN AND GERMAN STUDIES

For a major in German: 40 credits in German courses numbered 202 and above, including MDLA 380 and 483. The two semesters of study abroad normally yield at least 20 of the 40 required credits. By departmental invitation, students may substitute MLGR 490 (Honor Thesis) for 483.
For a minor in German: 20 credits in courses numbered 202 and above. One semester of study in Vienna, Austria. (The German course taken abroad in August does not count toward the minor.)
German Studies
The German Studies major and minor aim to foster in students the integrative perspective of a range of academic disciplines from the arts and humanities and the social sciences. Central to the German Studies program are cooperation and collaboration among departments, the insistence on a high level of German language proficiency, a significant study abroad experience
(at least one semester), and the opportunity for an internship abroad.
For a major in German Studies: 40 credits including MLGR 202; 212 or 312; 301; 302; MDLA 483 or MLGR 490; four years of German, or equivalent level of proficiency (ACTFL Intermediate
High); and 18-20 credits taken abroad in addition to course work in associated departments on the Linfield campus. One semester or more of study abroad or possible internship.
For a minor in German Studies: 27 credits including MLGR 202; 212 or 312; 301 and 9-12 credits taken abroad in addition to course work in associated departments on the Linfield campus.
One semester or more of study abroad or possible internship.

JAPANESE

For a major in Japanese: 40 credits in language courses numbered 202 and above, including MDLA 380 and 483. By departmental invitation, students may substitute MLJP 490 (Honor Thesis) for
483. Two semesters of study abroad are required, normally yielding at least 20 of the 40 required credits.
For a minor in Japanese: 20 credits in courses numbered 202 and above. Students normally earn 10 credits toward the minor during the required semester in Japan. (The Japanese course
taken abroad in August does not count toward the minor.)
Study abroad: For minors: fall semester in Yokohama. For majors: full year in Tokyo or Kyoto.

SPANISH

For a major in Spanish: 40 credits in language courses numbered 202 and above, including MDLA 380 and 483 and MLSP 485. By departmental invitation, students may substitute MLSP
490 (Honor Thesis) for 483. The two semesters of study abroad will yield no more than 20 of the 40 required credits.
Candidates for the major who have spent a year abroad before coming to Linfield (as well as Spanish-English bilingual students) may need to study only one more semester in a foreign country.
This depends on their proficiency level upon entering Linfield, to be determined by placement exam and oral proficiency interview.
Because majors studying abroad take courses in the host language, they should complete course work up to and including the 302 level before undertaking foreign study.
For a minor in Spanish: 20 credits in courses numbered 202 and above. No more than 12 credits taken during the semester abroad will count toward the minor. Students must consult with
Spanish faculty before choosing a study abroad site early in the process.
Study abroad: Spanish minors study in Mexico, Costa Rica, or Ecuador; majors study in Ecuador as well as Spain. If, while studying in Mexico or Costa Rica, a student (with the approval of the Spanish faculty) decides to major in Spanish, the second semester must be done in Ecuador or Spain. Consultation must take place no later than the end of the second month while abroad, to ensure timely consideration in the second semester application process.

Study Abroad

For information about Linfield’s semester abroad programs in Austria, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Senegal, and Mexico, see the section on International
Programs. Because majors studying abroad take courses in the host language, they should complete course work up to and including the 301 level before undertaking foreign study.