Modern Language Studies (B.A.*, 47 hours)
The Modern Language Studies major is comprised of four elements: Language Concentration, Study Abroad/Modern Language Studies Core Courses, Senior Comprehensive, and Modern Language Studies Electives.
*For all language concentrations, a minimum of 12 of the credit hours must be earned in one semester abroad in the Language of Concentration of an approved host country and program. At least 4 credit hours at the 4000 level must be completed at NWU following the semester abroad.
| 2. Modern Language Studies Core Courses |
2 hours
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| Students majoring in Modern Language Studies are required to incorporate a study abroad experience of a minimum of one semester (12 credit hours) in the language of their Concentration. For information on the many available exchange programs and financial aid and scholarship options, students should talk with the Director of Global Engagement and visit the library of study abroad resources. |
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In conjunction with the semester abroad, students must also complete either GLST 2010 Preparing for Education Abroad before studying abroad or GLST 3010 Processing the International Experience following study abroad.
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1 hour |
MLANG 3910 Engaging in Study Abroad is taken during the semester abroad.
*0 hours may be approved by department chair for students studying abroad through non-ISEP exchange program. |
1 hour* |
| 4. Modern Language Studies Electives |
11 hours |
- Credits may be earned as additional hours of language study for Language Concentration, or in a second or third language.
- Credit may be earned in courses taught outside the Modern Language Department that support the study of languages and/or cultures - refer to list of approved courses. Other courses must be pre-approved by the Department Chair.
| Additional Considerations |
- Majors preparing to teach a modern language should consult the Education Department.
- In the exceptional circumstance of a student who has already declared a first major in another department with the intent of earning a B.S. degree, a student may submit a petition to the Department of Modern Languages seeking permission to declare a second major in Modern Language Studies for a B.S. degree.
**A Modern Language Studies major customarily earns a B.A. degree. However, if a student has a first major that is associated with a different baccalaureate degree, the Modern Language Studies major may serve as a second major for the degree associated with the first major (B.S., B.FA., B.M., B.S.N.).
MFREN 2010 French: Stage 3 (4 hours)
MFREN 2010 is the first in a two-part sequence of intermediate-level French, designed to build upon basic language concepts acquired in introductory-level courses, expand cultural knowledge, and increase confidence while enhancing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in French.
Prerequisite(s): MFREN 1020 French: Stage 2 or appropriate placement.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MFREN 2020 French: Stage 4 (4 hours)
Continuation of MFREN 2010 French: Stage 3.
Prerequisite(s): MFREN 2010 or appropriate placement.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Going Global Thread
MGRMN 2010 German: Stage 3 (4 hours)
MGRMN 2010 is the first in a two-part sequence of intermediate-level German, designed to build upon basic language concepts acquired in introductory-level courses, expand cultural knowledge, and increase confidence while enhancing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in German.
Prerequisite(s): MGRMN 1020 German: Stage 2 or appropriate placement.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MGRMN 2020 German: Stage 4 (4 hours)
Continuation of MGRMN 2010 German: Stage 3.
Prerequisite(s): MGRMN 2010 or appropriate placement.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Going Global Thread
MSPAN 2010 Spanish: Stage 3 (4 hours)
MSPAN 2010 is the first in a two-part sequence of intermediate-level Spanish, designed to build upon basic language concepts acquired in introductory-level courses, expand cultural knowledge, and increase confidence while enhancing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Spanish.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 1020 Spanish: Stage 2 or appropriate placement.
(Normally offered each semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage 4 (4 hours)
Continuation of MSPAN 2010 Spanish: Stage 3.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2010 or appropriate placement.
(Normally offered each semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Going Global Thread
MSPAN 3010 Spanish Conversation (2 hours)
A "Core Skills" course designed to provide intensive practice in conversational Spanish. Students will prepare assigned discussion topics and/or readings and will make class presentations in Spanish.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage 4 or appropriate placement.
Note: Students are encouraged to take two "Core Skills" courses (4 credit hours) concurrently.
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MSPAN 3020 Introduction to Spanish Phonetics (2 hours)
This "Core Skills" course provides an introduction to the study and practice of the sounds of Spanish with an emphasis on practical exercises for improving students' pronunciation of Spanish. In it students will study the major phonetic characteristics of regional varieties of the Spanish of Spain and Latin America. Topics to be covered in the course include the articulatory system, transcription and phonetic alphabets, and the similarities and differences between the sounds and pronunciation patterns of Spanish and English.
Prerequisite: MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage 4 or appropriate placement.
Note: Students are encouraged to take two "Core Skills" courses (4 credit hours) concurrently.
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MSPAN 3030 Reading Spanish (2 hours)
In this "Core Skills" course, students will read a variety of materials using specific strategies designed to help them comprehend texts taught in traditional literature classes as well as other materials written in Spanish.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage 4 or appropriate placement.
Note: Students are encouraged to take two "Core Skills" courses (4 credit hours) concurrently.
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MSPAN 3040 Spanish Grammar Review (2 hours)
A "Core Skills" course that presents a sequenced review of the grammar of the Spanish language, with an emphasis on areas of particular difficulty for persons whose first language is English.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage 4 or appropriate placement.
Note: Students are encouraged to take two "Core Skills" courses (4 credit hours) concurrently.
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MSPAN 3050 Spanish Language and Writing (2 hours)
A "Core Skills" course, Spanish Language and Writing is a guided writing course designed to polish students' ability to communicate more effectively in Spanish. Students will enhance their vocabulary, review challenging structures and learn to self-edit to avoid common errors as they write formal and informal messages and letters, instructions, autobiographical statements, journal/blog entries and comments, informational documents, current events reports, reactions, descriptions and summaries.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage 4 or appropriate placement.
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Writing Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MSPAN 3060 Spanish Reading/Grammar Review (4 hours)
This "Core Skills" course provides guided practice in Spanish reading and a sequenced review of the grammar of the Spanish language, with an emphasis on areas of particular difficulty for persons whose first language is English. Students will read a variety of texts and will be introduced to strategies for interpreting and analyzing those texts.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage 4 or appropriate placement.
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MSPAN 3100 Spanish Composition (4 hours)
A course designed to develop composition skills in Spanish. Students will study the grammatical and stylistic structures of the Spanish language and will complete assignments in a variety of genres and styles in Spanish.
Prerequisite(s): Four credits from "Core Skills" courses (MSPAN 3010, MSPAN 3020, MSPAN 3030, MSPAN 3040, or MSPAN 3050) or permission of the department chair.
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Writing Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MJPAN 2010 Japanese: Stage 3 (5 hours)
MJPAN 2010 is the first in a two-part sequence of intermediate-level Japanese, designed to build upon basic language concepts acquired in introductory-level courses, expand cultural knowledge, and increase confidence while enhancing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Japanese.
Prerequisite(s): MJPAN 1020 Japanese: Stage 2.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
MJPAN 2020 Japanese: Stage 4 (5 hours)
Continuation of MJPAN 2010 Japanese: Stage 3.
Prerequisite(s): MJPAN 2010.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Modern Language Literacy
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Going Global Thread
GLST 2010 Preparing for Education Abroad (1 hour)
This course will prepare students who are considering going abroad for study, work, or volunteer/service learning by investigating the many facets of facing life in another culture. Topics to be covered include practical travel information, intercultural communication, cross-cultural value systems, foreign academic systems, and cultural self-awareness. This course will give students the tools to make their experience more successful and rewarding. The course is designed for both the student who has already applied for a program and for the student just beginning to explore the idea of going abroad.
Pass/Fail only.
GLST 3010 Processing the International Experience (1 hour)
This class is for students who have successfully completed a semester or year of study abroad and who would like to process that experience further by analyzing specific cultural and educational experiences and interacting with students who have had similiar experiences abroad.
Pass/Fail only.
Prerequisite(s): One to two semesters of NWU study abroad experience and permission of instructor.
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Experiential Learning: Intensive
MLANG 3910 Engaging in Study Abroad (0-1 hour*)
This course is designed to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities that are unique to language-learning abroad, to engage students in meaningful activities while abroad, to maintain a connection with students while abroad, and to foster continued development of skills and knowledge following the study abroad period. Students will be introduced to specific strategies in language and culture learning in the target culture to help students achieve an experience in the host culture that is meaningful and productive. Students take this course concurrently with their first-semester study-abroad experience.
*Registration at 0 hours available with permission of the department chair for students studying abroad through non-ISEP exchange program.
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Experiential Learning: Intensive
MLANG 4980 Senior Capstone (2 hours)
A senior-level research and writing seminar, this course complements and supports the student’s individual work on an approved Senior Project. During this course, students complete their Senior Project (e.g. an internship project, a research paper, a translation project, or a creative work supplemented with a critical essay), present their work at a student symposium, and carry out an assessment of their academic career.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and permission of department chair.
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Experiential Learning: Intensive
