Modern Languages Cources at Brooklyn College

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures participates in the college's core curriculum through the foreign language requirement.

The department shares responsibility for Core Studies 6 and 9 with other departments.

All baccalaureate students are required to complete one course in a foreign language at course-level 3 (the third semester of study at the college level) or to demonstrate an equivalent proficiency by examination, except as modified below.

1. This requirement presupposes two years of secondary school language study. If only one year of language study (or none at all) is offered, one or two semesters of college study (course-levels 1 and/or 2) are required before course-level 3 can be taken. A student who has studied language in high school for at least two years but wants to study a different language at the college level may do so, but this student must complete a minimum of two terms of new language at the college level to fulfill the core requirement.

2. Students who have completed three years of one language in high school and passed the regents exam level 3 are exempted from the core language requirement.

3. Students whose native language is not English may be exempted from this requirement by passing one of the competency examinations administered by the foreign language departments.

4. Neither blanket nor equivalent credit will be given for introductory courses in a foreign language from which a student has been exempted by examination.

Students may continue foreign language study begun in high school or may begin study of a language at Brooklyn College. Students who are fluent in a given language usually register for advanced courses in that language. These students may register for courses 1, 2, 3, and 4.5 only with permission of a department counselor.

Students who want to continue foreign language study begun in high school should follow these guidelines for registration.

• (a) Students who have completed four years or more of foreign language study and have passed the regents level 3 examination in the language must take a proficiency examination or consult a department counselor to determine proper placement.

• (b) Students who have completed fewer than four years of foreign language study but have passed the regents level 3 examination in the language should register for course 4. If there has been a lapse of time since completing high school work, the student may take the proficiency examination to determine placement.

• (c) Students who have completed three years or less of foreign language study but have not passed the regents level 3 examination in the language are advised to consult a department counselor about placement before registration.

Students who have completed one year of language study or less in high school normally begin at level 1 at Brooklyn College. Students with two years of high school language experience begin at level 2, and students with three years of high school language experience begin at level 3. Any questions regarding placement should be directed to the department office.

Students who want to begin study of a foreign language at Brooklyn College should follow these guidelines for registration.

• (a) Basic courses in all languages are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 or 4.1. Each course is the prerequisite of the next, and courses numbered 4 or 4.1 are the prerequisite of all courses numbered 10 and higher, except Russian 10. Some advanced courses have additional prerequisites.

• (b) For specific information on course content and prerequisites, students should consult individual course listings on the following pages.

Department requirements (24-48 credits)

To major in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures students must complete one of the following:

1. Twenty-four credits in advanced courses in the modern language, including the required courses listed below, plus study of a classical or another modern language through course 4 or 4.1, or the equivalent. The requirement for a second language may also be fulfilled by one advanced course in the language; it is waived for students who are majoring in another department as well as in modern languages and literatures. Students majoring in Russian under this option may include Russian 9 in these 24 credits. Students majoring in Spanish under this option may include Spanish 9.1 in these 24 credits.

   or

2. Eighteen credits in advanced courses in the major language, plus six credits in advanced courses in one or two other modern languages.

   or

3. Eighteen credits in advanced courses in the major language, plus twelve credits in advanced courses relevant to the major language or culture, chosen from such departments as Anthropology and Archaeology, Art, Classics, English, History, and Philosophy, or from the Comparative Literature or Linguistics Programs; subject to approval by the chairperson of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.

Required courses:

B.A. degree program in French (HEGIS code 1102).
French 11.1 or 16; and French 18.

B.A. degree program in German (HEGIS code 1103).
German 11.1 or 16; and German 18.

B.A. degree program in Italian (HEGIS code 1104).
Italian 11.1 and 53.1.

B.A. degree program in Russian (HEGIS code 1106).
Russian 11.1 and 17.

B.A. degree program in Spanish (HEGIS code 1105).
Spanish 11.1 or 12.1; and Spanish 18; and Spanish 19.1.

Prospective secondary school teachers must complete both courses 11.1 and 16 where offered.

Modern languages and literatures majors must meet prerequisite (1) or (2) in the major language.

1. Courses 1 and 2 and 3; and 4 or 4.1. (Course 4.1 is preferred where offered.) (12-14 credits).
2. Waiver of prerequisite courses by the chairperson.

A grade of C or higher in each of the five courses offered for the minor.

All of the following:

• Italian 12.1, 15, Interdisciplinary Studies 25.

Two of the following:

• Art 19.5 or 19.7, History 25.11, Interdisciplinary Studies 12, Italian 50 or 59.1, Political Science 47.1.

At least 12 credits in advanced electives in the chosen language with a grade of C or higher. Modern languages and literatures minors should consult with a department counselor for recommendations.

Modern languages and literatures majors are advised to take one or more courses in literatures other than the major.

Appropriate courses in anthropology, art history, classics, comparative literature, English, history, Judaic studies, philosophy, and theater are recommended.

The department offers the following B.A. degree programs in conjunction with the School of Education, each of which leads to certification as a secondary school teacher in the subject area indicated:

• French teacher (7-12) HEGIS code 1102.01
• German teacher (7-12) HEGIS code 1103.01
• Italian teacher (7-12) HEGIS code 1104.01
• Russian teacher (7-12) HEGIS code 1106.01
• Spanish teacher (7-12) HEGIS code 1105.01

The student-teaching sequence of courses in secondary school foreign language education and in the program for teachers of bilingual education is described in the "Education" section in this Bulletin.

The requirements for the teacher education programs indicated above are described in the "Education" section in this Bulletin. Students who major in any of these programs may elect one of the following concentrations in modern languages and literatures:

Concentration in Chinese
All of the following courses completed with a grade of C or higher:

• Chinese 2, 3, 4, 10, 20.1, 20.2.

Concentration in French
All of the following courses completed with a grade of C or higher:

• French 3, 4, 4.5, 11.1, 16, 18, 51.

Concentration in German
All of the following courses completed with a grade of C or higher:

• German 3, 4, 11.1, 16, 18.

Concentration in Italian
All of the following courses completed with a grade of C or higher:

• Italian 3, 4, 4.5, 11.1, 16, 18, 50.

Concentration in Russian
All of the following courses completed with a grade of C or higher:

• Russian 3, 4, 11.1, 17, 31, 41.

Concentration in Spanish
All of the following courses completed with a grade of C or higher:

• Spanish 3, 4, 4.5, 11.1, 18, 19.1, 51.

The Modern Languages and Literatures Department offers master of arts degree programs in French, Spanish, French teacher (grades 7 through 12), and Spanish teacher (grades 7 through 12), and courses in Chinese. Some courses may be creditable toward the CUNY doctoral degree.

For information, students should consult the department's deputy for graduate studies. A Graduate Bulletin may be obtained in the Office of Admissions.