Modern Languages and Literatures
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers a full range of courses for students interested in language, culture, and literature. Non-majors interested in the literature and culture of French-, German-, Japanese-, and Spanish-speaking peoples may choose elective credits from a variety of courses taught in English. The study of foreign cultures, languages, and literature is an integral part of a basic education and an essential component of one's university training. It provides students with the knowledge to better understand their own language and culture and to function intelligently as members of a multicultural society.
In addition to providing opportunities for students to participate in MSU-sponsored study abroad programs, the department offers advice concerning the role of language study in career planning. Foreign languages are used by interpreters, translators, and teachers. Language proficiency also enhances employment opportunities. With almost any "marketable" skill plus a foreign language, the chances of finding an interesting job are improved considerably. Foreign language training is a critically important skill for careers in business and commerce, secretarial/clerical positions, health care, government service, social services, and agriculture.
The department offers undergraduate options in French, German, and Spanish. Lower division courses are designed to teach the five language skills: speaking, listening, understanding culture, reading, and writing. Advanced courses provide students with comprehensive knowledge of the important writers and movements of each language. Other advanced courses concentrate on history and contemporary culture. For students interested in teaching, K-12 teaching options are offered in French, German, and Spanish. The Japan Studies Program offers a non-teaching, interdisciplinary minor in Japan Studies through the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and the Department of History and Philosophy.
For students planning careers in international business/management, the department offers a commerce option to provide students with the training necessary to enter master's degree programs in business. This program also prepares students to compete for jobs in businesses where foreign language skills are desirable.
Curricula in Modern Languages and Literatures
- French Option
- German Option
- Spanish Option
- French K-12 Teaching Option
- German K-12 Teaching Option
- Spanish K-12 Teaching Option
- Commerce Option
- French Minor (Non-Teaching)
- German Minor (Non-Teaching)
- Japan Studies Minor (Non-Teaching)
- Spanish Minor (Non-Teaching)
This curriculum leads to the baccalaureate degree in Modern Languages - French, German, and Spanish, with additional options in Commerce and Teaching. Students with previous language training will be placed at the appropriate level. Courses taught in English may count toward the language major or minor with the consent of the advisor.
To be certified for graduation in a major option or a minor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, students must take one-half of the required MLL upper division credits in the department. Students who have already completed a degree at another university and are seeking teaching certification from MSU may be required to take some additional course work in the language as determined by the language advisor. In addition, the department will not accept grades lower than "C" (2.0) or P in any of the upper division courses required for the degree. (Note: Department-approved study-abroad credits are considered to be the equivalent of resident credits.)
Students with native or near-native ability in a given language may only enroll in courses for credit which have been approved by the appropriate language section.
FRENCH OPTION
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLF 101--Elementary French I | 4 | ||
| MLF 102--Elementary French II | 4 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 22 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| MLF 219--Intermediate French | 3 | ||
| MLF 220--French Lang Culture | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 24 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Junior And Senior Years | Credits | ||
| MLF 301--Histoire Civilisation | 3 | ||
| MLF 302--La France Aujourd'Hui | 3 | ||
| MLF 351--Adv Grammar & Composition | 3 | ||
| MLF 352--Adv Convers & Phonetics | 3 | ||
| MLF 401--French Literature I | 3 | ||
| MLF 402--French Literature II | 3 | ||
| MLF 450--Sem: French Lit Culture | 3 | ||
| Select one credit from the following | 1 | ||
| ML 344--Instr Perspectives | |||
| ML 470--Individual Problems | |||
| MLF 306--From Reflect to Revolution | |||
| University Core and Electives | 38 | ||
| 60 |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. Majors are encouraged to take more than the minimum 36 credits required in the department.
GERMAN OPTION
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLG 101--Elementary German I | 4 | ||
| MLG 102--Elementary German II | 4 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 22 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| MLG 219--Intermediate German | 3 | ||
| MLG 220--German Language & Cult | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 24 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Junior And Senior Years | Credits | ||
| MLG 315--Survey German Lit | 3 | ||
| MLG 320--Contemp German Lit | 3 | ||
| MLG 350--Adv Gram Conv Comp I | 3 | ||
| MLG 351--Adv Gram Conv Comp II | 3 | ||
| MLG 410--Linguistics-Phonetics | 3 | ||
| MLG 450--Sem: Grmn Lit & Cult | 3 | ||
| Select three credits from the following: | 3 | ||
| MLG 301--German Cult & Civ | |||
| MLG 303--Mod Grmn Cult & Society | |||
| Select one credit from the following: | 1 | ||
| ML 344--Instr Perspectives | |||
| ML 470--Individual Problems | |||
| MLG 360--Faust in German Tradition | |||
| University Core and Electives | 38 | ||
| 60 |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. Majors are encouraged to take more than the minimum of 36 credits required in the department.
SPANISH OPTION
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLS 101--Elementary Spanish I | 4 | ||
| MLS 102--Elementary Spanish II | 4 | ||
| Univesity Core and Electives | 22 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| MLS 219--Intermediate Spanish | 3 | ||
| MLS 220--Spanish Lang & Culture | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 24 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Junior And Senior Years | Credits | ||
| MLS 301--Spanish Cult & Civ | 3 | ||
| MLS 302--Latin Amer Cult & Civ | 3 | ||
| Select three credits from the following: | 3 | ||
| MLS 320--Survey of Spanish Lit | |||
| MLS 321--Cont Lat American Lit | |||
| MLS 350--Intensive Gramm Review | 3 | ||
| MLS 351--Adv Oral & Written Comp | 3 | ||
| MLS 450--Sem: Mod Hispanic Lit | 3 | ||
| Select three credits from the following: | 3 | ||
| MLS 360--Don Quixote & Western Trad | |||
| MLS 410--Spanish Phonetics | |||
| Select one credit from the following: | 1 | ||
| ML 344--Instr Perspectives | |||
| ML 470--Individual Problems | |||
| University Core and Electives | 38 | ||
| 60 |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. Majors are encouraged to take more than the minimum 36 credits required in the department.
FRENCH K-12 TEACHING OPTION
Students with a teaching option should file with Education Certification in the sophomore year to establish their program of study. These students will be required to pass a language proficiency test approved by the Modern Languages department in order to qualify for practice teaching.
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLF 101--Elementary French I | 4 | ||
| MLF 102--Elementary French II | 4 | ||
| EDCI 102--In-School Experience | 1 | ||
| HDCF 150--Lifespan Human Devlpmt | 3 | ||
| HDHL 106--Drug Hlth Issue for Ed | 1 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 17 | ||
| 30 |
HDCF 150 (3 cr.) must be taken prior to or concurrently with EDCI 208 or 209. (Take either EDCI 208 or EDCI 209 depending upon your preference for an elementary or secondary focus.)
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLF 219--Intermediate French | 3 | ||
| MLF 220--French Lang Culture | 3 | ||
| EDCI 360--Found of Assmnt | 2 | ||
| Take one of the following | 3 | ||
| EDCI 208--Ed Psy Hum Dev Sch Age | |||
| EDCI 209--Ed Psy Adol Dev | |||
| University Core and Electives | 21 | ||
| 32 | |||
| Junior & Senior Years | Credits | ||
| MLF 301--Histoire Civilisation | 3 | ||
| MLF 302--La France Aujourd'Hui | 3 | ||
| MLF 351--Adv Grammar & Composition | 3 | ||
| MLF 352--Adv Convers & Phonetics | 3 | ||
| MLF 401--French Literature I | 3 | ||
| MLF 402--French Literature II | 3 | ||
| MLF 450--Sem: French Lit Culture | 3 | ||
| Select one credit from the following | 1 | ||
| ML 344--Instr Perspectives | |||
| ML 470--Individual Problems | |||
| MLF 306--From Reflect to Revel | |||
| EDCI 320--Found of Instr Computing | 2 | ||
| EDCI 462--Meth of Teach Mod Lang | 4 | ||
| EDSD 363--Multicultural Education | 1 | ||
| EDSD 413--Professional Issues | 2 | ||
| HDCF 356--Exceptional Needs | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 18 | ||
| EDEL 410--Student Teaching | 5-6 | ||
| EDSD 410--Student Teaching | 5-6 | ||
| EDSD XXX--Minor Methods | 3 | ||
| 65 |
A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. Majors are encouraged to take more than the minimum 36 credits in the department.
GERMAN K-12 TEACHING OPTION
Students with a teaching option should file with Education Certification in the sophomore year to establish their program of study. These students will be required to pass a language proficiency test approved by the Modern Languages department in order to qualify for practice teaching.
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLG 101--Elementary German I | 4 | ||
| MLG 102--Elementary German II | 4 | ||
| EDCI 102--In-School Experience | 1 | ||
| HDCF 150--Lifespan Human Devlpmt | 3 | ||
| HDHL 106--Drug Hlth Issue for Ed | 1 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 17 | ||
| 30 |
HDCF 150 (3 cr.) must be taken prior to or concurrently with EDCI 208 or 209. (Take either EDCI 208 or EDCI 209 depending upon your preference for an elementary or secondary focus.)
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLG 219--Intermediate German | 3 | ||
| MLG 220--German Language & Cult | 3 | ||
| EDCI 360--Found of Assmnt | 2 | ||
| Take one of the following: | 3 | ||
| EDCI 208--Ed Psy Hum Dev Sch Age | |||
| EDCI 209--Ed Psy Adol Dev | |||
| University Core and Electives | 21 | ||
| 32 | |||
| Junior & Senior Years | Credits | ||
| MLG 315--Survey German Literatr | 3 | ||
| MLG 320--Contemp German Lit | 3 | ||
| MLG 350--Adv Gram Conv Comp | 3 | ||
| MLG 351--Adv Gram Conv Comp II | 3 | ||
| MLG 410--Linguistics-Phonetics | 3 | ||
| MLG 450--Sem: Grmn Lit & Cult | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following: | 3 | ||
| MLG 301--German Cult & Civ I | |||
| MLG 303--Mod Grmn Cult & Socity | |||
| Select one credit from the following | 1 | ||
| ML 344--Instr Perspectives | |||
| ML 470--Individual Problems | |||
| MLG 360--Faust in German Tradition | |||
| EDCI 320--Found of Instr Computing | 2 | ||
| EDCI 462--Meth of Teach Mod Lang | 4 | ||
| EDSD 363--Multicultural Education | 1 | ||
| EDSD 413--Professional Issues | 2 | ||
| HDCF 356--Exceptional Needs 0-21 | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 18 | ||
| EDEL 410--Student Teaching | 5-6 | ||
| EDSD 410--Student Teaching | 5-6 | ||
| EDSD XXX--Minor Methods | 3 | ||
| 65 |
A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. Majors are encouraged to take more than the minimum of 36 credits required in the department.
SPANISH K-12 TEACHING OPTION
Students with a teaching option should file with Education Certification in the sophomore year to establish their program of study. These students will be required to pass a language proficiency test approved by the Modern Languages department in order to qualify for practice teaching.
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLS 101--Elementary Spanish I | 4 | ||
| MLS 102--Elementary Spanish II | 4 | ||
| EDCI 102--In-School Experience | 1 | ||
| HDCF 150--Lifespan Human Devlpmt | 3 | ||
| HDHL 106--Drug Hlth Issue for Ed | 1 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 17 | ||
| 30 |
HDCF 150 (3 cr.) must be taken prior to or concurrently with EDCI 208 or 209. (Take either EDCI 208 or EDCI 209 depending upon your preference for an elementary or secondary focus.)
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLS 219--Intermediate Spanish | 3 | ||
| MLS 220--Spanish Lang & Culture | 3 | ||
| EDCI 360--Found of Assmnt | 2 | ||
| Take one of the following: | 3 | ||
| EDCI 208--Ed Psy Hum Dev Sch Age | |||
| EDCI 209--Ed Psy Adol Dev | |||
| University Core and Electives | 21 | ||
| 32 |
| Junior & Senior Years | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLS 301--Spanish Cult & Civ | 3 | ||
| MLS 302--Latin Amer Cult & Civ | 3 | ||
| MLS 350--Intensive Gramm Review | 3 | ||
| MLS 351--Adv Oral & Written Comp | 3 | ||
| MLS 410--Spanish Phonetics | 3 | ||
| MLS 450--Sem: Mod Hispanic Lit | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following: | 3 | ||
| MLS 320--Survey of Spanish Lit | |||
| MLS 321--Cont Lat American Lit | |||
| (Note: MLS 360--Don Quixote-- is not required but is recommended for all majors.) | |||
| Select one credit from the following: | 1 | ||
| ML 344--Instr Perspectives | |||
| ML 470--Individual Problems | |||
| EDCI 320--Found of Instr Computing | 2 | ||
| EDCI 462--Meth of Teach Mod Lang | 4 | ||
| EDSD 363--Multicultural Education | 1 | ||
| EDSD 413--Professional Issues | 2 | ||
| HDCF 356--Exceptional Needs 0-21 | 3 | ||
| Univesity Core and Electives | 18 | ||
| EDEL 410--Student Teaching | 5-6 | ||
| EDSD 410--Student Teaching | 5-6 | ||
| EDSD XXX--Minor Methods | 3 | ||
| 65 |
A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. Majors are encouraged to take more than the minimum 36 credits required in the department.
COMMERCE OPTION
This program is designed to provide students in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures with a concentration of courses in Business which will provide them with a background necessary to enter degree programs for the MBA or master's degree programs in International Management/Business. Students will need to satisfy the major requirements in the foreign language of their choice and at the same time complete courses for the commerce option. Students may count courses taught in English toward their major.
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CS 150--Computer Literacy | 3 | ||
| ECON 101--Econ Way of Think | 3 | ||
| ECON 102--Macro & Intntl Econ | 3 | ||
| WRIT 101W--College Writing I | 3 | ||
| Language Major Req | 8 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 12 | ||
| 32 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| BUS 221--Principles of Acct I | 3 | ||
| BUS 222--Managerial Accounting | 3 | ||
| STAT 216--Elementary Statistics | 3 | ||
| Language Major Req | 6 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 14 | ||
| 29 | |||
| Junior Year | Credits | ||
| BUS 351--Finance | 3 | ||
| BUS 361--Intro to Law | 3 | ||
| Language Major Req | 12 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 11 | ||
| 29 | |||
| Senior Year | Credits | ||
| BUS 301--Management & Organzatn | 3 | ||
| BUS 341--Marketing | 3 | ||
| Language Major Req | 10 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 14 | ||
| 30 |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.
FRENCH MINOR (NON-TEACHING)
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLF 101--Elementary French I | 4 | ||
| MLF 102--Elementary French II | 4 | ||
| 8 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| MLF 219--Intermediate French | 3 | ||
| MLF 220--French Lang Culture | 3 | ||
| 6 | |||
| Junior And Senior Years | Credits | ||
| Select three credits from the following | 3 | ||
| MLF 301--Histoire Civilisation | |||
| MLF 302--La France Aujourd'Hui | |||
| MLF 351--Adv Grammar & Composit | 3 | ||
| MLF 352--Adv Convers & Phonetic | 3 | ||
| Select three credits from the following | 3 | ||
| MLF 401--French Literature I | |||
| MLF 402--French Literature II | |||
| 12 | |||
| 26 |
GERMAN MINOR (NON-TEACHING)
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLG 101--Elementary German I | 4 | ||
| MLG 102--Elementary German II | 4 | ||
| 8 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| MLG 219--Intermediate German | 3 | ||
| MLG 220--German Language & Cult | 3 | ||
| 6 | |||
| Junior And Senior Years | Credits | ||
| MLG 350--Adv Gram Conv Comp I | 3 | ||
| MLG 351--Adv Gram Conv Comp II | 3 | ||
| Select three credits from the following | 3 | ||
| MLG 301--German Cult & Civ | |||
| MLG 303--Mod Grmn Cult & Socity | |||
| MLG 315--Survey German Lit | |||
| Select three credits from the following | 3 | ||
| MLG 320--Contemp German Lit | |||
| MLG 450--Sem: Grmn Lit & Cult | |||
| 12 | |||
| 26 |
JAPAN STUDIES MINOR (NON-TEACHING)
The Japan Studies Program offers a non-teaching, interdisciplinary minor in Japan Studies through the Department on History and Philosophy and the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. The Program's mission is to provide students with the skills and understanding they need to succeed in Japanese contexts. The minor requires basic Japanese language proficiency and a broad knowledge of Japanese history, literature, and civilization. It includes 8 credits in Japanese language training, 12 credits in elective course work, and a 3-credit capstone course, for a total of 23 credits.
Those wishing to declare a minor in Japan Studies must submit an "Application for a Non-teaching Minor" to the Registrar's Office by the end of the semester one year prior to the semester of completion. In order to receive the minor, students must successfully complete the following course work:
| Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLJ 101--Elementary Japanese I | 4 | ||
| MLJ 102--Elementary Japanese II | 4 | ||
| Electives | 12 | ||
| Select four of the following: | |||
| HIST 115--History of Japan | |||
| HIST 371--Early Modern Japan | |||
| HIST 372--Japan's Nineteenth Century | |||
| HIST 409--Japanese Women's History | |||
| HIST 465--Nature & Environ in Japanese Hist | |||
| MLJ 219--Intermed Japanese I | |||
| MLJ 220--Intermed Japanese II | |||
| MLJ 301 --Japanese Culture & Civilization | |||
| MLJ 315--Intro to Japanese Literature | |||
| MLJ 320--Classical Japanese Literature | |||
| MLJ 321--Modern Japanese Literature | |||
| MLJ 341 --Women in Japanese Literature & Culture | |||
| MLJ 361--Text and Cinema | |||
| Capstone senior project: | 3 | ||
| 23 |
Not all courses may be taken in the same department. At least six credits must be upper division (numbered 300 or above). Other appropriate courses, including those taken abroad, may be subsituted with the approval of the Director of Japanese Studies.
SPANISH MINOR (NON-TEACHING)
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MLS 101--Elementary Spanish I | 4 | ||
| MLS 102--Elementary Spanish II | 4 | ||
| 8 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| MLS 219--Intermediate Spanish | 3 | ||
| MLS 220--Spanish Lang & Culture | 3 | ||
| 6 | |||
| Junior And Senior Years | Credits | ||
| MLS 350--Intensive Gramm Review | 3 | ||
| MLS 351--Adv Oral & Written Com | 3 | ||
| MLS 360--Don Quixote & Western Trad | 3 | ||
| Select three credits from the following | 3 | ||
| MLS 301--Spanish Cult & Civ | |||
| MLS 302--Latin Amer Culture & Civilization | |||
| MLS 320--Survey of Spanish Literature | |||
| MLS 321--Contemp Lat American Lit | |||
| 12 | |||
| 26 |
