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Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
103A Tower Fine Arts Building
(585) 395-2269
Chairperson and Professor: Patricia J. Siegel; Professor: Joseph Siracusa; Associate Professors: Andrea Parada, Victor J. Rojas, Donna Wilkerson-Barker; Assistant Professors: Ester Marion, Janine Santiago.
As the nations of the world become more interdependent, knowledge of the world’s languages and understanding of world cultures become more significant for effective global communication and peaceful coexistence. Language study prepares today’s students for tomorrow’s opportunities by supporting interdisciplinary instruction, developing cross-cultural understanding and preparing students to enter the global marketplace.
Careers
Foreign language majors enter the teaching field and many other professions. A second
major or a minor in a foreign language is of great use in the humanities, fine arts
and social and natural sciences. All levels of business and government need people
trained in foreign languages and accustomed to dealing with matters from a global
perspective. In addition, the study of foreign languages contributes substantially
to valuable skills necessary for today’s job market, such as improved analytical abilities,
creativity, cross-cultural business negotiations, communication skills, and problem
solving.
Majors and Language Course Offerings
Students may major or minor in French or Spanish, double major in the two languages,
or major in one of the languages and another field (see below for details for French
and Spanish majors/minors).
Basic courses in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Japanese and Russian are also offered.
Civilization and literature courses are offered only in French and Spanish.
Culture courses in English (FCE), satisfy a College-wide requirement in the area of intercultural studies and general education.
Foreign Language Requirements for General Education and Other Programs (BA degree candidates, teacher certification, international studies and international business majors).
Currently, all students are required to take one semester (Beginning I or 111) of a foreign language for General Education. Students may meet the requirement in one of the following ways:
- a score of 85 or higher on the third-year foreign language Regents exam
- a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam in foreign language
- a score of 50 percent or higher on a CLEP exam in foreign language
- student has received college-level transfer credit in any foreign language
- student successfully places above the 111 level on a departmentally administered placement test
- student enrolls in a course
- student successfully completes a course of study abroad of at least five weeks duration and in a language that is deemed acceptable to meet the requirement for General Education.
Students pursuing a bachelor of arts, or a major in international studies or international business are required to demonstrate competency in at least one foreign language. This competency can be demonstrated by successful completion of the intermediate II level (212) of college language instruction or a more advanced course.
Teacher certification candidates are also required to demonstrate competency in a foreign language. Successful completion of the beginner II level (112) of college language instruction or a more advanced course will meet the requirement.
Placement Testing and Placement in Lower-division Language Courses
Students who would like to continue study of the language they took in high school
are required to take a placement test before they enroll in that language course at
the Beginner I (111) level. Please note: students who meet the language requirement
for General Education through Regents, AP, CLEP, or transfer credit may NOT enroll
in and receive credit for the 111 level language course for which they received a
waiver since they are considered to have fulfilled that level. Students may audit
the 111 course with the permission of the instructor if necessary.
For language courses beyond the 111 level, students who would like to continue study of the language they took in high school are strongly encouraged to take the placement test. However, the following guidelines may also be used for placement in language courses:
- Course 112 is open to students with 1-2 years of high school language.
- Course 211 is open to students with 2-3 years of high school language.
- Course 212 is open to students with 3-4 years of high school language.
For more information related to foreign language requirements, waiver procedures, and current test schedules, consult the departmental home page on the Internet at http://www.brockport.edu/modlang/index.html.
Language Laboratories
A language media center with equipment for use with a variety of instructional software
is housed in 110 Tower Fine Arts Center.
Study Abroad
The department sponsors semester-abroad and/or summer programs in Tours, France; Cuernavaca,
Mexico; and San Jose, Costa Rica. A new program in Puerto Rico is being developed.
Internships are available in Costa Rica and Mexico. Students may also participate
in study programs in various other countries. Foreign language majors are expected
to participate in a study-abroad program in a French- or Spanish-speaking country,
as appropriate.
Credit by Examination
College credit and/or waivers of certain foreign language courses may be obtained
by satisfactory scores on CLEP, Regents College Examinations, Advanced Placement Foreign
Language Examinations of the College Board Examinations, and other examinations accepted
by SUNY Brockport. The CLEP must be taken before taking 300- and 400-level courses.
Such credit and/or waivers will not reduce the number of credits required in course work for the major. For information on credit by exam at the upper-division level, please contact the department.
Awards for Students Sponsored by the Department
Each year, the department awards the Jorge Marti Prize to an outstanding student in
Spanish, and the Eric Steel Prize to an outstanding student in French. In addition,
the Departmental Scholar is selected from among seniors who expect to be graduated
in May, August or December of the corresponding year. He or she is selected on the
basis of grade point average, grades in the foreign language major, and strengths
in other subjects.
Teacher Certification Program
Students interested in specific requirements in the teacher certification program
should consult the members of the Department of Education and Human Development. All
French/Spanish transfer and SUNY Brockport students seeking certification in French
or Spanish must pass a content area examination given by the New York State Department
of Education. In addition, any transfer student wishing to complete teacher certification
in French or Spanish who has not completed the French or Spanish major at Brockport,
must complete at lease one 400-level French or Spanish course at Brockport.
MAJOR IN FRENCH—30 CREDITS
The major in French is intended to provide a working command of the language in addition to an overview of literature and civilization.
A. Prerequisites:
- 2.0 overall GPA
- 2.5 GPA in French courses taken at SUNY Brockport
- Prerequisite for all 300-level courses: FRN 212, or equivalent
- Prerequisites for all 400-level courses: FRN 350, 351, 352, 355 or equivalent
| Number | B. Core/Required Courses--24 Credits | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FRN 350 | Advanced Grammar and Conversation | 3 |
| FRN 351 | Written Expression | 3 |
| FRN 352 | French Civilization | 3 |
| FRN 355 | France under the Fifth Republic | 3 |
| FRN 453 | French Women Writers | 3 |
| FRN 454 | French Literature I | 3 |
| FRN 456 | Literatures and Cultures of the Francophone World | 3 |
| FRN 458 | French Literature II | 3 |
| Total: | 24 | |
| C. Elective Courses 6 Credits (any two) | ||
| FRN 399 | Independent Study in French | 3 |
| FRN 450 | French Studies | 3 |
| FRN 451 | Doing Business in French | 3 |
| FRN 453 | French Thought in Social Context | 3 |
| FRN 499 | Independent Study in French | 3 |
| Total | 6 | |
| Total credits for French major: | 30 | |
(Inclusion of independent studies to meet an elective requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Otherwise, elective credits can be fulfilled through regular course offerings.)
Study Abroad Program course equivalencies include FRN 302 Advanced Grammar, FRN 312 French Civilization to 1945, FRN 320 Diction and Comprehension, FRN 321 Introduction to French Literature, FRN 322 Advanced Conversation, FRN 323 French Composition, FRN 324 Reading French, and FRN 325 France Today.
D. Other Requirements:
All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher. Courses with grades lower than "C" must be repeated. Students majoring or minoring in French are required to take at least one 400-level course at SUNY Brockport, preferably after their study abroad experience.
E. Study Abroad:
It is expected that students majoring in French will participate in the SUNY Brockport program in Tours, France, or another study-abroad program in a French-speaking country. Consult the Office of International Education for application procedures and information related to Brockport programs. Programs that are not affiliated with the SUNY systems require departmental approval to ensure the proper transfer of credits.
F. Teacher Certification:
We strongly recommend that candidates seeking certification to teach French study another language as well.
NOTE: Students whose proficiency in French is beyond that expected of those who complete FRN 350 and/or 351, should substitute these courses with 400-level French courses. For information about opportunities for credit by exam, please contact the department.
Minor in French – 18 credits
| Number | Core/Required Courses--12 credits | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FRN 350 | Advance Grammar and Conversation | 3 |
| FRN 351 | Written Expression | 3 |
| FRN 352 | French Civilization | 3 |
| FRN 355 | France under the Fifth Republic | 3 |
| Elective Courses*-Six credits at the 300/400 level. Three credits must be at the 400 level | ||
*See elective courses in French identified under the major.
MAJOR IN SPANISH. TWO TRACKS
The major in Spanish is intended to provide a working command of the language in addition to an overview of literature and civilization.
TRACK ONE: Language, Literature and Civilization – 33 credits
A. Prerequisites:
- 2.0 overall GPA
- 2.5 GPA in Spanish courses taken at SUNY Brockport
| Number | B. Core/Required Courses 27 Credits | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPN 350 | Communication in Spanish | 3 |
| SPN 351 | Composition and Grammar Review | 3 |
| SPN 352 | Hispanic World Today | 3 |
| SPN 353 | Literature and Cultures of Spain I | 3 |
| SPN 354 | Literature and Cultures of Spanish America I | 3 |
| SPN 363 | Literature and Cultures of Spain II | 3 |
| SPN 364 | Literature and Cultures of Spanish-America II | 3 |
| SPN 460 | Spanish Phonetics | 3 |
| SPN 461 | Advanced Spanish Grammar | 3 |
| Total: | 27 | |
| C. Electives: 6 credits at the 300/400 level (any two courses) | ||
| SPN 399 | Independent Study in Spanish | |
| SPN 450 | Topics in Hispanic Literature and Culture | |
| SPN 451 | Spanish for the Professions | |
| SPN 452 | Hispanic Cultures Through Film | |
| SPN 453 | Spanish-American Women Writers | |
| SPN 454 | Hispanic Literature and Cultures in the U.S. | |
| SPN 455 | Hispanic Popular Culture | |
| SPN 456 | Literature and Culture of the Caribbean | |
| SPN 457 | Contemporary Spanish Writers | |
| SPN 458 | Contemporary Spanish-American Writers | |
| SPN 459 | Mexico Today | |
| SPN 462 | Spanish Language Variations in the U.S.A. | |
| SPN 463 | Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition | |
| SPN 464 | Literature and Culture of Puerto Rico | |
| SPN 499 | Independent Study in Spanish | |
| Total: | 6 | |
| Total credits for TRACK ONE of the Spanish major: | 33 | |
The following courses are Study Abroad Program equivalencies. They are for credit through programs in Spanish-speaking countries. These courses count as electives in the Spanish major or minor in both tracks.
- SPN 301 Spanish Grammar Review
- SPN 322 Spanish Conversation and Composition
- SPN 323 Intermediate Spanish Conversation and Composition
- SPN 326 Costa Rican Culture
D. Other Requirements:
2.5 GPA in Spanish courses. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher. Courses with grades lower than "C" must be repeated.
E. Study Abroad:
It is expected that students majoring in Spanish will participate in the SUNY Brockport programs in San Jose, Costa Rica; or Cuernavaca, Mexico; or another study-abroad program in a Spanish-speaking country. Consult the Office of International Education for application procedures and information related to SUNY Brockport programs. Programs that are not affiliated with the SUNY system require departmental approval to ensure the proper transfer of credits.
F. Teacher Certification:
We strongly recommend that candidates seeking certification to teach Spanish study French as well.
NOTE: Students whose proficiency in Spanish is beyond that expected of those who complete SPN 350, and/or SPN 351, must substitute these courses with 400-level Spanish courses. For information about opportunities for credit by exam, please contact the department.
TRACK TWO: Interdisciplinary Major in Bilingual-Multicultural Studies—36 credit
A Prerequisites:
- Complete, with a grade of "C" or better, 12 credits in Spanish, or equivalent through appropriate testing.
- Complete the communication skills core requirements or the equivalent with a grade of “C” or better.
B. OPTION A of TRACK TWO. Course requirements (36 credits)
| Number | 1. Required courses: (27 credits) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| a. Language proficiency | 9 | |
| SPN 350 | Communication in Spanish | 3 |
| SPN 351 | Composition and Grammar Review | 3 |
| SPN 352 | Hispanic World Today | 3 |
| b. Language theory and practice ( credits) | 9 | |
| SPN 460 | Spanish Phonetcs | 3 |
| SPN 461 | Advanced Spanish Grammar | 3 |
| SPN 462 | Spanish Language Variations in the US | 3 |
| c. Literature, culture and civilization | 6 | |
| Two 300/400-level courses in literature, culture or civilization of Spain or Spanish America in Spanish | 6 | |
| d. Multicultural awareness | 6 | |
| FCE 420 | Multiculturalism in the U.S.A. | 3 |
| 2. Elective courses* (9 credits) | 9 | |
| Total: | 36 | |
C. OPTION B OF TRACK TWO. Course Requirements (36 credits)
(For students seeking a bilingual-multicultural education extension certificate)
| Number | 1. Required courses (33 credits) | Credits |
| a. Language proficiency | 6 | |
| SPN 350 | Communication in Spanish | 3 |
| OR (by advisement) | ||
| SPN 351 | Composition and Grammar Review | 3 |
| SPN 352 | Hispanic World Today | 3 |
| b. Language theory and practice | 18 | |
| SPN 460 | Spanish Phonetics | 3 |
| SPN 461 | Advanced Spanish Grammar | 3 |
| SPN 462 | Spanish Language Variations in the US | 3 |
| EDI 421 | The Bilingual Child | 3 |
| EDI 422 | TESOL: Materials and Techniques | 3 |
| ENL 451 | Linguistics | 3 |
| OR | ||
| ENL 455 | Sociolinguistics | |
| OR | ||
| SPN 463 | Linguistics and Language Acquisition | |
| c. Literature, culture and civilization | 3 | |
| One 300/400-level course in Spanish in literature or culture and civilization of Spain or Spanish America | 3 | |
| d. Multicultural awareness | 6 | |
| FCE 420 | Multiculturalism in the U.S.A. | 3 |
| FCE 426 | Foundations of Bilingual Education | 3 |
| 2. Elective course* (3 credits) | 3 | |
| Total: | 36 | |
*Examples of appropriate elective courses for TRACK TWO, options A and B:
- AAS 317 Prejudice, Personality and Culture
- ENL 451 Linguistics
- ENL 455 Sociolinguistics
- ENL 476 Magical Realism
- FCE 375 Latin-American Women
- HST 375 Colonial Latin America
- HST 376 Modern Latin America
- HST 434 Modern Caribbean History
- HST 438 Women and Gender in Latin-American History
- HST 494 History of Mexico
- SOC 317 Prejudice, Personality and Culture
- SPN 360 Spanish for Native Speakers *
- SPN 353 Literature and Cultures of Spain I
- SPN 354 Literature and Cultures of Spanish-America I
- SPN 363 Literature and Cultures of Spain II
- SPN 364 Literature and Cultures of Spanish-America II
- SPN 399 Independent Study in Spanish
- SPN 450 Topics in Hispanic Literature and Culture
- SPN 451 Spanish for the Professions
- SPN 452 Hispanic Cultures Through Film
- SPN 453 Spanish-American Women Writers
- SPN 454 Hispanic Literature and Cultures in the US
- SPN 455 Hispanic Popular Culture
- SPN 456 Literature and Culture of the Caribbean
- SPN 457 Contemporary Spanish Writers
- SPN 458 Contemporary Spanish-American Writers
- SPN 459 Mexico Today
- SPN 464 Literature and Culture of Puerto Rico
- SPN 499 Independent Study in Spanish
C. Other Requirements for Track Two
2.5 GPA in Spanish courses. All courses in the major must be completed with a
grade of “C” or higher. Courses with grades lower than “C” must be repeated.
D. Study Abroad
It is expected that students majoring in Spanish will participate in the SUNY Brockport
program in San Jose, Costa Rica; or Cuernavaca, Mexico; or another study-abroad program
in a Spanish-speaking country.
NOTE: Students whose proficiency in Spanish is beyond that expected of those who complete SPN 350, and/or SPN 351 should substitute those courses with 400-level Spanish courses. For information about opportunities for credit by exam, please contact the department.
Minor in Spanish. TWO TRACKS
TRACK ONE: Language, Literature and Civilization: 18 credits
| Number | Core/Required Courses-9 Credits | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPN 350 | Communication in Spanish | 3 |
| PN 351 | SComposition and Grammar Review | 3 |
| SPN 352 | Hispanic World Today | 3 |
Elective Courses*—9 credits. Three credits must be at the 400-level.
*Please see elective courses in Spanish identified under the major, TRACK ONE. At
least three of the nine elective credits must be at the 400-level.
TRACK TWO: Interdisciplinary Minor in Bilingual-Multicultural Education— 24 credits
1. Prerequisites:
- Complete, with a grade of “C” or better, 12 credits in Spanish, or the equivalent through appropriate testing.
- Complete the communication skills core requirements or the equivalent with a grade of “C” or better.
2. Course Requirements (24 credits)
- Language proficiency (6 credits) Credits
Number Core/Required Courses-9 Credits Credits SPN 350 Communication in Spanish (or by advisement) 3 SPN 352 Hispanic World Today 3 - Language theory and practice (6 credits)
Number Core/Required Courses-9 Credits Credits SPN 460 Spanish Phonetics 3 SPN 461 Advanced Spanish Grammar 3 - Multicultural awareness (6 credits)
Number Core/Required Courses-9 Credits Credits FCE 420 Multiculturalism in the USA 3 FCE 426 Foundations of Bilingual Education 3 - Methods in bilingual education (6 credits)
Number Core/Required Courses-9 Credits Credits EDI 421 The Bilingual Child 3 EDI 422 TESOL: Materials and Techniques 3 Total: 24
Foreign Languages and Literatures Courses
French Courses [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Italian Courses [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Spanish Courses [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Foreign Cultures in English [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Other languages
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