> Overview
Overview
Modern/Classical Languages Department
The Modern/Classical Languages Department offers an intellectually stimulating curriculum to students within a comprehensive study of the language, literature, and cultures of the Hispanic world. The program is organized to prepare students for 1) a professional career in such fields as translation, international business, foreign service, etc., 2) a career in teaching, and 3) graduate study in Spanish. The use of proficiency-based methodologies and the incorporation of technology into the teaching of both culture and language bring the student to an understanding and an active command of Spanish in its spoken and written forms. All Spanish courses are conducted in the target language. One-hundred and two-hundred level courses are four-credit courses and 300- and 400-level courses are three-credit courses. A full complement of courses for a Spanish major or minor is available on the Winona campus. The Modern/Classical Languages Department also offers a wide variety of Spanish courses that contribute to the General Education Curriculum in the Literature and Cultural Traditions content areas, as well as a writing intensive course in Spanish.
General Department Goals
Upon completion of their studies, majors are able to demonstrate:
- The ability to engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions;
- The ability to understand and interpret both spoken and written language on a variety of topics; and
- The ability to present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of readers on a variety of topics.
Additionally, the department offers courses in French, Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. Beginning and intermediate Latin is taught each year while Greek and Hebrew are offered in alternate years. Intermediate and advanced level French courses are offered as student interest demands. Students wishing to take additional courses in French will be advised and directed to programs offered abroad by major universities with which Saint Mary's has an affiliation.
All students who have taken Spanish or French in high school must take the Placement Test prior to continuing in that language at Saint Mary's. The test facilitates placement at an appropriate level and is given prior to registration each semester. Upon completion of one semester of study with a final grade of at least B, a student earns 2 credits for each class bypassed in the language sequence (courses numbered 141, 142, 241, 242). A maximum of eight credits may be earned that count toward a minor in Spanish and as elective credit in either language that count toward graduation. If the student earned a 3 or higher through the CEEB AP program, s/he may receive four 100-level credits. A maximum of eight credits may be earned through the CEEB AP program and/or SMU AP program.
The department sponsors one extra-curricular organization. Eligible students studying either a modern or classical language are inducted annually into the Eta Delta chapter of Alpha Mu Gamma, a national foreign language honor society.
It is suggested that students interested in:
- A professional career should take Advanced Conversation, Civilization/Culture, and Spanish for Business;
- Teaching Spanish should take Advanced Composition, Advanced Conversation, Civilization/Culture, Phonetics/Diction;
- Continuing their studies in graduate school should take Advanced Composition, Advanced Conversation, Civilization/Culture, three different period/area literature courses, and acquire a working knowledge of another foreign language; or
- Any of the above, complete a period of study abroad in programs through Saint Mary's or in programs with which Saint Mary's has an affiliation.
Majors Offered
Minor Offered
Course Descriptions
Click on courses below for descriptions
F241 Intermediate Conversational French I (4 credits)
This course uses an intensified conversational approach to build vocabulary, to review grammar, and to introduce the student to selected readings dealing with Francophone literature, culture, and civilization.
Offered fall semester.
F305 Advanced French Conversation (3 credits)
This course provides the oral practice and vocabulary necessary to move from simply describing the physical world toward a broader and more sophisticated use of the language. The students develop analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills; compare and contrast their own and the target culture; and hypothesize about links between the French language and contemporary culture.
Prerequisite: F242 or equivalent.
F306 Advanced French Composition (3 credits)
This course offers intensive practice in the refinement of writing skills and vocabulary building through a variety of readings, exercises, and numerous writing activities. The students work toward a more sophisticated and idiomatic use of the French language.
Prerequisite: F242 or equivalent.
F331 French Civilization/Culture (3 credits)
This course is an initiation to French culture across the ages. The students study the political, social, artistic and intellectual evolution of France through a series of texts, images, and videos.
Prerequisite: F242 or equivalent.
F332 Francophone Societies (3 credits)
This course is an initiation to the diversity of the Francophone world. Through a series of texts and videos the students address five important social and cultural themes: 1) the definition of "francophone," 2) colonialism, 3) national identity, 4) religion and traditions, and 5) immigration and the future of "francophone."
Offered every other spring semester. Prerequisite: F242 or equivalent.
F443 French/Francophone Novel (3 credits)
This course is a thematic introduction to the French/Francophone novel across the centuries. Each work is examined stylistically and historically. Links between the works and the personal life of the author as well as links with other art forms are examined.
Prerequisite: F242.
F444 French/Francophone Short Story (3 credits)
This course is a thematic introduction to the French/Francophone short story across the centuries. Each work is examined stylistically and historically. Links between the works and the personal life of the author as well as links with other art forms are examined.
Prerequisite: F242.
F445 French/Francophone Theater (3 credits)
This course is a thematic introduction to French/Francophone theater novel across the centuries. Each work is examined stylistically and historically. Links between the works and the personal life of the author as well as links with other art forms are examined.
Prerequisite: F242.
F446 French/Francophone Poetry (3 credits)
This course is a thematic introduction to French/Francophone poetry across the centuries. Each work is examined stylistically and historically. Links between the works and the personal life of the author as well as links with other art forms are examined.
Prerequisite: F242.
F447 La Littérature Engagée (3 credits)
This course explores the participation of the French Intellectual community in the political scene. Representative works by French/Francophone authors on all sides of the issues are read to determine how different genres (i.e., petitions, manifestos, essays, poems, films, etc.) treat the same topic.
Prerequisite: F242.
GK141 Basic Greek I (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the Greek language, emphasizing grammar, inflections, syntax, vocabulary and pronunciation.
GK142 Basic Greek II (3 credits)
Emphasis on translation of selected readings, including passages from the New Testament. Study of Greek grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation to develop skill in reading and interpreting the original text.
Prerequisite: GK141.
L101 Introduction to Latin I (3 credits)
This course is for students who would like to gain a good reading knowledge of Latin in one term. The essentials of Latin grammar as well as vocabulary and idioms are presented for passive recognition, followed by translation and sight-reading.
Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: recommendation from the IHM Seminary rector or consent of the instructor.
L141 Basic Latin I (3 credits)
The course is designed to teach the fundamental skills, including grammar, syntax, and vocabulary recognition, necessary for reading Latin literature. The students read in the original Latin simple sentences and paragraphs of increasing complexity as the skills are developed.
Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: E120 or equivalent or ACT composite score of 20.
L142 Basic Latin II (3 credits)
The students develop the necessary skills to read literature in Latin. The last few weeks are devoted to reading selections from various Latin authors.
Offered spring semester. Prerequisite: L141 or equivalent.
L241 Ecclesiastical Latin (3 credits)
This course offers selections of the Church’s Latin from the first century until the present. Material read includes passages from the Old and New Testaments including some Psalms and other prayers in the Bible. The course also covers examples of modern Church Latin including the Novus Ordo and papal writings.
Prerequisite: L142.
SP141 Beginning Conversational Spanish I (4 credits)
Through the use of proficiency-based methodologies and multimedia this course helps students get acquainted with Hispanic cultures, discover similarities and differences between the target culture and their own, develop basic communication skills necessary to function in a Spanish-speaking country, and acquire basic grammatical structures and vocabulary.
Enrollment is limited to students who have not previously studied Spanish or who place into the course after taking the placement test. Offered fall semester.
SP241 Intermediate Conversational Spanish I (4 credits)
This course uses an intensified conversational approach to build vocabulary, to review grammar, and to introduce the student to selected readings dealing with Hispanic literature, culture, and civilization.
Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: SP142 or equivalent.
SP305 Advanced Spanish Conversation (3 credits)
This course provides the oral practice and vocabulary necessary to move from simply describing the physical world toward a broader and more sophisticated use of the language. The students develop analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills; compare and contrast their own and the target culture; and hypothesize about links between the Spanish language and contemporary culture.
This course is required for education majors to satisfy state certification requirements for an endorsement in Spanish. Prerequisite: SP242 or equivalent.
SP306 Advanced Spanish Composition (3 credits)
This course offers intensive practice in the refinement of writing skills and vocabulary building through a variety of readings, exercises, and numerous writing activities. The students work toward a more sophisticated and idiomatic use of the Spanish language.
This course is required for education majors to satisfy state certification requirements for an endorsement in Spanish. Offered spring semester. Prerequisite: SP242 or equivalent.
SP321 Spanish Phonetics and Diction (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to Spanish linguistics and phonetics with the goal of perfecting pronunciation. Students learn the Spanish phonetic alphabet, the classification of sounds, accent, intonation, syntax, and diction.
Recommended for education majors to satisfy state certification requirements for an endorsement in Spanish. Offered at irregular intervals as student interest dictates. Prerequisite: SP242 or equivalent.
SP322 Spanish for Business (3 credits)
This course familiarizes students with the vocabulary, protocol and styles of correspondence, and oral presentation skills common to the Hispanic business world.
Recommended for students interested in pursuing a major in business, marketing, accounting, or international business. Offered at irregular intervals as student interest dictates. Prerequisite: SP242 or equivalent.
SP331 Civilization/Culture Spain (3 credits)
This course is an initiation to the civilizations and cultures, which have existed on the Iberian Peninsula from pre-historic times to the present. The students study the political, social, artistic and intellectual evolution of Spain through a series of texts, images, and videos.
Recommended for education majors to satisfy state certification requirements for an endorsement in Spanish. Offered every other spring semester. Prerequisite: SP242 or equivalent.
SP332 Civilization/Culture Latin America (3 credits)
This course is an initiation to the diversity of the Hispanic world. Through a series of texts and videos the students address several important social, political, and cultural themes.
Recommended for education majors to satisfy state certification requirements for an endorsement in Spanish. Offered every other spring semester. Prerequisite: SP242 or equivalent.
SP443 Medieval/Renaissance Spanish Literature (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to major authors and literary works of Spain from the medieval period through the end of the 17th century. Literary movements, history, culture, and other artistic works are examined in their relation to the literary output of these periods.
Prerequisite: SP242.
SP444 18th-20th Century Spanish Literature (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the major authors and literary works of Spain from the 18th through the 20th century. Literary movements, history, culture, and other artistic works are examined in their relation to the literary output of these periods.
Prerequisite: SP242.
SP445 Latin American Literature through the 18th Century (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the major authors and literary works of Latin America from the colonial period through the 18th century. Literary movements, history, culture, and other artistic works are examined in their relation to the literary output of these periods.
Prerequisite: SP242.
SP446 19th-20th Century Latin American Literature (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the major authors and literary works of modern Latin America. Literary movements, history, culture, and other artistic works are studied in their relation to the literary output of these periods.
Prerequisite: SP242.
For more information contact:
Dorothy Diehl, Ph.D.
Chair, Modern/Classical Languages Department
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #75
Winona, MN 55987-1399
(800) 635-5987, Ext. 1531
ddiehl@smumn.edu
