Language Majors

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR IN FRENCH
The French major consists of 36 credits in intermediate or upper-level courses and one 4-credit linguistics course, chosen in consultation with the advisor to include a broad distribution among language, literature and culture courses. At least eight credits of French at the 300/400 level must be successfully completed on the Gordon campus. Students with departmental approval are required to spend either one or two semesters at an approved program in France or a Francophone country. The junior year is recommended for study abroad.

Requirements for the Concentration in Francophone studies
French majors may elect to complete a concentration in Francophone studies within their program. Requirements for this concentration are:
FRE491,492 Seminar in Quebec Studies I, II
FRE493,494 Seminar in African Studies I, II
FRe245 History of Africa
One additional 4-credit course selected by the student with department approval

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR IN GERMAN
The German major consists of 36 credits in intermediate or upper-level courses and one 4-credit linguistics course, chosen in consultation with the advisor to include a broad distribution among language, literature and culture courses. With prior approval from the major advisor, partial credit from courses taken in other departments may be applied to the German major or minor when the course content focuses sufficiently on the Germanic cultures. Examples of possible courses include: BIB305, HIS221, HIS335, MUS322-324 and PHI333. Students are required to study for one or two semesters at the University of Heidelberg. The junior year is recommended for study abroad.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR IN SPANISH
A minimum of 36 credits in intermediate or advanced courses and one 4-credit linguistics course are required for the Spanish major. These courses are chosen in consultation with the advisor to include a broad distribution among language, literature and culture in Spanish Peninsular and Latin American courses. Students are required to study for one or two semesters at a departmentally approved site of the CIEE program. The junior year is recommended for study abroad.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMBINED LANGUAGE MAJOR
The combined language major consists of 44 credits (or equivalent): 20 credits in advanced-level courses (300 or above) in language I, 20 credits in advanced-level courses in language II, and four credits in linguistics. Students studying Mandarin as language II, may, in consultation with the major advisor, apply MAN201 and MAN202 to the major. Students with proficiency in language II may, with approval, substitute courses in other languages for some of the language II courses. Students are required to study for one or two semesters overseas at a program approved for other language majors. The junior year is recommended for study abroad.

HONORS IN FRENCH, GERMAN, SPANISH OR COMBINED LANGUAGES
Seniors who maintain a 3.50 GPA in the major and a 3.0 GPA overall may graduate with honors in French, German, Spanish or combined languages. All courses in the major must be at the 300 level or above, and 20 of those hours must be designated by the faculty for honors work. In those designated courses a thesis will be developed and an extended presentation delivered. In addition, ENG420 Literary Criticism is required of all honors students as a supporting course. Please see department faculty for details.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE MINOR
The minor consists of one of the following: 16 credits in intermediate- and upper-level courses in one language or in linguistics (with department approval); 8 credits in intermediate or upper-level courses in each of two languages; or 8 credits in intermediate or upper-level courses in one language plus 8 credits in linguistics. Up to 12 credits towards the minor may be taken abroad in a non-English speaking country.

MINOR IN EAST ASIAN STUDIES
An interdepartmental minor is available which combines study of language, literature, culture, history, politics, economy, society and foreign relations of East Asian countries. See Interdisciplinary and Off-Campus Curriculum.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOUBLE MAJOR WITH SECONDARY EDUCATION
Students seeking licensure in French, German or Spanish at the 5-12 grade level must complete all foreign language and education requirements, including a semester of study overseas. In addition, prior to their senior year students must pass with a grade B minimum Advanced Writing (FRE313, GER313 or SPN313) as well as the departmental Prepracticum Spoken Language Standard. See foreign language and education advisors for details.
Courses that are strongly recommended:
EDU300 Theories of Language Acquisition
EDU301 Methods of Second Language Teaching

ALPHA MU GAMMA
Alpha Mu Gamma (AMG) is a national foreign language honor society whose Kappa Epsilon chapter was established at Gordon College in 1983 to acknowledge achievement in the field of foreign languages, encourage academic excellence in the field of linguistics and cultural studies, promote cultural awareness inherent in foreign language study, and foster sympathetic understanding of other peoples and international friendship.  Invitation to membership in the Gordon chapter is contingent upon the support of a faculty member in the department and is extended to students who have satisfied the following requirements:

An overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better,

A grade of A/A- in 8 non-repeated credits of language classes taken on campus at the 200-level or higher (at the 300-level or higher for Spanish majors),

No grade below a B in foreign language, and

A declared major or minor in foreign language (Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Spanish, Combined Languages, East Asian Studies, and related Pike contract majors).