ADVANCED PLACEMENT & RETROACTIVE CREDIT POLICIES

Students who enter DePauw with previous foreign language experience are assigned to the appropriate level by a placement examination administered on campus. They may not begin the language at DePauw at a lower level than the one assigned, but may move up in level if they wish. In no case may a student with more than two years of foreign language study in high school (grades 9-12) start at the beginning level in the same language.

CHINESE, JAPANESE
If assigned to the 200 level or higher, students will receive extra course credit on completion of that course with a grade of C or better, according to this pattern: after completion of JAPN 252 or CHIN 262 = 1 course credit extra, completion of one full credit of 300+ = 2 course credits extra.

FRENCH, SPANISH
If assigned to the 200 level or higher, students will receive extra course credit on completion of that course with a grade of C or better, according to this pattern: FRENCH 202, SPAN 232 = one course credit extra, 300 + = two course credits extra. Native speakers are not eligible to take the elementary or intermediate courses or the conversation/phonetics courses (FREN 305, SPAN 330) and must begin their coursework at the 300 level. If they are majors or minors, they will receive two (2) retroactive credits only upon successful completion of three (3) 300- or 400-level courses (beginning with FREN 315 or SPAN 332) with a grade of C or better. No course for the major or minor can be taken Pass/Fail.

GERMAN
If assigned to the 200 level or higher, students will receive extra course credit on completion of that course with a grade of C or better according to this pattern: GER 212 = 1 course credit extra; GER 300+ = 2 course credits extra.

RUSSIAN
If assigned to the 200 level or higher, students will receive extra course credit on completion of that course with a grade of C or better, according to this pattern: RUS 222, 224, or 263 = 1 course credit extra, RUS 324 = 2 course credits extra.

LANGUAGE STUDY ABROAD
The department encourages its majors to study in those countries which speak the target language. Two courses per semester of study abroad may count in the Department toward a major. Only one course taken off-campus may count toward the minor. The International Center may assist students in locating an appropriate off-campus study program.

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Click here to view the general course descriptions for classes offered in the Modern Languages Department.

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See below for the current course descriptions for advanced-level language classes in the Modern Languages department.

Course descriptions for ML first year seminars and advanced-level classes

FALL 2008

FRENCH

French 401: L'Enfance: Lit. & cinéma - Prof. Françoise Coulont-Henderson

We will examine several French language films produced during 5 decades (50's through beginning of 90's) where we find a unifying common denominator : childhood. During these years French society was in a sense rediscovering itself through the innocence and vulnerablilty of children. We will focus on the narrative styles of the literary works and their filmic adaptations.

GERMAN

German 314 – Grünes Deutschland:  Mensch und Natur in der deutschen Kultur
Prof. Howard Pollack-Milgate

Deutschland hat heute den Ruf, ein sehr umweltfreundliches Land zu sein.  Die grüne Partei spielt eine wichtige Rolle in der deutschen Politik, und Deutschland steht im Vordergrund im Kampf gegen die globale Klimaveränderung.  Aber die Natur war schon immer sehr wichtig in der deutschen Kultur:  Wälder und Flüsse sind traditionelle Bestandteile der deutschen Identität.  In dieser Klasse machen wir einen Überblick über verschiedene Aspekten der Natur in der deutschen Kultur, unter anderem:  die alte Mythologie und Volksglauben (z.B., Geister, die in der Natur wohnen, wie Kobolde und Seejungfrauen), die Sehnsucht nach der Natur als Alternative zur modernen Kultur (z.B., in der Romantik, oder in Heidegger, aber auch in der Religion), und die ökologische Bewegung heute.  Es geht um die Frage:  warum haben die Deutschen ein näheres Verhältnis zur Natur als wir Amerikaner, und was folgt daraus?

GER 411 Mord und Intrigen - Prof. Inge Aures

Students will be introduced to a variety of texts involving the crime of murder and how it is resolved or at least investigated. We will read modern detective novels (Krimis), short stories, and classic detective stories. In addition to the literary texts, we will also view several films. While reading the texts, we will discuss the author’s choice of literary genre and try to determine whether there are writing techniques particular to mystery writers. Our analysis will be centered on the following topics:

∘ What is the structure of a detective novel (Kriminalroman)?
∘ What is the definition of a crime? What types of crimes can we identify?
∘ How do Kriminalromane differ from other literary genres?
∘ Did the author develop a distinct perspective for the detective, the victim, the murderer, the spectator or the reader?
∘ What is the relationship between men and women in these works?
∘ What are the gender specific roles in family and society portrayed in these texts?
∘ Is there a distinct difference between man and women in these works?
∘ What are we do make of the reader’s/spectator’s fascination with crime and criminals?
∘ How are these texts relevant to our life in twentyfirst-century America?

MODERN LANGUAGES (ML classes are taught in English.)

ML 197   The Lady with the Book: Renaissance Women Writers   -   Prof. Carrie Klaus
Group 3 credit

Women's poetry, fiction, memoirs, and letters achieved "bestseller" status for the reading public throughout early modern Europe. Over the centuries, many of these women writers disappeared from common knowledge, while others remained; some were even portrayed on screen in films, one of which we'll watch this semester. In this seminar, we will read a variety of texts by European women writers -- and a few men! -- who lived and worked in early modern Europe (mainly during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries).  As we read, discuss, and write about these texts, we will consider the following questions: Which social and historical forces prevent or enable women's writing?  Do women writers tend to address a shared set of themes?  Does it make sense to read women's writing separately  from men's?  What is a literary canon?  Which works end up being included?  Which works are dropped?  Why?

ML 197 Arab Women Writers and Filmmakers   -    Prof. Cheira Belguellaoui
Group 3 credit

The course will seek to offer a broad overview of contemporary translated works by Arab women writers and filmmakers. It will thus serve as an introduction to the Arab world and cultures. Produced in a variety of countries, from Iran to Morocco, the novels, essays, and films to be studied will lead us to explore key themes surrounding questions of gender, freedom and the self, sexuality, patriarchy, the other(s), identity, culture(s), religion, borders and spaces, nationalism, and cultural (mis-)perceptions. While considering the importance of these works, we will also discuss to what extent they contribute to cultural awareness and understanding of the Arab world as a whole, and of the Arab woman in particular. Participants in this course will be expected to contribute to class discussions based on the core texts and films. Additional readings will be required to help shape our dialogue constructively. Please note that the course will deal with controversial and sometimes disturbing issues that are integral to the themes covered in the syllabus.

RUSSIAN TBA
 
SPANISH TBA

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MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Click here for the requirements for a major in the Modern Languages Department.
Click here for the requirements for a major in Russian Studies.

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MINOR REQUIREMENTS

Click here for the requirements for a minor in the Modern Languages Department.
Click here for the requirements for a minor in Russian Studies.

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EXAMPLE SYLLABI

Coming soon.

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HONOR SOCIETIES

The Modern Languages Department is proud to feature:
French National Honor Society Pi Delta Phi
Spanish National Honor Society Sigma Delta Pi

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Last updated: 4/1/08