Academics

Modern Languages and Literatures > Requirements

Placement
Entering students desiring to continue with a language studied at another institution, or with other prior foreign language training or experience, will be advised for self-placement at the appropriate level to continue language study. Each year of secondary school study is assumed to be the equivalent of one semester at the college level. A student presenting, for example, two years of secondary school language credit may be expected to resume language study with the first semester course at the intermediate level (210).

Please note: Completion of courses in a given order is essential for language study, especially at the 100–200 level. Students, first-year in particular, should be ready to begin or resume their language study in the fall semester, or they may lose a full year of study. A student must receive a grade of C or better in 212 or 220, or have the instructor’s permission, in order to take courses numbered 300 or above. Some 300- and 400-level courses have prerequisites at the 300 level. Please consult the instructor or departmental chairperson.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures strongly encourages all students who wish to undertake a major or minor course of study in any language to participate in a study-abroad program in an appropriate country. Students considering study abroad should begin language study as early as possible, preferably in their first semester at Lake Forest College. This is crucial to ensure that students attain the high level of proficiency required by most programs by the time students apply for study abroad, usually prior to the junior year. The Lake Forest College international internship/study-abroad program in Paris requires students to have completed two years plus one semester of French before going abroad. The Beijing Program suggests at least one year of Mandarin Chinese. The ACM programs in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Costa Rica require at least two years of language training. We strongly recommend taking either French 312 or 320 for the Paris program. Moreover, the ACM programs in Costa Rica and Japan are highly competitive, and experience has shown that acceptance into these programs, as well as the programs of other institutions with international bases, is more likely the greater the student’s preparation in the language and culture of the destination country.

In addition to preparing themselves linguistically, students should structure their course of study in ways that best prepare them for international experience. Students wishing to pursue an internship in a foreign country are expected to have extensive background in the field in which the internship will be carried out. As a consequence, some students choose to major or minor both in a language and in another field such as history, politics, international relations, economics, and so on. Students who opt for a dual major must consult with academic advisors from both departments or programs in order to ensure a realistic, balanced, and meaningful course of studies. Other majors may also require or recommend language study or study abroad.

Programs offered by Lake Forest College, affiliated ACM colleges, and many other institutions enable students to study languages and cultures in numerous countries on five continents. The most successful and beneficial study-abroad experiences are those for which the student has planned well and laid a strong foundation of language and culture study at the College. For further information, visit Jan Miller, the director of off-campus programs, or talk to the departmental chairperson or other departmental faculty.

Modern Languages and Literatures Majors
A major may be obtained in French or Spanish. Courses in Spanish may apply to the major in Latin American Studies. Coursework in Japanese or Chinese language may apply to the major in Asian Studies. Students are required to take a minimum of eight courses in the field of the major language, with credit given for one course on the 200 level and seven courses on the 300 and 400 levels. One of these seven courses must satisfy the senior studies requirement, such as a designated senior seminar or independent study project, such as a thesis. Students should consult with academic advisors to ensure that their major programs present a balance of courses in culture, advanced or specialized language study, and  literature. A grade of C or better is required for credit in all major courses.

French
Majors have the option of replacing two courses with selections from the linguistics program, Foreign Civilization, or French Literature in Translation. The Paris internship program offers four credits applicable to the major. The two credits for internship work may also be applied to another major, when approved by the major department.

German
A student interested in pursuing German studies beyond the German minor should consider the Independent Scholar or Area Studies Programs. See the descriptions of these programs for procedures. Students wishing to pursue this option are encouraged to consult with members of the German faculty and the chair of the Independent Scholar program.

Spanish
Majors have the option of replacing two courses with selections from the linguistics program, as well as Foreign Civilization, Latin American Studies, and Literature in Translation courses taught by the Spanish program faculty. 

Modern Languages and Literatures Minors
French
Prerequisite: French 110 and 112. Six courses required, generally distributed among offerings in language, literature, and culture. French  210 and 212 (or 220, waiver on basis of placement); French 312; plus one of the following: (a) three credits of coursework abroad, which may include an internship (such as the Paris Internship Program) or (b) three courses from any French 300 or 400 level. One course in English from offerings listed for the major (such as Foreign Civilization or French Literature in Translation) may count toward the requirement. A grade of C or better is required for credit in all minor courses.

German
Prerequisite: German 110 and 112. Six courses required, generally distributed among offerings in language, literature, and culture (German 210, 212, 311, 312, 333, and 400). Students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one semester of study in Germany. Up to three credits are given for study abroad at the discretion of the chairperson, with a qualifying exam if deemed advisable. A fourth credit may be given on the basis of course work abroad and an essay in German summarizing the student’s studies, to be submitted to a member of the German faculty. A grade of C or better is required for credit in all minor courses.

Spanish
Prerequisite: Spanish 110 and 112. Six courses required, generally distributed among offerings in language, literature, and culture. Spanish 210 and 212 (or 220, waiver on basis of placement). Electives include one course in English from offerings listed for the major, as well as course work and/or internship abroad in a Spanish-speaking environment. A grade of C or better is required for credit in all minor courses.