Romance Languages and Literatures
Undergraduate Programs
The Romance Languages and Literatures Department offers baccalaureate degrees in French, Italian and Spanish. Each major program develops a strong foundation in language comprehension, speaking, reading and writing, as well as basic knowledge of the relevant national literatures and cultures. Each program also develops students’ critical analysis skills. Department courses use a variety of approaches that incorporate written texts, film and music. Language tables and clubs supplement course offerings.
Students may major or minor in more than one language within the department. Generally, majors complete 10 courses in a language above the 115 introductory level, while minors complete six non-introductory courses. Romance language majors may also qualify for the International Studies Certificate, and they may use department courses as a foundation for global studies. Additional details on these options are available through a department adviser, as well as information on study-abroad programs and guidelines for membership in language honor societies. Majors may seek scholarship support for study abroad, and they may also qualify for other tuition scholarships and awards.
All students, whether or not they intend to major, are invited to take courses in the department.
Major and Minor Guidelines
The declaration of major or minor is completed in the department office in the Library Tower, room 510. Forms are available for this purpose.
Students who intend to pursue a major are urged to make their declarations as early as possible, preferably early in the sophomore year or before, whereupon they are assigned departmental advisers. Any deviations from program requirements must be approved by the undergraduate committee. Minor declarations may be made in the department upon successful completion of 60 college credits.
Courses taken under the Pass/Fail grading option do not count toward the major or the minor.
Of the 10 courses required of all majors, a minimum of three 400-level courses in French, five courses (minimum of three 300- and 400-level) in Spanish and two 400-level courses in Italian must be taken at Binghamton University.
For language course 491 (Teaching College French, Italian or Spanish), consent of the instructor or supervising coordinator is mandatory. This course is intended for students who are well advanced in the study of the language and who have studied abroad. It does not count toward the major or the minor.
French Major
Option 1. Language and Literature
The standard major in French consists of 10 courses above the elementary (FREN 111-115) level. At least five must be at the 400 level, with a minimum of two from each sub-group, language and literature. Courses deemed the equivalent of 400-level courses but taken outside Binghamton University may be counted toward the major, provided they are approved by the adviser and at least three 400-level courses are taken on campus.
Option 2. Language and Linguistics
This major consists of:
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Required courses |
number of courses |
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• |
Advanced courses in French language, such as |
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445 (Phonetics), 451 (Grammar) and 453 (Stylistics) |
3 |
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• |
LING 118 (Introduction to Linguistic Structures) and three |
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other courses in linguistics, chosen in consultation with |
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advisers in French and linguistics |
4 |
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• |
Courses in French literature and civilization, taught in |
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French, such as 351 (Grammar, Composition and Civilization) |
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361 and/or 362 (Masterworks), any 460- or 480-series course |
3 |
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TOTAL |
10 |
Italian Major
The major in Italian consists of 10 courses in language, culture and literature, and accommodates students with no previous preparation in the language (Option 1) and those with some previous knowledge, typically beginning with ITAL 211 (Option 2).
Option 1
Students who begin at 111 or 115 (if both are taken, they count as one) or 113, take nine (9) additional courses, four of which must be at the 400 level.
Option 2
Students who begin at 211 take 10 courses, four of which must be at the 400 level.
(Note: In both Option 1 and 2, a student may occasionally substitute 361, 370, 375, or 397 for a 400-level course).
Spanish Major
The major in Spanish consists of ten (10) courses beginning at the Intermediate Spanish level (SPAN 211) or above. The following distribution is required:
A. A minimum of six (6) courses must come from offerings at the 300- and 400-levels.
B. The following courses are required for the major: SPAN 250*, 251, 344, 360, and 370. *SPAN 250 may not be taken by native speakers of Spanish or those who possess native-speaking ability.
C. A minimum of five (5) courses must be taken on campus.
D. Three (3) of the 300- and 400-level courses must be taken on campus, including at least one 400-level seminar (excluding 480 courses) which must be taken on campus.
A minimum grade of C is required for any course in Spanish applied toward the major and defines “satisfactory performance” in the course. Courses from other institutions or Study Abroad, especially at the 400-level, must be approved by student’s departmental adviser.
Sample schedules for the major are available in the department office. Study abroad is strongly suggested.
Honors Program
The department offers an honors program for junior and senior Major students of demonstrated motivation and ability within the fields of language and literature. Generally, students complete in one or two semesters a project or thesis in the subject language and at the direction of a faculty adviser. For details, consult the department.
Minors
The minor in French, Italian or Spanish consists of six courses beyond the level of 115; one must be in literature, two must be at the 300 or 400 level. Of the six courses, three must be taken at Binghamton University, including one at the 300 or 400 level. Courses taken as Pass/Fail do not count toward the minor.
Five-Year Program in a Romance Languages and Public Administration
The five-year program leading to a BA in one of the romance languages of the department and the master’s of public administration (MPA) gives students a strong foreign language background combined with skills to work in the public or nonprofit sector. It requires the student to complete the regular language requirement (10 courses beyond the elementary level), round out the undergraduate curriculum with graduate courses in public administration, then complete the 5th year of exclusively graduate courses in public administration. Application for conditional admission to the MPA program is made at the end of the junior year after consulting with the academic adviser. Because of the challenging nature of combined-degree programs, only highly qualified students are admitted. During the senior year, students apply formally to the Graduate School. All admissions to combined-degree programs are conditional due to the nature of the program; regular admission status as a graduate student is only granted after the senior/4th year is completed satisfactorily.
Five-Year Programs leading to Bachelor and Master of Arts Degrees in French, Italian and Spanish
New programs within the Romance Languages and Literatures Department allow students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate degree (BA) and a graduate degree (MA) within five years. In this combined program, commonly known as “3 + 2,” motivated, advanced-standing students begin graduate courses in their senior year, substitute these courses for Harpur College electives, and fulfill the requirements for a master of arts in their fifth year of studies. (Typically, students complete the standard 10-course sequence for a French, Italian or Spanish major plus the standard nine graduate courses in that language and literature.) Early identification of the preferred field of study is essential, while main advantages for the student are a focused undergraduate curriculum and a well-defined linguistic and literary education within a shortened period of time.
Application for admission to the five-year program is made no later than the beginning of the junior year, after consultation with the department’s graduate director. Application is made through the Graduate School. Admission is restricted to students with exceptional academic records, normally a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. Students must submit an official transcript, the names of two professors who may serve as references, and a writing sample. The student will be evaluated based on the quality of the grades, references, writing sample and interview. Upon acceptance to the program, students will be advised that there are further requirements: successful completion of the BA in year four (including both the General Education and Harpur College requirements for graduation); a “B” or better in graduate coursework; core graduate course requirements; and satisfactory completion of the Comprehensive Examinations.