Foreign Languages and Literatures

Undergraduate Catalog

Chairperson: Dr. Luciano C. Picanço
Office: Morgan Hall 332
Telephone: (309) 298-1558
Email: Languages@wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/languages

Program Offerings and Locations

Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages and Cultures: Macomb
Minor in French: Macomb
Minor in Latinx Studies: Macomb
Minor in Spanish: Macomb, Quad Cities

Learning Outcomes

For student learning outcomes, please see wiu.edu/provost/learningoutcomes.

Faculty

Asare, Brown, Cabal-Jiménez, Cabedo-Timmons, Obregón, Picanço.

GradTrac

GradTrac is available to Foreign Languages and Cultures majors. See more information about GradTrac.

Honors Curriculum

Academically qualified students in this department are encouraged to complete an honors curriculum in University Honors, Honors in the Major, or General Honors. All Honors students must complete the one-hour honors colloquium (G H 299). General Honors includes General Honors coursework. Honors in the Major includes honors work in the major. University Honors combines Honors in the Major and General Honors. View more information about honors curricula or visit the Centennial Honors College website at wiu.edu/honors.

Department Information

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Languages and Cultures, with options in French, Spanish, French Teacher Education, and Spanish Teacher Education. Minor programs are available in French and Spanish. The formal study of one of the languages consists of courses in the language as well as courses in the literatures and cultures of the countries where these languages are spoken.

The study of language, culture, and literature prepares the student for advanced and graduate study in literature and/or language, and for the use of language in business and industry, government at the federal, state, or local level, law enforcement, libraries and museums, parks and recreation, social services and health-related fields, transportation and tourism, and numerous other areas having a multicultural clientele.

Students completing the Teacher Education options develop pedagogical skills and proficiency in the language which lead to licensure to teach the language in Illinois at the K–12 level.

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures encourages students to double major in Foreign Languages and Cultures and another field in which linguistic and cultural expertise can be utilized to reach professional or academic goals. To make it possible to complete a double major in FLC and another discipline in four years, the department has developed joint curriculum sequences with some departments. For more information, please contact the Foreign Languages and Literatures advisor or the department office.

Degree Program

Bachelor of Arts—Foreign Languages and Cultures

All students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages and Cultures must complete I, II, III, IV, V, and VI below, and the Foreign Language/Global Issues requirement or Multicultural Perspectives requirement for the major#. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h. All students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages and Cultures must complete a minimum of 12 s.h. of upper-level (300- or 400-level) coursework in the major language at WIU.

In accordance with the Illinois State Board of Education licensure rule, all candidates seeking a Professional Education License or endorsement are required by Western Illinois University to obtain a grade of “C-” or better in all directed general education courses, all core courses, and all courses in the option. This rule does not supersede course prerequisite requirements in the catalog that specify a letter grade.

Please see the Teacher Education section of this catalog for more information about WIU’s Teacher Education Program.

University General Education and College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Requirements: 60 s.h.
Except Teacher Education students must complete the University General Education Curriculum Requirements—37 s.h., including a General Education Mathematics course
Core Course: 3 s.h.
F L 101
Options of Study@ (Select A, B, C, or D): 30–33 s.h.
1. Spanish^
  1. Option Courses
    1. F L 350*, 490†: 6 s.h.
    2. SPAN 325, 326†, 327: 9 s.h.
    3. Select any course in a secondary foreign language at the intermediate level (223 or 224): 3 s.h.
  2. Directed Electives
    1. Two 300-level SPAN courses: 6 s.h.
    2. Two 400-level SPAN courses: 6 s.h.
    3. Any additional 300/400-level SPAN course: 3 s.h.
2. French^
  1. Option Courses
    1. F L 350*, 490†: 6 s.h.
    2. FR 325, 326†, 327: 9 s.h.
    3. Select any course in a secondary foreign language at the intermediate level (223 or 224): 3 s.h.
  2. Directed Electives
    1. Two 300-level FR courses: 6 s.h.
    2. Two 400-level FR courses: 6 s.h.
    3. Any additional 300/400-level FR course: 3 s.h.
3. Spanish Teacher Education
  1. Option Courses
    1. SPAN 223, 224*, 325, 326†, 327: 15 s.h.
    2. Select any course in a secondary foreign language at the intermediate level (223 or 224*): 3 s.h.
  2. Directed Electives: 12 s.h.
    Four 300/400-level SPAN courses
4. French Teacher Education
  1. Option Courses
    1. FR 223, 224*, 325, 326†, 327: 15 s.h.
    2. Select any course in a secondary foreign language at the intermediate level (223 or 224*): 3 s.h.
  2. Directed Electives: 12 s.h.
    Four 300/400-level FR courses
Any Approved Minor: 16 s.h.
Open Electives: 1–10 s.h.
Other: 0–33 s.h.
Options A, B: N/A
Options C, D:
1. EDUC 439: 3 s.h.
2. EDS 202, 301, 303 (2), 304 (1), 305, 401: 13 s.h.
3. SPED 390: 3 s.h.
4. RDG 387: 2 s.h.
5. STCH 480: 12 s.h.

# The Foreign Language/Global Issues graduation requirement or Multicultural Perspectives graduation requirement may be fulfilled by successfully completing a designated foreign language requirement.
* May count toward the University General Education Requirement.
@ For all options, courses numbered 279 and 379 may only be used as Open Electives.
^ For options A and B, a maximum of 9 s.h. of Directed Electives may be taken during an approved Study Abroad program.
† F L 490 and FR/SPAN 326 fulfill the Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) graduation requirement for the French and Spanish options. FR/SPAN 326 fulfills the Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) graduation requirement for the French Teacher Education and Spanish Teacher Education options.

Minors

Minor in French: 16 s.h.

FR 122, 223, 224: 10 s.h.
Upper-division (300/400 level) FR coursework, with at least one course (3 s.h.) taken at WIU: 6 s.h.

Note: Students majoring in Foreign Languages and Cultures with French as their secondary language and who are minoring in French may count only one FR course (up to 4 s.h.) in the minor.
Note: Courses numbered 279, 361, or 379 may not be used in the French minor.

Minor in Spanish: 16 s.h.

SPAN 122, 223, 224: 10 s.h.
Upper-division (300/400 level) SPAN coursework, with at least one course (3 s.h.) taken at WIU: 6 s.h.

Note: Students majoring in Foreign Languages and Cultures with Spanish as their secondary language and who are minoring in Spanish may count only one SPAN course (up to 4 s.h.) in the minor.
Note: Courses numbered 279, 361, or 379 may not be used in the Spanish minor.

Minor in Latinx Studies: 16 s.h.

F L 150, 250, 498: 7 s.h.
POLS 224: 3 s.h.
Choose 2 courses with 2 different prefixes: 6 s.h.
ANTH 201; BC&J 352; ENG 348; HIST 241; MUS 394; POLS 311, 324; SOC 300; SPAN 320, 392, 409, 457; WS 270

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement into the foreign language program may be achieved by one of the following: 1) completion of four years of high school foreign language study (in the same language); 2) scoring above the beginning level on the departmental placement examination; 3) completion of the College Entrance Board Advanced Placement Examination (CEEB); 4) completion of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). College credit may be obtained by passing CEEB or CLEP. Students beginning college language study at the 300- or 400-level may qualify, upon application, for advanced placement credit (equivalent to 122, 223, 224) by completing two 300- or 400-level courses (in the same language) with grades of C or better. Students who begin at the 224-level may qualify, upon application, for advanced intermediate placement credit (equivalent to 122 and 223) by completing 224 and one 300-level class (in the same language) with a grade of C or better. Students who begin at the 223-level may qualify, upon application, for intermediate placement credit (equivalent to 122) by completing 223 with a grade of C or better. Please note that a grade of C- does not fulfill this requirement. Credit cannot be earned for courses numbered 121, 122, 223, or 224 which are more elementary than coursework already completed, unless the credit is earned through Advanced Placement. Students earning the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy will receive credit for courses numbered 121, 122, 223, and 224 in the specified language.

Course Descriptions

EDUCATION (EDUC)

439 Foreign Language Methods. (3) An exploration of current foreign language teaching methodologies and techniques through assigned readings, discussion, and practical application such as microteaching. Prerequisite: EDS 301 or consent of instructor.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE (F L)

101 Introductory Seminar in World Languages and Cultures. (3) (Multicultural) Introduces the content and methods of foreign language scholarship. Centers on a particular topic or theme within the context of (a) non-English-speaking culture(s). Methods may include linguistics, cultural studies, film studies, literary studies, interdisciplinary approaches, and/or pedagogy.

121 Less Commonly Taught Languages I. (3, repeatable with no maximum for different topics) Designed to introduce and develop the four basic language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in the target language and to create and increase competence about the target language culture or cultures.

122 Less Commonly Taught Languages II. (3, repeatable with no maximum for different topics) Designed to further develop the four basic language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in the target language and to further increase competence about the target language culture or cultures. Prerequisite: F L 121 or by permission of department chairperson.

150 Introduction to Latinx Studies. (3) This course prepares students to critically address issues of identity, nation, gender, race, and ethnicity as they pertain to Latinx studies.

250 Latinx Creative Expressions. (3) Explore and problematize meanings and conceptualizations of being part of a Latinx community, from a range of creative and cultural expressions, and consider how artists and Latinx icons examined issues of ethnic identity, discrimination, and creative resistance in their communities.

350 Introduction to Contemporary Critical Theory. (3) (Multicultural) This course, to be taught in English, will introduce students to critical theories that shape literary, artistic, and cultural studies as they apply to foreign languages. Prerequisites: ENG 180, 280; junior standing or consent of instructor.

392 French Cinema. (3) Historical survey of the French film industry, with particular attention to the works of major filmmakers. English subtitles. Prerequisite: for French majors or minors, FR 224; for others, permission of the instructor.

490 Senior Capstone. (3) Course designed to integrate linguistic, critical, cultural, and analytical skills with the knowledge acquired during course work towards the major. Students demonstrate their achievement of the program learning outcomes through a major writing project, an oral presentation, and a portfolio. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: senior standing or permission of the department chairperson.

498 Individual Studies in Latinx Studies. (1–3) Exploration of special projects which will immerse students in a specific topic, action, or service related to Latinx life. Prerequisites: permission of the department chairperson/program director.

499 Selected Topics in Foreign Languages and Literatures. (3) Seminar in topics related to foreign languages, literatures, and cultures. Taught in English. Prerequisites: junior standing or consent of the instructor.

FRENCH (FR)

(Language Skills Courses)

121 Elementary French I. (4) Development of the four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Not open to students who have had two years of high school French without permission of the department chairperson.

122 Elementary French II. (4) Continuation of Elementary French I. Development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills along with cross-cultural insights and appreciation. Prerequisite: FR 121 or appropriate score on placement examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

223 Intermediate French I. (3) Continued development of the four basic language skills with increased emphasis on reading and culture. Class conducted in French. Prerequisite: FR 122 or appropriate score on placement examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

224 Intermediate French II. (3) (General Education/Humanities) Continuation of Intermediate French I. Prerequisite: FR 223 or appropriate score on placement examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. IAI: H1 900.

325 French Conversation. (3) Intensive practice in oral expression and conversation. Prerequisite: FR 224 or equivalent.

326 French Composition. (3) Intensive practice in written expression and composition. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: FR 224 or equivalent; ENG 280.

401 Advanced French Grammar. (3) An intensive study of advanced French grammar with practice in its application. Prerequisite: FR 326 or equivalent.

(Literature and Civilization Courses)

327 Introduction to French Literature. (3) An introduction to critical reading and appreciation of French literature, surveying representative texts from major periods and genres. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: FR 224 or equivalent. IAI: H3 916.

328 Masterpieces of French Literature. (3) A study of selected masterworks representing major periods and genres of French literature. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: FR 224 or equivalent. IAI: H3 917.

361 Field Study Travel. (1–3, repeatable to 9 in one language) Field study project. The student submits a written report and fulfills other requirements set up by the instructor. Prerequisite: 6 s.h. of intermediate college French or equivalent.

438 20th Century French Literature. (3) Selected works of Gide, Proust, Sartre, Camus, St. Exupéry, Anouilh, Colette, Sarraute, Duras, de Beauvoir, and others. Prerequisite: FR 327 or equivalent.

492 Individual Studies in French. (1–5, repeatable to 5) Prerequisites: advanced standing and consent of department chairperson.

499 Selected Topics in French Language and Literature. (3, repeatable with no maximum for different topics) Prerequisite: FR 327 and consent of the instructor.

GERMAN (GER)

(Language Skills Courses)

121 Elementary German I. (4) Development of the four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Not open to students who have had two years of high school German without permission of the department chairperson.

122 Elementary German II. (4) Continuation of Elementary German I. Development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills along with cross-cultural insights and appreciation. Prerequisite: GER 121 or appropriate score on placement examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

223 Intermediate German I. (3) Continued development of the four basic language skills with increased emphasis on reading and culture. Class conducted in German. Prerequisite: GER 122 or appropriate score on placement examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

224 Intermediate German II. (3) (General Education/Humanities) Continuation of Intermediate German I. Prerequisite: GER 223 or appropriate score on placement examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. IAI: H1 900.

325 German Conversation. (3) Intensive practice in oral expression and conversation. Prerequisite: GER 224 or equivalent.

326 German Composition. (3) Intensive practice in written expression and composition. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: ENG 180 and 280, and GER 224 or equivalent.

(Literature and Civilization Courses)

327 Introduction to German Literature. (3) An introduction to critical reading and appreciation of German literature, surveying representative texts from major periods and genres. Conducted in German. Prerequisite: GER 224 or equivalent. IAI: H3 916.

337 (Cross-listed with HIST 337) The Holocaust. (3) (Multicultural) Examines the pre-history, history, and post-history of the Holocaust and its representations from a German Studies perspective and within the broader context of European culture. Not open to students with credit in HIST 337. Prerequisite: HIST 116 or GER 224 or consent of instructor.

492 Individual Studies in German. (1–5, repeatable to 5) Prerequisites: advanced standing and consent of department chairperson.

499 Selected Topics in German Language and Literature. (3, repeatable with no maximum for different topics) Prerequisite: GER 327 and consent of the instructor.

PORTUGUESE (PORT)

(Language Skills Course)

121 Elementary Portuguese I. (4) Development of the four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Not open to students who have had two years of high school Portuguese without permission of the department chairperson.

SPANISH (SPAN)

(Language Skills Courses)

121 Elementary Spanish I. (4) Development of the four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Not open to students who have had two years of high school Spanish without permission of the department chairperson.

122 Elementary Spanish II. (4) Continuation of Elementary Spanish I. Development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills along with cross-cultural insights and appreciation. Prerequisite: SPAN 121 or appropriate score on placement examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

223 Intermediate Spanish I. (3) Continued development of the four basic language skills with increased emphasis on reading and culture. Class conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 122 or appropriate score on placement examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

224 Intermediate Spanish II. (3) (General Education/Humanities) Continuation of Intermediate Spanish I. Prerequisite: SPAN 223 or appropriate score on placement examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. IAI: H1 900.

302 Spanish for Business. (3) An introduction to business practices in Spain and Latin America, with emphasis on business vocabulary, written and oral communication, and the role of culture and cultural differences in business transactions. Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.

320 Spanish for Heritage Speakers. (3) (Multicultural) Designed for heritage speakers of Latino/Hispanic heritage, to raise awareness of their bilingual/bicultural background as well as their social and linguistic identity of speakers of U.S. Spanish, through intensive practice in writing, reading, and linguistic skills. Prerequisites: SPAN 224 or consent of the instructor.

325 Spanish Conversation. (3) Intensive practice in oral expression and conversation. Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or equivalent.

326 Spanish Composition. (3) Intensive practice in written expression and composition. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: SPAN 224 or equivalent; ENG 280.

340 Spanish for Law Enforcement. (3) Attention is focused on oral proficiency in the contexts likely to be useful to law enforcement personnel. Vocabulary specific to the profession is taught, as well as practical cultural information. Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or permission of instructor.

344 Spanish for Social Work. (3) Intensive Spanish practice through simulations involving real-life situations in intercultural settings. Provides vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and cultural information for the specific needs of professional social workers. Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.

392 Spanish and Latin American Cinema. (3) Historical survey of the film industry in Spain and Latin America, with particular attention to the works of major filmmakers and genres. Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.

401 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics. (3) Introduction to the main concepts and methods of linguistic analysis, focusing on the Spanish sound system, social dynamics, and dialectal variation. Prerequisite: SPAN 326 or equivalent.

402 Introduction to Spanish Morphology and Syntax. (3) Introduction to the systematic study of the morphological and syntactical elements of Spanish with practice in application. Prerequisite: SPAN 326 or equivalent.

449 Spanish for Content-Based Instruction. (3) The study of Spanish vocabulary and phrases for the teaching of different subjects of the school curriculum including mathematics, science, social studies, and grammar. Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or permission of instructor.

457 Contemporary Spanish American Prose. (3) Selected prose works of major contemporary Spanish American writers. Prerequisite: SPAN 327 or equivalent.

(Literature and Civilization Courses)

327 Introduction to Hispanic Literature. (3) An introduction to critical reading and appreciation of Hispanic literature, surveying representative texts from major periods and genres. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or equivalent. IAI: H3 916.

328 Masterpieces of Spanish Literature. (3) A study of selected masterworks representing major periods and genres of Spanish literature. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or equivalent. IAI: H3 917.

408 Spanish Civilization and Culture. (3) A survey of Peninsular civilization from the prehistoric past to the post-Franco present, emphasizing cultural achievements of universal significance. Conducted in Spanish.

409 Spanish American Civilization. (3) The study of fundamental historical and cultural facts concerning Spanish America; the role of contrasting value systems of Spanish America and the United States in intercultural communication. Conducted in Spanish.

452 Spanish Literature of the 19th Century. (3) Study of major works with emphasis on Romanticism and Realism. Prerequisite: SPAN 327 or equivalent.

453 The Generation of 1898. (3) Representative works of the major figures of early twentieth-century Spanish literature. Prerequisite: SPAN 327 or equivalent.

454 Spanish Literature of the 20th Century. (3) Study of major works of prose, poetry, and drama from the Generation of 1898 to the present. Prerequisite: SPAN 327 or equivalent.

456 Masterpieces of Spanish American Literature. (3) Selected works of prose, poetry, and drama from the Colonial period to the present. Prerequisite: SPAN 327 or equivalent.

492 Individual Studies in Spanish. (1–5, repeatable to 5) Prerequisites: advanced standing and consent of department chairperson.

499 Selected Topics in Spanish Language and Literature. (3, repeatable with no maximum for different topics) Prerequisite: SPAN 327 and consent of the instructor.

Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University

Undergraduate Catalog