ROMANCE LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES
2011-2012
Assistant Professor: Maria Ospina, Spanish
Adjunct Instructor: Daniela Viale, Italian
Students interested in enrolling in French, Italian, or Spanish at the elementary or intermediate levels are urged to do so during their first and sophomore years.
Department policy gives priority to first-year and sophomore students in our language classes (numbered 101-112) to allow students to study abroad and to meet the requirements of those programs requiring language study. Juniors and seniors who wish to take elementary and intermediate language courses should submit an online enrollment request and attend the first class. They may be accepted during the drop/add period if seats become available. Should a junior or senior enroll in the first course of an ampersand sequence (such as 101-102), he or she will have priority for the second course, just like first-year and sophomore students.
Beginning with the Class of 2013, all students graduated with a major in the department will be required to complete a capstone project in the course of their senior year.
French Studies
French studies major provides students with a command of the French language sufficient to live and work successfully in a French-speaking environment. It enables them to develop an in-depth knowledge of French-language literatures and critical approaches, and, through it, an awareness of French and Francophone modes of thought and expression. It also offers them the opportunity to develop simultaneously a broad knowledge of French and Francophone cultures through a flexible, interdisciplinary program combining course work in a number of fields that may serve as the basis for future work or further academic or professional studies. The major consists of a minimum of eight courses:
* Four FREN courses numbered 220-399.
-
FREN215 or the equivalent is the prerequisite for all FREN courses numbered 220 or higher. -
Courses numbered 220-299 are introductory courses intended for students who have completed FREN215; who have taken an equivalent course elsewhere; who have placed out of FREN215 through the placement test. In general, these courses are designed for students who have not yet studied abroad in a French-speaking country. -
300-level courses are upper-level courses intended for students who have already completed two courses in French beyond FREN215 or who have studied abroad in a French-speaking country for at least a semester:
* Four other courses whose content is devoted substantially to the study of French or Francophone literature, history, culture, or society.
These courses may be in French or English and may include
- C
ourses from the French section's normal offering of 200- or 300-level courses. Courses listed as FRST (French Studies) or FIST (French, Italian, Spanish in Translation). Courses taken through approved study-abroad programs. Courses offered by other departments and programs on campus that treat French or Francophone culture, politics, or history. These courses must be approved by the student's major advisor.
All majors are strongly encouraged to spend at least one semester studying abroad in a French-speaking country. In addition to Wesleyan's program in Paris (the Vassar-Wesleyan Program), Wesleyan-approved study abroad programs currently exist in Cameroon, France (Aix-en-Provence, Grenoble), Madagascar, and Senegal. Wesleyan also sends one exchange student a year to the Institut d'Etudes Politiques in Paris. Students who have strong academic reasons for wishing to participate in other French-based programs may also petition the International Studies Committee for permission to do so. For information on the approved programs and the petition process, contact the Office of International Studies, 105 Fisk Hall (gwinter@wesleyan.edu).
Italian Studies
Requirements for the Italian Studies Major
- 9 courses above the level of 102 (i.e., 111 and higher)
- At least 1 course taken in Italian at Wesleyan after study abroad
Allowance: 1 course of these 9 may be taken through the medium of English
The major at a glance
- 1 course in Italian post-study abroad required
- Students are highly encouraged to satisfy the post-study abroad requirement in the semester they return to campus.
- 4
credits from Bologna accepted
- Only 1 of these may be on a topic that is not Italian in nature (i.e., Economy of Russia taken at the UniBo).
- Lecce credit accepted only for students who have completed through 102 only before study abroad.
- If a student attends a study abroad program other than ECCO, a review of the number of credits that will be accepted into the major will be required.
- Students placing into 221, or higher, are required to complete 9 courses, 3 of which may be in English. 1 of the 6 minimum courses in Italian must be taken in the senior year.
- Sample transcripts
|
YR |
SEM |
Student 1 |
Student 2 |
Student 3 |
Student 4 |
Student 5 |
|
FR |
F |
ITAL 101 |
ITAL 101 |
|
|
ITAL 221 |
|
S |
ITAL 102 |
ITAL 102 |
|
|
ITAL 2++ |
|
|
SO |
F |
ITAL 111 |
ITAL 111 |
ITAL 101 |
ITAL 101 |
ITST ** |
|
S |
ITAL 112 |
ITAL 112 |
ITAL 102 |
ITAL 102 |
ITAL 2++ |
|
|
JU |
F |
ECCO ECCO ECCO ECCO |
ITAL 221 |
ITAL 111 |
Lecce (=ITAL 111) ECCO (=ITAL 112) ECCO ECCO ECCO |
ECCO ECCO ECCO ECCO |
|
S |
ITAL 2++ or ITST* |
ECCO ECCO ECCO ECCO |
ECCO ECCO ECCO ECCO |
ITAL 2++ ITAL 2++ or ITST* |
ITAL 2++ or ITST** (or 0) |
|
|
SE *** |
|
ITAL 2++ or ITST* ITAL 2++ or ITST* |
ITAL 2++ or ITST* ITAL 2++ or ITST* |
ITAL 221 and ITAL 2++ ITAL 2++ and ITST* or ITAL |
ITAL 2++ or ITST* ITAL 2++ or ITST*
|
ITAL 2++ (or 0)*** ITAL 2++ (or 0) |
NOTES:
* 1 ITST course permitted for the major.Key:
** Up to 3 ITST permitted for the major for students placing into 221 or higher.
*** One ITAL must be taken in the student’s senior year.
Courses in bold: accepted as courses for ITST major
F = Fall / S = Spring
ITAL = courses taken through the medium of Italian at Wesleyan (in RLL)
ITST = courses on Italian literature/culture taken through the medium of English at Wesleyan
ECCO = courses taken on the ECCO Program in Bologna
Study Overseas Wesleyan Program in Bologna
Program In Bologna, Italy
Wesleyan University co-sponsors with Vassar College and Wellesley College a
program in Italy for up to 15 students from each of the three schools without
regard to their choice of major. ITAL102 or the equivalent of one year of
college-level Italian is the prerequisite for participation. Students may
choose to participate in either the fall or spring semesters, or (optimally)
both. For fall or full-year participants, the program begins with a seven-week
(2 credit) intensive language and culture course that consists of three weeks
in Siena in the month of August, followed by a short break and then four more
weeks in Bologna before the beginning of the academic year; spring-only
participants will have a similar three-week (1 credit) course in Bologna in
January. A full complement of courses taught in Italian dealing with
Italian literature, history, government, art history and other areas are
offered at the program’s center, taught by faculty from the Universita’ di
Bologna and by the program director.
Qualified students are strongly encouraged to enroll in courses at the
Universita’, and thus students with good language skills will have a wide range
of fields from which to choose, including economics, government and the natural
sciences. All courses carry one Wesleyan credit. Literature courses
may count toward the Italian studies major. Courses in other disciplines
must be approved for credit toward the major by the appropriate adviso
Cost of the program is approximately equivalent to that of staying on the home
campus for the same period, and it includes round-trip air transportation
between New York and Italy. Applications for the fall semester are due by
March 1, for the spring semester, by October 1, and must be submitted to the
Office of International Studies.
Students participating in Wesleyan’s Program in Bologna for any duration may receive credit for four courses. Students attending study abroad programs other than ECCO are required to have those credits reviewed by their advisor before they will be accepted for the major.
Concerning Honors in Italian and Course Requirements for the Major
Students meeting requirements for admission to the honors program in romance languages and engaged in writing a thesis may petition to use either ITAL409 or ITAL410 as one of the nine required courses. This option is not available to students writing essays.
Course Assistantships in Italian
Majors and other accomplished students returning from overseas may apply to serve as a course assistant for elementary Italian. Students may not receive academic credit for this exercise; rather, they will receive a stipend for their work. Students should express their interest to the faculty advisor in the spring for the fallowing fall semester and in the early fall for consideration for the spring semester. Please note that students may serve as course assistant for only one course in the University per semester.
Hispanic Literatures and Cultures
As of January 2012 the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures is offering Wesleyan students the opportunity of majoring in Hispanic Literatures & Cultures. This program combines features of the options –Spanish or Iberian Studies— previously available. Students enrolled at Wesleyan in the fall of 2011 may choose to major in either Hispanic Literatures & Cultures, Spanish or Iberian Studies. As of January 2012 newly matriculated Wesleyan students will choose Hispanic Literatures & Cultures.
The major is designed for students committed to achieving fluency in Spanish and a broad and deep knowledge of the literatures and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. The major emphasizes both the historical interest and cultural diversity of a world whose geographic reach is vast and whose heritage extends from the Middle Ages to the present. The major focuses primarily on literary and related modes of representation (performance and the visual media). It recognizes coursework outside the department insofar as such courses bear on the Spanish-speaking world and contribute to a fuller understanding of the themes writers and artists routinely address or the conditions for literary, theatrical, and media production. Students majoring in Hispanic Literatures and Cultures have the flexibility to tailor the major to their intellectual interests so long as they meet our expectations for coherence.
Requirements:
- 9 courses numbered 221 and above.
- 5 courses in SPAN taken on Wesleyan’s Middletown campus.
- Breadth requirements: at least 1 course in Early Modern (Spanish Golden Age or Colonial Latin America), Modern Spain, and Modern Latin America. Breadth requirements may be fulfilled at Wesleyan or abroad.
- Students will take at least 1 course in SPAN at Wesleyan during their senior year. (Tutorials do not apply.)
Options:
- Students may apply up to 4 units for courses taken in Spanish on appropriate topics on selected programs abroad. (See list below.)
- Of the 9 required courses, students may take 1 course on an appropriate topic through the medium of English.
- Students who do not study abroad may, with approval from the advisor, take up to 2 courses on appropriate topics through the medium of English.
- Capstone experience: students are encouraged to present a substantial piece of work during their senior year that is comparative and transnational in nature, either within the framework of a single course (a term paper, for instance) or as their Senior essay or thesis.
- Special provision for students interested in majoring in both HLCS and LAST: Students may count no more than 4 courses toward satisfying requirements of both majors concurrently.
Sample transcripts:
| STUDENTS WHO DO NOT STUDY ABROAD | ||
| SPAN (Spanish Golden Age – Colonial Latin America) | SPAN (Spanish Golden Age – Colonial Latin America) | SPAN (Spanish Golden Age – Colonial Latin America) |
| SPAN (Mod Spain) | SPAN (Mod Spain) | SPAN (Mod Spain) |
| SPAN (Mod Latin Ame) | SPAN (Mod Latin Ame) | SPAN (Mod Latin Ame) |
| SPAN | SPAN | SPAN |
| SPAN | SPAN | SPAN |
| SPAN | SPAN | SPAN |
| SPAN | SPAN | SPAN |
| SPAN | SPAN | Related field |
| SPAN | Related field | Related field |
| STUDENTS WHO STUDY ABROAD | |
| SPAN (breadth req or elective) | SPAN (breadth req or elective) |
| SPAN (breadth req or elective) | SPAN (breadth req or elective) |
| SPAN (breadth req or elective) | SPAN (breadth req or elective) |
| SPAN | SPAN |
| SPAN | SPAN |
| Span or Related field | Span or Related field |
| Span or Related field | Span or Related field |
| Span or Related field | Span or Related field |
| Span or Related field | Related field (Spain or Lat Am) |
Notes:
Breadth requirements may be
satisfied at Wesleyan or abroad
Courses in
English at Wesleyan (blue)
Course abroad
through the medium of Spanish (Red)
Study abroad :
The following programs abroad are recommended for majors in Hispanic Literatures and Cultures:
- Vassar-Wesleyan Program in Madrid (Spain)
- CIEE in Buenos Aires (Argentina)
- Middlebury in Chile (Various cities)
- CIEE in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
- Duke in the Andes (Quito, Ecuador)
- IFSA Butler at the Universidad Autónoma (Mérida, Mexico)
Students may petition for ad hoc approval of other programs abroad. For more information concerning study abroad opportunities, visit the Office of International Studies, 105 Fisk Hall.
THE SPANISH & IBERIAN STUDIES MAJORS
(The option of majoring in either Spanish or Iberian Studies remains available to students enrolled at Wesleyan as of September 2011.)
Parallels
The Spanish and Iberian Studies majors are equivalent concerning the following:- 9 credits in courses numbered Spanish 221 or above are required.
- 5 SPAN credits must be taken at Wesleyan, at least 1 during the senior year.
- 4 credits from study abroad may apply.
- Senior theses/essays are encouraged but do not count toward the 9 credits.
- Students qualify for these majors with a grade of B- or better in SPAN221 or the equivalent. Spanish 221 is not required but may be counted toward the major.
- Students are expected to maintain at least a B- average in the major program.
- Courses must be taken for a letter grade, unless the student is also majoring in the COL.
Dinstinctions: The major in Spanish
The Spanish major is distinct from IBST in the following ways:- This major integrates the study of Spain and Latin America.
- This major emphasizes language, literature, theater, and film.
- Two related field courses (see below) may apply, one dealing with Spain.
- All courses must be taken through the medium of Spanish.
Dinstinctions: The major in Iberian Studies
The Iberian Studies major is distinct from SPAN in the following ways:- This major emphasizes the study of Iberian cultures (Spanish, Portuguese) in Europe and overseas.
- This major emphasizes language, literature, theater, and film in conjunction with courses taken in other departments.
- Four related field courses (see below) dealing with Iberian cultures apply.
- Related field courses may be taken in either Spanish or English.
Breadth requirements for each major
In order to ensure that our students achieve historical and cultural breadth in their knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world, the department has established the following distributional requirements. Note that these requirements pertain to literature, theater, or film courses, taken either at Wesleyan or abroad.
For SPAN- 3 courses concerning Spain
- At least 1 in the early modern era (prior to 1700),
- At least 1 in the modern era (1700 – present).
- At least 1 course in the early modern era (prior to 1700),
- At least 1 course in the modern era (1700 – present)
As a point of reference, courses in Spanish at Wesleyan are numbered as follows:
SPAN 230 – 249: Spain / Early
Modern
SPAN 223, 250 – 269: Spain / Modern
SPAN 226, 270 – 289: Latin America
Related field courses
- Most often courses in the Humanities (Art History, Theater, Music, Literature) or Social Sciences (History, Government, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics)
- May be taken at Wesleyan or abroad
- Related field courses for SPAN
- One must deal with Spain
- Both must be taught in Spanish
- Related field courses for the IBST
- They must deal with Iberian cultures in Europe (Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Basque, or Galician) or overseas
- They may be taught in either Spanish or English, abroad or at Wesleyan (e.g., History or College of Letters)
- One may deal with Latin America if focused on exchanges with Spain
Double Major
Students commonly major in Spanish or Iberian Studies in conjunction with majors in any of the three divisions, including the COL, the CSS, English, History, Government, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Latin American Studies, Neurosciences, Psychology, Math.
Study abroad
Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad, for either a semester or the entire academic year. As indicated, students may count up to 4 credits toward the major for courses taken abroad, on either Wesleyan’s program in Madrid or any of the pre-approved programs in Latin America. At least 1 credit should be earned through direct enrollment in the Spanish or Latin American university’s regular curriculum.
Students may petition Wesleyan’s Committee on International Studies to participate on other programs in Spain or Latin America. In such cases, they must petition the department as well for credit toward the major for courses taken on these programs.
Students with advanced proficiency in Spanish may apply to study in Cataluña, the País Vasco or Galicia. In their curriculum abroad these students are expected to concentrate on the language, literature, and culture of the region (i.e., Catalan, Basque, Galician).
As a rule, programs in Spanish-speaking countries require students to take a language course. Wesleyan students receive university credit for such courses, but they may not count them toward the Spanish or Iberian studies majors.
For more information
concerning study abroad opportunities, visit the Office of International Studies, 105
Fisk Hall.
Sample course studies
The following table provides a comparative analysis of the requirements for the Spanish and Iberian Studies majors. Wesleyan’s numbering system is used to demonstrate how the distributional requirements apply to each of these majors. Note, however, that students are required to complete only five (5) courses through Wesleyan’s Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. Some distributional requirements may therefore be satisfied by equivalent courses taken abroad.
|
|
Spanish |
Iberian Studies |
|
1 |
Span 230 – 249 (Spain: Early Modern) |
Span 230 – 249 (Spain: Early Modern) |
|
2 |
Span 250 – 269 (Spain: Modern) |
Span 250 – 269 (Spain: Modern) |
|
3 |
Span 230 – 269 (Spain) |
Span 230 – 269 (Spain) |
|
4 |
Span 270 – 289 (Latin American) |
Span 230 – 269 (Spain) |
|
5 |
Span 270 – 289 (Latin American) |
Span 230 – 269 (Spain) or Span 221 |
|
6 |
Span 270 – 289 (Latin American) |
Elective: SPAN 230-269, IBST or related field |
|
7 |
Span 270 – 289 (Latin American) |
Elective: SPAN 230-269, IBST or related field |
|
8 |
Elective: Span 221 – 289 or related field / Spain |
Elective: SPAN 230-269, IBST or related field |
|
9 |
Elective: Span 221 – 289 or related field |
Elective: SPAN 230-269, IBST or related field |
Romance
Studies Major
The Romance studies major provides students the opportunity
to develop a broad knowledge of two or more of the Romance cultures
taught at Wesleyan (French, Italian, Spanish) through a flexible,
interdisciplinary program combining course work in a number of fields that may
serve as the basis for future work or further academic or professional studies.
Students who are interested in this major should contact the chair of the department.
Requirements
- 9 courses at or above determined levels (FREN223, ITAL112, SPAN221) in two Romance Languages
- Determination of a “major” (5 courses, “1L”) and “minor” (4 courses “2L”) focus
- A minimum of 2 comparative projects to be completed on Wesleyan’s Middletown campus in a course within each of the two language groups
- At least 1 course taken in both 1L and 2L following the student’s study abroad experience
- At least 1 course taken in both 1L and 2L in the student’s senior year
- Study abroad for 2L to take place on a Wesleyan-sponsored study abroad program. Alternatively, students may with the advisor’s advanced statement of support, study on another approved program. This practice is intended to promote the intellectual coherence of a major in which students acquire one language (2L) more recently than another.
- Students may take 1 course through the medium of English in 1L only.
- With the advisor’s approval, students may satisfy the comparative requirement by way of coursework and/or written work conducted on a study abroad program.
- Students whose 1L placement is higher than FREN 215, ITAL 112, SPAN 221 are required to complete 9 courses, 2 of which may be in English in 1L only.
- Up to 3 courses taken during study abroad may be used for the major, combining both 1L and 2L unless the student has very high standing in 1L. See the sample transcripts below.
- Excepting extremely rare circumstances, students may not double major in any of the majors sponsored by the Department of Romance Languages & Literatures: RMST, IBST, SPAN, FRST, ITST.
- Senior essays or theses must be comparative and involve the literatures and/or cultures of both 1L and 2L.
Majors with a minimum grade point average of 92 in courses taken for the major may choose to complete a one- or two-semester project for departmental honors. Students who are interested in this opportunity should read the description of the departmental honors program (<http://www.wesleyan.edu/romance/rllhonors.html>). The course credit(s) associated with the project are not applicable to the 9 required for completion of the major.
Sample transcripts: two students, staggered start of 2L, study abroad one semester
| YR | SEM | Student 1 1L (major) | Student 1 2L (minor) | Student 2 1L (major) | Student 2 2L (minor) |
| FR | F | 1L 221 | 2L 101 | 1L 221 | |
| S | 1L 2++ | 2L 102 | 1L 2++ | ||
| SO | F | 1L 2++ | 2L 111 | 2L 101 | |
| S | 2L 112 | 1L 2++ or Eng (or 0)* | 2L 102 | ||
| JU | F | Wes abroad 1L Wes abroad 1L Wes ab. (not RLANG or 2L) Wes ab. (not RLANG or 2L) | 1L 2++ or Eng (or 0)* | 2L 111 | |
| S | 1L 2++ OR related course in English*/** (Or 0) | 2L 2++ (or 0) | Wes abroad 2L Wes abroad 2L Wes ab (1L or not RLANG) Wes ab (1L or not RLANG) | ||
| SE | 1L 2++ OR Eng*/** (Or 0)____________ 1L 2++ OR Eng*/** (Or 0) | 2L 2++ ** (or 0) 2L 2++ ** (or 0) | 1L 2++ or Eng (or 0)** 1L 2++ or Eng (or 0)** | 2L 2++ ** 2L 2++ ** |
- *1 course on the subject matter of the culture/country in English permitted for the major in 1L.
- **Students required to take at least one course in both 1L and 2L following study abroad.
- Students required to take at least 1 course in both 1L and 2L in the senior year.
Courses in bold: accepted as courses for RMST major
1L = major language focus: either French, Italian, or Spanish
2L = minor language focus: either French, Italian, or Spanish
F = Fall / S = Spring
Sample transcripts: two students, staggered start of 2L, study abroad two semesters, 1 in each of the target cultures
| YR | SEM | Student 1 1L (major) | Student 1 2L (minor) | Student 2 1L (major) | Student 2 2L (minor) |
| FR | F | 1L 221 | 2L 101 | 1L 221 | |
| S | 1L 2++ | 2L 102 | 1L 2++ | ||
| SO | F | 1L 2++ | 2L 111 | 2L 101 | |
| S | 2L 112 | 1L 2++ or Eng (or 0) | 2L 102 | ||
| JU | F | Wes abroad (or another program) Wes abroad abroad (not RLANG) abroad (not RLANG) | Wes abroad Wes abroad abroad (not RLANG) abroad (not RLANG) | ||
| S | Wes abroad Wes abroad abroad (not RLANG) abroad (not RLANG) | Wes abroad (or another program) Wes abroad abroad (not RLANG) abroad (not RLANG) | |||
| SE | 1L 2++ OR Eng (Or 0)____________ 1L 2++ OR Eng (Or 0) | 2L 2++ (or 0) 2L 2++ (or 0) | 1L 2++ or Eng (or 0) 1L 2++ or Eng (or 0) | 2L 221 2L 2++ |
- *1 course in English on subject/culture permitted for the major in 1L.
- **Students required to take at least one course in both 1L and 2L following study abroad.
- Students required to take at least 1 course in both 1L and 2L in the senior year.
Courses in bold: accepted as courses for RMST major
F = Fall / S = Spring
1L = major language focus: either French, Italian, or Spanish
2L = minor language focus: either French, Italian, or Spanish
Sample transcripts: students with very high placement in 1L
| YR | SEM | Student 1 1L (major) | Student 1 2L (minor) | Student 2 1L (major) | Student 2 2L (minor) |
| FR | F | 1L 2++ or Eng* | 2L 101 | 1L 2++ | |
| S | 1L 2++ or Eng* | 2L 102 | 1L 2++ | ||
| SO | F | 1L 2++ | 2L 111 | 2L 101 | |
| S | 2L 112 | 1L 2++ or Eng (or 0)* | 2L 102 | ||
| JU | F | Wes abr (or another program) Wes abroad abroad (not RLANG or 2L) abroad (not RLANG or 2L) | 2L 111 | ||
| S | 2L 2++** (or 0) | Wes abr (or another program) Abroad 2L abroad (not RLANG) abroad (not RLANG) | |||
| SE | 1L 2++ OR Eng**/*** (Or 0)____________ 1L 2++ OR Eng**/*** (Or 0) | 2L 2++ ** (or 0) 2L 2++ ** (or 0) | 1L 2++ or Eng (or 0) */**/*** 1L 2++ or Eng (or 0) */**/*** | 2L 221 ** 2L 2++ |
- *2 courses in English on subject culture/country permitted for the major in 1L.
- **Students required to take at least one course in both 1L and 2L following study abroad.
- Students required to take at least 1 course in both 1L and 2L in the senior year.
Courses in bold: accepted as courses for RMST major
F = Fall / S = Spring
1L = major language focus: either French, Italian, or Spanish
2L = minor language focus: either French, Italian, or Spanish