Modern Languages
Other Languages
The Department of Foreign Languages strongly encourages majors in French, German, and Hispanic Studies and in International Literature and Culture to study a second foreign language at least through the intermediate level. While the Department does not offer majors or minors in Chinese, Japanese, Italian or Portuguese, we do offer these languages at the elementary level in the case of the latter two, and through the intermediate level for the former. Students who wish to pursue any of these languages to a higher level of proficiency are encouraged to participate in study abroad programs in China, Japan, Italy and Brazil. Washington College currently sponsors exchanges with universities in the latter three countries, and the Department is willing to help students connect with an appropriate program in China.
It should be noted that while majors are not available in these languages, with appropriate study abroad they may become the nucleus of the foreign language component of the International Literature & Culture Major.
Course Offerings
FLS 101, 102. Elementary Language Study (Tutorial)
Students may enroll in this course to study a language that is not part of the regular curriculum of the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Permission to study the language under this independent study/tutorial arrangement depends upon the availability of an appropriate tutor for the language requested. Students who study a language in this program are strongly urged to follow up such study by participating in at least one semester of study abroad in a country where the language is spoken. Permission of department chair required.
FLS 200. Introduction to Language
This course will introduce the student to the study of linguistics. Concepts of both historical and descriptive linguistics are included. Some of the areas of study are: linguistic history and methodology, language origin, language and society, language structure, dialects and language families. The course is open to all students.
FLS 194, 294, 394, 494. Special Topics in Foreign Language Studies
FLS 400. Romance Linguistics
A comparative overview of the Romance language family. Topics include the evolution, variation, and structural characteristics of these languages. Also considered are the sociopolitical factors favoring the linguistic autonomy accorded to some languages but not to others. Taught in English. Prerequisites: 300-level HPS or FRS, Italian 201 or permission of the instructor.
FLS 490. Foreign Language Internship
Designed to provide students with pre-professional experience in fields in which their language proficiency is an essential asset. The specific internship experiences will vary. They include placement of Hispanic Studies students with public health and social service agencies, as well as in the local school systems as instructional aids with ESOL students. Interested students should consult the department chair.
ARA 101,102. Elementary Arabic I and II
An introduction to Arabic, this course offers an integrated approach to basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The class meets three days per week, and classwork is supplemented by one or two weekly laboratory sessions, at the discretion of the instructor. The course is accompanied by a continuous video narrative which is presented as the basic text and the context for each new grammatical concept as it is introduced.
CHN 101, 102. Elementary Chinese
An introduction to Mandarin Chinese, this course offers an integrated approach to basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classwork is supplemented by laboratory periods which include practice with language tapes and video tapes. Discussion of a graded series of cultural topics promotes students' understanding of Chinese life and society and aids language learning. Three class meetings and one or two laboratory sessions per week at the discretion of the instructor. Not currently offered.
CHN 201, 202. Intermediate Chinese
This course will review and build upon language skills acquired in the introductory course to Mandarin Chinese. It offers an integrated approach to basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The class will meet three days per week, plus a laboratory period. The laboratory includes practice with audio- and videotapes. Graded readings on topics related to Chinese life and society serve as an aid to language learning and provide an introduction to Chinese culture. Prerequisite: Chinese 102 or the equivalent. Not currently offered.
ITA 101, 102. Elementary Italian
Designed for beginning students and aimed at developing skills in listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing Italian. Emphasis on communication through intensive aural/oral practice, basic composition, and awareness of cultural context. Three class meetings and one or two laboratory sessions per week at the discretion of the instructor.
ITA 201, 202. Intermediate Italian
Continued emphasis on the four basic skills. Intensive aural/oral practice. Review and continued study of grammar, expansion of vocabulary, and their application to writing. Readings devoted to a wide range of topics in Italian culture. Class discussion of contemporary issues and cultural topics. Class meets three days per week with one additional laboratory session.
JPN 101, 102. Elementary Japanese
The course aims at the acquisition of communicative competence in the four basic language skills—listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing in contemporary Japanese. The emphasis is on thorough mastery of the basic structures of Japanese through student-centered, aural-oral exercises and practice, and on an introduction to Japanese culture. Three class meetings per week, plus one or two drill sessions at the discretion of the instructor.
JPN 201, 202. Intermediate Japanese
The course aims at further development in communicative competence in the four basic language skills—listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing in contemporary Japanese. The emphasis is again on thorough mastery of basic structures of Japanese through student-centered aural-oral exercises. Continued practice in reading and writing Japanese in a cultural context. Three class meetings per week, plus one or two drill sessions at the discretion of the instructor.
POR 101, 102. Elementary Portuguese
Designed for beginning students and aimed at developing skill in listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing Brazilian Portuguese. Emphasis on communication through intensive aural/oral practice, basic composition, and awareness of cultural context. Three class meetings and one or two laboratory sessions per week at the discretion of the instructor.
Courses Offered In The Washington College Abroad Programs
FLS 321. International Communication: Applications in International Contexts
Students critically assess current intercultural communications theory and apply that theory to practical situations in various international contexts. The contents of the course are intended to provide the student with the analytical tools contributed by social scientists to understand issues related to interpersonal communications in a second culture. Topics include human communication theory, codes and semantics, beliefs and values, the individual and society, social roles, the social construction of reality, and second culture. Offered in the Costa Rica program only, in the spring semester. (In English.) Three credits.
ILC 494. Topics: Hispanic Literature in Translation
A study of the works of one or more outstanding authors or of a special theme. Course will be taught in English. Topics vary and are announced in registration booklet. Offered in the Costa Rica program only, in the spring semester. Three credits.
Italian Studies
201. Intermediate Italian I
Study of Italian language with emphasis on the four skills: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. Includes oral discussion of current topics related to Italian culture. Offered in the Siena, Italy, program only, in the spring semester. Prerequisite: One year of Italian language. Three credits.
202. Intermediate Italian II
Study of Italian language with special emphasis on reading proficiency and composition. Readings of dramatic and prose texts, including works by Luigi Pirandello, Dario Fo, and Domenico Starnone. Offered in the Siena, Italy, program only, in the spring semester. Prerequisite: Italian 201. Three credits.
301. Advanced Italian
Designed to increase the student's proficiency in Italian, in speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. The content of the course (used as a basis for conversation and composition) will be contemporary Italian culture. Some of the topics will include: the family, social structure, problems and industrialism, ecological issues, racism, film, and music. Offered in the Siena, Italy, program only, in the spring semester. Prerequisite: Italian 202 or the equivalent. Three credits.
302. Advanced Italian
This course is designed to develop oral and written proficiency at the advanced level. Included is the study of patterns and structures, exercises in written and oral expression, and grammar review. Offered in the Siena, Italy, program only, in the spring semester. Prerequisite: Intermediate Italian 202. Three credits.
308. Contemporary Italy
The course will introduce the student to various aspects of contemporary Italian culture. At the same time it emphasizes the continuing development of the student's language skills. Materials used come from newspapers, magazines, books, television, and movies. Topics include Italian identity and character, politics, religion, family and gender issues, immigration, the role of the media, and the arts. Offered in the Siena, Italy, program only, in the spring semester. (In Italian.) Prerequisite: Italian 202 or the equivalent. Three credits.
491. Special Topics in Italian Literature
This course will deal with a particular period, author, or theme in Italian literature. Offered in the Siena, Italy, program only, in the spring semester. (In Italian.) Prerequisite: Italian 301-302 or the equivalent. Three credits.
492. Special Topics in Italian Literature
Study of a particular theory, author or authors, or genre in Italian literature. Offered in the Siena, Italy, program only, in the spring semester. (In Italian.) Prerequisite: Italian 301, 302 or the equivalent. Three credits.
South African Studies
100. Elementary Xhosa
This course is designed for beginning students. The emphasis is on practical proficiency in speaking and reading/writing Xhosa, a Bantu language. A range of linguistic and cultural topics relevant to Xhosa and the African languages of Southern Africa. Offered at Rhodes University, South Africa.