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Undergraduate Catalog
1999-2001


Department of Modern and Classical Languages
Degree Plans

Degrees and Majors
Classical Studies
Bachelor of Arts in French
Bachelor of Arts in German
German Area Studies
Italian Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
General Requirements
Summer Programs Abroad
Minors
Minor in Chinese
Minor in French
Minor in French for Business-Related Professions
Minor in German
Minor in German Cultural and Professional Studies
Minor in German Area Studies
Minor in Greek
Minor in Italian
Minor in Latin
Minor in Russian
Minor in Spanish
Minor in Spanish for the Business Professions


See also Basic Degree Information.

Chair: Dr. Manuel Gutierrez

Degrees and Majors

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Studies, French, German, German Area Studies, Italian Studies and Spanish.

Minor programs include Chinese, French, French for Business-Related Professions, German, German Area Studies, German Cultural and Professional Studies, Greek, Italian, Latin, Russian, Spanish, and Spanish for Business Professions. Requirements for minors precede the listing of courses.

Teacher certification for secondary education is available in French, German, Latin, and Spanish.

The department also offers a Master of Arts degree in French and Spanish and a Doctor of Philosophy in Spanish. For general graduate admissions requirements and listing of courses, contact the respective graduate advisors in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and consult the Graduate and Professional Studiescatalog.

General Requirements

Majors in French, German, and Spanish must maintain a minimum 2.50 grade point average in all courses attempted in the major and must demonstrate or attain at least 2302 (fourth semester) level proficiency in a second foreign language. A minor in a field of studies relevant to a student's major and career goals may be substituted for the second language requirement. All proposals for substituting such fields must be approved by the MCL undergraduate advisor.

Summer Programs Abroad in French and Spanish

A summer program of study in Bourges, France, allows qualified students to earn residence credit in French at various undergraduate levels. The program is directed by a full-time faculty member of the department. A minimum of one year of college French, or equivalent, is required. Contact the department for more information.

Through its summer programs in Latin America and Spain, the department offers up to six semester hours of credit in Spanish language, civilization, and literature. These programs are directed by University of Houston faculty members, and costs are modest. Undergraduate and graduate students of Spanish and allied specialties are eligible to apply for admission. Programs usually coincide with the first summer session. For more information, consult the program director in the department.

In addition, the department encourages students interested in studying abroad during the regular academic year to consult with the department's undergraduate advisor.

Classical Studies

Director: Dora C. Pozzi

The college offers an interdisciplinary program in classical studies leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. The course of study deals with linguistic, historical, literary, and artistic aspects of the Mediterranean ancient world.

Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies

In addition to fulfilling the college's requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, students majoring in classical studies must complete 33 semester hours as follows:

  1. Twelve semester hours in either Latin or Ancient Greek language, at the 2000 level and above, or equivalent placement by examination.

  2. Six semester hours from survey courses taught in English: CLAS 4380 (also ENGL 4380) and CLAS 4381 (also ENGL 4381).

  3. Six semester hours, three from HIST 3339 and either HIST 3340 or 3341.

  4. Nine semester hours from classical studies electives.

These courses may also be applied to meet general requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree (for example, the foreign language requirement).

Because there is no uniform program of study for a degree plan in Classical Studies, majors should consult a Calssical Studies advisor before enrolling in classes each semester. In general, however, students should begin the formal study of the ancient language (i.e., Greek or Latin) they choose for their major while they are still freshmen or as soon as possible after becoming a major. Many students will want to learn both Latin and Greek, but normally they should not begin both languages simultaneously at the elementary level. Taking the intermediate courses of one and the elementary courses of the other, however, usually presents no difficulty.

Selection of electives should follow the general criteria for students seeking the Bachelor of Arts degree. In selecting the classical studies electives, students will be guided by the faculty so that the courses they choose provide a general background in classical antiquities as well as a core of basic knowledge related to the individual student's particular interest (ancient Greece, the Roman world, New Testament studies, medieval studies, comparative literature, ancient philosophy, etc.). Electives not listed may be taken and are subject to the approval of the program director.

Classical Studies Electives

Included in classical studies electives are advanced Greek or Latin language and literature courses; advanced courses in other foreign languages and literatures; courses of foreign literature in English translation, provided the topics are related to classical tradition; and the following courses:

Art History (ARTH)

English (ENGL)

  • 3323: History of Literary Criticism
  • 4366: Introduction to Folklore
  • 4370: Myth, Ballad, Folktale

Classics (CLAS)

  • 3345: Myth and Performance in Greek Tragedy
  • 3365: Birth of Love in Western Literature
  • 3368: Homer and the Bible
  • 3371: Ancient Comedy and its Influence
  • 3372: Medieval Epic
  • 3373: Ancient Satire and its Influence
  • 4375: Gender and Race in Ancient Greek Myths

History (HIST)

  • 3336: Europe in the Age of Chivalry: The High Middle Ages 1050-1350
  • 4330: The Flowering of the Middle Ages

Philosophy (PHIL)

  • 3383: History of Ancient Philosophy

Political Science (POLS)

  • 3340: Ancient and Medieval Political Thought
  • 4346: Greek Political Thought

Bachelor of Arts in French

In addition to the other requirements for the Bachelor of Arts, students will complete 27 semester hours in French at the advanced level (3000 and 4000) to include the following:

  1. Fifteen semester hours at the 3000 level, as follows:

  2. Six semester hours chosen from the following:

  3. Six semester hours of advanced electives, of which three must be a literature course at the 4000 level.

    Some of the above requirements may be satisfied by courses from the department's program in France (see above). Students majoring in French are encouraged to seek advice concerning their degree objectives from the department's undergraduate advisor during their first or second semester at the University of Houston.

    In addition to the requirements in French, students majoring in French will choose a minor, to be approved by the department, in a field complementing the study of French and relevant to the students' career interests. Suggested minors include other languages, English, Art History, Classical Studies, History, Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, or another minor of particular interest to the individual student. Specific prerequisites and requirements for minors are described in the appropriate sections of this catalog.

    Prerequisites

    Minimal prerequisites for all the advanced courses in French include the equivalent of at least six semester hours in first-year college French. Students with credits in high school or college French must take a placement test before entering a French course at the University of Houston. Students placing higher than elementary French may obtain up to six semester hours of credit in intermediate French (2000 level), as determined by special examination. Students with no high school French may satisfy the first-year requirements by completing any of the following courses:

    Students may satisfy the second-year requirements by completing six hours from the following courses:

    Students may also satisfy the second-year requirements in the summer program in France or by special examination.

    Credit by Examination

    The department does not award credit by examination for elementary French. Students may obtain up to six hours of credit in intermediate (2000 level) French by special examination, administered by the department. No credit by exam is awarded for 3000 or 4000 level French except a score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam.

    Bachelor of Arts in French Suggested Program

    Courses listed here as humanities, mathematics/reasoning, natural sciences, cultural heritage, social sciences, and visual and performing arts must be chosen from courses approved for the core curriculum. The fine arts courses must be from those approved by the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communication for the Bachelor of Arts. Students should seek academic advising from the department's academic advisor prior to every registration.

    First Year

    Fall Semester Hours
    FREN 1501. Elementary French I 5
    ENGL 1303. Freshman Composition I 3
    MATH 1310. College Algebra 3
    HIST 1376 or 1377. The United States to 1877 (or equivalent) 3
    Total 14

    Spring Semester Hours
    ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 3
    FREN 1502. Elementary French II 5
    Humanities Core Course 3
    HIST 1378 or 1379. The United States since 1877 (or equivalent) 3
    Mathematics/Reasoning Core Course 3
    Total 17

    Second Year

    Fall Semester Hours
    FREN 2301. Intermediate French 3
    POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics or equivalent 3
    Visual/Performing Arts Core Course 3
    Natural Science Core Course 3
    Social Science Core Course 3
    Total 15

    Spring Semester Hours
    FREN 2302. Intermediate French 3
    POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts or equivalent 3
    Visual/Performing Arts Core Course 3
    Natural Science Core Course 3
    Social Science Core Course 3
    Total 15

    Third Year

    Fall Semester Hours
    FREN 3311. Phonetics 3
    FREN 3312. Oral Communication 3
    FREN 3313. Advanced Grammar and Composition 3
    Second Foreign Language (1000 level) 3-5
    Free Electives 3
    Total 15-17

    Spring Semester Hours
    French 3000 or 4000 level course 3
    French 3000 or 4000 level course 3
    Second Foreign Language (1000 level) 3-5
    Minor Courses 6
    Total 15-17

    Fourth Year

    Fall Semester Hours
    FREN 4301. Survey of French Literature 3
    French Stylistics, Linguistics, or Phonetics (3000 or 4000 level) 3
    HFAC Humanities Requirement 3
    Second Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
    Free Elective 4
    Total 16

    Spring Semester Hours
    FREN 4302. Survey of French Literature 3
    French Literature (4000 level) 3
    HFAC Fine Arts Course 3
    Second Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
    Free Elective (if needed) 4
    Total 16

    Required total semester hours: 122, including a minimum of 36 advanced hours.

    Bachelor of Arts in German

    In addition to the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree, students majoring in German must complete:

    1. GERM 3331, 3332, 3333, 3334, 4373, 4381.
    2. Six hours of advanced German courses.
    3. The sophomore level of a second foreign language, or six hours in another field approved by the department.

    German majors must earn at least a 2.50 grade point average in all German courses counting toward the major and attempted at the University of Houston.

    Students who have not taken their first three semesters of German at the University of Houston (including those with two or more years of high school German) must take a placement examination and see a department advisor before enrolling in German courses. Credit may be awarded by examination in courses on the 2000 and 3000 level. For information see the department chair.

    Transfer students must take at least 12 semester hours of advanced German course work in residence to qualify for a bachelor's degree with a German major or German teacher education major.

    Bachelor of Arts in German Suggested Program

    Courses listed here as humanities, mathematics/reasoning, natural sciences, cultural heritage, social sciences, and visual and performing arts must be chosen from courses approved for the core curriculum. The fine arts courses must be from those approved by the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communication for the Bachelor of Arts. Students should seek academic advising from the department's academic advisor prior to every registration.

    First Year

    Fall Semester Hours
    ENGL 1303. Freshman Composition I 3
    GERM 1501. Beginning German I 5
    HIST 1376 or 1377. The United States to 1877 (or equivalent) 3
    MATH 1310. College Algebra 3
    Total 14

    Spring Semester Hours
    ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 3
    GERM 1502. Beginning German II 5
    HIST 1378 or 1379. The United States since 1877 (or equivalent) 3
    Mathematics/Reasoning Core Course 3
    Total 14

    Second Year

    Fall Semester Hours
    GERM 2331. Intermediate German 3
    POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics or equivalent 3
    Humanities Core Course 3
    Natural Science Core Course 3
    Second Foreign Language (1000 level) 3-5
    Total 15-17

    Spring Semester Hours
    GERM 2332. Intermediate German 3
    POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts or equivalent 3
    Natural Science Core Course 3
    Second Foreign Language (1000 level) 3-5
    Social/Behavioral Sciences Writing Intensive Core Course 3
    Total 15-17

    Third Year

    Fall Semester Hours
    GERM 3330. Reading German Texts 3
    GERM 3333. German Conversation and Composition 3
    Performing/Visual Arts Course 3
    Second Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
    Social Science Core Course 3
    Total 15

    Spring Semester Hours
    GERM 3331. Introduction to German Literature I 3
    GERM 3334. German Conversation and Composition 3
    Second Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
    HFAC Humanities Course 3
    Elective 3
    Total 15

    Fourth Year

    Fall Semester Hours
    GERM 3332. Introduction to German Literature II 3
    German (4000 level) 3
    HFAC Fine Arts Course 3
    Free Electives 9
    Total 18

    Spring Semester Hours
    GERM 4373. German Culture and Civilization 3
    GERM 4381. Advanced Composition and Stylistics 3
    German (4000 level) 3
    Free Electives 9
    Total 18

    German Area Studies

    The department offers an interdisciplinary program in German area studies leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. The program allows students to major in a broad area, rather than in one specific department.

    Bachelor of Arts in German Area Studies

    All requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree must be met. Several of the German area studies courses also may be allowed to meet some of the specified degree requirements.

    The German area studies major requires 30 semester hours in German, art, economics, geography, history, music, philosophy, and political science. German area studies majors must earn at least a 2.50 grade point average in all German courses counting toward the major and attempted at the University of Houston.

    1. Eighteen semester hours of German including: GERM 3330, GERM 3331, 3333; 3334, and 4373.

    2. HIST 3358.

    3. Six semester hours of art, music, or philosophy selected from ART 1381, 2387, 4385, 4386; MUSI 3300; 3301; PHIL 3385, 3386.

    4. Six semester hours of economics, geography, or political science selected from ECON 3389, 4368, 4379; GEOG 3361; POLS 3311, 3313, 3329, 3341.

    Italian Studies

    Director: Dr. Luisetta Chomel

    The department offers an interdisciplinary program in Italian studies leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. The program allows students to major in a broad area, rather than in one specific department.

    Bachelor of Arts in Italian Studies

    In addition to completing the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts, students majoring in Italian Studies must complete 30 semester hours in areas listed. The requirements for the major in Italian Studies include:

    1. Six semester hours: ITAL 2301 and 2302: Italian I and II.

    2. Nine semester hours in courses at the 3000-4000 level taught in Italian, or courses that require a substantial amount of written work in Italian.

    3. ITAL 3335: Survey of Italian Literature in Translation.

    4. Twelve semester hours selected from ARCH 3354; ARTH 2383, 3381, 3383; CLAS 3306, 3307, 3308; ECON 3389; ENGL 4330; HIST 4330; 3336; 4333; ITAL 3305 or 3306; MUSI 3300, 3301, 4380; THEA 3335, 3336.
    Italian Studies majors must earn at least a 2.00 grade point average in all Italian courses counting toward the major and attempted at the University of Houston.

    Students who have not taken their first three semesters of Italian at the University of Houston (including those with two or more years of high school Italian) must take a placement examination and see a department advisor before enrolling in Italian courses. Credit may be awarded by examination for courses at the 2000 and 3000 level. For information see the departmental advisor.

    Transfer students must take at least 9 semester hours of advanced Italian course work in residence to qualify for a bachelor's degree with a major in Italian Studies.

    Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

    In addition to completing the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts, students majoring in Spanish must complete the following:

    1. 27 advanced hours in Spanish, including SPAN 3301 or 3307, 3302, 3304.
    2. three hours of Spanish linguistics (SPAN 3303, 4355, or 4365).
    3. three hours of Hispanic civilization and culture (SPAN 3373 or 3374).
    4. and six hours from SPAN 4311, 4312, 4321,and 4322.
    5. At least 2302 level proficiency in a second foreign language is required.

    Students may submit proposals for minors in fields relevant to their majors other than a second foreign language to the department undergraduate advisor for approval. The primary consideration will be the degree of relevance the proposed field lends to the student's major program in Spanish.

    Level Placement

    Students who have completed three or more years of high school Spanish or the equivalent and students who have completed two years of high school Spanish during the three years immediately prior to enrolling in any 1000 or 2000 level Spanish courses are required to take a placement exam before enrollment. Students who have lived for an extended period of time in a Spanish-speaking environment are also required to take the appropriate placement exam before enrolling. Such students are required to enroll in the course into which they have been placed and will not be allowed to enroll for credit in SPAN 1501: Elementary Spanish I.

    Advanced Placement Credit in Spanish by Examination

    Students may earn credit by examination for the following courses: up to six hours at the 1000 level, SPAN 2301 or 2307, SPAN 2302 or 2308, up to six hours credit for 3000-level language-based courses. Native speakers of Spanish who have received credit for ENGL 1309 or 1310 may not receive credit by examination for Spanish courses at the 1000 and 2000 levels. A maximum of 12 semester hours credit in Spanish may be earned by examination. Credit at the 4000 level may not be earned by examination. A minimum grade of B must be earned on the examinations to qualify for credit. It is the policy of the college that students who have acquired any previous college-level Spanish credit are not eligible to receive further credit by examination in Spanish. Further information and applications can be obtained in 434 Agnes Arnold Hall.

    Minor in Chinese

    Students minoring in Chinese must complete:

    1. Fifteen hours of Chinese to include CHNS 2302, 3301, 3302.
    2. Six hours from CHNS 3352, 3350, ANTH 3349, RELS 3396.
    3. A minimum of 9 semester hours must be taken in residence and at least six of them must be advanced.
    4. Students must earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average in all courses attempted in the minor at the University of Houston.

    Minor in French

    Students minoring in French must complete at least 15 semester hours in French. Twelve hours must be advanced, including three at the 4000 level. At least nine of the advanced semester hours in French must be completed in residence. French minors must earn a 2.00 minimum grade point average on all French courses attempted at the University of Houston.

    Minor in French for Business-Related Professions

    Students minoring in French for Business-Related Professions must complete at least 15 semester hours in French, of which 12 must be advanced, including FREN 3316, FREN 3317, and FREN 4317. Students minoring in French for Business-Related Professions, with a major in a field leading to a career in a business-related profession, may apply for a summer internship abroad, after completing 12 advanced hours in the major and in French. French minors must earn a 2.00 grade point average on all French courses attempted at the University of Houston.

    Minor in German

    Students minoring in German must complete at least 15 semester hours in German, of which nine must be advanced. A minimum of nine semester hours must be in residence; six of these must be advanced. At least three of the advanced hours must be at the 4000 level. German minors must earn at least a 2.00 grade point average on all German courses attempted at the University of Houston.

    Minor in German Cultural and Professional Studies

    A minor in German Cultural and Professional Studies requires 15 semester hours taken from courses listed below. A minimum of nine semester hours must be in residence, and six of these must be advanced. A student must earn at least a 2.00 grade point average in all courses attempted in the minor field at the University of Houston. Requirements include:

    1. GERM 2331 and 2332.

    2. GERM 4361.

    3. Three hours to be chosen from GERM 3329, 3360, 3361, 3380, or 3395.

    4. GERM 4391.

    In exceptional cases, students not participating in the Practicum (GERM 4391) must substitute three additional hours from the list of choices in Item 3.

    Minor in German Area Studies

    A minor in German area studies requires 15 semester hours taken from courses listed below. A minimum of nine semester hours must be in residence, and at least six of these must be advanced. A student must earn a 2.00 grade point average in all courses attempted in the minor field at the University of Houston.

    1. GERM 2332.

    2. Three semester hours of German selected from GERM 3331, 3333, or 3361.

    3. GERM 4373.

    4. Six semester hours selected from ART 1381, 2387, 4385, 4386; ECON 3389; GEOG 3361; GERM 3395; HIST 2353, 3357, 3358; MUSI 3300, 3301; POLS 3311, 3313, 3329, 3341; PHIL 3385, 3386.

    Minor in Greek

    Students minoring in Greek must complete at least 15 hours in Greek and Greek civilization including:

    1. GREK 2301 and 2302: Second-Year Greek I & II.

    2. GREK 3398 and 4398 or equivalents.

    3. Three semester hours from HIST 3339: Ancient Greece or CLAS 4380: Greek Classics in Translation.
    Another advanced course with the prefix CLAS relevant to the minor may be substituted with the approval of the Classical Studies advisor.

    Nine semester hours of the minor including six advanced hours must be completed in residence. A 2.00 minimum grade point average must be earned on all minor courses attempted at the university.

    Minor in Italian

    Students minoring in Italian must complete at least 15 semester hours in Italian, nine of which must be advanced. Students must complete the following:

    1. Six semester hours in ITAL 2301 and 2302.

    2. Six semester hours taught in Italian at the advanced level, selected from ITAL 3301, ITAL 3302, ITAL 3303, and ITAL 3304.

    3. ITAL 3336.

    Nine semester hours of the minor, including six advanced hours, must be completed in residence. A 2.00 minimum grade point average must be earned on all minor courses attempted at the university.

    Minor in Latin

    Students minoring in Latin must complete at least 15 hours in Latin Roman Civilization:

    1. LATN 2301 and 2302.

    2. LATN 3301 and 3302.

    3. Three semester hours from HIST 3340 or HIST 3341. Another advanced course with the prefix CLAS relevant to the minor may be substituted with the approval of the Classical Studies advisor.

    Nine semester hours of the minor including six advanced hours must be completed in residence. A 2.00 minimum grade point average must be earned on all minor courses attempted at the university.

    Minor in Russian

    Students minoring in Russian must complete at least 15 semester hours in Russian (RUSS) of which nine must be at the 3000 level or above. A minimum of nine semester hours must be in residence, and six of these must be advanced. Russian minors must earn at least a 2.00 grade point average on all Russian courses taken at the university.

    Minor in Spanish

    Students minoring in Spanish must complete at least 15 semester hours in Spanish, of which 12 must be advanced. Nine semester hours, including six advanced, must be completed in residence. Spanish minors must earn a 2.00 minimum grade point average on all Spanish courses attempted in the minor at the University of Houston.

    Minor in Spanish for the Business Professions

    Students minoring in Spanish for the Business Professions must complete at least 15 semester hours in Spanish, all of which must be advanced, including SPAN 3341, 3342, and 4341. Nine semester hours must be completed in residence. Students must earn a 2.50 minimum grade point average on all Spanish courses attempted in the minor at the University of Houston.

Files Archived: October, 2001