Modern Languages & Literatures -
French, German, Spanish
Come to know other cultures as they know themselves
Studying a modern foreign language isn’t just studying a list of words and phrases: It’s studying a culture, a people, and a way of life, and it opens up new worlds of understanding into literature, art, architecture, music, history, drama, and philosophy.
It also teaches you to communicate in a deeper and truer way. Studying a foreign language gives you a fuller understanding of words, grammar, and metaphors in your native language as well as in the languages of others. It makes your mind more flexible, more adaptive and agile. It teaches you the art of nuance and subtlety. And it prepares you to engage the global community with greater knowledge and greater perception.
If you want to better understand the world in which you live, if you want to travel and discover the riches of history and tradition, if you want to serve the Church in the U.S.— a Church increasingly and profoundly affected by Hispanic migration—or if you want to succeed in an interconnected, global economy, you should consider majoring in French, German, or Spanish at Franciscan University.
As a language major, you will learn to listen, speak, read, and write in your chosen language. You will also learn about the literature penned in that language—the books of history, philosophy, theology, poetry, and fiction that both shaped the language and were shaped by the language. And you’ll come to understand the culture and history of the French, German, or Spanish-speaking peoples, as well as their enduring contributions to the contemporary world.
To achieve these goals, you will study language in a way that reflects its links to human experience, studying it through literature, art, music, film, philosophy, theology, and science. Small-sized classes mean you will receive plenty of personal attention and individualized instruction from Franciscan’s world-class modern language faculty. Additionally, you’ll have the advantage of using our Language Learning Center, which allows you open access to computer technology that complements your classroom studies. The Learning Center is available for private practice, group study, reading, listening, and viewing foreign films.
All three majors afford you a large number of elective hours, making it possible to study a second or third foreign language, or study for a second major in other fields. By the time you graduate, you will be able to speak, read, write, and listen in German, French, or Spanish. You’ll understand the culture and history of the German, French, or Spanish-speaking peoples. And you’ll have the communication skills you need to be an asset to any business or organization in today’s global economy.
Program Requirements
If you choose to major in French, you will need to complete 30 hours of French language, culture, and literature courses (24 hours must be upper-level courses).
If you major in German, you will need 24 hours of German language, literature, and culture courses at the 300-400 level. At least 12 of these credit hours must be in the area of culture, literature, film or linguistics. The rest can be in the language skills area.
As a Spanish major, you will need 30 hours of course work at the 200 level and above. At least 12 of those hours must focus on literature, culture, or linguistics.
In addition to the above, all French, German, and Spanish majors are expected to complete a senior thesis or senior seminar.
Indispensable Study Abroad Opportunities
You are also encouraged to spend a summer or a semester abroad, studying in a French, German, or Spanish-speaking culture. In addition to the University’s semester-abroad program in German-speaking Austria, Franciscan’s study abroad office offers many other travel opportunities for students, and will work with you to find the right fit in Canada, Latin or Central America, France, Germany, or Spain. Find out more about all of our study abroad opportunities.
FIRST YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
| Intermediate French I |
Intermediate French II |
Elementary Latin I
|
Elementary Latin II |
| Humanities Core (Philosophy) |
Humanities Core (Literature) |
Natural Science Core
|
Natural Science Core |
| Social Science Core |
Social Science Core |
SECOND YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
| Adv. Composition & Conversation I |
Adv. Composition & Conversation II |
| Communications Core |
Humanities Core |
| Humanities Core (History) |
Theology Core |
| Theology Core |
Elective |
| Elective |
Elective
|
THIRD YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
| Intensive Review of French Grammar |
Theme et Version |
| French Civilization & Culture |
Periods and Genres |
| Humanities Core |
Communications Elective |
| Elective |
|
FOURTH YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
| Thesis or 435 Seminar |
Periods and Genres |
| Elective |
Elective
|
| Elective |
Elective |
| Elective |
Elective |
Elective
|
Elective |
FIRST YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
Advanced
Conversation/Comp I
or
German Through Film/Readings I |
Advanced
Conversation/Comp II
or
German Through Film/Readings II |
| Communications Core |
Communications Core |
| Social Science Core |
Social Science Core |
| Natural Science Core |
Natural Science Core |
| Theology Core |
Theology Core |
SECOND YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
| German Major Elective |
German Major Elective |
| Communications Core |
Communications Core |
| Humanities Core (Philosophy) |
Humanities Core (History) |
| Humanities Core (Literature) |
Humanities Core |
| Elective |
Elective |
THIRD YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
| German Major Elective |
German Major Elective |
| Communications Core |
Humanities Core |
| Electives |
Electives |
FOURTH YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
| Electives |
Senior Thesis
or
Coordinating Seminar |
|
Electives |
FIRST YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
| Intermediate Spanish I or Spanish Elective if eligible |
Intermediate Spanish II or Spanish Elective if eligible |
| Communications Core |
Communications Core |
| Social Science Core |
Social Science Core |
| Humanities Core (Philosophy) |
Humanities Core (Literature) |
| Natural Science Core |
Natural Science Core |
SECOND YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
Advanced
Conversation/Comp. I |
Advanced
Conversation/Comp. II |
| Communications Core |
Communications Core |
| Theology Core |
Theology Core |
| Humanities Core (History) |
Humanities Core |
| Elective |
Elective |
THIRD YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
| Spanish Elective |
Spanish Elective |
| Elective |
Elective |
| Communications Core |
Elective |
| Humanities Core |
Elective
|
| Elective |
Elective |
| |
Elective |
FOURTH YEAR
| First Semester |
Second Semester |
| Spanish Elective |
Spanish Elective
|
| Elective |
Thesis or Seminar
|
| Elective |
Elective |
| Elective |
Elective |
| Elective |
Elective |
| |
Elective |
Meet the Faculty