School:
College of Liberal Arts
Department:
Language and Literature
Student Type:
Undergraduate
Program:
French (Minor Only)
Faculty:
Beth Vinkler, Ph.D. - Department Chair
Lecturers:
Rebecca Baumann, M.A.
Joan Hopkins, M.A.
The Lecturers listed are individuals who have been employed as instructors on an as-needed basis,
within the last several years, to teach courses at Benedictine University. Instructors listed may not
currently be employed by Benedictine University. The University is fortunate to be able to provide our
students with part-time faculty whose experience, credentials and commitment to education add to the high quality of our resident faculty.
Objectives:
The French faculty firmly believes that, for the person who possesses the knowledge of another language and a sensitivity toward other cultures, the world will have fewer boundaries. The development of this knowledge and sensitivity will stimulate students’ self growth and broaden their perspective, thus enabling them to become responsible citizens and leaders in the world community.
The faculty subscribes to the proficiency guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and uses them as a basis for instruction.
Courses in French are designed to achieve the following goals:
1. Initiate and progressively develop communicative skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and culture; and
2. Recognize the close relationship between language and culture, enabling them to become culturally sensitive to non-English speaking peoples and societies; and broaden career opportunities and marketability in an increasingly interdependent world.
The program for the minor in French is designed to:
1. Enable students to develop at least Intermediate-Mid level proficiency in all four skills, as stated in the ACTFL guidelines. At this level students will be able to:
a. Create with language;
b. Handle successfully a variety of uncomplicated, basic and communicative tasks and social situations;
c. Talk simply about self and family members;
d. Ask and answer questions and participate in simple conversations on topics beyond the most immediate needs, such as personal history and leisure time activities;
e. Be generally understood by sympathetic interlocutors, although misunderstandings may still arise; and
2. Expose students to the culture, values and lifestyle of a society other than their own.
Requirements - Minor:
A minor consists of at least 21 hours of language courses in French at or above the 200-level completed with a "C" or better. Students must complete 201(3), 202(3), 211(3) and 212(3), plus nine more hours, at least three of which are at the 300-level. Minors must demonstrate Intermediate-Mid level oral proficiency, according to the ACTFL guidelines. Oral proficiency will be measured in an oral proficiency interview with a member of the French faculty. It is recommended that this interview be arranged as early as the junior year, but must take place before the second semester of the senior year. The interview may be repeated until the required level of proficiency is demonstrated.
Requirements - Other:
Requirements for a World Literature Major:
The World Literature major is designed to integrate studies in English Language and Literature with studies in French or Spanish Language and Literature. World Literature majors must complete at least 36 hours in the Department of Languages and Literature, with a grade of C or better, including LITR-100(3); SPAN or FREN 211(3), SPAN or FREN 212(3); LITR 259(3), LITR 264(3), LITR 305(3), LITR 399(3), plus three additional 300 level literature courses (9 hours), at least one of which must be in English and at least one of which must be in the language of the student’s concentration, either French of Spanish. In addition, World Literature majors are required to participate in a study abroad experience that has been approved by the department chair, and they must complete one 200 level civilization and culture course (3 hours) in French or Spanish and one 200 level literature course (3 hours) in French or Spanish.
Other Information:
Language Placement:
Students who have studied French in high school will take a placement exam. Language placement tests in French will also be administered for students who have acquired a level of proficiency in the language in a non-classroom setting (e.g. native speakers, home use of French or study abroad), and for those students who have a lapse of a year or more in their language studies.
Upon earning a grade of “C” or better in a language course at Benedictine University at or above the 102 level, students may apply for a maximum of six hours of proficiency credit in that language. The specific course(s) for which students receive credit will be determined by the Benedictine University course(s) taken.
All candidates for the B.A. degree majoring in English language and literature, history, music, arts administration, writing and publishing, and international business are required to demonstrate competency in a second language by successful completion of at least one language course at or above the 202-level. These students will be placed in language courses and awarded proficiency credit in languages in accordance with the procedures outlined above.
Study Abroad and Internships:
All majors and minors in languages are strongly encouraged to spend at least a summer, and preferably a semester, abroad in a country whose language the student has been studying. This experience is vital in that it gives the student the opportunity to observe, firsthand, the culture he or she has been investigating at Benedictine University. It also provides real-life intensive language exposure and practice that simply cannot be replicated in the classroom. Benedictine students have access to a variety of internship and university study abroad programs through Benedictine University and other accredited institutions. The languages faculty, in cooperation with the International Center director, will assist each student in selecting the program best suited to his or her needs and interests. Costs for these programs are generally comparable to costs for an equal length of time spent studying at Benedictine University.
Language Honor Societies:
Benedictine University has chapters of two international language honor societies on campus. They are the Delta Nu chapter of Phi Sigma Iota, an honor society for students of all languages, and the Nu Kappa chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish honor society. Initiation is held for these honor societies each Spring. Students who have at least 18 semester hours of college credit in any one language, and who are in the top 35 percent of their class should contact the Chair of the Department of Languages and Literature for more information about these honor societies.
Department Distinction:
Students majoring in English Language and Literature, World Literature, or Spanish in the Department of Languages and Literature who meet the following criteria may apply for Departmental Distinction: 1.) GPA in the major of 3.5 or higher, 2.) Overall GPA of 3.25 or higher, 3.) Successful completion of a senior thesis, 4.) Oral presentation of a paper at either a regional undergraduate conference or a colloquim sponsored by the department, 5.) Active participation in department activities (e.g. Help organize and attend presentations by invited speakers, off-campus events, and Open Mic sessions, write for and/or work on Different Voices or Quantum Pulp, help organize and run initiation ceremonies for honor societies, etc.), and 6.) At least 25 hours of community service related to the field (e.g. Tutoring in the ARC, community literacy volunteer, work at an area social service agency serving the Hispanic community, etc.). Students interested in working towards Departmental Distinction should speak with their advisor and contact the Chair of the Department of Languages and Literature as early as possible in their academic career. Students must apply for Departmental Distinction during the semester BEFORE the semester in which they plan to graduate (October or February).
The information contained on this page is from the 2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog and is valid until August 1, 2004.
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