LACS - Language and Culture Studies Plan B Major

Plan B major: Under this plan, students may combine any two of the languages taught in the department of language and culture studies and the classical studies department. A minimum of seven courses in a primary language and five in a secondary language is required, as well as two courses in a cognate field or fields. A paper integrating the three fields of study—primary language field, secondary language field, and some aspect of the cognate field(s)—must be completed in one of the primary language upper-level courses. Except under exceptional circumstances this project will be undertaken in the primary language section’s 401 Senior Seminar, which must be done at Trinity College.

Course work completed for the major under Plans A or B, or the minor, must receive C- or better, and students must demonstrate oral and written proficiency in the appropriate language(s). First-year students planning to take a language course (other than 101) must take the placement test, administered during first-year orientation.

Upper-level courses are conducted in the foreign language unless otherwise indicated.

Permission to major under Plan A or B or to opt for the language and culture studies minor must be obtained from the department chair.

Any student wishing to enroll for credit in a lower-level language sequence after having been granted credit for a course in the same language at a higher level must first obtain the written permission of the department chair.

All language skill courses may require extra lab or drill sessions at the discretion of the instructor.

Core courses: Please see listings and descriptions of respective majors below.

Capstone/senior project: Students are also required to complete a project synthesizing coursework taken for the major. Except under exceptional circumstances, this project will be undertaken in the language section’s 401. Senior Seminar; it must be done at Trinity College. See full descriptions under individual language headings.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Study away: Majors and other students are urged to spend at least one semester abroad, or to enroll in a summer study-away program or a recognized summer language institute in North America. Special attention is called to the Trinity College programs in Berlin, Rome, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Vienna. The departmental contacts for these programs are, respectively, Professors Evelein, Del Puppo, Shen, Izumi, and Evelein. Brochures describing each of these programs in detail are available both through the department and the Office of Study Away.

Honors: Departmental honors are awarded to seniors who have maintained an A- average in all courses to be counted toward their major (including cognate courses). A minimum grade of A- is furthermore required in the senior exercise (401).

Language Across the Curriculum: In addition to majoring in a language through Plan A or Plan B, or choosing a minor, there is also the opportunity to apply language skills to a wide array of courses across the entire college curriculum through the Language Across the Curriculum Program.

This option is generally open to all students who have completed the intermediate level (fourth semester, or equivalent) in any foreign language currently taught at Trinity and who are enrolled in any course outside the department in which the instructor, in collaboration with a member of the language and culture studies faculty, approves a supplementary reading list in the foreign language. For example, those studying European history, the economy of Latin America, or Freud could do supplementary readings in French, Spanish, or German; those studying art history or modern theater might do further readings in Italian or Russian respectively. There are many other possibilities. Upon satisfactory completion of the assigned work, students will be awarded an extra half credit in the course in question. For further information, see any member of the department.

Courses designated with the LACS department prefix are conducted in English.

Arabic

Core courses: Students choosing a Plan B major in language and culture studies may elect Arabic as their secondary language. Students who do so are required to take five courses in Arabic beyond ARAB 101, including at least one course in Arabic literature and culture (ARAB 224, 225, 226, 227, 228).

Capstone/senior project: Students are also required to complete a project synthesizing aspects of courses taken for the major and its cognates. Except under exceptional circumstances, this project will be undertaken in the language section’s 401. Senior Seminar; it must be done at Trinity College.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Honors: Departmental honors are awarded to seniors who have maintained an A- average in all courses to be counted toward their major (including cognate courses). A minimum grade of A- is furthermore required in the senior exercise (401).

Chinese

Core courses: Students choosing a Plan B major in language and culture studies may elect Chinese as the primary or secondary language.

Students who choose Chinese as the primary language are required to take seven courses beyond the 101 level. These seven courses must include at least one course from offerings in Chinese literature and culture (INTS/CHIN 237), and CHIN 401/INTS 395. Two courses in a cognate field or fields are also required as is a paper linking some aspect(s) of the two languages and the cognates; this paper must be completed in CHIN 401/INTS 395.

Students who choose Chinese as the secondary language are required to take five courses beyond the 101 level including at least one course from offerings in Chinese literature and culture (INTS/CHIN 237).

Capstone/senior project: Students are also required to complete a project synthesizing aspects of courses taken for the major and its cognates. Except under exceptional circumstances, this project will be undertaken in the language section’s 401; it must be done at Trinity College.

The Writing Intensive Part II requirement in this major is fulfilled by one of the following courses: CHIN 401/INTS 395 or INTS/CHIN 237.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Honors: Departmental honors are awarded to seniors who have maintained an A- average in all courses to be counted toward their major (including cognate courses). A minimum grade of A- is furthermore required in the senior exercise (401).

Francophone Studies

Plan B majors whose primary concentration is Francophone studies are required to have seven courses in Francophone studies beyond FREN 102; the following are required: FREN 241, two courses chosen from FREN 247, FREN 248, FREN 251, and FREN 252, at least one 300-level course conducted in French (to be taken at Trinity College), and FREN 401. Among the remaining two elective courses, one course in English not offered under a Francophone studies rubric (numbered at other than the 100 level) focusing on topics related to the Francophone world may be counted toward the major (see examples under Plan A major above).

Plan B majors whose secondary concentration is Francophone studies are required to have five courses in Francophone studies beyond FREN 102; the following are required: FREN 241, two courses chosen from FREN 247, FREN 248, FREN 251, and FREN 252.

Capstone/senior project: The Writing Intensive Part II requirement for Plan A majors and Plan B majors whose primary concentration is Francophone studies is fulfilled by FREN 401. Senior Seminar. This course culminates in a 20-25 page research paper. Students double-majoring in Francophone studies and another discipline are encouraged to combine research interests; however, no part of their senior project can be translated material from coursework in another department.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Study away: All Plan A and Plan B majors are encouraged to study in an approved program in some part of the Francophone world.

Honors: Students qualifying for honors in their Francophone studies majors must attain a cumulative average of A- or better in all courses counting toward the major, including FREN 401.

German Studies

Students are required to take a total of 11 credits, seven of which must be earned within the German studies section of the department of language and culture studies. Students counting both introductory German language courses (GRMN 101 and 102) toward the major must earn a total of 12 credits, eight of which in the German studies section. German studies requires a C or higher for a course to count toward the major.

Core courses:

• Students are required to take a total of 11 credits, seven of which must be earned within the German studies section of the department of language and culture studies. Students counting both introductory German language courses (GRMN 101 and 102) toward the major must earn a total of 12 credits, eight of which in the German studies section.

• ˆ Required courses are GRMN 201, 202, at least one 200-level course taught in English, two 300-level GRMN courses, and 401, which serves as the senior exercise; students may enroll in a second course, GRMN 200-level course taught in English, or LACS 299 in lieu of one 300-level GRMN course.

• ˆ GRMN 200-level taught in English may be applied toward the major if a substantial portion of the assignments is completed in German and the student meets regularly with the instructor.

• ˆ The remaining credits shall be earned in other departments with the major adviser’s approval and with no more than two credits chosen from the same department.

• ˆ As an alternative to the credits taken in other departments, students are encouraged to enroll in the Trinity-approved program with Baden-Württemberg (Heidelberg, Tübingen, Freiburg, Konstanz, and other universities), Trinity-in-Vienna or Trinity-in-Berlin summer. Courses taken in Baden-Württemberg or Vienna count toward the major with the condition that their content be relevant to German studies and approved in advance by the major adviser. For courses to be approved, they must require a substantial amount of reading and writing in German.

• ˆ The Writing Intensive Part II requirement in the German major is fulfilled by: Any GRMN 200-level course taught in English, any 300-level GRMN course, or GRMN 401. Senior Seminar: Special Topics

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Study away: To maximize exposure to German language and culture, students are strongly encouraged to spend at least one semester at the Trinity-approved program of study in Baden-Württemberg or at Trinity’s Global Learning Site in Vienna. Both study-away programs provide opportunities for language immersion at a major German university, as well as the chance to pursue independent study or community service while residing in a culturally and historically rich Germanic setting. For more information, visit the Baden-Württemberg website or the Trinity-in-Vienna website.

Honors: Students qualifying for honors in the German studies major must attain a cumulative average of A- or better in all courses required for the major, including GRMN 401. The topic for the final project for GRMN 401 will be agreed upon in consultation with the adviser.

Language Across the Curriculum: German studies majors are encouraged to take advantage of the Language Across the Curriculum opportunity and earn an additional .5 credit toward the major. In collaboration with a member of the department, students may select supplementary readings in German that complement one or more of the courses below. Enrollment in Language Across the Curriculum follows the guidelines for independent study registration.

Hebrew

Students may major in Hebrew and a second language (Plan B major).

The major in Hebrew studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the Jewish world. Its goal is to develop students’ Hebrew language skills, explore Israeli culture and Jewish heritage, and provide students with an opportunity to experience a myriad of perspectives on Israeli culture and society. Students are exposed to ongoing societal issues that influence the development of the contemporary Hebrew language and the culture in which it evolves.

REQUIREMENTS

Core courses: Students choosing a Plan B major in language and culture studies may elect Modern Hebrew as their secondary language. Students who do so must take five courses in Modern Hebrew beyond the 101 level, including at least one course from the literature and culture offerings (such as JWST 220. Modern Israeli Literature and Jewish Heritage or JWST 229. Israeli Art and Culture).

Capstone/senior project: Students must complete a project synthesizing aspects of courses taken for the major and its cognates. Except under exceptional circumstances, this project will be undertaken in the language section’s 401. Senior Seminar; it must be done at Trinity College.

Honors: Departmental honors are awarded to seniors who have maintained an A- average in all courses to be counted toward their major (including cognate courses). Furthermore, a minimum grade of A- is required in the senior exercise (401).

Hispanic Studies

Plan B majors whose primary concentration is in Hispanic studies have to take 7.5 credits beyond HISP 102): two courses at the 26X level, HISP 270, HISP 280, HISP 290 (0.5), two courses at the 300 level, and HISP 401. In this final exercise, if possible, the student will engage in in-depth study of a theme that integrates material from the primary and secondary fields of linguistic and cultural competence. The remaining five credits for the major will be taken in the student’s secondary area of linguistic and cultural competence. Students who do not study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country must take an extra 300-level course to substitute for HISP 290.

Majors whose primary competence is Spanish are expected to study study in one of the official Study Away sites or in any other program approved by the Hispanic studies section in Spain or Latin America (see the Office of Study Away website). All students wishing to receive credit toward the major for courses taken abroad must have taken at least one thematically appropriate (Iberian or Latin American) civilization and culture course (HISP 26X) before their departure. Careful planning in coordination with the student’s adviser and, if applicable, the department’s faculty sponsors of the sites is therefore essential. Students who are unable to study abroad must take an extra 300-level course to substitute for HISP 290.

Requirements for the Plan B major with primary competence in Hispanic studies

• ˆ Two culture courses (HISP 261, 262, 263, or 264)

• ˆ HISP 270. Introduction to Cultural Analysis

• ˆ HISP 280. Hispanic Hartford

• ˆ HISP 290. Studying in the Hispanic World Colloquium (0.5 credits)

• ˆ Two HISP 300-level courses (upper-level seminars in Spanish)

• ˆ HISP 401 (Senior Seminar)

Plan B majors whose secondary concentration is in Hispanic studies are required to take a total of five courses in Hispanic studies beyond HISP 102. Of these, the following must be taken with faculty at Trinity’s Hartford campus: two courses in civilization and culture (26X) and two 300-level courses. In certain cases, students may request that one upper-level course taken at an approved study-away program count toward the required number of 300-level courses. Certain prerequisites for 300-level courses may be waived for Plan B majors with secondary competency in Hispanic studies at instructor’s discretion.

• ˆOne elective

• ˆTwo culture courses (HISP 261, 262, 263 or 264)

• ˆTwo HISP 300 level courses (upper level seminars in Spanish)

Capstone/senior project:

The Writing Intensive Part II requirement for students in either the Plan A or Plan B Hispanic studies major is fulfilled by HISP 401. Senior Seminar.

The Plan B major (primary concentration is in Hispanic studies)—HISP 401. In this final exercise, if possible, the student will engage in an in-depth study of a theme that integrates material from the primary and secondary fields of linguistic and cultural competence.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Study Away: Plan B Majors whose primary competence is Spanish are encouraged to participate in a study away program approved by the Office of Study Abroad.

Honors: To qualify for honors in Hispanic studies majors must attain a cumulative average of A- or better in all courses counting toward the major and achieve an A- or better in the HISP 401.

Italian Studies

Plan B majors: If Italian is the primary language, students are required to take seven courses, including ITAL 228, a 300-level literary survey, and ITAL 401. Special Topics.

If Italian is the secondary language, students are required to take five courses. ITAL 228 is required. For students with prior background in Italian, at least one 300-level survey course is required.

All majors are required to pass an Italian language proficiency examination. This requirement is waived for students gaining a B or better in one of the Italian 300-level courses.

The Writing Intensive Part II requirement is fulfilled by: ITAL 314. Contemporary Italian Literature (in Italian), ITAL 335. Dante (also LACS 335), or ITAL 401. Senior Seminar: Topics in Italian Studies (in Italian).

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

AP credit: Students with AP credit in Italian may count AP credit toward general degree requirements, but not for the Italian major or the Italian minor. AP credit serves as an indicator for placing students in the appropriate level courses.

Study away: Students majoring in Italian are encouraged to attend one of the programs at the Trinity College Rome Campus; they can apply courses taken at the Rome Campus toward the Italian major subject to approval of the faculty adviser. Please see the Rome Campus program and course descriptions in the global programs section.

Honors: Students qualifying for honors in the Italian major must attain a cumulative average of A- or better in all courses counting toward the major, including ITAL 401.

Japanese

Core courses: Students choosing a Plan B major in language and culture studies may elect Japanese as either their primary or secondary language.

Students who choose Japanese as the primary language are required to take seven courses, including at least one course from offerings in Japanese literature and culture (JAPN 234, JAPN 236, and JAPN 238), and JAPN 401 (Senior Seminar: Special Topics in Japanese). Two courses in a cognate field or fields (such as Japanese history, religion, art history) are also required, but when they are not available, students can take JAPN 234, JAPN 236, and/or JAPN 238 to fulfill this requirement. As the last step, a thesis linking some aspect(s) of the two languages and the cognates; this paper must be completed in JAPN 401.

Students who choose Japanese as the secondary language are required to take five courses, including at least one course from offerings in Japanese literature and culture (JAPN 234, JAPN 236, and JAPN 238). No more than two transfer credits may be applied to the major.

Capstone/senior project: The Writing Intensive Part II requirement for a Japanese Plan B major is fulfilled by JAPN 401 (Senior Seminar: Special Topics in Japanese).

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Study away: Students in the Japanese program are urged to spend a semester or a year studying in Japan. Trinity exchanges one to two students annually with Rikkyo University in Tokyo. IES Japan programs are also approved for credit transfer. Visit Trinity’s Office of Study Away website for more information.

Honors: Departmental honors are awarded to seniors who have maintained an A- average in all courses to be counted toward their major (including cognate courses). A minimum grade of A- is furthermore required in JAPN 401.

Russian

The Plan B Major: Plan B majors whose primary concentration is Russian are required to complete nine courses in Russian, as follows:

• ˆSeven courses from the language sequence. ˆ

• One literature and culture course in translation (RUSS 284, 285, 286, 288, 357).

• ˆThe senior exercise (RUSS 497. Senior Thesis). The thesis must explore a topic that joins Russia with the student’s secondary concentration.

Plan B majors whose secondary concentration is Russian are required to complete five courses in Russian from the Russian language sequence. Literature courses taught in English and cross-listed with a LACS prefix may not be counted.

Please note that some aspect of Russian literature or culture must be an integral part of the senior exercise required for the student’s primary concentration.

All Russian majors (Plan A and Plan B) are required to pass the department’s Russian language proficiency examination.

The Writing Intensive Part II requirement for the Plan A or Plan B Russian major is fulfilled by RUSS 497.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Honors: To qualify for honors in the Russian major students must attain a cumulative average of A- or better in all courses counting toward the major, including RUSS 497