Pamela Genova, Chair
Michael Winston, Graduate Liaison
202 Kaufman Hall|
Norman, OK 73019-4052
Phone: (405) 325-6181
FAX: (405) 325-0103
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/cas/modlang/
e-mail: modlang@ou.edu or, graduate information: mlllgradinfo@ou.edu
Professors Genova, Karriker, Lauer; Associate Professors Abramson, Boggs, Cortest, Ferreira, Gui, Huseman, Lantelme, Schutjer, Sullivan, Winston, Wray, Yu; Assistant Professors Alhawary, Baer, Bell, Fukushima, Haag, E. Johnson, Lemon, Long, Namorato, Takano, Whalen.
Information on both undergraduate and graduate programs is included. However, the general information contained in this section mainly covers undergraduate study. Please refer to the Graduate College section of this catalog for general information on graduate programs.
The main goal of the department is to enable students to speak, understand, read and write a foreign language. The department also strives to impart to the students an understanding of the culture or cultures in which that language is spoken, its history, and its present situation. In the literature courses, more than improved reading skills are sought; studying the literature of a foreign language brings together all of the skills the students have learned, opens to discussion a wide variety of topics, and provides a great source of knowledge. The department does not deal solely with the matter of preparing students for certain careers; the faculty believes in providing a more complete education and better understanding of life for every individual. Faculty advisers are available in each language to provide educational guidance according to students’ interests and goals.
Students are encouraged to study abroad as an enhancement to their degree programs. Summer or semester and year-long exchange programs in South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa are available to all students.
The Modern Languages Learning Center is a state-of-the-art computer facility that provides students a wealth of resources for studying and learning modern languages. The Learning Center boasts a large library of digitized listening files, Web activities, language-learning software, and video/DVD materials. Listening materials and Web activities are available to students in the Learning Center and via the remote connection to the Internet.
The study of languages and literatures combines preparation for a career with a more sophisticated understanding of the world. Students who develop an awareness of languages and literatures are able not only to understand the world better but also to contribute more to society. Although teaching languages and literatures is a popular and satisfying career option, some language majors serve their country in the Diplomatic Corps, while others enter the private sector and a wide variety of business fields.
Graduate assistantships are available through the department. All graduate assistants are required to enroll in MLLL 4813 during their first semester. In addition, graduate assistants are required to enroll in a minimum of six credit hours of graduate-level courses per semester. For information on scholarships, students should contact the department.
The department offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish and Linguistics. Beginning language courses do not count toward the major. In the second year, students focus on improving the basic skills of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing while gaining some exposure to the culture and the literature of the language. The third year generally focuses on improving conversation skills and pronunciation, acquiring a stronger understanding of the grammatical rules of the language, and reading a limited number of complete literary works. In the senior year, majors study civilization and literature from its origins to the modern era.
Students who have completed two or more years of high school foreign language and who wish to continue their foreign language study at the University will be placed in appropriate courses based on their scores in the placement exam. Students who have not completed the normal two-year high school language sequence should enroll in 1115. Those who wish to demonstrate higher proficiency should consult the placement adviser of the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics. Students have the right to appeal their course placement.
Placement examinations are administered during pre-enrollment periods as well as during regular enrollment periods. The examination is also given during the pre-enrollment period in the summer for new students planning to enroll in the University in the fall. Students should check with the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics concerning the specific place and dates on which such examinations will be given.
For departmental purposes, the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics defines a native speaker of a language as any individual who has been raised in a family and a society where this language is habitually used for everyday communication and is the language of instruction in the student’s school system.
To satisfy the General Education language requirement, native speakers must obtain a waiver of language requirement form from the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics and take an appropriate test.
A native speaker may not enroll in any undergraduate skills course in his or her native language, with the single exception of the course in Advanced Composition 3423, but may earn credit by advanced standing exams. Undergraduate skills courses include all courses in which the primary goal is language usage, i.e., all elementary and intermediate courses, and all composition, conversation and phonetics courses. However, this does not preclude native speakers from earning credit by advanced standing exams.
If a student seeks a teaching certificate with a major in his or her native language, the student must complete the advanced composition course, as well as all literature and civilization courses or equivalent required for the major. If additional hours are needed in order to meet the 35 hour certification requirement for a language major, the student may apply for retroactive credit for as many hours of skills courses as are needed to meet that requirement, provided that a grade of B or higher was earned in Advanced Composition. Such hours are entered on the student’s transcript, but under no circumstances may they count toward any MLLL degree program at the University of Oklahoma.
The following courses may not be counted as major work: 1000-level courses; RUSS 2003; SPAN 3623, 3723, 3733, 3743. Students majoring in a modern foreign language also may work toward a standard secondary teaching certificate in foreign language. Information concerning teaching certificate programs will be found in this catalog under the Arts and Sciences TE+ program of the College of Education degree programs.
Chinese
All major students are required to take 2113, 2223, 3113, 3223, 4113, 4223, 4533, 4543, 4633, 4643; two courses in Chinese literature and culture: MLLL 3753 and MLLL 4753; as major support requirements, take one course in Chinese history approved by Chinese adviser and one course in Chinese philosophy or Chinese politics approved by Chinese adviser or any equivalent approved by Chinese adviser.
French
The following courses are required for major students: 2113, 2133 or 2263, 2223, 2243, 3083, 3423, 3853, 4153, 4163, 4313, 4323, 4993; one course in French taken at the 3000-level or above, to be approved by adviser; a course in modern European history; and demonstrate an elementary knowledge of another classical or modern language, either by course credit (up to 10 hours), CLEP, or advanced standing exam.
German
All major students are required to take 2113, 2223, 2323, 3423, 3853, 4313, 4323, 4333, MLLL 3823; one of the following: 3523, 3623 or 3723; plus two courses at the 4000/5000 level to be selected by the student; and as a major support requirement, a history course (HIST 3263, HIST 3603) or an alternate course approved by an adviser and an upper division cognate course to be approved by adviser.
Russian
All major students are required to take the following courses: 2113, 2223, 3073, 3323, 3423, 4173, 4183, 4613; MLLL 3523, MLLL 3533. Students must also take two additional courses in Russian literature or culture: MLLL 3123, 3133, 3143, or another appropriate course with approval of the Russian adviser. Major support requirements: a History course from 2803, 3770, 3793, 3803, 3813, or any equivalent approved by the Russian adviser.
Spanish
All major students are required to take the following courses: 2113, 2223, 3073, 3423, 3853, 4093, 4103, 4153, 4163, 4183, 4313, 4323; and a course in the history of Spanish America or Spain and demonstrate an elementary knowledge of another classical or modern foreign language, either by course credit (up to 10 hours), CLEP, or advanced standing exam.
Linguistics
All students must complete 33 hours in the major. The following courses are required: LING 2303, 3033, 3053, 3353, 4983, PHIL 4133, and either LING 4313 or ENGL 4133. Additionally, students must choose four courses from the following: LING 3043, 4023, 4053, 4330, 4363, 4550, ANTH 3063, PHIL 4533, 4543, LING/PHIL 5143.
In addition, students must demonstrate significant experience in foreign language study, according to the following criteria:
For students who are native English speakers, the foreign language support requirement may be met by either obtaining a major or minor in a foreign language; or by two years of college instruction in one foreign language plus one year of college instruction in a second foreign language. For students who are native speakers of a language other than English and for whom English is a foreign language, the requirement will be met by proficiency in the native language as demonstrated by testing out at the third-year level (equivalent to the minor) with guidance by the departmental adviser; or satisfaction of the College of Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement in a language other than the native language.
Students majoring in other subjects may elect to minor in one of the modern languages listed below or in linguistics. The requirements are:
The application for admission to the graduate program must be submitted to the Graduate College, along with transcripts and other required documents. The Graduate Dean reaches a decision based on the recommendation of the department.
Requirements for admission to full graduate standing in the department are as follows:
1. A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in French, German or Spanish or equivalent hours in the major.
2. A 3.00 grade point average in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. A narrative statement of intent in the language concerned, in which are described the applicant’s accomplishments and plans for the future.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in another field may be admitted to the graduate program in the field they choose, at the discretion of the faculty, which may require such applicants to complete additional undergraduate coursework in the field upon admission.
Applicants who have not fulfilled the following undergraduate requirements must do so in the course of their graduate program:
1. Two semesters or ten hours of another modern or classical language, or students may demonstrate reading competency by taking a departmental graduate reading exam.
2. One college-level course in European history (or Spanish or Latin American history for Spanish).
M. A. degrees in French, German, and Spanish are offered in both a thesis and a non-thesis program.
NON-THESIS — Students in the non-thesis program must complete 32 hours of acceptable graduate-level coursework (including the courses specifically required) and receive a passing grade on the final comprehensive examination.
THESIS — Requirements for the thesis in Spanish are 26 hours of acceptable graduate-level coursework, a thesis for which a maximum of four (4) credit hours is granted, and a final comprehensive examination. Requirements for the thesis in French and German are 24 hours of acceptable graduate-level coursework, a thesis for which a maximum of six (6) credit hours is granted, and a final comprehensive examination.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
In Spanish, students enrolled in the thesis and non-thesis programs take the same M.A. comprehensive exam. In French and German, students in the non-thesis program take the comprehensive exam in six areas, while students in the thesis program take the comprehensive exam in only three areas, which are chosen by the student's examination committee. Students are urged to take the examination no later than the sixth semester of graduate study.
The comprehensive examination is a written examination which is scheduled for the 12th and 13th week in each semester. It is based on courses taken by the student and works on the reading list. The entire major field is covered; work in the minor field is excluded. Students who fail the examination may repeat it only once.
The department notifies candidates and the Graduate College of the examination results. Candidates for the non-thesis degree who have completed all course requirements and the comprehensive examination file the report of the final examination with the Graduate College.
Students are responsible for complying with Graduate College regulations concerning applications for graduation and payment of fees. When all procedures have been completed, the student’s name is placed on the graduation list for the next commencement and the degree is awarded as of that date.
The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics and the Price College of Business offer a course of study leading to both the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Arts degree with a major in either French, German or Spanish.
The increasing internationalization of business is creating a need for managers and executives with a sensitivity to cultural factors and working knowledge of a second language. The M.B.A./M.A. with a major in French, German, or Spanish will graduate students who can function effectively in the international business environment. The M.B.A./M.A. degree in French, German or Spanish is designed to allow students to pursue a combined degree program consisting of fewer hours than the total number normally required for the two degrees taken separately.
The program is structured so as to be accessible to individuals with backgrounds in French, German or Spanish. Those without proficiency in the relevant language would be expected to enroll in preparatory study. The program of study would be identical to pursuing the programs separately except nine credit hours of each program would also be counted toward the other program’s requirements. The dual program varies in length between 57 and 75 graduate credit hours. Students must be accepted by both units for this dual degree program, but this does not preclude students already in one degree program from applying to the other at a later date. Students dropping out of one of the degree programs may continue to pursue the degree in the remaining program. Students must complete the requirements for the dual program in the same academic session. Students completing the dual program will be awarded the M.B.A. and the M.A. in the same academic session.
Admission, retention, and degree requirements are maintained by the separate academic units. Individuals interested in the M.B.A./M.A. degree in French, German or Spanish should contact both academic units. Admission recommendations are made by both academic units separately based on the admission requirements of the respective units.
Doctoral degrees with the following emphases are offered:
1. Romance language, consisting of a French major and Spanish minor or a Spanish major and French minor.
2. French, with a minor in a related field in the humanities or in education.
3. Spanish, with a minor in a related field in the humanities or in education.
NOTE: Only graduate-level courses (5000-/6000-level) are applicable toward the major and the minor.
The total number of hours required for the Ph.D. is 90 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, including credit earned for the M.A., if applicable to the Ph.D. program. The Romance language emphasis requires 45 hours of coursework in the major field, 25 hours in the minor field and one course in the history of romance languages. The Ph.D. degrees in French and Spanish require 61 hours of coursework in the major and nine hours in the minor.
Prerequisites for the Ph.D. degree in French and Spanish include the following:
1. Master’s degree in the relevant literature or equivalent.
2. Three letters of recommendation.
3. 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale) on all graduate coursework presented on accompanying transcripts.
4. Students must demonstrate reading competency in a second language. In order to do so, they may take the departmental graduate reading exam or complete four semesters in another language.
5. Application must be completed by April 1 for consideration for admission in the fall semester, and by October 1 for the spring semester.
6. The application must include a narrative statement of intent written in the target language. It must describe the applicant’s accomplishments and plans for the future.
In addition, the Romance language emphasis requires 10 hours of Latin as a prerequisite.
Students entering the program are encouraged to show evidence of residence in a French- or Spanish-speaking country. A reading knowledge of a second language, for which an examination is administered by the department, is required for the Ph.D. degree in French or Spanish.
The Ph.D. general examination is normally given during the 12th week of the semester as follows:
1. Examination in the area of specialization within the major: three (3) hours;
2. All other examinations in the major and minor fields: two (2) hours each. The examination in a minor field outside the department may take place during the regularly scheduled oral examination.
The oral examination is scheduled within two weeks after the last written examination. Students are required to present a prospectus of their dissertation at the oral examination (see dissertation below). No Ph.D. examinations, whether written or oral, may be scheduled during University finals week.
The general examination covers the entire major field and courses taken for the minor field. The Ph.D. committee is responsible for preparing the examination questions or for asking other graduate faculty to prepare questions in their specific area of specialization. The Ph.D. committee grades all portions of the examination.
In the case of inadequate results of the examination, two minor areas of the examination may be retaken. Failure in the area of specialization within the major and/or in more than two minor areas requires the retaking of the entire examination.
Upon successful completion of the Ph.D. general examination, students who do not hold an M.A. degree in their major field may be awarded one by making application and paying the required fees.
Students in the Ph.D. program are urged to choose a topic for their dissertation as early as possible. A dissertation prospectus (five pages minimum plus selected bibliography) is required at the time of the oral examination.
Candidates conducting research or writing their dissertations enroll in dissertation hours (French or Spanish 6980). Following the initial enrollment, a student must maintain continuous enrollment during each regular semester (summers excepted) in at least two (2) hours of 6980 until the degree is completed or the candidacy discontinued. Exceptions will be made for military service. However, enrollment in 6980 is mandatory in any semester or summer session during which the student is actually doing dissertation work regardless of other hours of enrollment.
Candidates must comply with graduate college regulations in applying for graduation and payment of fees. When all requirements have been fulfilled and all University procedures completed, the candidate’s name is placed on the list for the following commencement, and the degree is awarded as of that date.