Professors Williamson, Chair, and Rice-DeFosse; Associate Professors Fra-Molinero, O'Higgins (on leave, fall semester), Read, and F. López (on leave, 2001–2002); Assistant Professors Imber, Aburto Guzmán, Maurizio, and Fahey; Mr. George; Mr. Hayward, Mr. Walker, Mr. Leff, and Ms. P. López de Jaramillo

The Department of Classical and Romance Languages and Literatures offers courses in Greek, Latin, French, and Spanish.

Courses in Greek and Latin introduce students to the culture, languages, and literatures of ancient Greece and Rome.

Courses in French and Spanish help students to learn basic communication skills, to understand another culture through its language, and to go beyond the study of language to achieve a deeper understanding of diverse peoples by way of their literature. Most courses are taught in French or Spanish, and texts are read closely from a contemporary critical perspective with attention to their cultural context.

Secondary Concentrations. In addition to a major in French or Spanish, a secondary concentration can be pursued in these languages and in Greek and Latin. Application for a secondary concentration should be made to the chair of the department. A secondary concentration requires a minimum of seven courses in the given language (or six courses and a designated Short Term unit). All courses taken at Bates must be from the curriculum of the department. At least one of the seven courses must involve a study of literature or culture (taught either in the language or in translation), but only one course in translation may be counted toward the concentration. A student may petition to have up to three comparable courses, completed at other institutions either in the United States or abroad, apply toward the secondary concentration.

Foreign Study. All students, and especially majors, are strongly encouraged to spend an extended period of time in a foreign country prior to graduation. Opportunities to do so include participation in a Bates Fall Semester Abroad Program, in the Colby–Bates–Bowdoin Off-campus Study Program in Ecuador, in junior year or junior semester abroad programs, and in the various off-campus Short Term units sponsored by the department. The department supports programs of study it has approved for a Junior Year or Semester Abroad as significant means of increasing one's comprehension of the culture and as the most effective method of developing advanced proficiency in the language.

Placement in Greek, Latin, French, and Spanish Courses. Entering students are assigned to the appropriate level according to these criteria: their performance in an Achievement or Advanced Placement Test of the College Entrance Examination Board taken in secondary school or in an ACTFL-certified Oral Proficiency Interview; relative proficiency based on length of study, travel abroad, or methodology; or consultation with an appropriate member of the department. Normally admission to advanced courses in language and literature is granted to those receiving a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Test or a score of 600 on the CEEB Achievement Test.

General Education. Any one Short Term unit from the Department of Classical and Romance Languages and Literatures may serve as an option for the fifth humanities course.

Information about Specific Areas:
Greek
Latin
French
Spanish
Other Foreign Languages

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Last Modified: 8/20/01 by tins