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Romance Languages and Literatures

Professors Rice-DeFosse (chair) and López; Associate Professors Fra-Molinero, Read, and Aburto Guzmán; Assistant Professor Dauge-Roth; Visiting Assistant Professors George and Ortiz; Lecturers Balladur and Muslip

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers courses in French and Spanish.

Courses in French and Spanish help students to learn basic communication skills, to appreciate 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 and other modes of cultural production. Texts are read closely from a contemporary critical perspective with attention to their cultural context. All courses are taught in French or Spanish, except in the case of some courses cross-listed with other departments or programs, which may be taught in English. More information on the Romance languages and literatures department is available on the Web site (www.bates.edu/RLL.xml).

Minors

In addition to a major in French or Spanish, a minor can be pursued in these areas of study. Application for a minor must be made prior to Short Term of the senior year, after consultation with a permanent member of the faculty in the language area of concentration (French or Spanish). A minor 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 have as its focus literature or culture as opposed to language (taught either in the language or in translation), but only one course in translation may be counted toward the minor. Students who have studied off campus where the language of concentration was the language of instruction may include two of these courses in their minor; a third course may possibly be accepted after consultation with the chair, provided the content reflects the department's offerings. Students must consult with a faculty advisor in the department to receive approval for credits for courses taken on a study abroad program. Advanced Placement courses may not be applied toward the minor.

Study Abroad

All students, and especially majors, are strongly encouraged to spend an extended period of time in a Spanish- or French-speaking country prior to graduation. Opportunities to do so include participation 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 French and Spanish Courses

Students entering courses in the department are advised of the following general policies and procedures. The beginning (101-102) sequence is reserved for true beginners in the language. Those with more than two years of secondary school study are not admitted at this level and are encouraged to enter at the 200 level, or, in some cases, 102 in the spring semester; students who have followed a conventional sequence of language study in high school (generally three to four years, sometimes more, sometimes involving Advanced Placement courses) are advised to enroll at the early to mid-200 level: 201 for general review or other intermediate courses that concentrate variously on introductions to culture, spoken language, and/or literature. The department allows for self-placement in 201 and 205 (French) and 201 and 207 (Spanish); students are advised to be in touch directly with the instructor for permission or prerequisite waiver for entry into more advanced courses.

General Education Information for the Classes of 2008, 2009, and 2010

Any one Short Term unit from the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures and FYS 318 may serve as an option for the fifth humanities course. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or A-Level credit awarded by the department/program may not be used toward fulfillment of any General Education requirements.

The major in French aims at flexibility within a structure that affords a diversity of experience in Francophone culture and literature and continuous training in the use of the language. It provides effective preparation for graduate work but is not conceived as strictly preprofessional. The significance of French is highlighted by the College's proximity to Québec and by the large number of Franco-Americans who live and work in Northern New England. In addition to France's literary tradition, the Francophone histories and cultures of North Africa, West Africa, the Caribbean, and Québec have produced writers and artists who have influenced the world broadly with their cultural and artistic dynamism and insight, making French and Francophone cultural production truly rich and varied.

Major Requirements

Students may select a major in French language and culture or a major in Francophone cultural studies.

I. French Language and Culture

A major in French language and culture consists of a minimum of ten courses that should include: a) French 250 or 251; b) three courses from French 205, 235, 270, 271, or 305; c) three courses from French 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, and 365; and d) French 240 and 261.

A student may request the department to substitute a Short Term unit for one of the courses above.

Fluent and correct use of the language is essential to the completion of the major. All senior majors in French language and culture are required to complete a two-part capstone experience that serves to synthesize and reflect upon their work in the major as described below:

1) All majors in French language and culture must assemble a portfolio of their work in the major and discuss it in French before the faculty at the end of the second semester of their senior year. This exercise is known as the "soutenance du portfolio." The portfolio contains a personal statement on the student's experience in French and other components such as papers from courses taken at Bates or abroad, a journal of a study-abroad program or travel experience, audio and/or video recordings to show progress in oral proficiency, Web sites that may have been created for courses or other Francophone endeavors, or other personal reflections.

2) All majors in French language and culture must complete a senior thesis, a senior essay, or an oral history project. While not required, a one- or two-semester thesis is often used to fulfill this requirement. Alternatively, students may, in consultation with their advisor, elect to complete a senior essay addressing a significant question that must span several time periods and or Francophone cultures. Academic credit is not given for the essay option. Finally, students may choose to complete the capstone experience by participating in the oral history project. Students enroll for credit as they would for a thesis and undertake a series of interviews with local Maine Francophone residents, the results of which are presented at the Mount David Summit and archived at Bates and in local depositories. Some portion of any of these options must be included in the portfolio for discussion.

Honors candidates register for French 457 and 458.

II. Francophone Cultural Studies

In addition to enhancing the proficiency level in French language, this major develops a deeper understanding of one or more of the significant French-speaking areas of the world outside of France: a) French-speaking Europe (Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg); b) sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean; c) North America, particularly Québec and Northern New England; d) North Africa, the Maghreb. This major encourages interdisciplinarity and examines cultural diversity and identity in these Francophone areas.

A major in Francophone cultural studies consists of a minimum of ten courses, which should include: a) French 203; b) French 250 or 251; c) two courses from French 205, 235, 270, 271, or 305; d) French 240 or 261; e) one course from French 352, 353, 354, or 355; f) three courses in related subjects from such departments and programs as African American studies, anthropology, art and visual culture, economics, history, music, philosophy and religion, politics, theater and rhetoric, and women and gender studies (these courses should be selected in close consultation with the major advisor and must receive approval from the department chair); and g) senior thesis, French 457 or 458.

A student may request the department to substitute a Short Term unit for one of the courses above.

Honors candidates register for French 457 and 458.

Study Abroad

Students majoring in French language and culture or Francophone cultural studies are strongly encouraged to study abroad in a country appropriate for their area of interest. A maximum of three credits is normally recognized for one semester of study and five credits for two semesters of study in a recognized program. Students need to obtain approval from a French faculty member in order for their courses to count toward the major or secondary concentration; otherwise, credit is not guaranteed.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

There are no restrictions on the use of the pass/fail option within the major or minor.

Courses
Short Term Courses

Spanish is the most widely spoken language in the Americas, without even including ten percent of the United States population. It is also spoken in Spain, Equatorial Guinea, Israel, and the Philippines. The established cultural, political, and economic ties among all nations of the American continents underscore the importance of this discipline. The major in Spanish develops not only students' language skills, it exercises critical thinking around subjects related to the culture, literatures, art, and history of the Spanish-speaking peoples of all continents. Reading, discussing, and writing in Spanish are the principal activities of the major. Spanish majors are strongly encouraged to spend a year or a semester living and studying in a Spanish-speaking country. Students interested in graduate studies in Spanish or Latin American studies, or in business, medicine, law, or international relations, are encouraged to develop advanced proficiency in Spanish.

Major Requirements

Spanish majors acquire a broad knowledge of the different literatures and cultural histories of the Spanish-speaking peoples. In consultation with the faculty in Spanish, the student elects courses in a variety of areas. The requirements for the major consist of ten courses beyond the intermediate level, which must include:

1) At least two of the following: Spanish 211, 215, and 216.

2) One course to be taken outside of the Spanish program previously approved by the faculty in Spanish. This course may be chosen from a number of options from literary theory to history or politics of Latin America (e.g., Anthropology 234, English 295, History 181, Politics 249, or a research methods course in areas such as women and gender studies, African American studies, or American cultural studies).

3) At least two seminars on the literatures or cultural histories of Spain or Latin America (300-level) taught by Bates faculty—usually taken during senior year.

In addition, majors must complete a senior thesis (Spanish 457 or 458) written in Spanish. This may be a literary or cultural analysis of any topic related to the Hispanic world or a translation accompanied by a theoretical introduction. An analytical component must always be included, even in the case of projects with a strong creative emphasis. Honors candidates register for Spanish 457 and 458.

Study Abroad

Spanish majors are encouraged to gain proficiency in the language through the experience of studying in a Spanish-speaking country. A maximum of three credits is normally recognized for one semester and five for two semesters of study in a recognized program. Students need to obtain approval from a Spanish faculty member in order for their courses to count toward the major or secondary concentration; otherwise, credit is not guaranteed.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

The use of the pass/fail option is restricted to one course within the major. There are no restrictions on the use of the pass/fail option within the minor in Spanish.

Courses
Short Term Courses