The Handbook for Foreign Language Majors
A Note To Foreign Language Majors
The Handbook serves as an introduction to departmental resources and curriculum requirements. Please read it thoroughly and consult it frequently; it will help you to plan for each semester and to formulate a long-range plan for graduation. Students should also read and consult frequently the Key Points of Information. It contains the information regarding general education requirements for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Students should also consult the Foreign Languages and Literatures home page.
Introduction to the Department
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures has been offering courses at NC State since 1896. Even over a century ago, the NC State University considered an international component to its curriculum as essential in its land-grant mission.
Professor Lawrence Hinkle, Department Head from 1916-1956, wrote in 1922: "The importance of languages in education goes without question. They are of immense practical importance, to say nothing of their cultural value. Nations and people are closer today than ever before, and never has there been a greater need for mutual agreement amongst the peoples of the earth." At the beginning of a new millennium, Professor Hinkle's statement still rings true.
Today,
employers
seek
graduates
who
can
interact
confidently
and
appropriately
with
diverse
populations.
Whether
preparing
for
a
career
in
business,
government,
law,
education,
human
services,
science,
the
military,
or
the
arts,
students
who
develop
their
foreign-language
skills
will
have
a
competitive
edge. To
this
end
the
Department
strives
to
serve
the
interests
of
NC
State
by
contributing
to
its
advancement
in
international
awareness
and
by
providing
direct
contact
with
other
cultures
for
the
social
and
economic
development
of
the
citizens
of
North
Carolina.
The
Department
offers
a
wide
variety
of
courses
to
meet
students'
professional
and
personal
needs
in
order
to
develop
their
language
proficiency
and
cultural
awareness
and
to
help
them
be
competitive
in
today's
global
society. The
Department
has
a
nationally
and
internationally
recognized
faculty,
the
latest
in
multimedia
classroom
technology,
and
access
to
the
international
community
in
the
U.S.
and
abroad.
The Department offers elementary and intermediate language courses as well as advanced courses in language, literature, culture, conversation, composition, civilization, and specialized courses such as Arabic Media, Chinese Popular Culture, French Cinema, Green Germany, Business Spanish, and others. There are also courses offered in English as a Second Language.
The Foreign Language Major has concentrations in Arabic Language and Culture, Asian Language, French, French Education, German Studies, Spanish, and Spanish Education.
Minors are available in Chinese Studies, Classical Greek, Classical Studies, French, German, Hindi/Urdu, Italian Studies, Japanese, Japanese Studies, Russian Studies, and Spanish.
The Department directs summer study-abroad programs in Austria, France, Italy, Peru, and Spain. Distance-learning courses are offered in many of the Department’s languages. Last year the Department taught nearly 12,000 students in over 450 course sections. Many of the faculty have been awarded outstanding teaching, research, and advising awards.
The CHASS Language Computing Lab is a state of the art facility which includes a PC workstation open lab for student use, a PC/MAC workstation development area, and a PC workstation electronic classroom. Each workstation offers Internet access, word processing and spell-checking capabilities in many languages, language-specific tutorials, and software packages to supplement the Department's course offerings.
The Department encourages students to prepare themselves to become world citizens, able to thrive in the truly international environment of the new millennium. It looks forward to continuing to provide an international dimension to the students of NC State and to the citizens of North Carolina.
Why Major in a Foreign Language?
The continuous expansion of international relations makes the knowledge of foreign languages a critical need for today's professional. Students of foreign languages pursue careers not only in education, research, translating, and interpreting, but also in politics, diplomacy, banking, computer technology, software development, commerce and journalism to name a few. The demand for multilingual personnel extends to all fields of enterprise and is continuing to grow. Students who major in foreign languages may go on to graduate school or teach or study law, medicine, or business. Many apply the cognitive, reading, and writing skills they acquire to various positions in management, public relations, administration and government.
The Student and the Department
Academic Advising
When you matriculate into the department, you will be assigned a faculty advisor. You should meet with your advisor during the registration period and your advisor is available throughout the academic year. He or she will help you plan to meet requirements for graduation. We believe that a carefully planned program is crucial for success and hope that you will get to know your advisor well. Students need to assume their share of responsibility for advising and progress toward degree. In addition to your academic advisor, the Associate Department Head and Assistant Department Head for Student Affairs, Ms. Susan Navey-Davis are available to answer your questions.
Communicating with our Advisees
We communicate frequently with our students through email and we post important advising information and special opportunities for our majors. It is important that you check your NC State email account regularly. Students are always welcome to visit their advisors in person throughout the academic year.
Advisors
Arabic
Language
and
Culture
Ms.
Jodi
Khater
Asian
Language
Dr.
John
Mertz
French
Dr.
Meredith
Fosque
German
Dr.
Helga
Braunbeck
Spanish
Ms.
Susan
Navey-Davis
Foreign
Language
Education
Ms.
Hannah
Bollinger
Tips for Registration
Your Plan of Work must be completed before you can register. Once you submit, check your MyPack Portal a few days afterwards for your advisor’s comments. If your Plan is approved, then your advising hold will be released, and you can register for courses, according to your enrollment appointment in your MyPack Portal. At that point, feel free to follow up via email or an office visit with your advisor to go over any questions you may have.
Portfolio
During the semester in which they are to graduate, all FLL majors will submit a reflective piece (before the end of the final exam period at the latest). It will be read by foreign language faculty who will evaluate it using the ACTFL writing rubric (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages). The results are used to monitor our major programs and to help us define curriculum goals.
The reflective piece needs to be written in the target language of your major. Here is what the reflective piece should address:
-
Think back to when you began studying the language of your major and compare your linguistic and cultural knowledge between now and then (400 words).
-
Please describe your plans upon graduation (200 words).
Finally, you need to complete the University's Senior Survey.
Exit Interview
During the semester in which you are to graduate, you will be notified of an exit interview. You will be sent a questionnaire to complete. You will then make an appointment with an exit interview committee comprised of departmental faculty. The purpose of the exit interview is for the student to give feedback on his or her educational experience in the department. The information is used for our institutional effectiveness program, required for our periodic re-accreditation, and in no way affects the student's standing in the department. You will also be requested to complete a University survey.
Graduating Seniors
For
those
of
you
intending
to
graduate
in
any
given
semester,
you
need
to
process
your
on-line
graduation
application
during
the
first
two
weeks
of
that
semester
(you
will
receive
an
email
as
a
reminder).
Once
you
review
your
degree
audit
and verify
that
all
course
requirements
have
been
fulfilled,
submit
the
online
application,
notify
the
Associate
Head
by
email
that
you
have
done
so
for
review
and
submission
to
the
College
of
Humanities
and
Social
Sciences Office
for
final
approval.
Important Resources for Students
Concentrations for the Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages & Literatures
Study Abroad and Transfer Credit
The Department encourages all students to participate in a study abroad experience. NC State sponsors summer programs in Austria, France, Peru, and Spain, as well as a semester program in Santander, Spain. In addition to NC State programs, the University also considers other accredited study abroad programs for transfer credit. Remember that it is important to plan early and to research carefully the numerous options available. Be sure to complete the necessary study abroad forms, especially the course pre-approval form, before you leave for your destination. 15 credit hours of study abroad or other transfer credit may be applied toward the major in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, or Spanish. A full semester of study abroad or a three-month internship in a German-speaking country is required for the German Studies major.
Academic Minors
The Department offers Minors in Chinese Studies, Classical Greek, Classical Studies, French, German, Hindi/Urdu, Italian Studies, Japanese, Japanese Studies, Russian Studies, and Spanish. Students receive official recognition on their transcripts for a completed minor. The language coordinators serve as advisers. The Student Services Coordinator (Withers 310) will direct the student to the appropriate advisor. The student consults with the adviser to complete a Minor Declaration Form. His/her major adviser is also consulted for approval of the minor program. It is expected that students will complete at least three required courses for each minor at NC State or through an NC State sponsored study-abroad program. During the first few weeks of the semester in which the student is to graduate, s/he must see Susan Navey-Davis to complete a final "Application for Minor" form, which is then forwarded to the student's major department.
Activities
The Department supports and promotes the study of language and culture outside the classroom through numerous clubs and honor societies. For information about activities and meetings, consult the literature outside of the departmental offices (Withers 310), and talk to the faculty adviser for the particular organization.
Language Clubs
Honor Societies
Sigma Delta Pi (Hispanic Studies) Dr. James Michnowicz
Delta Phi Alpha (German Honor Society) Dr. Lutz Kube
Pi Delta Phi (French Honor Society)
Career Resources
The University Career Center offers students career counseling, on-campus interviews, a career/employer information library, access to internship listings, workshops on job-search topics including resume and cover-letter writing as well as interviewing techniques. Students should visit the center early and familiarize themselves with the resources of the center. CHASS Career Counselors: Ms. Sarah Wild & Ms. Courtney Jones.
Student Guidelines for Writing in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
1. Your paper should have a clearly defined thesis statement which you will develop throughout your essay. Avoid only plot summaries or descriptions by articulating a thesis question or research problem that you then proceed to address.
2. Your paper should include factual evidence in support of your thesis. Also incorporate examples or specific details, as appropriate. Be sure to choose your sources carefully and to cite them using appropriate footnotes and bibliographical information according to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
3. The treatment of your thesis question should be based on a variety of outside references, preferably most of them in print form (published books and articles). Do not rely solely upon the internet for your sources.
4. Your paper should be well-organized and include a title that announces your thesis, and an introduction and conclusion, as well as good paragraph structure and transitions.
5. Your paper should be clearly written in the target language with a minimum of grammatical, orthographic (including accents) and punctuation errors. Please refer to a grammar reference book and a dictionary as needed.
6. Do not rely on other people or online translators for help; submit only your own work. Your instructor is primarily interested in seeing your own self-expression as you convey your ideas. Check with your instructor if you need assistance.
7. Your paper should include a cover page and be typed double-spaced, using standard font and margins, with all text pages numbered. Be sure to adhere to your teacher's instructions concerning the length and content of your paper as well as the dates when notes, drafts and final copies are due.
Languages are the keys to the world.