Modern Languages and Cultures

Faculty

Dianne P. Guenin-Lelle, professor, and Chair
B.A., University of New Orleans; M.A., University of Louisiana, Lafayette; Ph.D., Louisiana State University. Appointed 1987.

Elizabeth Barrios, assistant professor 
B.A., English Literature and Spanish, Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois.  Ph.D., Romance Languages and Literature (Spanish), University of Michigan.  Appointed 2016

Perry W. Myers, professor.
B.A., M.B.A., Baylor University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin. Appointed 2004.

Marcie A. Noble, staff lecturer.
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Western Michigan University. Appointed 2009.

Kalen R. Oswald, associate professor.
B.A., Utah State University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Arizona. Appointed 2002.

Emmanuel T. Yewah, professor.
Licencié-es-Lettres, Maîtrise, Université de Yaoundé; M.A., Ph.D., University of Michigan. Appointed 1986.

Introduction

A student of modern languages and cultures at Albion can major in French, German or Spanish. A modern language major or minor will engage authentically and adapt to new cultures with ease, communicating effectively in the target language. Professors and Native Speaker Teaching Assistants enjoy working with students in class and in the I-Space Residence (Fiske House). 

Special Features

The I-Space is a living and learning residence hall where language students live in community along with Native Speaker Teaching Assistants. There are weekly cultural activities, language tables, film series and other special events in I-Space.

Students are encouraged to take full advantage of the off-campus programs and other international experiences offered at Albion College. 

Departmental Policy on Advanced Placement Credit and Placement

Students may obtain college credit according to their scores on a standardized Advanced Placement (AP) language examination administered at their high schools. A score of 3 merits one-half unit, a 4 merits one unit and a 5 merits one and one-half units of credit at Albion College. A maximum of one unit may be applied toward a major or minor in French, German or Spanish.

Before Student Orientation and during the first week of fall semester, the department administers an online placement test for students with prior study of French, German or Spanish. Students with two or more years of high school modern language course work are expected to take the placement test before enrolling in language courses at Albion. This test does not give college credit; its purpose is to place such students at the appropriate level.

Student Learning Outcomes
Majors

For major in Language and Culture for the Professions in French, German or Spanish:

1. Students will be able to explain their ideas in the target language at the advance-low level (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines).

2. Students will be able to demonstrate intercultural competency in professional practices in the target professional culture.

3. Students will be able to recognize and differentiate areas in the world where the target language is spoken.

4. Students will be able to differentiate authentic cultural artifacts from areas where the target language is spoken.

5. Students will be able to evaluate salient socio-historical moments in appropriate cultural contexts.  

6. Students will be able to apply linguistic and cultural competence during an internship in the target country.

For major in French, German or Spanish:

1. Students will be able to explain their ideas in the target language at the advanced-low level (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines).

2. Students will be able to demonstrate intercultural competency specific to target cultures, especially mindful of current globalization issues.

3. Students will be able to recognize and differentiate areas in the world where the target language is spoken.

4. Students will be able to differentiate authentic cultural artifacts from areas where the target language is spoken.

5. Students will be able to evaluate salient socio-historical moments in appropriate cultural contexts.
  

For major in French, German or Spanish with Secondary or K-12 Education Certification:

1. Students will be able to explain their ideas in the target language at the advanced-low level (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines).

2. Students will be able to demonstrate intercultural competency specific to target cultures, especially mindful of current globalization issues.

3. Students will be able to recognize and differentiate areas in the world where the target language is spoken.

4. Students will be able to differentiate authentic cultural artifacts from areas where the target language is spoken.

5. Students will be able to evaluate salient socio-historical moments in appropriate cultural contexts.
 

For major in TransAmerican Latino/a Studies:

1. Students will be able to explain their ideas in the target language at the advanced-low level (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines).

2. Students will be able to demonstrate intercultural competency specific to target cultures, especially mindful of current globalization issues.

3. Students will be able to examine the changing roles of U.S.- Latin American relations as they relate to cultural exchange, political intervention, and migration.

4. Students will be able to differentiate authentic cultural artifacts from areas where the target language is spoken.    

5. Students will be able to apply social construction and contingency theory in their analysis of Latin American and US Latinx communities. 

Minors

For minor in Language and Culture for the Professions in French, German, or Spanish:

1.  Students will be able to explain their ideas in the target language at the intermediate-high level (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines).

2.  Students will be able to demonstrate intercultural competency in professional practices in the target professional culture.

3.  Students will be able to recognize and differentiate areas in the world where the target language is spoken.

4.  Students will be able to differentiate authentic cultural artifacts from areas where the target language is spoken.

5.  Students will be able to apply linguistic and cultural competence during an internship in the target country.
 

For minor in French, German or Spanish:

1.  Students will be able to explain thier ideas in the target language at the intermediate-high level (ACTFL Proficiency guidelines).

2.  Students will be able to demonstrate intercultural competency specific to target cultures, especially mindful of current globalization issues.

3.  Students will be able to recognize and differentiate areas in the world where the target language is spoken.

4.  Students will be able to differentiate authentic cultural artifacts from areas where the target language is spoken.
 

For minor in French, German or Spanish with Secondary or K-12 Education Certification:

1.  Students will be able to explain their ideas in the target language at the intermediate-high level (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines).

2.  Students will be able to demonstrate intercultural competency specific to target cultures, especially mindful of current globalization issues.

3.  Students will be able to recognize and differentiate areas in the world where the target language is spoken.

4.  Students will be able to differentiate authentic cultural artifacts from areas where the target language is spoken.
 

For minor in TransAmerican Latino/a Studies:

1.  Students will be able to explain their ideas in the target language at the intermediate-high level (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines).

2.  Students will be able to demonstrate intercultural competency specific to target cultures, especially mindful of current globalization issues.

3.  Students will be able to examine the changing roles of U.S.- Latin American relations as they relate to cultural exchange, political intervention, and migration.

4.  Students will be able to apply social construction and contingency theory in their analysis of Latin American and US Latinx communities.

Majors and Minors

Requirements for Major

In most cases a major may be earned in French, German or Spanish by completing:

A minimum of eight units of study at the 200-level or higher; or nine units beginning at the 101 level.  See below for specific details on the different major tracks in each language. Only one unit of Advanced Placement credit can count toward a major or minor. Students interested in pursuing language study are invited to meet with a faculty member to discuss their interests and the program offerings. Off-campus study in an approved study abroad program is required for all majors, and highly recommended for minors. (In the Language and Culture for the Professions minor, an internship abroad or a documented internship-like experience is required.) If a student cannot travel outside of the country, they should talk to the department chair to discuss other options.

All majors are required to have at least one semester of residence in the I-Space language-learning housing and credit for Modern Languages and Cultures 110. If circumstances prevent a student from living in the I-Space, then the student must consult with the department chair.

It is recommended that all majors take cognate courses, for example in English, history, anthropology and sociology, relating to their language of study. Double majors are also encouraged.

Programs

• French Language and Culture for the Professions, B.A.
• French, B.A.
• French, with Secondary or K-12 Education Certification, B.A.
• German Language and Culture for the Professions, B.A.
• German, B.A.
• German, with Secondary or K-12 Education Certification, B.A.
• Spanish Language and Culture for the Professions, B.A.
• Spanish, B.A.
• Spanish, with Secondary or K-12 Education Certification, B.A.
• Spanish: Latin American and Latino/a Studies, B.A.

• Spanish: Latin American and Latino/a Studies Minor
• French Language and Culture for the Professions Minor
• French Minor
• French, with Secondary Education Certification, Minor
• German Language and Culture for the Professions Minor
• German Minor
• German, with Secondary Education Certification, Minor
• Spanish Language and Culture for the Professions Minor
• Spanish Minor
• Spanish, with Secondary Education Certification, Minor