DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Minor in French or Spanish or German | Organizations | Puebla Field School | Scholarships | Course Descriptions

Chair: Charles W. (Bill) Bridges (936) 294-1402

The Department of English and Foreign Languages is comprised of two programs: one in English, one in Foreign Languages. Each program offers students the opportunity to study language, literature, composition and cultures.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES PROGRAM

Coordinator: Rafael E. Saumell (936) 294-1449;

Faculty: Yasser Djazaerly, Shirin Edwin, David Gerling, Mary Gutermuth, Frieda Koeninger, Alcibiades Policarpo, Kay Raymond, Joaquin Rodríguez-Barberá, Rafael Saumell- Muñoz

Information: (936)294-1441; Evans 305; foreignlanguages@shsu.edu

Website: www.shsu.edu/~fol_www

The study of foreign languages not only enables a person to communicate in another language, but it also opens new doors to different cultures. Students of languages may experience foreign thought, literature, and heritage that enrich their lives. Knowledge of languages provides exciting opportunities to travel and have rewarding careers.

Academic Programs
BA in Spanish

Minors are available in French, Spanish, and German.

Highlights

Puebla Field School: Each summer, SHSU offers courses in the beautiful city of Puebla, Mexico. Students may take advanced Spanish courses and courses at all levels in such disciplines as art, business, and agriculture on the campus of the Universidad Iberoamericana.

Suggested Minors

SHSU offers a wide range of courses and areas students may use to structure a minor, and students should choose a minor to fit their individual interests and career goals. Common minors for Spanish majors include Criminal Justice, Education, History, Journalism, and International Business.

Career Opportunities

Professionals with competence in one or more foreign languages are needed in agriculture, business, computer science, criminology, education, the fine arts, government service, industry, international business, medicine, science, and related areas. The Foreign Languages Program prepares students for professions requiring a foreign language as a major skill and also functions as a service area in career preparation.

Student Organizations and Activities

The Foreign Languages Program sponsors several activities designed to enhance the language student’s experience at Sam Houston State University. The Foreign Languages Program sponsors Pi Delta Phi, the national French honor society and Sigma Delta Pi, the national Spanish honor society. Students also may participate in the French and Spanish Clubs.

Internships and Study Abroad

Each summer students have the opportunity to study abroad in Puebla, Mexico. Students and faculty come together as a community of scholars to study different aspects of Mexican culture and interact with the Mexican community.

Scholarships

Scholarships: Students in languages may apply for the Foreign Languages Scholarship and for the Mozelle Powell Spanish Scholarship. For more information, contact the Foreign Languages office or the Foreign Languages program website. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships website at www.shsu.edu/~sfa_www/scholarship.html or telephone (936) 294-1672.

Program Specific Requirements

A major in Spanish requires a total of 36 hours of coursework. These include 141, 142, 263, 264, plus 22 hours of advanced courses (12 hours of which must be taken in residence.)

Foreign language majors and language students in the teacher certification program must take at least one history or geography course dealing with the country or countries whose language they are studying in order to promote interdisciplinary and international education. Students are required to have a 3.0 or the equivalent in their advanced major/minor teaching areas prior to being permitted to take the certification examinations.

Minor in French or Spanish or German

A minor in French or Spanish requires a total of 23 hours of coursework. These include 141, 142, 263, 264, plus nine hours of advanced courses (six hours of which must be taken in residence.)

The German minor requires 368, 380, and 460.

Foreign Language Requirement: The 12-14 semester hour requirement consists of four courses in one language: 141, 142, 263, and 264. These courses must be taken in sequence. No two courses in the series may be taken concurrently without the written approval of the Department Chair. The requirement reads “12-14 hours” to accommodate transfer students from institutions that award only 3 hours credit for each semester of the first year.

Placement Examination: The University offers a CLEP subject exam in order to determine the level of a student’s high school foreign language preparation. Credit is given for courses which need not be taken because of adequate performance on the examination. Inquiries should be directed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

German Course Descriptions

GER 141 Elementary German. [GERM 1411] For students who have had no previous instruction in German. The work includes vocabulary acquisition, international cultural components, pronunciation, drills, sentence formation, and everyday conversation leading to proficiency. Two one-hour language laboratory periods weekly are required. Credit 4.

GER 142 Elementary German. [GERM 1412] A continuation of GER 141 with more speaking and writing toward advancing proficiency. Two one-hour language laboratory periods weekly are required. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in GER 141 or equivalent. Credit 4.

GER 263 German Reading and Composition. [GERM 2311] A continuation of GER 142 with emphasis on written and oral skills. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in GER 142 or equivalent. Credit 3.

GER 264 German Reading And Composition. [GERM 2312] A continuing emphasis on fluent usage of oral and written German. Intensive study of selected written work with the purpose of mastering midlevel proficiency skills. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in GER 263 or equivalent. Credit 3.

GER 333 Multicultures of America: German. A survey course designed to increase an awareness of Central- European culture in America with particular emphasis on the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries. This course may be conducted in English or German. Credit for this course may be applied to the major or minor only with permission. Credit 3.

GER 368* German Media. Study of German Media. Focus on conversational, listening, reading, and vocabulary skills. Students will watch German television programs and will read articles from major German magazines and newspapers. Includes a review of German grammar. Prerequisite: GER 264. Credit 3.

GER 380* Modern German Culture. An overview of the cultures of German speaking countries (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) from 1780 to the present. Prerequisite: GER 368. Credit 3.

GER 460* Modern German Literature. An overview of the literatures of German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) from 1770 to the present. Prerequisite: GER 360. Credit 3.

GER 475 Individual Readings in German. This course is designed for the individual student who may need study of a particular era, genre, or author. Enrollment in this course is restricted and approval of such must be obtained from the Program Coordinator. The course may be repeated for credit as content varies. Credit 3.