The German Section of the Department of Modern Languages and
Literatures
General Introduction to the Curriculum in
Modern Languages and Literatures
The modern language curriculum is designed to give students an opportunity to
become conversant in one or more languages from linguistic, literary and cultural
perspectives. We encourage serious students to examine the social, philosophical
and aesthetic themes in literature and to acquire fluency and sensitivity to structure
and style in the languages offered which include French, German, Italian, Spanish,
Japanese, as well as English as a Second Language.
Careers in such fields as government, law, business, medicine, social service,
journalism, or education are enhanced by the knowledge of foreign languages.
Many graduate programs require proficiency in a foreign language.
Majors are offered in French,German, and Spanish, German and also in modern languages
and literatures. Students should spend their junior year in an approved program
of studies abroad, or participate in an approved program of summer studies. Minors
are offered in French , German, Italian, and Spanish. In cooperation with other
academic departments, the department also participates in programs providing majors
in German Studies and Italian Studies. The programs are designed to encourage
the student to combine her interests in a language with other disciplines. The
student considering such a program, or planning to study abroad, should consult
the department chair as soon as possible to assure proper preparation.
A student who chooses one of these majors is expected to achieve a reading, writing,
and speaking knowledge of the language (or languages) in which she concentrates.
The foreign language is used exclusively in all advanced courses and as much as
possible in the others. Not more than one approved course given in English may
be credited toward the major. The department recommends participation in a Junior
Year Abroad program or a residence of six weeks or more in a summer school where
the exclusive use of the foreign language is required.Courses taken in programs
abroad must be evaluated and approved by the appropriate departmental faculty
before creditis granted toward the major. A student who has begun the study of
a language in college will still find it possible to fulfill the major requirement
in the language by arranging her courses in consultation with her major professor.
Return to The German Department at SBC.
Return to: Sweet Briar College Main Site
http://www.german.sbc.edu/genintromodlang.html
This page is maintained by Dr. Ronald Horwege, Professor of German, Sweet
Briar College
Please direct comments and questions to:
Ronald Horwege, Professor of German, horwege@sbc.edu.
(804) 381-6188.
Last updated on July 24, 2000