Contact Persons: James R. Ashton, Ph.D.
     John Cox, Ph.D.
     Christina M. Czajkoski, Ph.D. (Chair)
     Dominick DeFilippis, Ph.D.
     Rebecca George, M.A.

   The Modern Language curriculum seeks to develop the ability to understand, speak, read and write a foreign language; to help students better understand the structure of language; and to expose them to the cultural patterns of other people.
   We seek to educate students to become more effective participants in the global community of the twenty-first century by promoting linguistic competence and fostering awareness of other languages and cultures.
   In the Jesuit tradition, the Modern Language curriculum has both humanistic and practical dimensions.

   Upon completion of the Modern Language programs, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
     1. Understand main ideas and most details of connected discourse on a variety of topics beyond the immediacy of the situation.
     2. Handle successfully most uncomplicated communicative tasks and social situations.
     3. Seek global and specific information from a text in order to access new knowledge bases.
     4. Join sentences in simple discourse of at least several paragraphs in length on familiar topics.
     5. Demonstrate a knowledge of the civilization and behavioral patterns of the people in the culture.

Career Orientation
   Recognizing the demands placed upon graduates in today’s world, the faculty recommends that all majors develop expertise in a specialty in addition to Modern Languages. This can be accomplished in one of several ways: a double major, a minor in another academic discipline, or an interdisciplinary major. Some which would complement a Modern Languages major include, but are not limited to: International Business, International Studies, History, Political Science, Political and Economic Philosophy, Professional Writing, English, Marketing, Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Teacher Preparation. The primary goals of the Modern Language curriculum are to provide the following:
     a) a core sequence in Spanish, French and German which lays the   groundwork for fluency and fulfills the curriculum requirements;
     b) a major in Spanish or French, in conjunction with a study abroad experience, with an emphasis on the study of language, culture and literature;
     c) a major in Romance Languages which combines the study of Spanish  and French in order to enhance practical language skills for specific career purposes;
     d) a minor program to assist all students in using the foreign language in business, professions, graduate school, or travel.

Requirements for Romance Language Major
Bachelor of Arts Degree
   The Romance Language Major combines the study of Spanish and French. To earn a bachelor of arts degree in Romance Languages, the student must:
     a) satisfy the core requirements, outlined on pp. 14-15 of this catalog
     b) complete a minimum of 24 credits of Spanish and French courses beyond the core, with at least 15 credits in the primary language and at least 9 credits in the secondary language,
     c) complete two cognate courses from among the offerings in international studies and history,
     d) complete a senior seminar and pass a comprehensive exam.

   Romance Language majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a summer or for a semester, or to perform an internship either at home or abroad in order to develop communicative competence in the languages studied.
   Romance Language majors who plan to teach both languages are also strongly encouraged to study abroad during the summer or an academic semester and to complete more than the minimum number of credits in both languages.

Requirements for Spanish or French Major
Bachelor of Arts Degree
To earn a B.A. with a major in Spanish or French, the student must:
     a) satisfy the core requirements, outlined on pp. 14-15 of this catalog,
     b) study abroad for a semester in a country where the target language is spoken,
     c) complete a total of 27 credits beyond the core in the major language, with at least 15 credits (including senior seminar) taken at Wheeling Jesuit University and
     d) pass a comprehensive exam and complete a senior seminar.
To ensure transfer of credits, the student should obtain departmental approval before beginning a program of study abroad.

Requirements for a Minor in Spanish or French
   Minors in Spanish or French are required to take five upper-level courses in the language, subject to departmental approval. Students may partially fulfill the requirement through study abroad during the summer or during the academic semester.

Study Abroad and International Internships
   It is highly recommended that students who wish to develop an
in-depth understanding of another language, culture and customs participate in study abroad or international internships. Through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), students may undertake an international internship. Students should contact the faculty in Modern Languages and the International Study Abroad Coordinators early in the process in order to ensure proper transfer of credits. Normally, students receive 15 credits for one academic semester abroad.

Core Requirements
   Based on placement results, students will fulfill Modern Language Core by completing the appropriate requirements as outlined below:

For students who place in the 101 level:
Two courses in the same language:
FRE101 and FRE 102 or
SPA101 and SPA 102 or
GER101 and GER102

For students who place in the 102 level:
Two courses in the same language:
FRE 102 and FRE111 or
SPA102 and SPA111 or
GER102 and GER111

For students who place in the 111 level:
One course:  FRE111 or SPA111 or GER111
*For Nursing, Nuclear Medicine and Respiratory Therapy majors:
One Course:  SPA106    Medical Spanish I
OR
Completion of core sequence based on placement results:
French, German or Spanish 101 and 102, 102 and 111 or 111

Placement for all students will be determined by prior study and/or an exam. Students placing in level 102 of a language must complete the 111 level. ONLY those students placing in 101 will be permitted to complete the core with the 102 level. Students placing in 102 may opt to begin their language study with 101; in these cases the credits earned for the 101 course will be considered as electives and not core credits.

If English is a foreign language, there will be no requirement to study a language other than English. (See Notes, under Admission)

Core Fulfilling Courses
   Core courses are offered in French, German and Spanish. The core sequence consists of three 3-credit courses: 101 (Intro 1), 102 (Intro 2) and 111 (Core Skills Development). The student enters the sequence on the basis of prior study and/or a placement exam. Courses 101 and 102 introduce basic pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and syntax. Course 111 emphasizes conversational skills in the context of familiar material and introduces new cultural readings. SPA 106, Medical Spanish I (grammar and vocabulary for medical personnel) serves as an alternative core-fulfilling course for NUR, RET and NME majors only. SPA 106 will not satisfy the core for those students who subsequently change their major from Nursing, Respiratory Therapy or Nuclear Medicine.