Modern Language Literacy Minor
Language Concentrations: French, German, Japanese, Spanish
(other language concentrations may be approved by the Department Chair)
Related Majors:
International Studies
International Business
The Department of Modern Languages at Nebraska Wesleyan University prepares students to engage in a diverse and changing world through the study of languages, literatures and cultures. Recognizing that the study of language is central to the experience of a liberal arts education, the Department of Modern Languages serves the entire student body through the Archway Curriculum and its Major and Minor programs. At every level, students develop skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing, equipping them to communicate with global competence.
Modern Language Studies at NWU:
The study of language and cultures is central to the humanities and vital to students as they prepare for professional careers in a globally interconnected society. The Department of Modern Languages offers a broad curriculum with courses in language, culture and literature, supported by interdisciplinary collaboration with departments and programs across the university and through study abroad opportunities.
The Modern Language Studies Major and Modern Language Literacy Minor encourage students to delve deeply into language and cultural study. Beginning with a focus on literacy by developing skills to read, write, and communicate effectively in the language of concentration, our majors and minors study in disciplines that are complementary to language learning, such as History, Linguistics, Political Science, Communication Studies, and Anthropology, as well as studying multiple languages. By approaching language and cultural studies through an interdisciplinary lens, our goal is to cultivate educated speakers of foreign languages with intercultural competence.
Placement Testing: Students with prior language study may qualify for placement at advanced levels through testing results and/or other criteria that the department determines relevant. Native speakers and heritage speakers should consult with the Department Chair regarding appropriate placement in Modern Language courses.
Retroactive Credit: A student who begins language study at NWU at the 2020 level (Stage 4: Global Connections) or higher, either as a result of testing or upon consultation with the Chair, and earns a grade of "B" or better in that first class, may receive retroactive credit for the 2010 level (Stage 3: Cultural Perspectives) (4 credits) or the 2010 and 2020 levels (8 credits), as appropriate to the course completed. In no case may a student complete a major with fewer than 12 credits of the Modern Language Studies requirements earned in residence at NWU or complete a minor with fewer than 4 credits of the Modern Language Literacy requirements earned in residence at NWU.
Department Learning Outcomes
Majors will be able to:
- Express themselves effectively and are understood by native speakers in a variety of oral and written registers.
- Understand native speech.
- Employ a variety of coping strategies to communicate both verbally and non-verbally in the target language.
- Read and comprehend a variety of texts written for native speakers of the target language.
- Investigate local, national, and international issues of interest in the target language.
- Demonstrate knowledge of linguistic and cultural aspects of another county.
- Enhance intercultural competency through living in another linguistic and cultural environment.
The Modern Language Literacy minor is comprised of two elements: Language Concentration and Modern Language Studies Electives.
Modern Language Studies Minor (14-16 hours)
| 1. Language Concentration - Select One | 8-10 hours |
|---|---|
| French | 8 hours |
| 8 hours of MFREN at the 3000 or 4000 level. | |
| German | 8 hours |
| 8 hours of MGRMN at the 3000 or 4000 level. | |
| Japanese | 10 hours |
| 10 hours of MJPAN at the 2000 or 3000 level. | |
| Spanish | 8 hours |
|
Core Skills Courses in Spanish - select 8 hours from the following: |
|
| Other Language | 8-10 hours |
| Select courses in another language, as approved by Department Chair. |
| 2. Modern Language Studies Electives | 6 hours |
|---|---|
|
A "Core Skills" course designed to provide intensive practice in conversational Spanish. Students will prepare assigned discussion topics and/or readings and will make class presentations in Spanish.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish Stage 4: Global Connections or appropriate placement.
Note: Students are encouraged to take two "Core Skills" courses (4 credit hours) concurrently.
This "Core Skills" course provides an introduction to the study and practice of the sounds of Spanish with an emphasis on practical exercises for improving students' pronunciation of Spanish. In it students will study the major phonetic characteristics of regional varieties of the Spanish of Spain and Latin America. Topics to be covered in the course include the articulatory system, transcription and phonetic alphabets, and the similarities and differences between the sounds and pronunciation patterns of Spanish and English.
Prerequisite: MSPAN 2020 Spanish Stage 4: Global Connections or appropriate placement.
Note: Students are encouraged to take two "Core Skills" courses (4 credit hours) concurrently.
In this "Core Skills" course, students will read a variety of materials using specific strategies designed to help them comprehend texts taught in traditional literature classes as well as other materials written in Spanish.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish Stage 4: Global Connections or appropriate placement.
Note: Students are encouraged to take two "Core Skills" courses (4 credit hours) concurrently.
A "Core Skills" course that presents a sequenced review of the grammar of the Spanish language, with an emphasis on areas of particular difficulty for persons whose first language is English.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish Stage 4: Global Connections or appropriate placement.
Note: Students are encouraged to take two "Core Skills" courses (4 credit hours) concurrently.
A "Core Skills" course, Spanish Language and Writing is a guided writing course designed to polish students' ability to communicate more effectively in Spanish. Students will enhance their vocabulary, review challenging structures and learn to self-edit to avoid common errors as they write formal and informal messages and letters, instructions, autobiographical statements, journal/blog entries and comments, informational documents, current events reports, reactions, descriptions and summaries.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish Stage 4: Global Connections or appropriate placement.
This "Core Skills" course provides guided practice in Spanish reading and a sequenced review of the grammar of the Spanish language, with an emphasis on areas of particular difficulty for persons whose first language is English. Students will read a variety of texts and will be introduced to strategies for interpreting and analyzing those texts.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish Stage 4: Global Connections or appropriate placement.