The Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages offers courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, Classical Languages (Ancient Greek, Latin, and Biblical Hebrew) and selected critical languages. Students may major in Chinese Studies, Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Italian Literary and Cultural Studies, Judaic Studies, and Spanish Studies. A student may double major in two of the above majors. Students will gain knowledge of the Literature, Culture, and applied Language skills that are required for teaching, business, diplomatic or governmental work, and research in graduate or undergraduate study of the culture and literature that is associated with these languages.
Education Abroad is required (or strongly encouraged, please see descriptions) for the majors in modern languages for at least one semester or approved equivalents. The department sponsors University of Connecticut programs in France; Italy; Spain; Germany; and Tianjin, China. Many other programs are available in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe through Education Abroad. Such coursework is normally most valuable during the junior year, but qualified sophomores and seniors are also eligible Students interested in Education Abroad should consult with their advisors.
Courses numbered at the 2000 level or above are open to first-year students and sophomores if they meet the course prerequisites. In the modern languages, coursework is conducted in the foreign language unless otherwise indicated.
Minors
The Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages offers minors in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, Chinese, French, German, Italian Literary and Cultural Studies, and Spanish. Related minors in European Studies, Judaic Studies, Latin American Studies, Latino Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies may be of interest to students. Please see the Minors section of this Catalog.
Chinese
The Chinese major requires a minimum of 36 credits in courses at the 2000- level or above, including 24 credits in Chinese and 12 credits of related courses from programs other than Chinese. A minimum of 12 major credits must consist of Chinese courses taken in residence. Only 6 may be transfer credits. AP credits may not be used toward the major.
Chinese majors must complete a minimum of twelve courses:
- Four language courses from the following: CHIN 3171, 3210, 3211, 3220, 3240, 3260, or another CHIN course approved by the advisor.
- Four content courses from the following: CHIN 3171, 3230, 3260, 3270, 3271, 3275, 3282, or another CHIN course approved by the advisor.
- Four related courses from the following: AAAS 2210, 3201, 3220, AAAS/ENGL 3212; HIST 3822, 3832, 3863, HIST/AAAS 3808, 3809; HIST 3530/AAAS 3578; DRAM 2131; PHIL 3264; POLS 3245; SOCI 2827; or any other related courses from programs other than Chinese, with the advisor’s consent.
Enrollment in an Education Abroad program in a Chinese-speaking country or region is required for all Chinese majors. With the advisor’s consent, any of the above courses may be replaced by an appropriate CHIN 3293 course from study abroad programs.
Up to 12 credits taken in study abroad programs may count toward the major. Students can enroll in either UConn-sponsored or non-UConn-sponsored programs. In either case, students must consult with the advisor to determine which courses will receive credits.
To satisfy the Information Literacy Competency and Writing in the major requirements, all students must take a W course as specified by the advisor.
A minor in Chinese is described in the Minors section.
Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies
The major in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies allows students to pursue an interest in the Greek, Latin, and Ancient Hebrew/the Biblical world. Students may choose to pursue a traditional, language-oriented (Greek or Latin) concentration in Classics or a concentration in Ancient Mediterranean Studies. Students who concentrate in Classics may take courses in Ancient Mediterranean Studies in addition to their language and literature requirements. Those who concentrate in Ancient Mediterranean Studies may also pursue some relevant language study (Greek, Latin, or Biblical Hebrew). Either concentration will lead to a major in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies.
Concentration in Classics
Students must complete a minimum of eight courses from the following:
A. At least two courses involving reading in Greek and/or Latin: CAMS 3101, 3102, 3232, 3293*, 3295*, 3298*, 3299*. (CAMS 3101 and 3102 are topics courses, which may be retaken for credit with a change in subject matter.)
B. At least one writing course on Classical literature in English translation: CAMS 3241W, 3242W.
C. At least two other courses dealing with the ancient world: CAMS 2020, 3207, 3208, 3211, 3212, 3213, 3221, 3224, 3225, 3226, 3227, 3244, 3245, 3251, 3257/W, 3293*, 3295*, 3298*, 3299*, 3301, 3320, 3321, 3325, 3326, 3330, 3335, 3340, 4096W. (These may be cross-listed under Art History, History, Hebrew and Judaic Studies, and Philosophy). HEJS 3201 and INTD 3260 may also be included.
*May count toward major only with consent of advisor.
Concentration in Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Students must complete a minimum of eight courses from the following:
A. At least one writing course on Classical literature in English translation: CAMS 3241W, 3242W.
B. At least six other courses dealing with the ancient world: CAMS 2020, 3101, 3102, 3207, 3208, 3211, 3212, 3213, 3320, 3221, 3224, 3225, 3326, 3226, 3227, 3232, 3244, 3245, 3251, 3257/W, 3293*, 3295*, 3298*, 3299*, 3301, 3320, 3321, 3325, 3326, 3330, 3335, 3340, 4096W. (These may be cross-listed under Art History, History, Judaic Studies, and Philosophy.) HEJS 3201 and INTD 3260 may also be included. (CAMS 3101 and 3102 are topics courses, which may be retaken for credit with a change in subject matter.)
*May count toward major only with consent of advisor.
To satisfy the writing in the major and information literacy competencies, all students must take CAMS 3241W or 3242W.
A minor in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies is described in the Minors section.
French
The French major requires a minimum of 30 credits in 2000-level or above French courses and 12 credits in 2000-level or above “related courses” from departments other than French.
All majors must complete four core courses: FREN 3257*; 3261; 3262; and 3268/W or 3269.
French majors must complete any 18 credits among the following groupings: FREN 3210, 3211W, 3215 or 3216; FREN 3217 or 3267; FREN 3218 or 3250 or 3251 or 3270W or 3280; FREN 3224 or 3274; 3223 or 3226; FREN 3218, 3231, 3234, or 3235; FREN 3220, 3221, 3222, or 3250 or 3251 or 3272.**
*Native French or heritage speakers may request a waiver from the FREN 3257 requirement if an evaluation of their speaking skills is approved. Students will still have to meet the 30-credit requirement for the major.
**As part of their major, Technopole students must take the three-semester sequence FREN 3101, 3102 and 3103 (one credit each) in the two years prior to their departure to France.
To satisfy the writing in the major and information literacy requirements, all majors must take one French W course, either FREN 3211W or 3268W. FREN 3270W may be taken towards the major, but because it is taught in English, it cannot count as the W for the major.
Education Abroad
Study abroad in our Paris program is required of all non-dual degree French majors for at least one semester. Any of the above courses may be replaced, with advisor approval, by an appropriate FREN 3293 course from study abroad in Paris. Students participating in the Paris for a year may earn a full academic year’s credit at the University of Connecticut and a maximum of 15 credits toward the major in French. The department encourages interdisciplinary work and encourages students to take courses in other disciplines wherever possible.
Technopole France dual-degree students must study abroad for a year in Toulouse. They will spend one semester at Université Fédéral de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées pursing their French major and one semester pursuing an engineering internship overseen by UFTMP (this option is not available for non-Technopole students). In the fall, any of the above courses may be replaced, with advisor approval, by an appropriate FREN 3293 course at UFTMP. Technopole students may earn a maximum of 12 credits toward the major in French, plus six related.
A minor in French is described in the Minors section.
German
Students majoring in German are required to take the following courses:
- GERM 3233, 3234, 4246.
- Either GERM 3251 or 3258.
- Three from GERM 2400, 3200, 3231, 3232, 3245, 3261W, 3264W, 3265, 3292, 3293 (on a non-literary topic), and 3294 (on a non-literary topic), 3295 (on a non-literary topic), or two courses of the above and the combination of all three one-credit courses GERM 3220, 3221, and 3222.
- One of the following literature courses: GERM 3254W, 3255W, 3293 (on a literary topic), 3294 (on a literary topic), and 3295 (on a literary topic).
Only two courses taught in English are allowable toward the German major.
Information Literacy
To satisfy the Information Literacy Competency requirement, the following courses are required:
Writing in the Major
To satisfy the writing in the major requirement, all majors must take one of the following courses: GERM 3254W, 3255W, 3261W, 3264W.
Eurotech
In collaboration with the College of Engineering, the German Section offers Eurotech, a carefully structured five-year, double-degree program enabling students who have been admitted to the College of Engineering to earn both a B.A. in German and a B.S. in Engineering. The program includes German language courses specially designed to include engineering content, engineering courses partly taught in German, and a six-month internship in a German-speaking company. There is a special emphasis on environmental engineering and pollution prevention. Eurotech students may substitute a combination of all three one-credit courses GERM 3220, 3221, and 3222 for one of the three-credit courses in category three.
Eurobiz
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Business offer a four to five‐year, dual‐degree EUROBIZ program leading to degrees in Business Administration in any business major and a B.A. in German. The program includes language courses specially designed to include business content, business courses taught partly in German, a study abroad semester in Germany, and a four- to six‐month internship in a company in Germany.
Education Abroad Germany
The University of Connecticut sponsors a variety of programs at a number of universities in the State of Baden-Württemberg, Connecticut’s sister state in Germany. Study abroad in Germany allows students to follow their own concentration and interests. Students also have the possibility of work-study programs and internships.
A minor in German is described in the Minors section.
Italian Literary and Cultural Studies
Beyond satisfying the foreign language requirements in Italian at UConn, students must complete a minimum of eight courses (the equivalent of 24 credits), which must include ILCS 3239 and 3240 (or their ECE equivalent). The remaining 18 credits may be fulfilled by taking any ILCS courses offered at the 3000 and 4000 levels (PLUS four related courses at the 2000 or 3000 level, outside the major, AND the standard university-wide requirements for W and Q courses, including one W in the major).
Education Abroad in Italy: Students are strongly encouraged to participate in a variety of UConn-sponsored Education Abroad programs (and also have the option of enrolling in non-sponsored programs). In either case, students should consult with the ILCS faculty to determine which courses will receive credits. Students who enroll in study abroad programs not sponsored by UConn do not necessarily receive UConn credits for their coursework.
In addition, the following rules apply:
- A minimum of 12 of the major credits must consist of Italian courses taken in residence.
- Up to 12 credits may be met by ILCS 3293, with the consent of the advisor. Only six may be transfer credits.
- UConn’s Early College Experience courses may be counted towards the major.
A minor in Italian Literary and Cultural Studies is described in the Minors section.
Judaic Studies
Based in the Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages and sponsored by the department’s Hebrew and Judaic Studies section, UConn’s major in Judaic Studies offers a unique interdisciplinary approach to the study of the languages, literatures, culture, history and religion of the Jews. Students are especially encouraged to pursue their interests in Jewish civilization by learning about the experience of the Jewish people within other cultures from ancient to modern times. This truly interdisciplinary approach, which allows students to include relevant courses offered by other sections of the department, is further enhanced by the many courses that are cross-listed with other departments and programs at the university.
All students are required to study Hebrew language. Fulfillment of this requirement depends upon the student’s area of interest. There are two Tracks, each with a distinct orientation: Track A, General Judaic Studies and Track B, Classical Judaic Studies. While both tracks provide grounding in all periods of Jewish civilization, Track B emphasizes the pre-modern experience and “classical” texts of the Jews.
Students in Track A are required to have two years of Modern Hebrew (or the equivalent, which would include credits from Israeli or other “ulpan” programs).
Students in Track B are required to complete the single year sequence of courses in Biblical Hebrew, which prepares the student to read Hebrew scripture in the original.
Students in Track A and B are required to take 24 credits beyond the required language preparation in their track as specified below.
Students who are majoring in other disciplines and may not be able to pursue Hebrew language proficiency but wish to obtain a solid grounding in Judaic civilization are encouraged to pursue a minor in Judaic Studies.
Track A: General Judaic Studies
General Judaic Studies majors are required to complete the following courses: HEJS 1003, 1004, 1103, 1151, and 1152. These courses do not count toward the 24 credits required for the major.
Information Literacy and Writing in the Major requirements
General Judaic Studies majors are required to complete HEJS 3401W (included in 24 required credits) to fulfill their information literacy and writing (“W”) requirements. SOCI 2509W may be substituted for HEJS 3401W with the approval of the student’s HEJS advisor.
Four courses (12 credits) from Group 1 including one each from the Biblical, Ancient/Rabbinic, Medieval, and Modern periods, and three additional courses (9 credits) drawn from either Group 1 or Group 2.
GROUP 1
- Biblical Israel: CAMS/HIST 3301, HEJS 3201, INTD 3260.
- Ancient/Rabbinic: HEJS/CAMS/HIST 3330.
- Medieval: HEJS 3301.
- Modern: HEJS 2104, 2200, 3251, 3252, 3279; SOCI 2509W.
GROUP 2
CAMS 3244; CAMS/HEJS 3340; HEJS 2104, 2203, 2204, 2301, 3202; HEJS 3203/HIST 3418; HEJS 3419, HIST 3705, 3712.
The following courses may also be included in the required 24 credits with the approval of the student’s HEJS advisor: HEJS 3293, 3298, 3299.
Some HEJS Graduate courses that are open to undergraduates may also be substituted with the permission of the student’s HEJS advisor. In addition, students may also take upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in other sections of LCL that have significant Judaic content provided they have been approved by their HEJS advisor.
Track B: Classical Judaic Studies
Classical Judaic Studies majors are required to complete the following courses, which are not included in the 24 credits required for the major: HEJS 1103, 1149, and 1150.
Information Literacy and Writing in the Major requirements
Classical Judaic Studies majors are required to complete HEJS/CAMS/HIST 3330W (included in 24 required credits) to fulfill their information literacy and writing (“W”) requirements.
Seven courses amounting to 21 credits chosen from Groups 1 (Core Courses) and 2 (Specialized Courses). The selection of Group 2 courses depends upon the student’s specific interests in the pre-Modern experience of the Jews and should be chosen with the approval of the student’s HEJS advisor.
GROUP 1 (Core Courses)
CAMS 3244; CAMS/HIST 3301; CAMS/HIST 3340; HEJS 3201, 3241, 3301; INTD 3260.
GROUP 2 (Specialized Courses)
HEJS 5316, 5326.
One of the following courses may also be included in the 24 credits, depending upon the student’s pre-modern period of interest. Approval of the student’s HEJS advisor is required: ARTH 3150; CAMS/HIST 3320, CAMS/HIST 3321, CAMS/HIST 3325, CAMS/HIST 3335; CAMS 3251/ARTH 3140.
The following courses may also be included in the required 24 credits with the approval of the student’s HEJS advisor: HEJS 3293, 3299, 3298 and CAMS 3298.
Spanish
Spanish courses comprise three main groups:
Group 1 (Literature)
SPAN 3207, 3208, 3230, 3231, 3232, 3233, 3234, 3260, 3261, 3262, 3263, 3264, 3265, 3267W, 3293, 4200W
Group 2 (Culture)
SPAN 3179, 3200, 3201, 3204, 3205, 3206, 3207, 3208, 3214, 3250, 3251, 3252, 3254, 3293, 4200W
Group 3 (Language and Communication)
SPAN 3101*, 3102*, 3103*, 3170, 3172**, 3177, 3179, 3204, 3240W, 3241, 3242, 3261, 3267W, 3281, 3293, 4200W.
Guidelines
To major in Spanish, students must take 24 credits of Spanish courses numbered 2000, 3000 or 4000 and according to the following guidelines:
- One composition course (SPAN 3178, 3240W or 3293).
- One introductory or literary survey course (SPAN 3230, 3231, 3232, 3233, 3234, 3242).
- Two courses from Group 1 (not used to satisfy requirement B).
- Two courses from Group 2.
- Two courses from Group 3 (not used to satisfy requirements A or B).
- All majors must take at least one W course as part of the previous 24 required Spanish credits.
- 12 additional credits are required in 2000, 3000 and 4000-level related courses from programs other than Spanish. These may include appropriate Education Abroad courses (ARTH 2993; POLS 3993; INTD 3993; ECON 2493; HIST 3993). Other related courses require advisor’s prior consent.
- Enrollment in an Education Abroad program in a Spanish speaking country is also required. In consultation with the advisor, this requirement can be substituted with additional Spanish credits in residence, research credits related to the U.S. Hispanic community, Urban Semester, and other options.
In addition, the following rules apply: A minimum of 12 of the major credits must consist of Spanish courses taken in residence. Up to 12 credits may be met by SPAN 3293. Only six may be transfer credits. AP credits may not be used toward the major. A single course cannot satisfy more than one requirement. Only three Internship credits of SPAN 3281 can count towards the major.
To satisfy the information literacy and writing in the major requirements, all students must pass one of SPAN 3240W or 4200W.
*SPAN 3101–3102–3103 is a sequence of three one-credit classes that are open only to Engineering Spanish Program students. The three credits equal one course that counts towards the major.
**SPAN 3172 is open only to students preparing to leave for the Spanish Allied Health Program in Granada.
A minor in Spanish is described in the Minors section.