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2010–2012 Undergraduate Catalog

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Modern Language Studies

The major in Modern Language Studies addresses the growing need for students to prepare for the demands brought about by globalization and the increased national focus on international security. It provides the opportunity for UTSA students to graduate with an emphasis in a language area according to their individual career interests. It is designed to give students the opportunity to structure their program in a variety of concentrations, including double majors. By selecting the Modern Language Studies major, students receive a well-rounded humanistic education and prepare themselves for jobs requiring a flexible liberal arts degree, among them careers in government, national security, public service, teaching, international business, banking, international media, communications, tourism, foreign relations, and publishing. The Modern Language Studies major also develops skills, knowledge, and cultural awareness which provide a solid foundation for successful work in graduate studies in the humanities and social sciences, as well as in law and medicine.

The program includes three main components:

1. The learning of a specific language
   
   For this major, the student will move through three levels of proficiency. The first and second levels are completed with the basic four-semester sequence, Elementary I–II and Intermediate I–II courses in the chosen language. The third level is completed by taking 12 semester credit hours of upper-division coursework after successful completion of the basic sequence. A placement test will determine at which level of the sequence the student should start the study of a language.
   
   
2. The linguistic theory underlying languages and language learning
   
   The introductory linguistic course gives students a basis for more advanced theoretical approaches to language studies in general.
   
   
3. The cultural component
   
   A series of courses taught in English addresses the study of the literature and culture of each individual language taught in the program.
   
   The courses in comparative studies address various issues related to several regions, periods and fields of study.

Each of these basic components can be augmented using the 18 semester credit hours of support work. By carefully preparing a plan of study with an academic advisor, students can tailor the concentration to their own needs.

The following optional components are strongly recommended:

1. Study Abroad
   
   Study abroad in the target language environment will give students the opportunity to further enhance their language and culture skills. Students are encouraged to include a semester or at least a summer abroad in their degree plan.
   
   
2. Languages Across the Curriculum
   
   1-semester-credit-hour language courses offered online (FL 3101) will complement the student’s support area courses in other disciplines, such as history and political science. These add-on components will mirror the topics taught in the regular courses.

The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the Bachelor in Arts degree in Modern Language Studies, including the hours in the Core Curriculum requirements, is 120. Thirty-nine of the total semester credit hours required for the degree must be at the upper-division level. Students seeking teacher certification should consult the College of Education and Human Development Advising and Certification Center for information.

All candidates seeking this degree must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements and the degree requirements, which are listed below.

Core Curriculum requirements: Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Language Studies must fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements in the same manner as other students. The courses listed in the table below satisfy both degree requirements and Core Curriculum requirements; however, if these courses are taken to satisfy both requirements, then students may need to take additional courses in order to meet the minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree. For a complete listing of courses that satisfy Core Curriculum requirements see pages 5–9 of this catalog.

Degree Requirements:

1. 36 semester credit hours in the major:
   
   
   1. 18 semester credit hours of language courses in a single discipline:
      
      6 semester credit hours in intermediate courses
      12 semester credit hours in upper-division courses in a single language discipline
      
      
   2. 3 semester credit hours in linguistics:
      
      LNG 3813 Introduction to Linguistics
      
      
   3. 12 semester credit hours of courses in comparative studies and/or in literature in translation, 6 hours of which must be at the upper-division level:
      
      1. 3 to 6 semester credit hours of language-specific literature and culture:
         
         CSH  1213  Topics in World Cultures
         CSH  2113  The Foreign Film
         FRN   2333  French Literature in English Translation
         GER  2333  German Literature in English Translation
         ITL   2333  Italian Literature in English Translation
         RUS  2333  Russian Literature in English Translation
         SPN  2333  Hispanic Literature in English Translation
         
         
      2. 6 to 9 semester credit hours of comparative studies:
         
         CSH  1103  Literary Masterpieces of Western Culture I
         CSH  1113  Literary Masterpieces of Western Culture II
         CSH  2313  Introduction to Literary Studies
         CSH  3023  Studies in Comparative Literature
         CSH  3823  Advanced Topics in World Cultures
         MES  3113  Film Studies
         
         
   4. 3 semester credit hours of signature experience (FL 4953 Special Projects, study abroad, internship, etc.). Students in the Honors program are encouraged to complete an Honors thesis.
      
      
2. 18 semester credit hours of support work in any language or internationally focused topics in such disciplines as African American studies, American studies, anthropology, art history, bicultural-bilingual studies, classics, communication, English as a second language, geography, history, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, international business, international studies, linguistics, literature, music history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and women’s studies. Course selections must be approved by the academic advisor.
   
   Study Abroad and Languages Across the Curriculum courses are strongly recommended.
   
   
3. 24 semester credit hours of electives

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