Fact Sheet 07: Foreign Languages Minor

Revised June 2007

Foreign Languages Minor

The Department of Foreign Languages offers you the opportunity to study world languages at an advanced level while majoring in a different field (business, physical education, the health sciences, music, communication studies, etc.). The foreign language minor is for those who wish to obtain working proficiency in speaking, writing, listening, and reading communicative competency. Minors are available in French, German, Italian, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Study abroad for transfer credit also is available. Students at West Chester have traveled and studied in programs in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia, and Spain, as well as Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Central and South America. Meritorious students are eligible to apply for our foreign language scholarships and awards.

Requirements

The foreign language minor consists of 18 semester hours or six courses that may start at the elementary level: 101 and 102, or above. Courses at the 201-202 levels stress a review of grammar and syntax, provide an introduction to literature through short readings drawn from many disciplines, and offer composition and conversation, as well as intensive language laboratory work with a multimedia framework. The remaining courses are taken at the 300 and 400 levels in the target language as well. Advanced grammar and composition courses are offered at the 300 level and stress stylistics, practice in writing compositions on an advanced level with emphasis on correct usage, intensive oral drills to develop proficiency in listening comprehension, and speaking ability. Typical advanced courses in each language include the following:

French:
Advanced Grammar and Stylistics
Commercial French
French Cinema
French Civilization
French Poetry
French Theater to 1900: In Context
Readings in French Literature
French for Oral Proficiency

German:
20th-Century German Masterpieces: Kafka, Mann, Hesse
Austrian Civilization
Contemporary German Literature
German Artists as a Social Conscience: Postwar German Literature and Film
German Civilization

Italian:
Advanced Italian Grammar and Conversation I and II
Contemporary Italian Literature
Introduction to Dante, Petrarca, and Boccaccio
Italian Cinema
Italian Culture

Latin:
Advanced Latin Prose Composition
The Latin Lyric Poets
Latin Tutorial Course
Reading Course in Latin
Roman Drama
Roman Historians
Roman Satire

Russian:
Advanced Oral Russian
Advanced Russian Grammar and Composition
Readings in Russian Literature
Russian Civilization

Spanish:
Business Spanish
Culture of Spain or Spanish America
Contemporary Spanish-American Literature
Hispanic Women Writers
Language and Culture of Puerto Rico
Literature of the Hispanic Caribbean
Modern Hispanic Theater
Spanish Cinema and Latin American Cinema
Spanish for the Professional

Topic courses in all of the above languages at the 400 level are also available and provide an in-depth study of culture, art, literature, cinema, history, and politics.

Career Opportunities

Whatever your major concentration, a foreign language minor is a valuable asset. The knowledge of a second language in today's job market enhances your opportunities for personal and professional growth. Employers seek personnel whose English and foreign language skills make their businesses profitable.

The following are a few areas in which working knowledge of a foreign language is important:

Archaeology
Architecture
Armed Forces
Arts and Entertainment
Business Communications
Criminal Justice
Diplomacy
Ecology/Environmental Science
Foreign Service
Geology
Health Sciences
Journalism
Law
Manufacturing
Marketing
Medicine
Music
Nursing
Oceanography
Public Affairs
Social Work
Teaching
Technical Writer
Transportation
Travel Industry

Student Activities

Student clubs and organizations can help you sharpen your language skills: Alpha Mu Gamma (foreign language honor society), French Club, German Club, Italian Club, Russian Club, Spanish Club, and the International Student Association.

For More Information

Dr. Jerry M. Williams, Chairperson
Department of Foreign Languages
109 Main Hall
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2700
jwilliams2@wcupa.edu