Nicholas Vazsonyi, Chair

Overview

The department offers undergraduate majors in Chinese studies, classics, comparative literature, French, German, Russian, and Spanish, all leading to the bachelor of arts degree. The department offers minors in ancient Greek, Chinese studies, classical studies, comparative literature, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Minors in foreign languages generally require 18 hours of course work at the 200 level or above.

Advanced Standing

Students who have studied a foreign language during the five years preceding their enrollment at USC must take the placement test in that language. A maximum of 7 or 8 semester hours of advanced standing credit for 121-122 courses in one foreign language may be earned on the basis of completion (with a grade of B or better) of the first 200-level or above 3-credit course in that foreign language; 4 hours credit for 121 may be awarded for a grade of B or better in a 122 course. Courses that may not be offered for advanced standing credit are: all CLAS courses, FREN 290 , FREN 295 , 315, FREN 397 , and FREN 399 : GERM 315, GERM 398 , and GERM 399 ; LATN 314, 315, and LATN 399 ; and SPAN 315, SPAN 350 , SPAN 398 , and SPAN 399 .

Exemptions

Students will not normally be permitted to repeat for credit foreign language units previously earned in high school or college. Freshmen achieving advanced standing at the University may be permitted to validate certain omitted courses, according to current regulations, and should consult the department for further information. Students who have learned English as a foreign language may, with the concurrence of the dean of their college and that of the chair of the department, be exempted from the language requirement without credit. Such students will, at the discretion of the department, be excluded from courses in their native language.

Programs and Courses

Programs

• Ancient Greek Literature Minor
• Chinese Studies Minor
• Chinese Studies, B.A.
• Classical Studies Minor
• Classical Studies Program Electives
• Classics, B.A.
• Comparative Literature Minor
• Comparative Literature, B.A.
• Foreign Language Education Minor
• French Minor
• French, B.A.
• German Minor
• German, B.A.
• Italian Minor
• Japanese Minor
• Latin Minor
• Portuguese Minor
• Russian and Eurasian Studies Minor
• Russian Minor
• Russian, B.A.
• Spanish Minor
• Spanish, B.A.

Courses

• FREN 109 - Beginning French I
• FREN 110 - Beginning French II
• FREN 121 - Elementary French
• FREN 122 - Basic Proficiency in French

• SPAN 109 - Beginning Spanish I
• SPAN 110 - Beginning Spanish II
• SPAN 121 - Elementary Spanish
• SPAN 122 - Basic Proficiency in Spanish