2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

LAN.IllinoisState.edu

Admission/Retention Requirements

Language Placement Information

For those languages which have no specific placement recommendations listed in this Undergraduate Catalog, students who have had no prior instruction in a world language, or one year of instruction, should enroll in the LAN 111 course for the appropriate language. Students who have had 2, 3, or 4 years generally enroll in LAN 112 or LAN 115. If prior language study took place more than one year earlier, a student may choose to enroll at a lower level. Transfer students and native speakers should consult with the Department’s academic advisor to determine proper placement. The best way to assure that a student begins at the right Illinois State University level is to use the above as a reference and then to take the online self-placement test.

Credit for Acquired Proficiency (CAP)

If the first Languages, Literatures, and Cultures course in which a student enrolls is above LAN 111 in the regular sequence (LAN 112, LAN 115, LAN 116 or above), he or she may be eligible for proficiency acquired elsewhere. Student must apply for CAP by filling out a short form in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.

Credit toward graduation for acquired proficiency will be granted upon completion at Illinois State University of one course (excluding Independent Study) with the grade of C or better. It is recommended that the course be taken as soon as possible after matriculation at Illinois State University. Students are reminded that no course in the major or minor may be taken under the P/NP (Passing/No Passing) option.

Students beginning at the LAN 112-level and fulfilling the previous requirements will be granted 4 hours of CAP. Students beginning at the LAN 115-level or above and fulfilling the above requirements will be granted 8 hours of CAP.

The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures also accepts credit for the Seal of Biliteracy, International Baccalaureate, and AP exams. For more information, visit the Academic Practices and Policies section of the catalog. 

Interdisciplinary Minors

The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures participates in the Major in European Studies and the minors in Cognitive Science; Ethnic Studies; European Studies, International Studies; Latin American and Latino/a Studies; and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. For further information, please consult the program advisors as well as the Interdisciplinary Studies Programs page.

Language of Instruction in Courses in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Because the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures promotes the acquisition of world languages, the official language of instruction and class discussion will be the language of study in the majority of cases. Courses in pedagogy are frequently taught in English. LAN prefixed coures (taught in English) that contribute to Gen Ed: LH and H can complement a major or a minor in a language. 

For information about admission to this program visit the University’s Academics website.

Course Finder

Honors in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

The Department invites highly qualified ma­jors (or double majors) to distinguish them­selves by earning honors in French, German, or Spanish.

The Honors Program seeks to facilitate customized learning for Honors students in their disciplines by offering the opportunity for students to engage in Honors education and to have Honors Learning Experiences in upper division courses. Honors students may choose to focus their Honors Learning in their major and pursue the Honors in the Major designation, which is awarded at graduation. For more information on Honors in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, please visit the Honors website.

French

Degree Offered: B.A.

Major in French and Francophone Studies

French General Sequence

Requirements in the General Sequence of French and Francophone Studies begin at the FRE 115 level. However, students may need to start in FRE 111 and/or FRE 112; these courses do not count toward the major requirements, but they do count as hours toward graduation.

View French and Francophone General Sequence Course Requirements

French Teacher Education Sequence

Requirements in the Major in French for Teacher Education begin at the FRE 115 level, however students may need to start in FRE 111 and/or FRE 112. These courses do not count toward the major requirements but do count as hours toward graduation. Students with no previous study in French begin the language with FRE 111. Students with 2 years of high school French (or equivalent) normally begin with FRE 112. Students with 3-4 years of high school French (or equivalent) normally begin with FRE 115.

View French Teacher Education Sequence Course Requirements

Minor in French and Francophone Studies

25 total credit hours required

Required courses

Plus sufficient electives to meet the 25-hour requirement

Electives

German

Degree Offered: B.A.

Major in German

German General Sequence

Requirements in the General Sequence of German begin at the GER 115 level. However, students may need to start in GER 111 and/or GER 112 ; these courses do not count toward the major requirements, but they do count as hours toward graduation.

View German General Sequence Course Requirements

German Teacher Education Sequence

Requirements in the Major in German for Teacher Education begin at the GER 115 level, however students may need to start in GER 111 and/or GER 112. These courses do not count toward the major requirements but do count as hours toward graduation. Students with no previous study in German begin the language with GER 111. Students with 2 years of high school German (or equivalent) normally begin with GER 112. Students with 3-4 years of high school German (or equivalent) normally begin with GER 115.

View German Teacher Education Sequence Course Requirements

Minor in German

25 total credit hours required

Required courses

17 credit hours of additional electives

Three GER courses must be at the 200-level or higher, one of which must be at the 300-level

Spanish

Degree Offered: B.A.

Major in Spanish

Spanish General Sequence

Requirements in the General Sequence of Spanish begin at the   SPA 115 level. However, students may need to start in SPA 111 and/or SPA 112 ; these courses do not count toward the major requirements, but they do count as hours toward graduation.

View Spanish General Sequence Course Requirements

Spanish Accelerated Sequence

The Spanish Accelerated sequence offers high achieving Spanish majors the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Spanish with one additional year of study beyond their undergraduate work. Students may apply to the Spanish Accelerated Sequence using the ISU major/minor application change form on My.IllinoisState.edu when they have earned at least 60 credit hours and an average GPA of 3.2. Students should consult with the department Undergraduate Advisor.

Students admitted to the sequence will complete both undergraduate and graduate courses during their junior and/or senior year, in consultation with the department Graduate Advisor. Up to 9 credit hours of graduate coursework may count towards both the undergraduate and graduate programs. To graduate with a BA in the Spanish Accelerated Sequence, students must complete at least one graduate level course.

Students in the Spanish Accelerated Sequence must apply to the graduate program in the final semester of their senior year and meet the criteria for graduate admission. Admitted students will then seamlessly transition into the Spanish MA program upon graduation from their undergraduate program.

View Spanish Accelerated Course Requirements

Spanish Teacher Education Sequence

Requirements in the Major in Spanish for Teacher Education begin at the SPA 115 level, however students may need to start in SPA 111 and/or SPA 112. Students with no previous study in Spanish begin the language with SPA 111. Students with 2 years of high school Spanish (or equivalent) normally begin with SPA 112. Students with 3-4 years of high school Spanish (or equivalent) normally begin with SPA 115.

View Spanish Teacher Education Sequence Course Requirements

Minor in Spanish

24 total credit hours required

Required courses

Take 7 credit hours from the following

Minors Only

Minor in Classical Studies

The minor in Classical Studies is extremely versatile allowing for interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, and indeed, inter-college collaboration. The required language courses introduce students to Latin, a fundamental language in European and American history that is still used in many fields today including medicine, biology, and law. To complete the minor, students may choose from elective courses in Near Eastern Studies, Greek and Roman history, Classics, ancient art history/archaeology, medieval literature or medieval history, ancient and medieval philosophy, and Early Modern History.

24 credit hours in Latin and related courses required

Required courses

Electives

Or others approved by the Department

Minor in East Asian Studies

The Minor in East Asian Studies provides an interdisciplinary approach to exploring the languages, politics, society, and cultures of countries in East Asia. Two tracks are available: a language track, emphasizing language and culture; and an interdisciplinary track, emphasizing the socio-political and cultural dynamics of the countries located in the region and their roles in the world.

The plan of study must be created in consultation with the East Asian Studies advisor.

24 credit hours required

Required courses

  • Two-year sequence or equivalent in an East Asian language, either Chinese (4 credit hours), CHI 115, or Japanese (8 credit hours), JPN 115, JPN 116

Choose one option

Option 1: Language Track

One elective from any elective group below (from Option 2)

Option 2: Interdisciplinary Track

In consultation with the East Asian Studies advisor, sufficient electives from the following groups:

Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Department of History
Department of Politics and Government
Department of Philosophy
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
School of Music
Interdisciplinary Studies
School of Theatre and Dance

Other electives, including coursework taken abroad, may be counted toward the minor with prior approval of the minor advisor

Minor in Italian

25 hours required

Required courses

Sufficient electives to meet the 25-hour requirement

Electives

Other courses taken in Italy may be counted toward the minor with prior approval of the minor advisor.