2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
114 Stevenson Hall
Campus Box 4300
(309) 438-3604
LAN.IllinoisState.edu
Chairperson: Bruce Burningham
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.
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
Requirements in the Major in 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 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.
- Part of entitlement program leading to professional educator licensure with K-12 endorsement
- The edTPA is required during the student teaching semester. Advanced Low on the OPI required before student teaching placement will be made.
- University-Wide Teacher Education Requirements
- Clinical Experiences in Teacher Education
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
View German Course Requirements
German Teacher Education Sequence
- Part of entitlement program leading to professional educator licensure with K-12 endorsement.
- The edTPA is required during the student teaching semester. Advanced Low on the OPI required before student teaching placement will be made
- Clinical Experiences in Teacher Education
- University-Wide Teacher Education
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
Requirements in the Major in Spanish 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 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.
- Part of entitlement program leading to a professional educator license with K-12 endorsement.
- The edTPA is required during the student teaching semester. Advanced Low on the OPI requried before student teaching placement will be made.
- Clinical Experiences in Teacher Education
- University-Wide Teacher Education Requirements
View Spanish Teacher Education Sequence Course Requirements
Minor in Spanish
24 total credit hours required
Required courses
Take 7 credit hours from the following
- SPA 111 (Other than CAP, no credit may be earned below SPA 115 once it has been taken)
- SPA 112 (Other than CAP, no credit may be earned below SPA 115 once it has been taken)
- SPA 214
- SPA 235 (if not taken to fulfill requirement)
- SPA 240 (if not taken to fulfill requirement)
- SPA 215
- SPA 233 (if not taken to fulfill requirement)
- SPA 243
- SPA 244
- SPA 287
- SPA 300
- SPA 305
- SPA 310
- SPA 311
- SPA 323
- SPA 324
- SPA 326
- SPA 327
- SPA 336
- SPA 337
- SPA 360
- SPA 370
- SPA 385
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
- ART 155
- ART 240
- ART 241
- ART 242
- ART 244
- HIS 101
- HIS 220
- HIS 221
- HIS 222
- HIS 223
- LAT 287
- LAT 300
- PHI 254
Or others approved by the Department
Minor in East Asian Studies
Advisor: Roger Thomas
Office: 233E Stevenson Hall
Phone: (309) 438-7982
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
- JPN 111 (if haven't had JPN 112 or higher)
- JPN 112 (if haven't had JPN 115 or higher)
- JPN 231
- JPN 232
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
- HIS 104a02
- HIS 269
- HIS 275
- HIS 276
- HIS 373
- HIS 375
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
Advisor: Jonathan Druker
Office: 240 Stevenson Hall
Phone: (309) 438-7978
25 total credit hours required
Required courses
Sufficient electives to meet the 25-hour requirement
Electives
- ART 156
- ART 241
- ART 244
- HIS 107
- HIS 221
- HIS 222
- HIS 223
- HIS 224
- ITA 111 (not for credit if had taken ITA 112 or higher)
- ITA 112 (not for credit if had taken ITA 115 or higher)
- ITA 221
- ITA 222
- ITA 287
- ITA 300
Others approved by the Department
Other courses taken in Italy may be counted toward the minor with prior approval of the minor advisor