2021-2022 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 foreign 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.
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; and Latin American and Latino/a 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.
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. To be admitted to the program a student must: (1) have completed 60 hours of university-level work; (2) be a declared major or double major in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; and (3) have a minimum overall GPA of 3.30 with a GPA of 3.60 in the chosen language.
In order to graduate with departmental honors a student must: (1) complete the general requirements for the major; (2) maintain an overall GPA of 3.30 and a GPA of 3.60 in the major language; (3) complete 9 hours of in-course honors work at the 300-level in the major; (4) complete an honors thesis while enrolled as a senior in either LAN 299, Independent Honors Study, or in their 300-level capstone project; (5) fulfill the general requirements for participation in the University Honors Program. Students interested in participating may obtain additional information from the Director of the Honors Program in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. The Department also offers in-course honors work for students enrolled in the University Honors Program at the discretion of the instructor.
For more information on Honors in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, including admission and retention standards, please visit the Honors website.
French
Degree Offered: B.A.
Major in French and Francophone Studies
The number of hours required for the Major in French and Francophone Studies depends on the level at which a student begins the program. Students with no previous study in French begin the language with FRE 111 and must complete 43 hours. Students with 2 years of high school French (or equivalent) normally begin with FRE 112 and must complete 39 hours beyond FRE 111. Students with 3 years of high school French (or equivalent) normally begin with FRE 115 and must complete 35 hours beyond FRE 111 and FRE 112.
View French and Francophone Course Requirements
French Teacher Education Sequence
The number of hours required for the Major in French for Teacher Education depends on the level at which a student begins the program. Students with no previous study in French begin the language with FRE 111 and must complete 75 hours. Students with 2 years of high school French (or equivalent) normally begin with FRE 112 and must complete 71 hours beyond FRE 111. Students with 3 years of high school French (or equivalent) normally begin with FRE 115 and must complete 67 hours beyond FRE 111.
Part of entitlement program leading to professional educator licensure with K-12 endorsement
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
Sufficient electives to meet the 25-hour requirement
Electives
Spanish
Degree Offered: B.A.
Major in Spanish
The number of hours required for the Major in Spanish depends on the level at which a student begins the program. Students with no previous study in Spanish begin the language with SPA 111 and must complete 43 hours. Students with 2 years of high school Spanish (or equivalent) normally begin with SPA 112 and must complete 39 hours beyond SPA 111. Students with 3 years of high school Spanish (or equivalent) normally begin with SPA 115 and must complete 35 hours beyond SPA 111 and SPA 112.
View Spanish Course Requirements
Spanish Teacher Education Sequence
The number of hours required for the Major in Spanish for Teacher Education depends upon the level at which a student begins the program. Students with no previous study in Spanish begin the language with SPA 111 and must complete 75 hours. Students with 2 years of high school Spanish (or equivalent) normally begin with SPA 112 and must complete 71 hours beyond SPA 111. Students with 3 years of high school Spanish (or equivalent) normally begin with SPA 115 and must complete 67 hours beyond SPA 111 and SPA 112.
- Part of entitlement program leading to a professional educator license with K-12 endorsement.
- The edTPA is required during the student teaching semester
- 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
Recommended electives
- 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 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
24 credit hours in Latin and related courses required
Required courses
Electives
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 Studies
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