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Departmental honors require a GPA of 3.0 and an average in all major courses of 3.3. After selecting a topic and adviser, the student registers for FREN or SPAN 490 during one of the semesters of the senior year and writes a paper of significant length and depth.
The quality of the paper determines whether the student receives honors (A– or higher required) or merely a grade.
Departmental high honors requires a GPA of 3.0 and an average in all major courses of 3.7. After selecting a topic and adviser, the student registers for FREN or SPAN 491 in the seventh term in order to compile a bibliography, gather materials, and begin the preparation of a thesis. The student then registers for FREN or SPAN 490 in the eighth term in order to complete the thesis.
The final version serves as the basis for an oral examination by three or more members of the faculty. The quality of the thesis and of the oral defense determines whether the student receives high honors (A or higher), honors (A–), or merely a grade.
A 490-course registration must be in addition to the minimum major requirement. The expected length of an honors paper or high honors thesis is established by the adviser in consultation with the department chair.
Advanced Placement
University credit is automatically granted to entering students who achieve a score of 4 or higher on AP examinations in language or literature in French and Spanish. Major credit is granted for a score of 5.
The following course equivalents are established: In French, language grade of 4 = 202; language grade of 5 = 301; literature grade of 4 = 202; literature grade of 5 = 399. In Spanish, language grade of 4 = 202; language grade of 5 = 361 or 362; literature grade of 4 = 202; literature grade of 5 = 399.
Students with an AP language grade of 3 may take FREN 202 or SPAN 202 or higher. Students with an AP language or literature grade of 4 or higher must register at the 300 level if they continue their study of French or Spanish.