Academic Program

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2023-24.

Faculty
Professors Gallucci, Julien (Chair), Plata Parga, Rugg Associate Professors Facchini, Pérez-Carbonell, Riley, Stolova, Zegarra Assistant Professors Sandoval-Léon, Ramirez Velazquez Senior Lecturers Escudero Moro, Mejía-Barrera, Merklin, Ramakrishnan Visiting Assistant Professor Brown

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers classes in French, Italian, and Spanish at the 100 and 200 levels, with major and minor programs consisting of classes at the 300 and 400 levels. All classes are open to any student who meets the appropriate requirements. Students may pursue a major or a minor in French or Spanish, or an Arts and Humanities topical major in Italian.

All courses are offered in the target language, which enables students to develop increasingly sophisticated levels of language proficiency, disciplinary expertise, and cultural knowledge. From the beginning language courses to advanced literature seminars, the curriculum is designed with geographic and cultural diversity in mind. Advanced courses, using different interdisciplinary lenses, focus more specifically on literature as well as linguistics and film as an object of study and a scholarly discipline with its specialized methodologies and modes of thought. Literature also offers a unique conduit for learning about languages, cultures, and histories.

A major in a Romance language offers an excellent basis not only for a graduate degree in literature, but also for a professional program in other fields such as international relations, law, any of the sciences, medicine, education, or business. Regardless of their career path, students of Romance languages are exceptionally well equipped to navigate the cultural and linguistic diversity of today's world and become active and engaged global citizens.

Awards

The Award for Excellence in French Studies — awarded in recognition of consistently outstanding performance in French.

The Award for Excellence in Italian Studies — awarded in recognition of consistently outstanding performance in Italian.

The Award for Excellence in Spanish Studies — awarded in recognition of exceptional contributions to the life of the Spanish program within the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures.

The Charles A. Choquette Memorial Prize — established in honor of Charles Choquette, professor of French and Spanish from 1927 to 1967 and chair from 1953 to 1962. This prize is awarded to one or more students for excellence in French language and literature.

David B. Jutten Prize for Romance Languages — established in 1914 for a prize for excellence in Romance languages.

Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit

University credit is automatically granted to entering students who achieve a score of 4 or higher on AP examinations in French language and Spanish language or literature. 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 = 361. In Spanish, language grade of 4 = 202; language grade of 5 = 361; literature grade of 4 = 202; literature grade of 5 = 202, and exemption from a major credit at the 350 level.

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 to continue their study of French or Spanish. No more than two AP or transfer credits, or combination of the two, may be counted for a French or Spanish major or minor.

No more than two major or one minor credit may be transferred from an approved program in French, and no more than one major or minor credit in Spanish. To be accepted, such courses must be comparable in quality and scope to courses offered at Colgate. Students who hope to transfer a credit from an approved program must provide the department chair with documentation about the course for approval prior to enrolling in that program, and may be asked to present their work to the chair for evaluation upon return.

Honors and High Honors

French

Departmental honors requires a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and an average in all major courses of 3.30. After selecting a topic and adviser, the student registers for FREN 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).

Departmental high honors requires a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and an average in all major courses of 3.70. After selecting a topic and adviser, the student registers for FREN 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 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) or honors (A–).

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.

Spanish

Departmental honors requires a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and an average in all major courses of 3.30. After selecting a topic and adviser, the student registers for 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).

Departmental high honors requires a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and an average in all major courses of 3.70. After selecting a topic and adviser, the student registers for 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 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)or honors (A–).

Study Groups

Spain

The Spain Study Group operates in Santiago de Compostela and Madrid each fall semester. In order to be eligible, a student must satisfactorily complete at least one 350-level survey and SPAN 361.

The study group experience is an integral part of the Spanish program, and all qualified majors are expected to participate. Preference is given to majors and minors, but qualified non-majors are encouraged to apply.

The department has established the following policies for its study group in Madrid: two credits toward the Spanish major or minor may be earned; students must register for a full load of courses; students may not take a fifth course; all courses must be taken for a standard letter grade. Only in unusual circumstances will the department chair grant exceptions to these rules.

Italy

Several university departments, including the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, collaborate in organizing the Venice Study Group. Basic Italian language knowledge required for application. Eligibility may also be gained in other ways.

For more information, see Off-Campus Study.

La Casa Pan-Latina Americana

Students have an additional opportunity for language and cultural study through residence in La Casa Pan-Latina Americana. The house provides a focal point for Latino students and a way for other students to share cultural knowledge and language skills.

Language Placement Regulations

Students wishing to continue a Romance language studied in secondary school should register for the appropriate courses indicated by the prerequisites. For help determining placement see Language Placement or Course Descriptions. Credit will not be granted to a student taking a course at a lower level than a course for which the prerequisites have been completed. In all matters of language placement, the department makes the final determination.