Foreign Languages Department
There are currently only beginning German courses offered (101-103). The German major and minor are no longer offered.
For Course Offerings and Program Requirements see The Hiram College Catalog.
1. Which courses are for first year students who wish to explore new areas of interest, but have no clear intent to major in this area?
German 101, 102, 103.
2. What is the desirable course work a prospective major/minor should complete by the end of their first year and the end of their second year?
N/A
3. What is the minimum a prospective major/minor must do by the end of their first and second year?
N/A
4. How important is it for a student with some interest in majoring in your area to make contact with a member of your department?
VERY!!
5. What are the major pitfalls a student should avoid during their first year and how can an advisor help the student to avoid them?
Waiting until their senior year to complete a foreign language. If the student would like to continue in the same language studied in high school, taking that language during the first or, at the latest the second year is strongly recommended.
The main problem for first year students who believe they will not be a language major is assuming that they will not need to take a foreign language at all. About half of the departments require foreign language study for their majors, most through the 103 level.
Major- French
Minor- French
For Course Offerings and Program Requirements see The Hiram College Catalog.
1. Which courses are for first year students who wish to explore new areas of interest, but have no clear intent to major in this area?
Take one of the introductory level courses in French. Remember that by completing the 101-103 sequence you can fulfill one of the Humanities division requirements and also meet the foreign language requirement demanded by several majors. You could also try out a literature in translation course.
2. What is the desirable course work a prospective major/minor should complete by the end of their first year and the end of their second year?
Majors:Completion of the 101-104 sequence by the end of the first year. Completion of 215 and 220 by the end of the second year with at least one more upper level course.
Minors:Completion of the 101-104 sequence by the end of the first year. Completion of 215 and 220 by the end of the second year.
3. What is the minimum a prospective major/minor must do by the end of their first and second year?
Majors:Completion of French sequence 101-103 by the end of the first year and completion of 104 and a 200 level course by the end of the second year.
Minors:Completion of French sequence 101-103 by the end of the first year.
4. How important is it for a student with some interest in majoring in your area to make contact with a member of your department?
It is very important to make contact as soon as possible with Professor Kirk. You may need or want to take the placement examination or the upper level test for possible exemption. If majoring in French, it is also a good idea to plan ahead for the next term to France since this is required of our majors and recommended for our minors.
5. What are the major pitfalls a student should avoid during their first year and how can an advisor help the student to avoid them?
Not continuing the study of French as soon as possible.
Waiting until senior year to complete a language requirement
Major- Spanish
Minor- Spanish
For Course Offerings and Program Requirements see The Hiram College Catalog.
1. Which courses are for first year students who wish to explore new areas of interest, but have no clear intent to major in this area?
All 100 level courses and Spanish 200, 201, 250, and 251 if they qualify. Spanish 103 and beyond provide credit for the Humanities distribution requirement. LITR 126 and 156 are Spanish literature courses taught in English with translated texts; the exact topics may vary.
2. What is the desirable course work a prospective major/minor should complete by the end of their first year and the end of their second year?
Majors:
Minors:Completion of Spanish 103 during the first or second year.
3. What is the minimum a prospective major/minor must do by the end of their first and second year?
Majors:Completion of Spanish 103 during the first year.
Minors:No minimum
4. How important is it for a student with some interest in majoring in your area to make contact with a member of your department?
Very! Very! Very!
5. What are the major pitfalls a student should avoid during their first year and how can an advisor help the student to avoid them?
Waiting until their senior year to complete a foreign language. If the student would like to continue in the same language studied in high school, taking that language during the first or, at the latest the second, year is strongly recommended.
The main problem for first year students who believe they will not be a language major is assuming that they will not need to take a foreign language at all. About half of the departments require foreign language study for their majors, most through the 103 level.