Modern Languages (MFL)

Maria Ramos, Head
Department of Modern Languages
SWG 121A
605-688-5102
e-mail: maria.ramos@sdstate.edu

Faculty

Professor Ramos, Head; Professors Emeriti Baker, Beattie, Cardenas,
Iden, Redhead, Richter, Sunde; Professor Baggett; Associate Professors
Owens,, Rolz, Spitz; Assistant Professors Enz, O’Donnell, Wallace;
Instructors Falasca, Garst-Santos, Hanson, Orellana, Snell-Feikema,
Iverson-Maggi, Schnaser, Wiederich.

Programs

The Department of Modern Languages provides proficiency-oriented instruction in second languages, literatures, civilizations and cultures, following the Standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The Department offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in French Studies, German and Spanish. It also offers minors in French, German, and Spanish. Students seeking to fulfill the 14-hour Bachelor of Arts requirement in modern languages (101, 102, 201, 202) may do so in any one of four languages:, French, German, Lakota, or Spanish.

Students entering the University with a background in modern languages are strongly encouraged to request a copy of the Department’s placement policy. Students who are prepared to take courses beyond 101 (up to 310 or 311, except SPAN, FREN or GER 211, 212) may apply to receive credit for all previous courses up to 202. Even if the student’s career goals do not center on a modern language, a strong background in a language may make a second major or a minor feasible.

Students cannot get first or second year credit for their native language. For more information please check the Modern Language Credit policy in the Academic Evaluation section of this catalog. The faculty of the Department of Modern Languages works with students to determine the program of study that will best prepare them for the career they have chosen. The Department encourages students to investigate programs in other academic areas which will complement or enhance their preparation for a specific career. Such programs include, but are not limited to: Global Studies (see the requirements for the Global Studies Major and Minor), Economics, Education (see “Education Curriculum for Teachers of Academic Subjects”), European Studies (see European Studies), and Latin American Studies (see Latin American Studies). Students are also encouraged to plan a summer/semester/year experience studying abroad.

Additional information on the Department’s programs is found elsewhere in this Catalog. The Department has placement information as well as specific information on all of its programs available in the main office of the Department of Modern Languages and on the department’s web page.

Globalization Major and Minor

Mission

The Global Studies major fits with the Land-Grant Mission of South Dakota State University to develop, maintain and encourage student self development in international and intercultural understanding consistent with the continually increasing cultural, economic and political interdependence of the modern world. In the 21st century, relationships between people and nations will be affected more by interdependence of the world as a whole than by national boundaries. By embracing two broad themes- intercultural competence and authentic global citizenship- the Global Studies major will:

prepare students through the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities with knowledge and a broad understanding of global society and the societies of diverse foreign countries and cultures;
enable students to apply analytical and philosophical tools for interpretation of and critical thinking about global issues and data;
prepare students for employment in many fields including government, non-governmental organizations, business with international marketing, journalism and other fields that require professionals with interdisciplinary education, global literacy, and cross-cultural competencies;
provide the training, tools, and experiences for global studies majors to become authentic global citizens; and
utilize the international resources of SDSU to benefit the citizens of South Dakota, the United States, and the world.

Programs

The Global Studies major integrates content and theory from a number of disciplines leading to an understanding of the interrelated processes of globalization in an increasingly interdependent world. Globalization, which has occurred over centuries, accelerated dramatically in the last half of the 20th century stimulated by rapid transportation and technological developments, leading to instant communication between all parts of the world. International activities are now globally based on new relationships between countries resulting from diminution of national boundaries and increased recognition of the global nature of environmental conditions, economics, politics, health and safety, the spread of terrorism, and the perceived homogenization of culture.

Two required courses, Global Studies I (GLST 201, 3 credits) and Global Studies II (GLST 401, 3 credits) provide a theoretical base to view the world holistically. In Global Studies II, students will integrate information and ideas from previous courses, analyze experiences, and develop a solid global perspective.

Because background from many disciplines is fundamental, the major utilizes courses from several departments that each contribute to breadth of knowledge and understanding. Elective courses are grouped into three foci - globalization, societies, and culture. Within each group, students select courses to fulfill graduation requirements. The choices are grouped by lower and upper division, allowing students to select emphases of their choice.

Global Studies Major (B.A.)

Students must complete 128 credit hours including the 30 credit System General Education Core (Gen Ed) and the 8 credit SDSU Institutional Graduation Requirements (IGR) leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Students earning the B.A. degree will complete 21-22 hours concentrated in one modern, foreign language — French, German or Spanish. Students entering the University with a background in languages are strongly recommended to request a copy of the Modern Languages Department placement policy. Students who are prepared to take courses beyond 101 (up to 310 or 311, except Spanish 211, 213) may apply to receive credit for all previous courses up to 202.

The number of free electives varies from 27-35, depending upon the student’s choice of options selected to fulfill General Education and Institutional Graduation Requirements. This flexibility provides an excellent opportunity for students to fulfill requirements for a second major or a minor in another discipline; global studies students are encouraged to do so.

Cross-Cultural Experiential Education

For Global Studies majors, first-hand, cross-cultural experience is mandatory. At least three credits must be earned outside the United States. Students can choose the program they prefer from several options provided by the Office of International Affairs, Department of Modern Languages, and individual colleges:

full time study abroad at a university for one semester;
a one-semester, paid or unpaid, internship or volunteer service
learning project;
an intense modern language immersion program worth at least 3 credit hours; or
a study abroad seminar or travel experience that includes pre-and
post-travel/study orientation worth 3 hours of credit.

The coordinator of the Global Studies Program advises students regarding the selection of an appropriate plan for this requirement based upon the student’s interests, time frames, and budget.

Additional information identifying the exact requirements for this major is found in the “Major and Minor Requirements” section of this catalog.

Global Studies Minor

The minor in Global Studies, which can be completed with any SDSU major, consists of 21 credits (18 core credits and one elective). The minor is outlined in the section on Major and Minor Requirements.

Related Minors

Three minors with content tied directly to Global Studies complement the Global Studies major:
European Studies
Global Agriculture
Latin American Studies

International Students

International students enrolled at SDSU are strongly encouraged to discuss with the Coordinator of Global Studies possible variations in requirements for the major and the minor that take into consideration their mastery of foreign language and previous international experiences.