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Modern Languages and Linguistics

Career and Academic Paths | Teacher Certification | Academic Advising | Major Program | Study Abroad | Minor Program | Certificate Program | Honors Program | Certificate of Achievement | Evening Options | Special Opportunities | Internships | Financial Aid | Undergraduate Research Opportunities | Student Organizations |

Faculty

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Chair

Ana Maria Schwartz

Professors

Alan S. Bell
Thomas T. Field
Renate Fischetti
Angela Moorjani
John H. Sinnigen

Associate Professors

Omar Ka
Edward Larkey
Stanley McCray
Sara Z. Poggio
Alan S. Rosenthal
Elaine Rusinko
Judith M. Schneider
Robert A. Sloane
John Stolle-McAllister
German Westphal

Lecturers

William Brown
Samir El Omari
Susanne S. Sutton

Assistant Professors

Zakaria Fatih
Adriana Medina-López-Portillo
Ana Oscoz
Denis Provencher

Senior Lecturers

Marie de Verneil
Brigitte May
Rosalie Messick

Courses in this program are listed under ARBC and CHIN and FREN and GERM and HEBR and JPNS and KORE and LING and MLL and RUSS and SPAN and WOL.

In an increasingly interdependent world, the study of languages and cultures, including the heritage languages and cultures of immigrants to the United States, is a fundamental part of every student’s education. Knowledge of at least one foreign language and familiarity with different societies equip university graduates for more intelligent choices as citizens of today’s world, and it enhances their effectiveness in a range of career fields, including law, journalism, business, education, health care, banking, social work, management, international administration and many others in the public and private sectors. The study of linguistics and human communication provides perspectives and tools of analysis useful in every human endeavor. The Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics offers an innovative, multi-disciplinary program with a triple focus: language, literature and society. Courses are offered in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Linguistics, Russian, Spanish and Wolof, as well as a range of culture and general education courses under the designation MLL (Modern Languages and Linguistics). MLL courses are taught in English and include offerings on such topics as general language, linguistics, world literature and international film. Majors in modern languages and linguistics share a common interdisciplinary core of courses (MLL 190, 230 and 301), which provides a grounding in essential issues of human communication and social context. There are four options for the major:

One-language option in French, German, Russian or Spanish

Two-language option

Language and cultural studies

Applied linguistics

The department also offers a minor in modern languages and linguistics and a certificate of achievement in French, German, Russian and Spanish. Additionally, the program in modern languages combines exceptionally well with major programs in many other departments, where knowledge of another
language and culture is often a valuable asset.

The courses listed as MLL provide offerings of general interest to both the major and non-major. These courses present a wide and primarily international perspective on aspects of language, literature and culture.

Career and Academic Paths

MLL graduates have successfully pursued careers in law, medicine, education, social work, government and international business. Within the accelerated B.A./M.A. program offered by the department, qualified students completing an undergraduate major in modern languages and linguistics may, during their junior or senior year, apply for admission to the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Intercultural Communication. If accepted, they can apply nine credits of approved B.A. course work to their M.A. degree. Such students may be able to complete both degrees in five years. Those interested should contact the director of the INCC graduate program. A description of the M.A. in Intercultural Communication may be found in the Graduate Catalog. Qualified undergraduates may enroll in graduate courses offered by the department. Courses frequently
taken by undergraduates include:

MLL 601
Language, Discourse, Society
MLL 602
The Ethnography of Communication
MLL 603
The Political Economy of Culture

For a complete list of courses and their descriptions, please consult the Graduate Catalog.

Teacher Certification

There are many openings for teachers of modern languages in public and private schools. Students intending to major in a language and seek elementary or early-childhood certification or seek secondary certification in their major language should consult with the Department of Education as early as possible for a description of the certification requirements and the procedures for admittance into the program.

Academic Advising

The modern languages and linguistics department organizes annual information meetings on the major, internships and study abroad. Students with an interest in majoring in modern languages and linguistics should contact the department office at
410-455-2109. Majors are assigned to a faculty advisor in one of their areas of focus, but they are free to select a different advisor at any time and are encouraged to do so if their interests and career goals change. Transfer students should meet as quickly as possible with the coordinator in the area in which their main interests lie (French, German, linguistics, Russian, Spanish) to plan an efficient program of study.

Major Program

All majors who pursue the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Modern Languages and Linguistics take a common core of courses, as follows:

MLL 190
The World of Language I
MLL 230
World Language Communities
MLL 301
Textual Analysis:
Words, Images, Music.
Although not required, MLL 191: The World of Language II is highly recommended.

Students may select one of four options for the major:

One-Language Option (Total credits: 39-42)


French Interconnections With the World (42 credits)

9 credits:
MLL 190, 230, 301
6 credits:
FREN 301, 302
12 credit of foundation courses:
FREN 310, 320, 330, 340
3 credits of experiential learning:
FREN 399
6 credits of elective FREN courses at the 300 or 400 level
6 credits of elective FREN courses at the 400-level


German (40 credits)

9 credits:
MLL 190, 230, 301

13 credits:
GERM 202, 301, 302, 303

6 credits:
GERM 311, 312

6 credits:
GERM 401, 481
Note: 400-level courses routinely require a term paper or equivalent written assignment.

6 credits of elective GERM courses at the 300 or 400 level

Russian (38 credits)

9 credits:
MLL 190, 230, 301

12 credits:
RUSS 301, 302, 401, 402

2 credits from
RUSS 303, 304, 403
9 credits from RUSS 270, 271, 310, 311
3 credits of elective RUSS courses at the 300 or 400 level

3 credits:
RUSS 350
ComplementaryRussian Reading

Note: It is recommended that the student take RUSS 350 in conjunction with a 300- or 400-level course taught in English.

Spanish (39 credits)

9 credits:
MLL 190, 230, 301

18 credits:
SPAN 301, 302, 307, 308, 311, 312

6 credits:
SPAN 401, 421

Note: 400-level courses routinely require a term paper or equivalent written assignment.

6 credits of elective SPAN courses at the 300 or 400 level
At least 27 credits must be taken in courses taught in Spanish.


Two-Language Option (Total credits: 39-42)


French Interconnections With the World (42 credits)

9 credits:
MLL 190, 230, 301

6 credits:
FREN 301, 302

12 credits foundation courses:
FREN 310, 320, 330, 340

3 credits elective FREN courses, at the 400 level

12 credits in a second language (above 202)—
departmental certificate of achievement level—taught in the target language

German (40 credits)

9 credits:
MLL 190, 230, 301

13 credits:
GERM 202, 301, 302, 303

6 credits:
GERM at the 300- and 400-level, with at least three credits at the 400-level and with at least one course in literature and one course in civilization

12 credits in a second language (above 202)—
departmental certificate of achievement level—taught in the target language

Note: 16 credits must be taken in courses taught in German.

Russian (39 credits)

9 credits:
MLL 190, 230, 301

9 credits from
RUSS 301, 302, 401, 402

2 credits from
RUSS 303, 304, 403

6 credits from
RUSS/MLL 270, 271, OR ANY 300- or 400-level RUSS course.

1 credit RUSS 350

12 credits in a second language (above 202)—
departmental certificate of achievement level—taught in the target language

Spanish (39 credits)

9 credits:
MLL 190, 230, 301

9 credits:
SPAN 301, 302, 401

3 credits:
SPAN 311 or 312

6 credits:
SPAN at the 300 or 400 level, to be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor. At least one course must be at the 400 level.

12 credits in a second language (above 202)—
departmental certificate of achievement level—taught in the target language.

Note: 16 credits must be taken in courses taught in Spanish.

Language and Cultural Studies (Total credits: 39)

12 credits:
MLL 190, 191, 230, 301

12 upper-level credits in one modern language other than English (e.g., FREN, GERM, RUSS, SPAN).

15 elective credits minimum – nine or more at the 300 or 400 level – in MLL, LING and/or modern language courses as part of a major program designed in consultation with a departmental advisor.

Up to two appropriate courses from other disciplines may be applied to the major with written approval of the student’s advisor.


Applied Linguistics (Total credits: 39)

9 credits:
MLL 190, 230, 301
Although not required, MLL 191 is highly recommended.

21 credits:
LING 210, 290, 310, 320, 360, 410, 450 or 490

9 credits of other LING courses, three credits of which must be on the 400 level.
One cognate course in another discipline (e.g., PHIL 445, PSYC 316, ENGL 407, ENGL 490) and up to two language-specific linguistics courses (e.g., FREN/GERM/SPAN/ RUSS 331, 332, 438) may be used as substitutes for an equivalent number of the required LING courses with the approval of a designated LING major advisor.

In addition, students may apply to write an honors paper representing original research on a linguistic topic of their choice; the research will be defended before a committee. For details, consult a member of the MLL linguistics faculty.

Study Abroad

The experience of living
and studying abroad is an
extremely important asset for all language students. Students should discuss study abroad options with their advisor early in their studies. In general, financial aid may be applied to study abroad programs, and credits earned in the target language through study abroad may be transferred to UMBC. Students interested in co-ops and internships abroad are encouraged to consult the Shriver Center.

Spanish

UMBC in Mexico
UMBC cooperates with other University System of Maryland (USM) campuses in two study abroad programs in Mexico.

UMBC in Mexico City
Each fall, a group of advanced (SPAN 201 and above)
undergraduate students study at the main campus of the Center for the Instruction of Foreign Students of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), one of Latin America’s oldest, largest and most prestigious universities. Courses are offered in intensive Spanish language and Mexican and Latin-American studies. Courses also may be taken in other UNAM departments. Students earn an average of 15 credits per semester. Students placing at the proper level may complete 15 of the 18 credits required for the Spanish minor through this program. The program is extremely cost-effective, and financial aid is available. Highly recommended.

Maryland in Taxco, Mexico
A six-week, six-credit intensive Spanish language program at all levels offered every summer at the Taxco campus of the Center for the Instruction of Foreign Students of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. This program is especially appropriate for students at the 200 level of Spanish. Students completing level two or higher in Taxco will have fulfilled two of the three courses in the language and culture designation of the UMBC General Education Program (GEP) requirements.


French, German and Russian

Students are encouraged to spend a semester or at least a summer working abroad or studying in an approved university program in a country where the language is spoken. Although UMBC does not sponsor any specific programs in these languages, MLL faculty will advise students on their choice of program and assist them in course selection and credit transfer. Information about programs in French, German and Russian is available in the International Multimedia Center (AC IV 219), in the Office of International Education (AD 222), as well as from MLL faculty members.

Credits toward any language major may be earned through study abroad. All courses submitted by a student in fulfillment of the requirement for the major must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Students must earn a grade of “C” to continue in the next course in a basic language sequence (101-202).

Minor Program

A minor in modern languages and linguistics (MLL) allows students to develop proficiency in a foreign language, to learn about the nature of language and to become familiar with the societies in which different languages are spoken. A minor in MLL will assist students in the developing of communication skills and in understanding the complexities of an increasingly interdependent, multilingual and multicultural world. It will enrich students’ learning experience and enhance their career potential.

The MLL language minor requires a total of
18 credits:

3 credits:
one MLL core course
(MLL 190, 191, 230, 301)
All the rest of the required courses must be chosen from one language area:
301
FREN/GERM/RUSS/SPAN
302
FREN/GERM/RUSS/SPAN
9 credits in electives in FREN/GERM/RUSS/SPAN at the 300- or 400-level
The MLL applied linguistics minor will require a total of 21 credits:
3 credits:
MLL 190
12 credits:
LING 210, 290, 310, 320
6 credits chosen from other LING courses at the 300 or 400 level.
A cognate course in another discipline (e.g., PHIL 455, PSYC 316, ENGL 490) or a language-specific linguistics course (e.g. FREN/GERM/RUSS/SPAN 331, 332, 438) may substitute for one of the LING courses with the approval of a designated LING major advisor.

The MLL minor in Chinese language and culture will require a total of 18 credits
3 credits:
one MLL core course (MLL 190, 191, 230 or 301)
6 credits:
CHIN 301, CHIN 302
9 credits in CHIN or
MLL (CHIN) electives:
CHIN 309
Business Chinese
CHIN 319
Chinese Translation
CHIN 300
Independent Study
MLL 328
Traditional Chinese Fiction and Drama
Students may petition the MLL department to have relevant courses from other disciplines be counted for the minor in Chinese Language and Culture.

For all three tracks, courses are to be selected with the approval of a designated minor advisor. All courses submitted by a student in fulfillment of the requirement for the minor must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.

Note: Minor through study abroad. Students at the appropriate level may complete up to 15 credits of a minor in modern languages and linguistics through a semester of study abroad.

Certificate Program

Certificate in Intercultural Communication (18-19 credits)

This certificate program is intended for students who wish to combine the study of intercultural communication with advanced foreign language study.
The advance language study plus the instruction in issues of communication across cultures will help such students acquire useful knowledge and skills in their chosen careers and in their lives as citizens. The acquisition of competence in intercultural communication is absolutely necessary to function effectively in the 21st century era of economic, social and cultural globalization.

Requirements:
6 credits:
MLL 305, MLL 306
4 credits:
CHIN/FREN/GERM/HEBR/RUSS/SPAN 202
(A more advanced student may substitute a three-credit higher-level language course.)
3 credits:
CHIN/FREN/GERM/HEBR/ RUSS/SPAN 301
6 credits of elective courses from language, MLL or related disciplines, to be chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor. At least three of the six elective credits will come from outside the student’s primary language of study.

Honors Program

The Honors Program of the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics provides a small group of majors with additional intellectual experiences, both individually and as a group. The central components of the program are an honors seminar taught in English and the development and writing of an honors project, an experience that provides exceptional preparation for the work world or graduate school. Students who complete the program will graduate with departmental honors. Information is available in the department office.

Certificate of Achievement

A student who does not intend to major in modern languages and linguistics but who completes 301-302 in French, German, Russian or Spanish and two other courses in the same language at the 300 or 400 level with a grade of “B” or higher will receive a departmental certificate of achievement in that language. A student majoring or minoring in MLL may earn a certificate of achievement in a language that is not part of their major or minor track. That is, a student following the one-language track in French, for example, may earn a certificate of achievement in Spanish, German, or Russian but not in French.

Evening Options

A wide range of basic language courses is offered in the evenings. Other courses required for the major are often available in late afternoon or evening time slots, but the entire major cannot be completed in the late afternoon and evening hours at this time.

Special Opportunities

Intercultural Living Exchange

The Intercultural Living Exchange is a living learning community of UMBC. Students residing in the intercultural suites interact with international student resident mentors (native speakers of each cluster language: Chinese, French, German, Korean, Japanese, Russian and Spanish), who organize cultural and social activities for their language clusters as well as for the UMBC community. These activities include participation in UMBC’s International Week, intercultural presentations and workshops, language chat hours, study abroad presentations, international film festivals, field trips, culinary projects, intercultural holiday celebrations, lunches with faculty and excursions to concerts, plays and museum exhibits. Residence in the ILE provides excellent preparation for study abroad, as well as continuity for those who have previously gained language proficiency in a study abroad experience.

Internships

In collaboration with The Shriver Center, the department provides majors in Modern languages and linguistics full information and support for internships. Internships and community service projects are available for activities ranging from teaching language to children to working with foreign travelers for VISA International. In addition, internships abroad have, in recent years, become a significant way of combining study abroad with work experience. Students interested in earning MLL credit for internships should consult with the department’s internship coordinator.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for majors to participate in study abroad programs. In addition, the German area offers the Knapple and Plogman scholarships for students in the German track. Applications are due each April; awards are announced in May. Music students who also study German may apply for the Elterman scholarship through the music department.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The faculty encourages and supports undergraduate participation in faculty research. Advanced Spanish students may join in a research project based in a Spanish-speaking area in Baltimore.

Student Organizations

MLL Council of Majors, Linguistics Club, Language Clubs
The department has an active council of majors, a linguistics club and several language clubs, often organized by native speakers.

Delta Phi Alpha, the National German Honors Society
The German area offers
membership in Delta Phi Alpha, the National German Honors Society.

Russian Chorus
All students have the opportunity of participating
in the Russian Chorus; contact the Russian area for more information.