Bulletin--Foreign Languages Pgm. Info.

Foreign Languages and Literatures

College of Humanities
Dean: Nancy McDermid

Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
HUM 475
415-338-1421
Chair: Julian F. Randolph

Programs

B.A. in Chinese

B.A. in French

B.A. in German

B.A. in Italian

B.A. in Japanese

B.A. in Russian

B.A. in Spanish

Minor in Chinese

Minor in French

Minor in German

Minor in Italian

Minor in Japanese

Minor in Russian

Minor in Spanish

M.A. in Chinese

M.A. in French

M.A. in German

M.A. in Italian

M.A. in Japanese

M.A. in Russian

M.A. in Spanish

Program Scope

Bachelor of Arts

The Department of Foreign Languages offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. The department also offers a minor in these languages. Programs are designed for students who are planning to use foreign languages in professional careers, as well as for students who wish to acquire an appreciation of the cultures of other peoples. Students may select courses in language, conversation, composition, reading, linguistics, culture, and literature. Some of the programs offer courses in translating skills and literature and culture courses in English.

Students who have had foreign language experience before enrolling at San Francisco State University should consult with an adviser in the specific language program for placement in the proper course in which they can receive credit.

A multimedia foreign language laboratory is open to all students enrolled in any class in the department. Basic level courses usually require preparation using audio and video cassettes, laser discs, and computer programs, located in the language laboratory.

Major. The Bachelor of Arts requirements for a major in any foreign language are the same for all students, including credential candidates. It is suggested that students intending to major in a foreign language consult with an adviser in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures early enough to assure proper scheduling of essential courses.

Minor

For students who wish to take a minor in a foreign language, the requirements for all seven languages are 21 units. The first two years of language instruction (lower division courses) are preparatory courses. A few lower division courses may be applied to the minor but must be approved upon consultation with an adviser. For the specific upper division courses required for completion of the minor, consult the individual language program.

Upper division courses in the foreign language programs are, in general, conducted in the language under study.

Master of Arts

The department offers the Master of Arts in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. The various master's programs provide advanced instruction in culture, language, and literature. A limited number of graduate teaching assistant positions are available for students engaged in graduate study in the programs. The M.A. programs are designed to prepare students for a variety of careers. M.A. graduates often become teachers in private or public secondary schools, in community colleges, or after completing doctoral studies, in universities.

Admission to Programs

Students seeking admission to a master of arts program must have completed an undergraduate major comparable to the major in the appropriate language and literature at San Francisco State University. Applicants without such a major may be admitted conditionally after developing, through consultation with advisers, a program of studies to establish the equivalent of that major. Courses prescribed for equivalency may not be credited toward the master of arts program. Students in all master of arts programs are required to have a GPA of at least 3.0 in their undergraduate major.

Advancement to Candidacy

In addition to meeting all the university general requirements, students prior to advancement to candidacy must:

Meet all conditions required by the language of concentration.
Where required, complete with grade of A or B the course 700, Seminar in Research Methods.
Demonstrate proficiency in written English by passing the Graduate Essay Test (GET) or by passing ENG 410 or 411 with a letter grade of a B or above. Units earned in ENG 410 or 411 may not be applied toward the master's degree. Both native and non-native speakers of English must take the Graduate Essay Test (GET). This test is given one or two weeks prior to the beginning of classes each semester. (Consult the Testing Office about dates and fee.) Students are strongly urged to take the GET (or one of the English courses which may be substituted for it) during the first semester of graduate study.
Demonstrate oral and written proficiency in the language of concentration.

If students are unable to meet the above requirements for advancement to candidacy, they may be advised to enroll in additional courses prior to being considered for candidacy. In such cases the courses will not be credited toward the master's degree.

Demonstration of Exit-Level Language Proficiency

Professional level of proficiency in the language studied is demonstrated by satisfactory completion of written and oral comprehensive examinations.

Students interested in any of these programs are urged to contact the department office or the undergraduate or graduate adviser.

International Programs

For majors or minors, the department recommends an overseas experience of academic and cultural studies. Students who participate in the International Programs of the California State University may undertake an academic year at certain designated major institutions of higher learning located outside the United States. All students in the overseas language programs should consult with an adviser in the specific language to insure that courses taken abroad can be applied to the major, the minor, or the degree at San Francisco State University. For the Chinese, French, German, and Spanish programs, fifteen (15) of the 30 upper division units required for the major must be taken at the home campus. For the minor, nine (9) of the fifteen (15) to eighteen (18) upper division units must be taken at the home campus. There may also be limits in the other language programs.

Teaching Credentials

A bachelor of arts from San Francisco State University in any of the above languages may be used to fulfill the subject matter requirement for a Single Subject Teaching Credential required to teach in the secondary schools in the State of California. A master of arts in any of these languages may be used to fulfill the state's requirement to teach that subject at the two-year community colleges.

NOTE: While the master's degree may qualify students to teach at the community college level, it will not qualify them to teach at the elementary or secondary levels. A single subject or multiple subject credential is necessary for such employment. (Refer to the section on Credential Programs in this Bulletin for further details.)

Students considering teaching a foreign language and obtaining a teaching credential must see the credential adviser in their language of concentration before planning their program. Specific courses and an assessment of competencies are required for admission to the Secondary Education Credential Program. Students should also contact the Student Service Office in BH 130, (415) 338-7038, regarding teaching credential information.