Language Studies
Today’s interconnected world generates the need to be able to communicate in more than one language. As networks of international cooperation and exchange grow in complexity, particularly among governments and businesses, those who possess foreign language competence become increasingly valuable. Moreover, it has been shown that learning a second language can improve one’s overall writing and speaking ability.
Career Opportunities
The Department of Modern Languages recognizes that graduates of professional degree programs enhance their employment competitiveness when they can demonstrate their competence in a second language and cultural literacy about the French, German or Spanish-speaking worlds.
Multinational companies readily seek job candidates who have gone beyond their professional preparation in a specific field and have integrated advanced study in the humanities into their college degree. The French, German or Spanish studies minor also can prove to be the key to advancement in one's chosen profession or the critical qualification for a unique position of responsibility. In today's climate of global economic interdependence, knowledge of another language and culture is becoming an essential component of many undergraduate academic programs.
Objectives For Language Studies Minor
The French, German and Spanish studies minors combine systematic language study with courses in geography, history and civilization and strongly encourage a study abroad experience. The overall aim of the minor is to increase students' understanding of other regions of the world and to complement their undergraduate academic preparation.
The Requirements
Following are the courses that are required or recommended for the language studies minor. The minor consists of a total of 18 approved semester credits. Please note that most courses can also be used to help fulfill the general education requirements at North Dakota State University.
Language Placement
The department will place students according to their high school language background, but changes may be made upon recommendation by the instructor.
Students who complete and earn a grade of B or better for their first two consecutive semesters of foreign language at NDSU may be eligible to receive up to 14 hours of credit for those lower level courses waived through departmental placement.
Students are encouraged to contact the department for instructions prior to registration. See Language Placement in NDSU’s catalog for more specific information on receiving college credit for language background.
| Sample Curriculum | |
Required courses: Nine semester credits | Credits: |
FREN/GERM/SPAN 311 and 312 | |
Conversation and Composition I, II | 6 |
FREN 315/SPAN 330 or 331 Civilization and Culture Course or GERM 220 German Culture and Society | 3 |
Select one six-credit sequence in history | |
HIST 101, 102 Western Civilization I, II or | 6 |
any history sequence appropriate to student’s area of language study (e.g. European History, Latin American/Mexican History, etc.) | |
Select one three-credit course: | |
ANTH 206 Peoples of the World | 3 |
FREN/GERM/SPAN 492 Study Abroad | 3 |
GEOG 151 Human Geography | 3 |
GEOG 161 World Regional Geography | 3 |
POLS 220 International Politics | 3 |
TOTAL | 18 |
View NDSU equivalencies of transfer courses at: www.ndsu.edu/transfer/equivalencies
Minard Hall
Room 318
Minard Hall is located on the south end of campus on Albrecht Boulevard (Campus Map)
Contact Information
Modern Languages
NDSU Dept 2345,
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108 - 6050
DEPT PHONE: (701) 231-7887
DEPT EMAIL:ndsu.modernlanguages@ndsu.edu
DEPT WEBSITE: www.ndsu.edu/modernlanguages/
or
Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept #5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Tel: (701) 231-8643 / Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/
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