Department of Modern Languages

About

The programs offered by the Department of Modern Languages seek to develop a student's ability to speak, understand, read and write another language, and to foster an appreciation of its literature and civilization. The department regularly offers courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian and Spanish.

Major programs are available in Arabic Studies, Chinese Studies, French, German, Italian, Japanese Studies and Spanish. Major programs consist of advanced courses at the 200 and 300 levels. The major does not include elementary and intermediate courses (100 level courses), which students must complete if their prior linguistic training is insufficient to take advanced courses. Minor programs are available for all languages.

All students are strongly encouraged to participate in DePaul's Foreign Study Programs in China, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and other locations. Consult the Study Abroad Office for current offerings.

Placement Guide

All students with prior knowledge or study of a language must take a DePaul language placement test (available online from the Academic Resource Center) before taking a language course at DePaul.

The department generally recommends that students begin study of a language at the following levels, depending on their prior knowledge of the language:

  • No prior study or knowledge: begin with 101.
  • One year of high school study: begin with 102 or 103.
  • Two years of high school study: begin with 104.
  • Two to three years of high school study: begin with 105 or 106 (116 for native speakers).

Four years of high school study or a more extensive background: begin with 200 and 300 level courses chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor. Placement tests or consultation with the advisor can result in adjustment of these recommendations in order to satisfy best the needs of the individual student.

Sequence

Students should study a language in the appropriate sequence – elementary, intermediate, or advanced –as determined in consultation with an advisor.

The proper sequence at the elementary level is 101-102-103. In some languages, a required non-credit "practicum" session numbered 100 accompanies each course. Some courses have the "practicum" built into the course; this is indicated with a special code in the course schedule.

The proper sequence at the intermediate level is 104-105-106, 110-111-112, 114-115-116, 124/125/126, etc. Completion of the intermediate level (or equivalent) is a prerequisite for all 200 and 300 level courses, except those offered in the liberal studies program.