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Classical & Modern Languages & Cultures (CMLC)

Professors: K. M. Gatto, S. Casciani, G. Compton-Engle, J. Karolle-Berg (Chair); Associate Professors: L. Ferri, K. A. Ehrhardt, M. L. Thornton; Assistant Professor: K. Nakano

Language study helps students become more competent global citizens. Language courses at John Carroll University put students in direct interaction with authentic cultural materials created in other languages and increase their capacity to understand the perspectives of other people and cultures. When students communicate in another language, even at a novice level, they experience new modes of listening, speaking, and interpreting the expressions of others. Language study has always been part of Jesuit education, but increased global connectedness reinforce the imperative that graduates can communicate in languages other than English.

Consistent with the University’s mission, the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures contributes to the development of students into responsible citizens of the world who excel in learning, leadership, and service. The department especially seeks to meet John Carroll’s Academic Learning Outcome #5, to graduate students who “act competently in a global and diverse world.” The Department contributes to this academic learning outcome through its own learning goals. Consistent with best practices of second language acquisition, these three goals are sought at all levels of instruction:

  • Students can communicate skillfully and effectively in a language other than English, at a level commensurate with the language and program.

  • Students can demonstrate foundational cultural and linguistic knowledge of a target-language area.

  • Students can demonstrate emerging intercultural competence.

Courses in language study actively involve the four skills of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Courses will also introduce students to cultural materials relevant to the area of language study. The department offers majors and minors in Classical Languages (Latin, Ancient Greek), Classical Studies, Spanish and Hispanic Studies, and Italian Studies and minors in French and Francophone Studies and German Studies.

The department offers majors and minors in Classical Languages (Latin, Ancient Greek), Classical Studies, Spanish and Hispanic Studies, and Italian Studies and minors in French and Francophone Studies and German Studies.

Courses are also available in Japanese and International Cultures. These programs have their own sections in the Bulletin. Language courses are also an integral part of the major in International Business with Language and Culture (IBLC).

Classical Studies (CL) courses are taught in English. Additionally, the department offers International Cultures (IC) courses, all of which are taught in English translation. The IC courses in particular are aimed at providing a cross-cultural approach to understanding today’s multicultural world. They involve art, film, popular culture, historical perspectives, and literature. Unless otherwise specified, no more than eight 1-credit courses from any combination of courses in Arts and Sciences (AR), Academic Success (AS), Communication (COM) 107-115, Career Education (CE), Fine Arts (FA), International Cultures (IC) and/or Physical Education (PE) 120-199 may be applied toward graduation. Many courses fulfill requirements in the Integrative Core Curriculum.

Modern Languages

Major in Italian Studies: 33 credit hours.

Major in Spanish and Hispanic Studies: 33 credit hours.

Minors in French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies or Spanish and Hispanic Studies: 15-18 hours; see individual language sections.

Integrative Core Courses and the Language Requirement (effective Fall 2015)

Students who choose to continue in the language that they took in high school will be required to complete through the third semester (the 201 course) in that language, beginning at their level of placement. This establishes the basic threshold of competency at the early-intermediate level. If students place above the 201 level, this Core requirement will be waived. Students who choose to begin a new language will be required to take two semesters of that language (the 101-102 courses). Certain upper-division courses taught in the foreign language, as well as courses in CL (Classics, taught in English) and IC (International Cultures, taught in English) may also count toward other components of the Integrative Core.

Study Abroad

Interested students should consult with their language program advisor or the language section coordinator, as well as the Center for Global Education, and check the Global Education website often for updates on new and existing programs. Currently, the department participates in the following semester or year-long programs abroad:

  • French: Institut Catholique d’Etudes Supérieures (ICES), La Roche sur Yon France; NEOMA Business School, Rouen, France

  • German: Universität Dortmund, Germany (exchange program); WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, Vallendar, Germany

  • Italian: Rome (John Carroll program; fall semester); Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cruore, Milan

  • Japanese: Sophia University (Tokyo); Nanzan University (Nagoya); Kansai Gaidai University (Osaka)

  • Spanish: Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid; Universidad del Pacífico, Lima, Perú

The following short programs are also sponsored by the department:

  • Classics: Greece (spring break)

  • French: France (spring break)

  • Italian: Italy (spring break)

With the advisor’s permission, arrangements are made individually with the department chair and the Center for Global Education. Students studying abroad are normally sophomores or juniors with at least a 2.5 GPA. Early consultation is advised.

Teaching Licensure

Individuals interested in foreign language teaching may seek an Alternative Resident Educator License for World Languages (grades P-12) through the Ohio Department of Education. Substantial coursework in languages is strongly recommended, because the State of Ohio requires candidates to complete an oral proficiency interview and a writing proficiency test in the language as part of the licensure requirements. Interested students should contact the Ohio Department of Education or consult the chair of the education department for details.