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Romance Languages and Literatures Major

Effective Winter 2023

Advising

The Department offers majors in French, Italian, Romance Languages & Literatures, and Spanish. It offers minors in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Appointments are scheduled online or at the department office, 4108 Modern Languages Building, (734) 764-5344.

Prerequisites

Same as those for majors in the individual languages:

  • FRENCH 230 or 232 or RCLANG 290 or RCLANG 310 for students of French
  • ITALIAN 230, 232, 233, or 410 for students of Italian
  • PORTUG 232 or 280 for students of Portuguese
  • SPANISH 277 or RCLANG 324 for students of Spanish

 

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 39

At least 39 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 33 credits of coursework from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan.  All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors and minors.  Students will choose two principal Romance languages and take a minimum of 12 credits in each. They have the option of taking up to 9 credits in a third romance language, or of taking the remainder of the 33 credits in their principal languages. In each of the two principal languages, 6 credits in upper-level coursework are required ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 281 or above in Portuguese, 400 or above in Spanish and Catalan). Students can seek permission to advance more quickly to upper-level courses after completing:

  • FRENCH 235 and one FRENCH 250-299 or the equivalent
  • ITALIAN (any of the following)  230, 232, 233, or 410 or the equivalent 
  • PORTUGUESE (any of the following) 232, 280 or 281, or the equivalent
  • SPANISH (two courses, six credits) at 279-399-level or the equivalent 

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

The structure of requirement I enables students to choose between studying two or three languages, and between treating their languages more or less equally and having "primary" and "secondary" (and perhaps “tertiary”) languages.  Requirement II grounds the major in Romance Languages and Literatures in an understanding of the linguistics of the Romance languages.  All RLL majors need to enroll in the upper-division seminar, RomLang 498, during either their junior or senior year.  This seminar explores topics for which crossing boundaries among the Romance languages can provide productive avenues of inquiry. A major component of the senior seminar involves individual research projects tailored to each student’s linguistic competences.

Other Department Policies

Study Abroad

Majors in Romance Languages and Literatures are encouraged to consider the possibility of studying abroad for at least one of their languages.

Residency

A minimum of 21 of the required 39 credits must be taken either in residence or through a study abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CATALAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN, PORTUG, ROMLANG, ROMLING, and SPANISH subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Romance Languages and Literatures

Qualified students may be admitted to a program of advanced study during their junior year (or at the beginning of the senior year following foreign study), leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures. Admission to senior-level Honors work in Romance Languages and Literatures is by application only (forms are available on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/rll). A grade point average of at least 3.4 in all courses, as well as a 3.5 in all courses taken for the major, is required for admission and for graduation with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures.  The Curriculum Committee in Romance Languages and Literatures expects applicants to present evidence of superior language skills and a serious interest in comparative research involving both of their languages and the cultures articulated through them.

Romance Languages and Literatures Honors majors are required to complete 42 credits of coursework and successfully defend a thesis:

Course Requirements:

At least 42 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 30 credits of coursework in 2 languages (from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan) that meet the following qualifications:

  • a minimum of 12 credits each in two Romance languages, including at least 6 credits each in upper-level courses ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 281 or above in Portuguese, 400 or above in Spanish and Catalan), with an overall minimum of 15 credits from upper-level courses.
  • All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors.

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

IV. ROMLANG 491 and 492, Senior Honors Courses, normally taken in the fall and winter terms, respectively, of a student’s senior year.

Thesis Requirement:

Composition of a thesis incorporating the results of individual research and demonstrating a substantial piece of work; and

A presentation and discussion of the thesis and of an agreed upon set of related readings with the student's faculty advisor and one other faculty reader.

Working under the direction of a faculty member who serves as thesis director, the student will research the thesis, complete a bibliography and prospectus, and begin drafting the writing process while enrolled in ROMLANG 491. In the following academic term the student will enroll in ROMLANG 492 and complete the thesis and its presentation and discussion. 

Teaching Certificate

By taking a number of courses in each language beyond the requirements for the major in Romance Languages and Literatures, students may qualify for teaching certification in both a major and a minor language. The exact requirements for certification are available at the following School of Education website: www.soe.umich.edu/file/tag/teacher+education/

Candidates for a secondary school teaching certificate should study the general information about teaching certificate requirements, which appears under the Teacher Certification Program, and contact the School of Education.

Romance Languages and Literatures (Major) (Fall 2022)

Effective Fall 2022

Advising

The Department offers majors in French, Italian, Romance Languages & Literatures, and Spanish. It offers minors in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Appointments are scheduled online or at the department office, 4108 Modern Languages Building, (734) 764-5344.

Prerequisites

Same as those for majors in the individual languages:

  • FRENCH 230 or 232 or RCLANG 290 or RCLANG 310 for students of French
  • ITALIAN 230, 232, 233, or 410 for students of Italian
  • PORTUG 232 or 280 for students of Portuguese
  • SPANISH 277 or RCLANG 324 for students of Spanish

 

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 39

At least 39 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 33 credits of coursework from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan.  All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors and minors.  Students will choose two principal Romance languages and take a minimum of 12 credits in each. They have the option of taking up to 9 credits in a third romance language, or of taking the remainder of the 33 credits in their principal languages. In each of the two principal languages, 6 credits in upper-level coursework are required ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 287 or above in Portuguese, 400 or above in Spanish and Catalan). Students can seek permission to advance more quickly to upper-level courses after completing:

  • FRENCH 235 and one FRENCH 250-299 or the equivalent
  • ITALIAN (any of the following)  230, 232, 233, or 410 or the equivalent 
  • PORTUGUESE (any of the following) 232, 280 or 281, or the equivalent
  • SPANISH (two courses, six credits) at 279-399-level or the equivalent 

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

The structure of requirement I enables students to choose between studying two or three languages, and between treating their languages more or less equally and having "primary" and "secondary" (and perhaps “tertiary”) languages.  Requirement II grounds the major in Romance Languages and Literatures in an understanding of the linguistics of the Romance languages.  All RLL majors need to enroll in the upper-division seminar, RomLang 498, during either their junior or senior year.  This seminar explores topics for which crossing boundaries among the Romance languages can provide productive avenues of inquiry. A major component of the senior seminar involves individual research projects tailored to each student’s linguistic competences.

Other Department Policies

Study Abroad

Majors in Romance Languages and Literatures are encouraged to consider the possibility of studying abroad for at least one of their languages.

Residency

A minimum of 21 of the required 39 credits must be taken either in residence or through a study abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CATALAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN, PORTUG, ROMLANG, ROMLING, and SPANISH subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Romance Languages and Literatures

Qualified students may be admitted to a program of advanced study during their junior year (or at the beginning of the senior year following foreign study), leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures. Admission to senior-level Honors work in Romance Languages and Literatures is by application only (forms are available on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/rll). A grade point average of at least 3.4 in all courses, as well as a 3.5 in all courses taken for the major, is required for admission and for graduation with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures.  The Curriculum Committee in Romance Languages and Literatures expects applicants to present evidence of superior language skills and a serious interest in comparative research involving both of their languages and the cultures articulated through them.

Romance Languages and Literatures Honors majors are required to complete 42 credits of coursework and successfully defend a thesis:

Course Requirements:

At least 42 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 30 credits of coursework in 2 languages (from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan) that meet the following qualifications:

  • a minimum of 12 credits each in two Romance languages, including at least 6 credits each in upper-level courses ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 287 or above in Portuguese, 400 or above in Spanish and Catalan), with an overall minimum of 15 credits from upper-level courses.
  • All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors.

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

IV. ROMLANG 491 and 492, Senior Honors Courses, normally taken in the fall and winter terms, respectively, of a student’s senior year.

Thesis Requirement:

Composition of a thesis incorporating the results of individual research and demonstrating a substantial piece of work; and

A presentation and discussion of the thesis and of an agreed upon set of related readings with the student's faculty advisor and one other faculty reader.

Working under the direction of a faculty member who serves as thesis director, the student will research the thesis, complete a bibliography and prospectus, and begin drafting the writing process while enrolled in ROMLANG 491. In the following academic term the student will enroll in ROMLANG 492 and complete the thesis and its presentation and discussion. 

Teaching Certificate

By taking a number of courses in each language beyond the requirements for the major in Romance Languages and Literatures, students may qualify for teaching certification in both a major and a minor language. The exact requirements for certification are available at the following School of Education website: www.soe.umich.edu/file/tag/teacher+education/

Candidates for a secondary school teaching certificate should study the general information about teaching certificate requirements, which appears under the Teacher Certification Program, and contact the School of Education.

Romance Languages and Literatures (Major) (Winter 2022 - Summer 2022)

Effective Winter 2022

Advising

The Department offers majors in French, Italian, Romance Languages & Literatures, and Spanish. It offers minors in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Appointments are scheduled online or at the department office, 4108 Modern Languages Building, (734) 764-5344.

Prerequisites

Same as those for majors in the individual languages:

  • FRENCH 230 or 232 or RCLANG 290 or RCLANG 310 for students of French
  • ITALIAN 230, 232, 233, or 410 for students of Italian
  • PORTUG 232 or 280 for students of Portuguese
  • SPANISH 277 or RCLANG 324 for students of Spanish

 

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 39

At least 39 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 33 credits of coursework from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan.  All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors and minors.  Students will choose two principal Romance languages and take a minimum of 12 credits in each. They have the option of taking up to 9 credits in a third romance language, or of taking the remainder of the 33 credits in their principal languages. In each of the two principal languages, 6 credits in upper-level coursework are required ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 287 or above in Portuguese, 400 or above in Spanish and Catalan). Students can seek permission to advance more quickly to upper-level courses after completing:

  • FRENCH 235 and one FRENCH 250-299 or the equivalent
  • ITALIAN (any of the following)  230, 232, 233, or 410 or the equivalent 
  • PORTUGUESE (any of the following) 232, 280 or 281, or the equivalent
  • SPANISH (two courses, six credits) at 279-399-level or the equivalent 

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

The structure of requirement I enables students to choose between studying two or three languages, and between treating their languages more or less equally and having "primary" and "secondary" (and perhaps “tertiary”) languages.  Requirement II grounds the major in Romance Languages and Literatures in an understanding of the linguistics of the Romance languages.  All RLL majors need to enroll in the upper-division seminar, RomLang 498, during either their junior or senior year.  This seminar explores topics for which crossing boundaries among the Romance languages can provide productive avenues of inquiry. A major component of the senior seminar involves individual research projects tailored to each student’s linguistic competences.

Other Department Policies

Study Abroad

Majors in Romance Languages and Literatures are encouraged to consider the possibility of studying abroad for at least one of their languages.

Residency

A minimum of 21 of the required 39 credits must be taken either in residence or through a study abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CATALAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN, PORTUG, ROMLANG, ROMLING, and SPANISH subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Romance Languages and Literatures

Qualified students may be admitted to a program of advanced study during their junior year (or at the beginning of the senior year following foreign study), leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures. Admission to senior-level Honors work in Romance Languages and Literatures is by application only (forms are available on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/rll). A grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses, as well as in all courses taken for the major, is required for admission and for graduation with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures.  The Curriculum Committee in Romance Languages and Literatures expects applicants to present evidence of superior language skills and a serious interest in comparative research involving both of their languages and the cultures articulated through them.

Romance Languages and Literatures Honors majors are required to complete 42 credits of coursework and successfully defend a thesis:

Course Requirements:

At least 42 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 30 credits of coursework in 2 languages (from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan) that meet the following qualifications:

  • a minimum of 12 credits each in two Romance languages, including at least 6 credits each in upper-level courses ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 287 or above in Portuguese, 400 or above in Spanish and Catalan), with an overall minimum of 15 credits from upper-level courses.
  • All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors.

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

IV. ROMLANG 491 and 492, Senior Honors Courses, normally taken in the fall and winter terms, respectively, of a student’s senior year.

Thesis Requirement:

Composition of a thesis incorporating the results of individual research and demonstrating a substantial piece of work; and

A presentation and discussion of the thesis and of an agreed upon set of related readings with the student's faculty advisor and one other faculty reader.

Working under the direction of a faculty member who serves as thesis director, the student will research the thesis, complete a bibliography and prospectus, and begin drafting the writing process while enrolled in ROMLANG 491. In the following academic term the student will enroll in ROMLANG 492 and complete the thesis and its presentation and discussion. 

Teaching Certificate

By taking a number of courses in each language beyond the requirements for the major in Romance Languages and Literatures, students may qualify for teaching certification in both a major and a minor language. The exact requirements for certification are available at the following School of Education website: www.soe.umich.edu/file/tag/teacher+education/

Candidates for a secondary school teaching certificate should study the general information about teaching certificate requirements, which appears under the Teacher Certification Program, and contact the School of Education.

Romance Languages and Literatures (Major) (Winter 2020 - Fall 2021)

Effective Winter 2020

Advising

The Department offers majors in French, Italian, Romance Languages & Literatures, and Spanish. It offers minors in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Appointments are scheduled online or at the department office, 4108 Modern Languages Building, (734) 764-5344.

Prerequisites

Same as those for majors in the individual languages:

  • FRENCH 230 or 232 or RCLANG 290 or RCLANG 310 for students of French
  • ITALIAN 230, 232, 233, or 410 for students of Italian
  • PORTUG 232 or 280 for students of Portuguese
  • SPANISH 277 or RCLANG 324 for students of Spanish

 

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 39

At least 39 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 33 credits of coursework from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan.  All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors and minors.  Students will choose two principal Romance languages and take a minimum of 12 credits in each. They have the option of taking up to 9 credits in a third romance language, or of taking the remainder of the 33 credits in their principal languages. In each of the two principal languages, 6 credits in upper-level coursework are required ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 400 or above in Portuguese, Spanish, and Catalan). Students can seek permission to advance more quickly to upper-level courses after completing:

  • FRENCH 235 and one FRENCH 250-299 or the equivalent
  • ITALIAN (any of the following)  230, 232, 233, or 410 or the equivalent 
  • PORTUG 287 or the equivalent
  • SPANISH (two courses, six credits) at 279-399-level or the equivalent 

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

The structure of requirement I enables students to choose between studying two or three languages, and between treating their languages more or less equally and having "primary" and "secondary" (and perhaps “tertiary”) languages.  Requirement II grounds the major in Romance Languages and Literatures in an understanding of the linguistics of the Romance languages.  All RLL majors need to enroll in the upper-division seminar, RomLang 498, during either their junior or senior year.  This seminar explores topics for which crossing boundaries among the Romance languages can provide productive avenues of inquiry. A major component of the senior seminar involves individual research projects tailored to each student’s linguistic competences.

Other Department Policies

Study Abroad

Majors in Romance Languages and Literatures are encouraged to consider the possibility of studying abroad for at least one of their languages.

Residency

A minimum of 21 of the required 39 credits must be taken either in residence or through a study abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CATALAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN, PORTUG, ROMLANG, ROMLING, and SPANISH subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Romance Languages and Literatures

Qualified students may be admitted to a program of advanced study during their junior year (or at the beginning of the senior year following foreign study), leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures. Admission to senior-level Honors work in Romance Languages and Literatures is by application only (forms are available on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/rll). A grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses, as well as in all courses taken for the major, is required for admission and for graduation with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures.  The Curriculum Committee in Romance Languages and Literatures expects applicants to present evidence of superior language skills and a serious interest in comparative research involving both of their languages and the cultures articulated through them.

Romance Languages and Literatures Honors majors are required to complete 42 credits of coursework and successfully defend a thesis:

Course Requirements:

At least 42 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 30 credits of coursework in 2 languages (from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan) that meet the following qualifications:

  • a minimum of 12 credits each in two Romance languages, including at least 6 credits each in upper-level courses ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 400 or above in Portuguese, Spanish, and Catalan), with an overall minimum of 15 credits from upper-level courses.
  • All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors.

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

IV. ROMLANG 491 and 492, Senior Honors Courses, normally taken in the fall and winter terms, respectively, of a student’s senior year.

Thesis Requirement:

Composition of a thesis incorporating the results of individual research and demonstrating a substantial piece of work; and

A presentation and discussion of the thesis and of an agreed upon set of related readings with the student's faculty advisor and one other faculty reader.

Working under the direction of a faculty member who serves as thesis director, the student will research the thesis, complete a bibliography and prospectus, and begin drafting the writing process while enrolled in ROMLANG 491. In the following academic term the student will enroll in ROMLANG 492 and complete the thesis and its presentation and discussion. 

Teaching Certificate

By taking a number of courses in each language beyond the requirements for the major in Romance Languages and Literatures, students may qualify for teaching certification in both a major and a minor language. The exact requirements for certification are available at the following School of Education website: www.soe.umich.edu/file/tag/teacher+education/

Candidates for a secondary school teaching certificate should study the general information about teaching certificate requirements, which appears under the Teacher Certification Program, and contact the School of Education.

Romance Languages and Literatures (Major) (Fall 2019)

Effective Fall 2019

Advising

The Department offers majors in French, Italian, Romance Languages & Literatures, and Spanish. It offers minors in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Appointments are scheduled online or at the department office, 4108 Modern Languages Building, (734) 764-5344.

Prerequisites

Same as those for majors in the individual languages:

  • FRENCH 230 or 232 for students of French
  • ITALIAN 230, 232, 233, or 410 for students of Italian
  • PORTUG 232 or 280 for students of Portuguese
  • SPANISH 277 for students of Spanish

 

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 39

At least 39 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 33 credits of coursework from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan.  All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors and minors.  Students will choose two principal Romance languages and take a minimum of 12 credits in each. They have the option of taking up to 9 credits in a third romance language, or of taking the remainder of the 33 credits in their principal languages. In each of the two principal languages, 6 credits in upper-level coursework are required ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 400 or above in Portuguese, Spanish, and Catalan). Students can seek permission to advance more quickly to upper-level courses after completing:

  • FRENCH 235 and one FRENCH 250-299 or the equivalent
  • ITALIAN (any of the following)  230, 232, 233, or 410 or the equivalent 
  • PORTUG 287 or the equivalent
  • SPANISH (two courses, six credits) at 279-399-level or the equivalent 

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

The structure of requirement I enables students to choose between studying two or three languages, and between treating their languages more or less equally and having "primary" and "secondary" (and perhaps “tertiary”) languages.  Requirement II grounds the major in Romance Languages and Literatures in an understanding of the linguistics of the Romance languages.  All RLL majors need to enroll in the upper-division seminar, RomLang 498, during either their junior or senior year.  This seminar explores topics for which crossing boundaries among the Romance languages can provide productive avenues of inquiry. A major component of the senior seminar involves individual research projects tailored to each student’s linguistic competences.

Other Department Policies

Study Abroad

Majors in Romance Languages and Literatures are encouraged to consider the possibility of studying abroad for at least one of their languages.

Residency

A minimum of 21 of the required 39 credits must be taken either in residence or through a study abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CATALAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN, PORTUG, ROMLANG, ROMLING, and SPANISH subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Romance Languages and Literatures

Qualified students may be admitted to a program of advanced study during their junior year (or at the beginning of the senior year following foreign study), leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures. Admission to senior-level Honors work in Romance Languages and Literatures is by application only (forms are available on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/rll). A grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses, as well as in all courses taken for the major, is required for admission and for graduation with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures.  The Curriculum Committee in Romance Languages and Literatures expects applicants to present evidence of superior language skills and a serious interest in comparative research involving both of their languages and the cultures articulated through them.

Romance Languages and Literatures Honors majors are required to complete 42 credits of coursework and successfully defend a thesis:

Course Requirements:

At least 42 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 30 credits of coursework in 2 languages (from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan) that meet the following qualifications:

  • a minimum of 12 credits each in two Romance languages, including at least 6 credits each in upper-level courses ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 400 or above in Portuguese, Spanish, and Catalan)
  • An overall minimum of 21 credits from upper-level courses
  • All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors.

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

IV. ROMLANG 491 and 492, Senior Honors Courses, normally taken in the fall and winter terms, respectively, of a student’s senior year.

Thesis Requirement:

Composition of a thesis incorporating the results of individual research and demonstrating a substantial piece of work; and

A presentation and discussion of the thesis and of an agreed upon set of related readings with the student's faculty advisor and one other faculty reader.

Working under the direction of a faculty member who serves as thesis director, the student will research the thesis, complete a bibliography and prospectus, and begin drafting the writing process while enrolled in ROMLANG 491. In the following academic term the student will enroll in ROMLANG 492 and complete the thesis and its presentation and discussion. 

Teaching Certificate

By taking a number of courses in each language beyond the requirements for the major in Romance Languages and Literatures, students may qualify for teaching certification in both a major and a minor language. The exact requirements for certification are available at the following School of Education website: www.soe.umich.edu/file/tag/teacher+education/

Candidates for a secondary school teaching certificate should study the general information about teaching certificate requirements, which appears under the Teacher Certification Program, and contact the School of Education.

Romance Languages and Literatures (Major) (Winter 2018 - Summer 2019)

Effective Winter 2018

Advising

The Department offers majors in French, Italian, Romance Languages & Literatures, and Spanish. It offers minors in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Appointments are scheduled online or at the department office, 4108 Modern Languages Building, (734) 764-5344.

Prerequisites

Same as those for majors in the individual languages:

  • FRENCH 230 or 232 for students of French
  • ITALIAN 230, 232 or 233 for students of Italian
  • PORTUG 232 or 280 for students of Portuguese
  • SPANISH 277 for students of Spanish

In addition, upper-level courses have the following prerequisites:

  • Two French courses FRENCH 250-299 for most French courses 300 and above
  • ITALIAN 230, 232 or 233 for other major-level Italian courses
  • PORTUG 287 for other minor-level Portuguese courses
  • Three 279-399-level Spanish courses for most 400-level Spanish courses

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 39

At least 39 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 33 credits of coursework from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan.  All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors and minors. Students will choose two principal Romance languages and take a minimum of 12 credits in each.  In each of these two languages, 6 credits in upper-level coursework are required ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 400 or above in Portuguese, Spanish, and Catalan).  Students have the option of taking up to 9 credits in a third romance language, or of taking the remainder of the 33 credits in their principal languages.  Overall, 15 of the 33 credits must be earned in upper-level courses.  

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

The structure of requirement I enables students to choose between studying two or three languages, and between treating their languages more or less equally and having "primary" and "secondary" (and perhaps “tertiary”) languages.  Requirement II grounds the major in Romance Languages and Literatures in an understanding of the linguistics of the Romance languages.  All RLL majors need to enroll in the upper-division seminar, RomLang 498, during either their junior or senior year.  This seminar explores topics for which crossing boundaries among the Romance languages can provide productive avenues of inquiry. A major component of the senior seminar involves individual research projects tailored to each student’s linguistic competences.

Other Department Policies

Study Abroad

Majors in Romance Languages and Literatures are encouraged to consider the possibility of studying abroad for at least one of their languages.

Residency

A minimum of 21 of the required 39 credits must be taken either in residence or through a study abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CATALAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN, PORTUG, ROMLANG, ROMLING, and SPANISH subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Romance Languages and Literatures

Qualified students may be admitted to a program of advanced study during their junior year (or at the beginning of the senior year following foreign study), leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures. Admission to senior-level Honors work in Romance Languages and Literatures is by application only (forms are available on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/rll). A grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses, as well as in all courses taken for the major, is required for admission and for graduation with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures.  The Curriculum Committee in Romance Languages and Literatures expects applicants to present evidence of superior language skills and a serious interest in comparative research involving both of their languages and the cultures articulated through them.

Romance Languages and Literatures Honors majors are required to complete 42 credits of coursework and successfully defend a thesis:

Course Requirements:

At least 42 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 30 credits of coursework in 2 languages (from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan) that meet the following qualifications:

  • a minimum of 12 credits each in two Romance languages, including at least 6 credits each in upper-level courses ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 400 or above in Portuguese, Spanish, and Catalan)
  • An overall minimum of 21 credits from upper-level courses
  • All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors.

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

IV. ROMLANG 491 and 492, Senior Honors Courses, normally taken in the fall and winter terms, respectively, of a student’s senior year.

Thesis Requirement:

Composition of a thesis incorporating the results of individual research and demonstrating a substantial piece of work; and

A presentation and discussion of the thesis and of an agreed upon set of related readings with the student's faculty advisor and one other faculty reader.

Working under the direction of a faculty member who serves as thesis director, the student will research the thesis, complete a bibliography and prospectus, and begin drafting the writing process while enrolled in ROMLANG 491. In the following academic term the student will enroll in ROMLANG 492 and complete the thesis and its presentation and discussion. 

Teaching Certificate

By taking a number of courses in each language beyond the requirements for the major in Romance Languages and Literatures, students may qualify for teaching certification in both a major and a minor language. The exact requirements for certification are available at the following School of Education website: www.soe.umich.edu/file/tag/teacher+education/

Candidates for a secondary school teaching certificate should study the general information about teaching certificate requirements, which appears under the Teacher Certification Program, and contact the School of Education.

Romance Languages and Literatures (Major) (Fall 2017)

Effective Fall 2017

Advising

The Department offers majors in French, Italian, Romance Languages & Literatures, and Spanish. It offers minors in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Appointments are scheduled online or at the department office, 4108 Modern Languages Building, (734) 764-5344.

Prerequisites

Same as those for majors in the individual languages:

  • FRENCH 230 or 232 for students of French
  • ITALIAN 230, 232 or 233 for students of Italian
  • PORTUG 232 or 280 for students of Portuguese
  • SPANISH 277 for students of Spanish

In addition, upper-level courses have the following prerequisites:

  • Two French courses FRENCH 250-299 for most French courses 300 and above
  • ITALIAN 230, 232 or 233 for other major-level Italian courses
  • PORTUG 287 for other minor-level Portuguese courses
  • Three 279-399-level Spanish courses for most 400-level Spanish courses

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 39

At least 39 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 33 credits of coursework from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Catalan.  All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors and minors. Students will choose two principal Romance languages and take a minimum of 12 credits in each.  In each of these two languages, 6 credits in upper-level coursework are required ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 400 or above in Portuguese, Spanish, and Catalan).  Students have the option of taking up to 9 credits in a third romance language, or of taking the remainder of the 33 credits in their principal languages.  Overall, 15 of the 33 credits must be earned in upper-level courses.  

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

The structure of requirement I enables students to choose between studying two or three languages, and between treating their languages more or less equally and having "primary" and "secondary" (and perhaps “tertiary”) languages.  Requirement II grounds the major in Romance Languages and Literatures in an understanding of the linguistics of the Romance languages.  All RLL majors need to enroll in the upper-division seminar, RomLang 498, during either their junior or senior year.  This seminar explores topics for which crossing boundaries among the Romance languages can provide productive avenues of inquiry. A major component of the senior seminar involves individual research projects tailored to each student’s linguistic competences.

Other Department Policies

Study Abroad

Majors in Romance Languages and Literatures are encouraged to consider the possibility of studying abroad for at least one of their languages.

Residency

A minimum of 21 of the required 39 credits must be taken either in residence or through a study abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CATALAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN, PORTUG, ROMLANG, ROMLING, and SPANISH subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Romance Languages and Literatures

Qualified students may be admitted to a program of advanced study during their junior year (or at the beginning of the senior year following foreign study), leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures. Admission to senior-level Honors work in Romance Languages and Literatures is by application only (forms are available on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/rll). A grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses, as well as in all courses taken for the major, is required for admission and for graduation with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures.  The Curriculum Committee in Romance Languages and Literatures expects applicants to present evidence of superior language skills and a serious interest in comparative research involving both of their languages and the cultures articulated through them.

Romance Languages and Literatures Honors majors are required to complete 42 credits of coursework and successfully defend a thesis:

Course Requirements:

At least 42 credits consisting of the following:

I. A minimum of 30 credits of coursework in 2 languages (from French, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish) that meet the following qualifications:

  • a minimum of 12 credits each in two Romance languages, including at least 6 credits each in upper-level courses ("upper-level" means: 300 or above in French and Italian, 400 or above in Portuguese and Spanish)
  • An overall minimum of 21 credits from upper-level courses
  • All of these courses must be taught in the target language and must also be courses that would count toward the individual language majors.

II. One course (minimum 3 credits) in the linguistics of the Romance languages, preferably of a comparative nature.

III. ROMLANG 498, the upper-division Seminar in RLL.

IV. ROMLANG 491 and 492, Senior Honors Courses, normally taken in the fall and winter terms, respectively, of a student’s senior year.

Thesis Requirement:

Composition of a thesis incorporating the results of individual research and demonstrating a substantial piece of work; and

A presentation and discussion of the thesis and of an agreed upon set of related readings with the student's faculty advisor and one other faculty reader.

Working under the direction of a faculty member who serves as thesis director, the student will research the thesis, complete a bibliography and prospectus, and begin drafting the writing process while enrolled in ROMLANG 491. In the following academic term the student will enroll in ROMLANG 492 and complete the thesis and its presentation and discussion. 

Teaching Certificate

By taking a number of courses in each language beyond the requirements for the major in Romance Languages and Literatures, students may qualify for teaching certification in both a major and a minor language. The exact requirements for certification are available at the following School of Education website: www.soe.umich.edu/file/tag/teacher+education/

Candidates for a secondary school teaching certificate should study the general information about teaching certificate requirements, which appears under the Teacher Certification Program, and contact the School of Education.

Romance Languages and Literatures (Major) (Winter 2013 - Summer 2017)

Effective Winter 2013

Advising

The Department offers majors in French, Italian, Romance Languages & Literatures, and Spanish. It offers minors in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Appointments are scheduled online or at the department office, 4108 Modern Languages Building, (734) 764-5344.

Prerequisites

Same as those for majors in the individual languages:

  • FRENCH 235 for students of French
  • ITALIAN 232 or 233 for students of Italian
  • PORTUG 232 or 280 for students of Portuguese
  • SPANISH 277 (or 275 and 276) for students of Spanish

In addition, upper-level courses have the following prerequisites:

  • Two French courses FRENCH 250-299 for most French courses 300 and above
  • ITALIAN 230, 232 or 233 for other major-level Italian courses
  • PORTUG 287 for other minor-level Portuguese courses
  • Three 277-399-level Spanish courses for most 400-level Spanish courses

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 42

A minimum of 42 credits consisting of the following:

  1. A minimum of 33 credits of coursework in 2 languages (from French, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish) that meet the following qualifications:
    • only courses that would count towards the individual language majors may be used to satisfy this requirement
    • courses must be listed in the LSA Course Catalogue as taught in the target language
    • a minimum of 12 credits in each of the first two target languages
    • a minimum of 21 credits from upper-level courses (at least six credits in each of the first two target languages)
      N.b. "upper-level" means:
      300 or above in French and Italian
    • 400 or above in Portuguese
      400 or above in Spanish
  2. A minimum of 9 additional credits in any Romance language, including:
    1. one course in Romance philology or comparative Romance linguistics
    2. one elective:
      1. ROMLANG/ROMLING number; or
      2. another major-level course in French, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish (in English or the target language)
    3. ROMLANG 498, the Senior Seminar in RLL

Part I of the requirements gives students the choice between treating the languages more or less equally and having "primary" and "secondary" languages.

Part II of the requirements fosters "bridges" between the two languages that are of both a practical/linguistic nature and an intellectual one.

Requirement II.1 grounds the major in Romance Languages and Literatures in an understanding of the linguistic "kinship" between Romance languages. The following courses have been approved by the RLL curriculum committee as options for fulfilling the linguistics requirement (II.1):

  • ROMLING 300: Introduction to the Romance Languages
  • ROMLING 400: Topics in Romance Languages and Literatures, sections titled "Romance-Based Pidgins and Creoles" or "Romance-Based Bilingualism"
  • LING 446/LACS 446.

Requirement II.2 encourages students to explore the intellectual connections between the fields of French and Francophone studies, Hispanic studies, Italian studies, and Portuguese studies while fostering both a comparative and interdisciplinary understanding of Romance studies. Students should have their elective (Requirement II.2) approved by the RLL advisor.

All RLL majors will be enrolled in the senior seminar (Requirement II.3) during the Fall term of their senior year. This seminar relies on students" prior coursework as a basis for reinforcing connections between courses in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish as well as offers an introduction to the methods of Romance Studies and an exploration of potential topics for which crossing boundaries between languages might provide productive avenues of inquiry. A major component of the senior seminar involves individual research projects tailored to each student"s linguistic competences.

Other Department Policies

Study Abroad

Majors in Romance Languages and Literatures are encouraged to consider the possibility of studying abroad for at least one of their languages.

Residency

A minimum of 21 of the required 42 credits must be taken either in residence or through a study abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CATALAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN, PORTUG, ROMLANG, ROMLING, and SPANISH subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Qualified students may be admitted to a program of advanced study, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures. The Curriculum Committee in Romance Languages and Literatures expects applicants to present evidence of superior language skills and a serious interest in comparative research involving both of their languages and the cultures articulated through them. Interested students should contact the Honors advisor in Romance Languages and Literatures toward the end of their junior year. Admission to senior-level Honors work in Romance Languages and Literatures is by application only. In addition to the application form (available on the department website at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/rll), students should submit a copy of their transcript, a one- page statement of purpose, and a sample essay.

The normal requirements for the major in Romance Languages and Literatures must be completed along with the following:

  1. Composition of a thesis incorporating the results of individual research, the minimum length being 40 pages; and
  2. A discussion of the thesis and of an agreed upon set of related readings with the student"s faculty advisor and one other faculty reader. Ideally. the two readers will represent the student's two languages.

A grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses, as well as in all courses taken for the major is required for admission and for graduation with Honors in Romance Languages and Literatures. For students opting to write an Honors thesis in Romance Languages and Literatures, the senior seminar constitutes their fall term of work on the thesis. In the winter term of their senior year, they enroll in ROMLANG 499, the Senior Honors Course, in which they will complete their thesis under the supervision of a faculty member whose research interests are more closely aligned with the student's.

Teaching Certificate

By taking a number of courses in each language beyond the requirements for the major in Romance Languages and Literatures, students may qualify for teaching certification in both a major and a minor language. The exact requirements for certification are available at the following School of Education website: www.soe.umich.edu/file/tag/teacher+education/

Candidates for a secondary school teaching certificate should study the general information about teaching certificate requirements, which appears under the Teacher Certification Program, and contact the School of Education.