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Language Courses Offered

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• demonstrate language proficiency
• analyze linguistic systems
• compare target and other languages, identifying key differences​
• demonstrate cultural understanding and understanding of cultural diversity
• demonstrate understanding of literary and cultural texts and traditions
• demonstrate understanding of language acquisition​

Why or in what ways is writing important to your discipline/field/profession?

Writing is an essential component of second language acquisition and proficiency advancement and is central to each concentration in the Modern Languages Department. Writing in the concentration language is at the core of the development of intercultural communication skills and cross-cultural understanding in the disciplinary areas of literary, cultural and linguistic studies.

Which courses are designated as satisfying the Writing in the Discipline (WID) requirement by your department? Why these courses?

Our courses are tiered, with each level building on the previous one for proficiency advancement in the target language. The courses below satisfy the WID requirement for each concentration within the Modern Languages Department:

FREN/PORT/SPAN 201 and 202: Conversation and Composition/Composition and Conversation. Students acquire cultural, literary and linguistic knowledge and skills in intercultural communication in a variety of genres, while demonstrating proficiency advancement in the target language.

FREN/PORT/SPAN 420: Applied Grammar. This course is conducted as a writing workshop in which students examine and polish writing style in the target language through creative writing, translation and reflection in a variety of textual genres and registers.

FREN/PORT/SPAN 460. This is the capstone experience where students demonstrate advanced language proficiency and communication skills learned throughout the major in intercultural communication, cross-cultural knowledge and critical and creative literary and cultural analysis. Students demonstrate research competence, organizational and editing skills, and critical thinking skills.

What forms or genres of writing will students learn and practice in your department’s WID courses? Why these genres?

Students produce a variety of genres of academic, creative and professional writing in the concentration language consistent with the literary, cultural and linguistic focus of the major such as storytelling, journaling, film review, literary and cultural analysis, narrative/expository/analytical essay, annotated bibliography, translation and professional writing. Through these genres, students will advance in language proficiency and critical thinking while practicing skills and building portfolios for graduate studies, internships and careers.

What kinds of teaching practices will students encounter in your department’s WID courses?

Students will engage in diverse writing assignments in WID courses and throughout the curriculum, ranging from low-stakes, informal exercises to high-stakes, formal exercises, including journaling, annotating, summarizing and analyzing academic and creative writing, translation, editing and peer-review.

When they’ve satisfied your department’s WID requirement, what should students know and be able to do with writing?

Students will demonstrate intermediate proficiency (in 200-level courses) to advanced proficiency (in 400-level courses) in the target language and will be able to write in a variety of genres and registers. They will have a good understanding (in 200-level courses) to an in-depth knowledge (in 400-level courses) of the literatures and cultures in their concentration and will be able to demonstrate cross-cultural competency and critical-thinking skills.

Declaring a minor allows you to explore other areas of interest and make interdisciplinary connections. Minor areas at RIC complement and reinforce all major areas of study. By declaring a minor, you can set yourself apart as a candidate for job, internship and volunteer opportunities.