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Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures

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CONTACT INFORMATION: 207 Foreign Language Building
Box 42071, Lubbock, TX 79409-2071
T 806.742.3145, F 806.742.3306, www.depts.ttu.edu/classic_modern

 

About the Program

This department supervises the following degree programs and certificates:

        • Bachelor of Arts in Classics
        • Bachelor of Arts in French
        • Bachelor of Arts in German
        • Bachelor of Arts in Russian Language and Area Studies
        • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
        • Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics
        • Master of Arts in Classics
        • Master of Arts in German
        • Master of Arts in Romance Languages
        • Doctor of Philosophy in Spanish
        • Graduate Certificate in Teaching English in International Contexts

Dual Degree Program

  • Master of Arts in either Romance Languages or German and Master of Business Administration (General Business)

The department participates in the Russian Language and Area Studies program at the undergraduate level and the Latin American and Iberian Studies minor at the master’s and doctoral levels. Students seeking a Master of Arts in Romance Languages may specialize in French or Spanish. The department also participates in the Ethnic Studies, Honors, Linguistics, Comparative Literature, and teacher education programs. See the “Interdisciplinary Programs” section of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The department operates the Texas Tech Center in Seville, Spain year-round and offers summer language study abroad programs in Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, Russia, and Spain. The department also runs the International Teaching Assistant Workshop for international students each summer. The non-credit Intensive English Program (IEP) prepares students for eventual admission to a college or university..Back to Top


Undergraduate Program

Majors and Minors for the B.A. Degree. A major may be obtained in Classics, French, German, Russian Language and Area Studies, and Spanish. An undergraduate major in Spanish consists of 30 hours at the 2000 level and above, including a minimum of four 4000-level courses. An undergraduate major in French consists of 30 hours at the 2000 level and above, including a minimum of four (12 hours) 4000-level courses. The German major consists of 30 hours at the 2000 level and above, including a minimum of four (12 hours) 4000-level courses. Only two courses (6 hours) taught in English from the German course selection may count toward the German major. The Classics major consists of 30 hours selected from Classics (CLAS), Greek (GRK), or Latin (LAT) at the 1502 level and above. Six hours of 4000-level classics courses must be included within the 30 hours. Each major also requires 6 hours of writing intensive courses for the degree.

For information on the B.A. degree or a minor in Russian Area and Language Studies or Linguistics, see program descriptions in the College of Arts and Sciences “Interdisciplinary Programs” section of this catalog.

Girl in language labA minor can be obtained in Arabic, American Sign Language, Chinese, Classics, Comparative Literature, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Linguistics, Portuguese, Russian, Russian Language and Area Studies, and Spanish. The minor consists of a minimum of 18-22 hours in a particular language or area. All minors must complete at least 6 hours at the upper level in their respective languages. Students minoring in French, German, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish must complete 9 hours of upper-level courses (at least 3 of the 9 hours must be at the 4000 level in French, German, Latin, Russian, and Spanish). Courses taught in English do not count toward the German, French, and Spanish minors. Students may not complete all 9 hours of their upper-level requirement in one semester. Classics, Linguistics, and Russian Language and Area Studies minors will complete at least 18 hours from the approved course lists of these areas (listed elsewhere in the catalog). An Arabic minor may include, with prior departmental approval, 3 hours taught in English from either Arabic or history courses (dealing with the Middle East). For more information on minors, consult the appropriate academic or faculty advisor in the department.

Students wishing to obtain information on a major or minor in one of these languages should consult the department’s advisors. The advisors can provide information on all aspects of the major and minor programs, including career opportunities. A grade of at least C in all major and minor courses is required. College Level Examination (CLEP) credits are accepted by the department.

Accelerated Bachelor’s‑to‑Master’s Degrees. Exceptional undergraduate students who wish to complete both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in a timely manner may apply for admission into one of four accelerated degree programs:

  • Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Classics
  • Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in German
  • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Master of Arts in Romance Languages–Spanish
  • Bachelor of Arts in French and Master of Arts in Romance Languages–French

Admission to these programs allows students to count 9 dual hours of undergraduate coursework toward their graduate degrees. Application should be made during the first semester of the junior year by following procedures available from graduate program coordinators in the department.

Resident Courses. Students who are minors are required to take at least one upper-level 3-hour class in residence in the target language at Texas Tech University. Students who are majors are required to take at least three upper-level classes (9 hours), including 6 hours of writing intensive, in residence in the target language at Texas Tech. Students who study abroad with the university programs (which involve faculty from this department) may include those courses among the required courses. Foreign study courses taken through approved exchange programs or other programs affiliated with Texas Tech are not considered as resident courses.

Study Abroad Courses. The department encourages students to study abroad and is very proud of its study abroad programs. Students enrolled at Texas Tech have many opportunities and options to study abroad, and many take this opportunity to enhance their language skills. Resident semester abroad programs are available in Seville, Spain. The department operates summer programs in Seville, Spain; Germany; San Luis Potosi, Mexico; France; and, in alternate years, Salvador, Brazil, and Russia. In addition, the department offers a classical archaeology summer field course. Students enrolled in Arabic, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish have other opportunities to study abroad in the respective countries. During the long semester, students may earn up to 16 hours of credit and during the summer they may earn up to 6 hours of credit per summer semester. Course offerings may include from first year through graduate study. Students should check with the respective language advisors and program directors for specific information on the programs, including prerequisites and other important information.

Foreign Language Requirements and Options. To fulfill the general Bachelor of Arts requirements, students must complete 6 semester hours in the same language at the sophomore level or above. A student who enrolls in the first-year sequence will have a 11-16 hour requirement. Courses taught in English such as FREN 3390; GERM 3312, 3313; ITAL 3315, 3390; SPAN 3390, 3391, 3392; and RUSN 3301, 3302, 3304, 4301, 4302 may not be used to fulfill the foreign language requirement for any bachelor’s degree.

Foreign language courses 1301 and 1302 or 1501 and 1502 or 1507 are prerequisites for courses 2301 or 2607; a minimum grade of B in SPAN 1502 or 1507 is required to enroll in Span 2607. All first- and second-year courses are sequential and should be taken in their proper order beginning with 1301, 1501, or 1507 and progressing up through 2302 or 2607. If credit is earned for 1507, no credit will be awarded for 1501 and/or 1502. Students with two years of high school French, German, Latin, or Spanish are required to enroll in 1507. Those students enrolled in French, German, or Latin 1507 but judged not qualified for 1507 are required to take 1501 pass/fail with approval of faculty.

Successful completion of lower-numbered courses or equivalent competency is a prerequisite for enrollment in higher-numbered courses. For example, 2302 or its equivalent is a prerequisite for enrolling in a junior-level course, and completion of at least 6 hours at the junior level is a prerequisite for enrolling in a senior-level course.

Upper-level courses allow students to pursue their particular interests in language, civilization, and literature.

Teacher Education. For purposes of certification, teaching fields are offered in French, German, and Spanish. The standard program requires 24-27 hours at the 2000-level and above, which must include 9 hours of 4000-level courses in the specific language (12 hours in German). Students seeking secondary certification in French and Spanish must complete LING 4311 (offered fall semesters only)
as part of the teaching field, preferably before their student teaching. Students seeking bilingual education endorsement, ESL endorsement, or secondary certification in French, German, or Spanish should consult with advisors in the College of Education and in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures.

Students who plan to become high school teachers should minor in secondary education. They will be required to take EDSE 4000 for their student teaching experience. The university is implementing a new teacher education program that includes a full year of student teaching (two semesters of the senior year) for students beginning their teacher education program in spring 2013 or later. Please see a College of Education advisor to complete a certification plan.

Placement and Credit by Examination. Students at Texas Tech University may attempt credit by examination for degree credit during their freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years. Students can get more information on the CLEP test at the Academic Testing Center in West Hall. The student is responsible for taking the tests early enough to allow sufficient time for scores to be reported to the university and processed by the Office of the Registrar, which in the case of Arts and Sciences degrees is generally two semesters prior to the semester of graduation. Arts and Sciences degrees require the successful completion of 6 hours at the sophomore level or above in a single language. Therefore, Arts and Sciences students who wish to attempt credit by examination for degree credit in a language other than English should do so before or during their freshman year. In this way, students will have time to complete their language requirement within four years if they do not succeed in earning credit by examination. Seniors must notify their academic dean’s office prior to attempting credit by examination and provide proof of notification upon registering for an exam at Academic Testing Services.

Curriculum Tables

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Graduate Program

Before beginning a graduate program in this department, students should consult the graduate advisor of the particular program concerning departmental admission procedures and degree requirements. Admission to the Graduate School requires departmental recommendation as well as approval by the graduate dean.

 

Master's Program

The master’s program offers advanced study in literature and linguistics. It is intended to be a distinctly different educational experience from undergraduate study. The program requires study in greater depth and development of critical thinking skills. Candidates for the M.A. degree in this department must demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second foreign language. Oral and written comprehensive examinations are required. For outstanding students who want to pursue both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Classics, German, Spanish or French, the department offers an accelerated option that allows them to complete both degrees in a timely manner.

M.A. in Romance Languages.  Applicants for the Master of Arts in Romance Languages degree with a concentration in French or Spanish may complete 30 hours of graduate courses and a thesis or 36 hours of coursework. The degree may include a 6-hour minor. For Spanish and French, areas of interest include literature, comparative literature, linguistics, civilization and/or culture.

M.A. in Applied Linguistics. Applicants for the Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics degree may complete 30 hours of graduate courses and a thesis or 36 hours of coursework. Areas of emphasis for Applied Linguistics include teaching English as a second language, teaching second/foreign languages, or general applied linguistics. Candidates for the M.A. in Applied Linguistics degree must demonstrate knowledge of a language other than English prior to entering the program. There is no foreign language requirement as part of the program.

M.A. in Classics. Applicants for the Master of Arts in Classics degree may complete 30 hours of graduate courses and a thesis or 36 hours of coursework. Classics candidates are directed to the Guide to the M.A. Degree Program in Classics, which is obtainable from the graduate advisor or the departmental office. Areas of emphasis for classics include archaeology, art history, gender, language, literature, and material culture.

M.A. in German.  Applicants for the Master of Arts in German degree may complete 30 hours of graduate courses plus a thesis or 36 hours of coursework. Areas of interest include literature, comparative literature, linguistics, civilization and/or culture.

Dual Degree Program.This department participates in the dual M.B.A.–M.A. degree program. See a full description under the Rawls College of Business section of this catalog.

Minors. Graduate minors for the M.A. degree include Applied Linguistics, Classics, English as a Second Language, German, Greek, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Romance Languages.

 

Doctoral Program

The doctoral program in Spanish requires both greater breadth of study than the M.A. program and greater concentration in the area selected for specialization. To fulfill these requirements the student must demonstrate a reasonable comprehensive knowledge of literature and the ability to engage in original research. To qualify for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree in Spanish, applicants must complete a graduate minor in another language or demonstrate a reading knowledge of two approved languages other than English or Spanish. Any substitution must be submitted in writing to the Spanish graduate advisor and approved by the candidate’s doctoral committee.

Students in the Ph.D. program normally minor within the department in one of the above mentioned minor areas, but they may select a combination of courses within and outside the department if approved by the appropriate graduate advisor. Students should consult with a graduate advisor for approved options. A Ph.D. minor consists of 15 to 18 hours of coursework in approved areas.

Coursework for the Ph.D. generally amounts to a minimum 60 hours beyond the B.A. degree, including at least 45 hours of coursework in Spanish and 15 additional hours in a minor program outside the major field. In addition, the student must satisfy the preliminary examination requirement, pass qualifying examinations, and prepare and defend a dissertation.

Graduate Minor in Latin American and Iberian Studies

Latin American and Iberian Studies (LAIS) administers a minor at both the master’s level and the doctoral level. The LAIS minor at the master’s level consists of the following 9 credit hours:

  • Up to 6 graduate credit hours of LAIS content courses taken in a discipline of concentration selected from history, Spanish, Portuguese, anthropology, geography, political science, or another discipline that meets the required LAIS standards upon consultation with the director of LAIS.
  • At least 3 additional graduate credit hours of LAIS content courses in disciplines different from the subject of concentration chosen by the student.

The LAIS minor at the doctoral level consists of the following 18 graduate credit hours:

  • Up to 12 graduate credit hours of LAIS content courses and a minimum of 9 hours taken in a discipline of concentration to be selected from history, Spanish, Portuguese, anthropology, geography, political science, or another discipline that meets the required LAIS standards upon consultation with the director of LAIS.
  • At least 6 additional graduate credit hours of LAIS content courses in disciplines different from the subject of concentration chosen by the student.

Contact information: Liz Hildebrand, Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, Box 42071, 254 Foreign Languages, 806.742.3146; CMLL Advising Center, 806. 742.3145 ext. 227

Graduate Course in LAIS

5300. Directed Studies (3). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and Director of Latin American and Iberian Studies. Content will vary to meet the needs of students. May be repeated for credit.

Graduate Certificate Program

The Graduate Certificate in Teaching English in International Contexts is advanced certificate available to Texas Tech students who are enrolled in any graduate program and considering teaching outside the United States. Students may begin taking graduate courses for the certificate during their last semester of undergraduate study if they have a GPA of 3.0 or above and are within 12 hours of graduation. For additional information, contact Dr. Greta Gorsuch, certificate advisor, at greta.gorsuch@ttu.edu.

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Course Descriptions

 

Faculty

Click here to view alphabetical listing of all TTU faculty and their academic credentials.

Lorum Stratton, Ph.D., Chairperson

Horn Professor and Qualia Chair: J. Pérez
Horn and Qualia Professor: Gafaiti
Horn Professor: Larmour
Professors: Barta, Gorsuch, A.J. Pérez, G. Pérez, Scarborough, Suppe
Associate Professors: Bains, Beusterien, Borst, Cole, Collopy, Edwards, Elola, Farley, Grair, Ladeira, Lavigne, Pereira-Muro, Qualin, Stratton, Surliuga, Witmore, Zamora
Assistant Professors: Corbett, Friedman, Guengerich, Kelly (visiting), Matta Jara, McChesney, Price
Instructors: Griffee, Hays, Mallory, Meier, Thrasher, Zaier
Adjunct Faculty: Le, SelkerBack to Top

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