Romance Languages Major (Bryn Mawr)

Major Requirements

The requirements for the major are a minimum of nine courses, including the Senior Conference and/or Senior Essay, described below, in the first language and literature and six courses in the second language and literature, including the Senior Conference in French, if French is selected as second. Students should consult with their advisors no later than their sophomore year in order to select courses in the various departments that complement each other.

Students should consult with their advisors no later than their sophomore year in order to select courses in the various departments that complement each other.

Haverford students intending to major in Romance Languages must have their major work plan approved by a Bryn Mawr College advisor.

The following sequence of courses is recommended when the various languages are chosen for primary and secondary concentration, respectively (see the departmental listings for course descriptions).

Writing Requirement

Students must complete a writing requirement in the major. Students will work with their major advisors in order to identify either two writing attentive or one writing intensive course within their major plan of study.                      

First Language and Literature

French

FREN B101-FREN B102 or FREN B101-FREN B105; or FREN B005-FREN B102 or FREN B005-FREN B105. Four literature courses at the 200 level, including FREN B213. Advanced language course: FREN B260 (BMC) or FREN H212 (HC). Two courses at the 300 level.                       

Italian

ITAL B101, ITAL B102. Four courses at the 200 level. Three courses at the 300 level.

Spanish

SPAN B102, SPAN B120. Four courses at the 200 level. Two courses at the 300 level.

Second Language and Literature

French

FREN B101-FREN B102 or FREN B101-FREN B105; or FREN B005-FREN B102 or FREN B005-FREN B105. Two literature courses at the 200 level. FREN B260 (BMC) or FREN H212 (HC). One course at the 300 level.

Italian

ITAL B101, ITAL B102. Two literature courses at the 200 level. Two literature courses at the 300 level.

Spanish

SPAN B102, SPAN B120. Two courses at the 200 level. Two courses at the 300 level.

In addition to the coursework described above, when the first language and literature is Spanish, majors in Romance Languages must enroll in SPAN B398 (Senior Seminar).^*

When French is chosen as either the first or second language, students must take the first semester Senior Conference in French (FREN B398) in addition to the coursework described above.^**

When Italian is chosen, students must take ITAL B398 and ITAL B399, offered in consultation with the department, in addition to the coursework described above in order to receive honors.^***

An oral examination (following the current model in the various departments) may be given in one or both of the two languages, according to the student’s preference, and students follow the practice of their principal language as to written examination or thesis. Please note that SPAN B398, FREN B398 or  ITAL B398 does not count as one of the two required 300-level courses.

Interdepartmental courses at the 200 or 300 level are offered from time to time by the cooperating departments. These courses are conducted in English on such comparative Romance topics as epic, romanticism, or literary vanguard movements of the 20th century. Students should be able to read texts in two of the languages in the original.   

Requirements for Honors

* In order to receive honors, students whose first language is Spanish should have a minimum 3.7 GPA in Spanish and are required to write a senior essay (SPAN B399).            

** For students whose first language is French, honors are awarded on the basis of performance in Senior Conference and on a successfully completed thesis (FREN B403) or senior essay, the latter completed in a third 300-l. course in semester II of senior year.

*** In order to receive honors, students whose first language is Italian are required to write a senior essay (ITAL B398 and ITAL B399)