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Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas

College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature
Moore 483
1890 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8520
Fax: (808) 956-9536
E-mail: fadil@hawaii.edu
Web: www.hawaii.edu/llea

Faculty

* Graduate Faculty

• *A. Dias, PhD (Chair)--modern Spanish literature
• L. Aranda, PhD--U. S. Latino literature, translation
• *R. J. Ball, PhD--Latin literature, Augustan poetry, teaching methodology
• *V. Bennett, PhD--Russian language and literature, 19th-century Russian literature, Russian symbolism, modernism and literature of the 1920s
• *M. K. Benouis, PhD--16th-century French literature, stylistics, translation
• *J. E. Brown, PhD--Russian language and literature, 19th-century Russian literature and poetics
• *W. Burgwinkle, PhD--French medieval literature, literary theory, Italian, Occitan
• *P. M. Chandler, PhD--second language acquisition, coordinator of elementary Spanish, teaching assistant supervisor
• *J. D. Ellsworth, PhD--Greek literature, classical philology, classical mythology
• *M. J. Fassiotto, PhD--18th-century French literature, 19th-century poetry, coordinator of second-year French
• *M. C. Garneau, PhD--19th century French literature, oral genres, Italian
• *D. Hilt, PhD--Spanish romanticism, 18th- and 19th-century comparative literature, exile literature
• *K. Hoffmann, PhD--17th-century French literature, critical theory, coordinator of first-year French, theater
• *K. Klingebiel, PhD--French linguistics, history of French, synchronic French, phonetics, pronunciation, Italian, Occitan
• *R. J. Littman, PhD--Greek literature, ancient history, ancient medicine
• *J. Logan, PhD--Spanish American literature, women's studies
• *R. Moody, PhD--applied linguistics, Portuguese and Spanish, psychology of second language learning, Spanish American literature
• *M. Overstreet, PhD--discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, German language teaching
• *J. G. Sang, DrPhil--contemporary German literature, 18th- and 19th-century genres
• *W. Scherer, PhD--medieval German lyric, romanticism, evolution of European consciousness
• *N. Schweizer, PhD--18th-century German classicism, Germans/Europeans in the Pacific
• *J. M. Toyama, PhD--20th-century French novel, criticism, poetry
• L. F. Wilson, PhD--medieval and Golden Age Spanish literature

Degrees and Certificate Offered: BA in Classics, BA in French, BA in German, BA in Russian, BA in Spanish; MA in languages and literatures of Europe and the Americas; Certificate in Classics, Certificate in French, Certificate in German, Certificate in Russian, Certificate in Spanish

The Academic Program

The Department of Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas (LLEA) is divided into five language divisions: Classics, French, German, Russian, and Spanish. Courses of language instruction at the beginning and intermediate levels are offered in Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Advanced courses in composition, conversation and linguistics are offered in French, German, Russian and Spanish. Courses in the literatures of France, Francophone Africa, Germany, Latin America, Italy, Russia, Spain and Wales are offered regularly in the original language, as are courses in classical literary texts written in Greek and Latin. Cultural studies courses designed to acquaint students from other fields with the traditions and cultures of Europe and the Americas are also available, both in English and in the target language, and advanced courses in specialized topics have been designed for students at the graduate level. Such courses include Hispanic cultural studies; U.S. Latino literature and culture; French and German film; French, German, Spanish and Latin American civilization; Russian arts and culture; classical foundations; Europeans in the Pacific; literary theory; opera; exile literature; and courses on specific authors and literary movements. At the graduate level, particular attention is paid to literary analysis and cultural history. MA programs are offered in Classics, French, German and Spanish. In addition, BA degrees and certificate programs are offered in Classics, French, German, Russian, and Spanish. The department promotes language proficiency and cultural awareness through its sponsorship of student clubs, films, lectures, scholarships, and Study Abroad programs. Currently the department, through the Study Abroad Center, sponsors programs in Mendoza, Argentina; Angers, Annecy and Paris, France; Florence, Italy; Berlin, Germany; Vladivostok, Russia; and Seville, Spain.

Undergraduate Study

Bachelor's Degree

BA in Classics

• 24 credit hours of upper division Greek and/or Latin courses
• GRK 101 and 102 and LATN 101 and 102
• Emphasis may be on Greek or Latin or a combination approved by the major adviser

BA in French

• 33 credit hours of FR, exclusive of FR 101, 102, 201, and 202
• FR 311, 312, 331, and 332
• Four French 400-level courses, including three on literature

BA in German

• 30 credit hours of courses numbered 300 and above

BA in Russian

For a language emphasis:

• 30 credit hours of courses above RUS 202
• 6 credit hours of LLEA Russian-related courses

For a literature emphasis:

• 18 credit hours of language beyond the 202 level
• 18 credit hours of literature (including 6 credit hours of LLEA Russian-related courses)

BA in Spanish

• 33 credit hours above the 200 level
• SPAN 301+, 303+, 304+, 351, 352
• SPAN 361 or 362
• SPAN 371 or 372
• Two 400-level courses++
• Two electives++
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 for advanced (300- to 400-level) courses used to satisfy major requirements

+Language skill courses (SPAN 301 to 304) are normally limited to nonnative speakers of Spanish. Native and near-native speakers should consult a department adviser to determine what courses they may take.

++Recommended courses for prospective teachers: SPAN 330, 403, 451, and 452

++Recommended courses for prospective graduate students: SPAN 451, 452, and two 400-level literature courses

Approved study abroad of at least one semester in a Spanish-speaking country is recommended for all majors.

Certificate

Certificate in Classics, French, German, Russian, or Spanish
Upon recommendation of the appropriate division chair of the Department of Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas, the University confers certification of achievement in Classics, French, German, Russian, or Spanish. Students must complete 15 credit hours beyond the intermediate year in the language of choice. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be achieved. (For German certificate, GER 203 counts.)

Graduate Study

Master's Degree

The master's degree in Languages and literatures of Europe and the Americas is based on the view that European culture is a unity that expresses itself in the different European languages and literatures. This culture finds its roots in the classical civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome and currently extends far beyond the geographical boundaries of Europe.

The department has designed the master's program to emphasize this unity of culture, while at the same time preserving high standards of competence and performance in a particular language area. This aim is accomplished by providing a common core of courses for all students in the program, yet allowing for concentration in a given language and literature.

Students are encouraged to extend their competence by taking courses in languages outside their area of concentration. The program aims for flexibility in order to promote individual interests. It recognizes current job needs in which knowledge of two or more languages is useful and often required.

Each candidate will choose an area of concentration from the following: Classics, French, German, Russian, or Spanish.

Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the requirements of the Graduate Division, applicants must have the following:

1. A major or its equivalent in the chosen area of concentration with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B);
2. The competence equivalent to two years of study at the college level in a second foreign language. For candidates in Classics, one foreign language is required in addition to Latin and/or Greek; and
3. For French, German, Russian, and Spanish, an acceptable accent and fluency in the language of the area of concentration as demonstrated in a personal interview or by a tape recording as specified by the department.

Applicants with deficiencies may be accepted provisionally, but course work taken to make up deficiencies may not be counted toward satisfaction of the degree requirements. Students deficient in a second modern language are strongly advised to make up this deficiency as soon as possible in order to participate meaningfully in the interdisciplinary aspects of the program.

Requirements
All students in the program will be required to

• present during the first semester a plan of study approved by the graduate chair, two graduate faculty members from the area of concentration, and, if a significant number of credits from another department is elected, a member of the graduate faculty from that department;
• earn 6 credit hours selected from among the core courses (LLEA 680, 681, 682, and 683);
• satisfy remaining specific requirements in the area of concentration; and
• pass satisfactorily the comprehensive examinations required in the area of concentration.

Students who select Plan A (thesis) in their area of concentration must present a thesis proposal, including justification of the topic and a bibliography, for approval by the thesis director and two members of the thesis committee before the end of the second semester of work. The completed thesis must be presented to the thesis committee at least four weeks before the Graduate Division deadline. The Graduate Division requires all theses to be written in English.

All graduate students must take at least one 600-level course in the selected area of concentration each semester.

The core courses are designed to show how the European languages and literature are interconnected and stem from a common influence in classical antiquity. Although the courses are taught in English, candidates are expected to read the works from their own area of concentration in the original language.

Classics Requirements

Since no GRE scores are required, more weight will be given to the candidate's achievement at the undergraduate level, as evidenced by grades and recommendations. Candidates who are unable to meet the two-year foreign language requirement upon entrance will be required to make up the deficiency before receiving the MA.

Plan A (thesis) requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in Greek and/or Latin; it is intended primarily for prospective PhD candidates. Under this plan, students must complete 24 credit hours, at least 12 of these in courses numbered 600 and above and at least 6 of these in LLEA 680, 681, 682, and 683. Students must also take 6 credit hours of thesis research under a sponsor of their choice and defend the thesis at a final oral examination.

Plan B (non-thesis) requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in Greek and/or Latin; it is intended primarily for prospective high school teachers. Under this plan, students must take 30 credit hours, at least 18 of these in courses numbered 600 and above and at least 6 in LLEA 680, 681, 682, and 683. Students must also pass a final comprehensive examination on Greek and Roman literature.

French Requirements 

Candidates in French literature may select Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis). A minimum of 18 credits must be earned in courses numbered 600 and above, for a total of 30 credit hours, including 6 credit hours from among the core courses. FR 661 is also required but may be waived by the graduate chair. All specified requirements are minimal; a program for each student will be worked out based on the results of the preliminary conference and general examination.

Plan A requires a minimum of 30 credit hours: at least 24 credit hours of course work and 6 credit hours of thesis research. A minimum of 18 credits must be earned in courses numbered 600 and above. Of these, a minimum of 15 credit hours must be in French courses numbered 600 and above, including at least one graduate seminar. Additional requirements are a written comprehensive examination and a thesis.

Plan B requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work. A minimum of 18 credits must be earned in courses numbered 600 and above. Of these, a minimum of 15 credit hours must be in French courses numbered 600 and above, including at least one graduate seminar. A written comprehensive examination is also required.

German Requirements

Candidates select either Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis). Both plans require a minimum of 30 credit hours. The requirements specified below are the minimum requirements; a program for each student will be worked out on the basis of a preliminary conference.

Plan A requires a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. At least 12 credit hours must be in German courses numbered 600 and above, 3 credit hours in LLEA 630, 6 credit hours of thesis research, and 6 credit hours from among the core courses including LLEA 371. Electives may be arranged upon consultation with a graduate adviser. Thesis approval and a thesis defense complete the requirements.

Plan B requires a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. At least 18 credit hours must be in courses numbered 600 and above, 3 credit hours in LLEA 630, 3 credit hours in LLEA 480 or 481, 3 credit hours in LLEA 680 or 681, and 6 credit hours (or more) of electives. A final written comprehensive examination completes the degree requirements.

Graduate assistants in German are also required to take EDCI 641C Seminar in Teaching College German.

Russian Requirements

At the beginning of the first semester of study, a conference with the student will be arranged. This conference is mainly to assist the student and the program committee in preparing an individual program of study. Based on the results of the conference, the committee will prepare a reading list for the student.

All degree candidates must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, 6 of which must be taken from the common core of LLEA graduate courses.

Plan A (thesis) includes a minimum of 15 credit hours in courses numbered 600 to 700, including LLEA 630, and a minimum of 3 credit hours in RUS 735. In addition students must complete 6 credit hours from the common core of LLEA graduate courses. They must also complete 6 credit hours of LLEA 700 Thesis Research.

The thesis must be completed and submitted at least three weeks in advance of the oral comprehensive examination. The final oral examination will consist of two parts. The first part will be based on the thesis. Candidates must defend their points of view. The second part will be based on the minimum reading list. The candidates will have to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Russian phonology and grammar and a solid understanding of the history of the Russian language. In the field of literature, the candidates have to demonstrate good knowledge of Russian literary figures and their major works. Reading knowledge of a second Slavic language is not required but is strongly recommended.

Plan B (non-thesis) includes a minimum of 18 credit hours in courses numbered 600 to 700, including LLEA 630 and a minimum of 3 credit hours in RUS 735, 622, or 650. In addition, the candidates will take 6 credit hours in the common core of LLEA courses. The remaining credits are electives; one appropriate course in linguistics is recommended.

Plan B candidates must pass a comprehensive final examination in all fields of study of Russian language and literature. The examination will be based on the minimum reading list. In the field of the language, the candidates will be required to show a knowledge of phonology, grammar, and history of the Russian literary language. In the field of literature, the candidates will have to demonstrate knowledge of literary history through all the periods, major literary movements and ideas, and major authors and their main works.

Spanish Requirements

Candidates in Spanish may select Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis). Candidates in both plans are required to take 30 credit hours, including 6 credit hours of LLEA core courses. At least 18 of the 30 credit hours must be numbered 600 and above, including at least one graduate seminar. Students electing Plan A (thesis) must complete 6 credit hours of LLEA 700 Thesis Research. Graduate assistants in Spanish are also required to take SPAN 658 Seminar in Spanish Linguistics. Candidates of both plans must pass a comprehensive final examination in literature (Peninsular and Spanish American) and in one of the following three areas (language, Latino Studies, cultural studies/critical theory). The examination is based on the minimum reading list and is also tailored to fit the background and course work of the individual candidates and the thesis, if offered.

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