Foreign Languages Download to print

Students arrive at Kent State with varying types of foreign language experience: Some come from other countries and are fluent in their native language, others have grown up in America with a first language other than English, but most have learned a second language in a formal classroom setting. Accordingly, the term “native language” refers to the language of students who have been born, raised and educated in another culture and who can be expected to use that language not only easily but accurately as well. Similarly, “first language” refers to the language of students who may have been born and spent their early years abroad or who have been raised in a particular ethnic community in this country; while they may speak the language with some ease, a lack of consistent formal training limits the accuracy of their usage.

A student with a native language other than English may not register for or receive credit in coursework on the elementary or intermediate level in that language or a closely related one as determined by the chairperson of the appropriate department. Such students may, however, receive credit for coursework successfully completed above the Intermediate II level. Students with a first (not native) language other than English may be permitted to enroll in, and receive credit for, coursework on the elementary and/or intermediate level. Permission will be granted on a case-by-case basis by the chairperson of the appropriate department after evaluation of the student’s skills in that language.

All students should begin foreign language study at the appropriate level in their first semester and continue with the appropriate sequence of courses in consecutive semesters and/or summer sessions. Those who qualify to begin at an advanced level can complete the requirement in less time and apply the remaining hours to their major, a minor or one or more electives.

Students may qualify for advanced placement with or without college credit in any of the following ways: College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Credit- By-Examination, proficiency examination or a placement test. The CLEP and the university’s Credit-By-Examination program, available in certain languages, do award credit that will count toward fulfillment of the language requirement and as hours toward graduation. Proficiency tests administered by the Office of International Affairs provide no credit and are part of the requirements for the International Relations major. Students should contact the appropriate academic department for information regarding courses designated as eligible for Credit-By-Examination. Students who wish to pursue Credit-By-Examination must complete an application (available in the Career Services Center) to gain appropriate department and college permission. Such permission will be granted only if the students present documented evidence of substantial prior preparation in the subject area.

For students who do not receive placement or credit through testing, proficiency level and placement can be established through appropriate documentation of school coursework in that language or in the home/foreign country. As a general rule, a year of high school study is roughly equivalent to a semester of college-level study of a foreign language. Whether through tests or other documentation, placement does not award academic credit; the credit hours which have been exempted by such placement are still required for graduation and may be applied to coursework in the student’s major, minor or elective courses. Students should contact the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies for assistance with placement in all foreign language coursework. The Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies is located in Room 109 Satterfield Hall and can be reached at 330-672-2150.

Arabic (ARAB)

11101 Elementary Arabic I (5)
Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial Arabic in the context of the cultures of Arabic speakers. Prerequisite: none.

11102 Elementary Arabic II (5)
Continuation of the introduction to Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial Arabic in the context of the cultures of Arabic speakers. Prerequisite: ARAB 11101.

21201 Intermediate Arabic I (5)
Continued development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in Arabic, using a variety of cultural materials. Prerequisite: ARAB 11102.

21202 Intermediate Arabic II (5)
Continuation of ARAB 21201. Prerequisite: ARAB 21201.

American Sign Language (ASL)

19201 Elementary American Sign Language I (4)
(Cross-listed with SPED 19201) Introduction to American Sign Language and the culture of the American signing community, in an immersion setting. Prerequisite: none.

19202 Elementary American Sign Language II (4)
(Cross-listed with SPED 19202) A continuation of the introduction to American Sign Language and the culture of the American signing community, in an immersion setting. Prerequisite: ASL 19201 or SPED 19201.

29201 Intermediate American Sign Language I (3)
(Cross-listed with SPED 29201) Continued development of receptive and expressive skills in American Sign Language and an introduction to ASL grammar, using a bilingual-bicultural approach and interaction with deaf organizations. Prerequisite: ASL 19202 or SPED 19202.

29202 Intermediate American Sign Language II (3)
(Cross-listed with SPED 29202) Continuation of ASL 29201 with an emphasis on greater exploration of American Sign Language Sentence structure using a bilingual-bicultural approach. Students are involved in a community service project, providing a hands-on experience with using ASL within a community setting. Prerequisite: ASL 29201 or SPED 29201.

Chinese (CHIN)

15101 Elementary Chinese I (5)
An introduction to Mandarin Chinese in the context of modern Chinese-speaking cultures. Prerequisite: none.

15102 Elementary Chinese II (5)
A continuation of the introduction to Mandarin Chinese in the context of modern Chinese-speaking cultures. Prerequisite: CHIN 15101.

25201 Intermediate Chinese I (5)
Continued development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, using a variety of cultural materials. Prerequisite: CHIN 15102.

25202 Intermediate Chinese II (5)
Continuation of CHIN 25201. Prerequisite: CHIN 25201.

French (FR)

13201 Elementary French I (4)
An introduction to the French language in the context of Francophone cultures. Prerequisite: none.

13202 Elementary French II (4)
A continuation of the introduction to the French language in the context of Francophone cultures. Prerequisite: FR 13201.

23201 Intermediate French I (3)
Continued development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills using a variety of cultural materials. Prerequisite: FR 13202.

23202 Intermediate French II (3)
Continuation of FR 23201. Prerequisite: FR 23201.

German (GER)

11201 Elementary German I (4)
An introduction to the German language in the context of the cultures of German-speaking lands. Prerequisite: none.

11202 Elementary German II (4)
A continuation of the introduction to the German language in the context of the cultures of German-speaking lands. Prerequisite: GER 11201.

21201 Intermediate German I (3)
Continued development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills using a variety of cultural materials. Prerequisite: GER 11202.

21202 Intermediate German II (3)
Continuation of GER 21201. Prerequisite: GER 21201.

Greek (GRE)

14201 Elementary Classical Greek I (4)
An introduction to the classical Greek language in the context of ancient Greek culture. Prerequisite: none.

14202 Elementary Classical Greek II (4)
A continuation of the introduction to the classical Greek language in the context of ancient Greek culture. Prerequisite: GRE 14201.

Hebrew (HEBR)

12101 Elementary Hebrew I (4)
An introduction to the modern Hebrew language in the context of Israeli culture. Prerequisite: none.

12102 Elementary Hebrew II (4)
A continuation of the introduction to the modern Hebrew language in the context of Israeli culture. Prerequisite: HEBR 12101.

22104 Intermediate Hebrew I (3)
Continued development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills using a variety of cultural materials. Prerequisite: HEBR 12102.

22105 Intermediate Hebrew II (3)
Continuation of HEBR 22104. Prerequisite: HEBR 22104.

Heritage Languages (HRTG)

10101 Elementary I (Variable Language) (4)
An introduction to a heritage language in the context of the culture of its speakers. Prerequisite: none.

10102 Elementary II (Variable Language) (4)
A continuation of the introduction to a heritage language in the context of the culture of its speakers. Prerequisite: HRTG 10101 and special approval.

20201 Intermediate I (Variable Language) (3)
Continued development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills using a variety of cultural materials. Prerequisite: HRTG 10102 and special approval.

20202 Intermediate II (Variable Language) (3)
Continuation of HRTG 20201. Prerequisite: HRTG 20201 and special approval.

Italian (ITAL)

15201 Elementary Italian I (4)
An introduction to the Italian language in the context of Italian culture. Prerequisite: none.

15202 Elementary Italian II (4)
A continuation of the introduction to the Italian language in the context of Italian culture. Prerequisite: ITAL 15201.

25201 Intermediate Italian I (3)
Continued development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills using a variety of cultural materials. Prerequisite: ITAL 15202.

25202 Intermediate Italian II (3)
Continuation of ITAL 25201. Prerequisite: ITAL 25201.

Japanese (JAPN)

15101 Elementary Japanese I (5)
Introduction to modern standard Japanese in the context of Japanese culture. Prerequisite: none.

15102 Elementary Japanese II (5)
A continuation of the introduction to modern standard Japanese in the context of Japanese culture. Prerequisite: JAPN 15101.

25201 Intermediate Japanese I (5)
Continued development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, using a variety of cultural materials. Prerequisite: JAPN 15102.

25202 Intermediate Japanese II (5)
Continuation of JAPN 25201. Prerequisite: JAPN 25201.

Latin (LAT)

16201 Elementary Latin I (4)
An introduction to the classical Latin language in the context of ancient Roman culture. Prerequisite: none.

16202 Elementary Latin II (4)
A continuation of the introduction to the classical Latin language in the context of ancient Roman culture. Prerequisite: LAT 16201.

26201 Intermediate Latin I: Readings (3)
Excerpts from Latin literature with emphasis on translation into English. Prerequisite: LAT 16202.

26202 Intermediate Latin II: Readings (3)
Excerpts from Latin literature with emphasis on both prose (e.g., Caesar, Cicero) and poetry (Vergil, Catullus). Prerequisite: LAT 26201.

Pan-African Studies (PAS)

10101 Elementary Kiswahili I (4)
This course is an introduction to Kiswahili in which students will learn the essentials of speaking, reading and writing the most extensively used language in

10102 Elementary Kiswahili II (4)
Continuation of PAS 10101, aimed at advancing students' knowledge and communication skills in Kiswahili by introducing Kiswahili literature—short narratives, proverbs and folktales. Prerequisite: PAS 10101.

20101 Kiswahili III (3)
Continuation of Kiswahili II, aimed at developing knowledge, competence and recognition of Kiswahili usage in all forms of Kiswahili literature. Prerequisite: PAS 10102.

20102 Kiswahili IV (3)
Continuation of Kiswahili III, aimed at developing knowledge, competence and recognition of Kiswahili usage in all forms of Kiswahili literature. Prerequisite: PAS 2010123201 Intermediate Yoruba I (3)
Continuation of PAS 13202, aimed at developing further competency in reading, writing and speaking. Prerequisites: PAS 13201 and 13202.

33203 Kiswahili Conversation (3)
A conversation course specifically designed to enhance oral proficiency through further practice in conversation and written Kiswahili as well as discussion of culture based-texts. Prerequisite: PAS 10102.

Russian (RUSS)

12201 Elementary Russian I (4)
An introduction to the Russian language in the context of Russian cultures. Corequisite: RUSS 12211.

12202 Elementary Russian II (4)
A continuation of the introduction to the Russian language in the context of Russian cultures. Prerequisite: RUSS 12201 and 12211. Corequisite: RUSS 12212.

12211 Elementary Russian I Recitation (1)
Reinforces material presented in Elementary Russian I (RUSS 12201). Must be taken together with Elementary Russian I. Corequisite: RUSS 12201.

12212 Elementary Russian II Recitation (1)
Reinforces material present in Elementary Russian II (RUSS 12202). Must be taken together with Elementary Russian II. Prerequisites: RUSS 12201 and 12211. Corequisite: RUSS 12202.

22201 Intermediate Russian I (4)
Continued development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills using a variety of cultural materials. Prerequisite: RUSS 12202. Corequisite: RUSS 22211.

22202 Intermediate Russian II (4)
Continuation of RUSS 22201. Prerequisite: RUSS 22201. Corequisite: RUSS 22212.

22211 Intermediate Russian I Recitation (1)
Reinforces material presented in Intermediate Russian I (RUSS 22201). Must be taken together with Intermediate Russian I. Prerequisite: RUSS 12202 and 12212. Corequisite: RUSS 22201.

22212 Intermediate Russian II Recitation (1)
Reinforces material presented in Intermediate Russian II (RUSS 22202).  Must be taken together with Intermediate Russian II. Prerequisite: RUSS 22201 and 22211. Corequisite: RUSS 22202.  

Spanish (SPAN)

18201 Elementary Spanish I (4)
An introduction to the Spanish language in the context of Hispanic cultures. Prerequisite: none.

18202 Elementary Spanish II (4)
A continuation of the introduction to the Spanish language in the context of Hispanic cultures. Prerequisite: SPAN 18201.

28201 Intermediate Spanish I (3)
A continuation of the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills using a variety of material on the Spanish language in the context of Hispanic cultures. Prerequisite: SPAN 18202.

28202 Intermediate Spanish II (3)
A continuation of the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills using a variety of material on the Spanish language in the context of Hispanic cultures and specific areas of study like culture, business, justice, etc. Credit may be given for SPAN 28202 or 28206, but not for both. Prerequisite: SPAN 28201.

28206 Spanish Reading for Comprehension (3)
Further develops skills and techniques for understanding written Spanish; conducted in English. Credit not applicable toward Spanish major or minor. Students may obtain credit in SPAN 28202 or 28206, but not both. Prerequisite: SPAN 28201.