2026-2027 Academic DRAFT Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2026-2027 Academic DRAFT Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Modern Languages, BA (MODRNLANG-BA)

CIP Code: 160101

Program Description

The School of Social Sciences and International Studies offers a major in Modern Languages with concentrations in French and Spanish.

The concentrations in French or Spanish entail a profound study of the language, history, culture, literature, and film of the French- and Spanish- speaking world. All elementary through advanced-level classes are designed to progressively develop students’ oral and written proficiency and cultural competence and are conducted exclusively in the target language. Thematically cohesive courses in composition and conversation equip students with advanced communication skills that can be used effectively in academic, social, and professional contexts.

Students of French develop a complex understanding of how French culture has evolved in France and French speaking countries all over the world, including in Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Asia, and the South Pacific.

Students in Spanish develop a complex understanding of how Hispanic culture has evolved in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries around the world, including Latin America, Africa, and the United States.

Study abroad is encouraged and many students fulfill requirements for the Modern Languages major in two-week to one-year long individual exchanges, professor-led courses abroad, and at university approved consortium sites.

-French faculty lead short-term Ambassador study abroad programs to Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux, and Quebec. Popular summer-, semester-, and year-long destinations offered through USAC, ISA, the Ohio Consortium, and direct exchange programs include cities in France (Angers, Lyon, Pau, Strasbourg), Canada, and Luxembourg.

- Spanish faculty lead short-term Ambassador study abroad programs to Spain, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Popular summer-semester, and year-long destinations offered through USAC and ISA include Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, and Spain.

Learning any foreign language helps students think creatively by exposing them to new ways of conceiving the world and by sensitizing them to the nuances of culture and communication. These skills are highly desirable in today’s globally dynamic marketplace. The French concentration is particularly useful for students wishing to enter globally-oriented careers in the arts and the performing arts, the hospitality and travel industry, business, education, creative writing, international development, government, law, communications, linguistics, medical professions, motion pictures, philosophy, psychology, translation, and interpretation. The Spanish concentration is particularly useful for students wishing to enter globally oriented careers in business, education, international development, government, law and law enforcement, communications, medical professions, translation, interpretation, travel industry, health professions, and social work. Students have the opportunity to learn French and Spanish tailored to their chosen careers, including medicine/nursing and business.

Those students who qualify for departmental honors may prepare an in-depth project focusing on an area of expertise, including creative writing, translations, film projects, projects involving service to the Dayton area French- and Spanish-speaking communities, and service to local schools, museums, or charitable organizations. Internships are available to students with senior status and serve as the culminating experience using French or Spanish language skills in a real-life setting.

Students majoring in Modern Languages complete an experiential capstone course as part of their electives.

This requirement can be fulfilled by choosing one of the following options:
- participating in an Ambassador Program abroad
- completing a service learning course
- completing an Honors project
- completing an independent study project
- completing an internship
- completing an applied instruction course
An equivalent course can be substituted in consultation with a faculty adviser.

Extracurricular opportunities that may lead to career placement include work as tutors, supplemental instruction leaders, first-year programs peer instructors, and French or Spanish club officers.

Teacher Preparation Program

Students who wish to teach French or Spanish in Ohio public schools earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Languages. A sequence of education courses and school placements complement the bachelor’s degree, allowing students to earn licensure at the undergraduate level. Licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state, and we have not determined if this program meets educational requirements outside of Ohio. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding that state’s licensure or certification requirements.

Faculty support students at all stages of preparation for licensure. Majors are encouraged early on to contact faculty for a mock Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and a Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) required of teaching candidates prior to the completion of their undergraduate degree.

Candidates must meet with a College of Health, Education, and Human Services Licensure Advisor early in the bachelor’s degree program to learn about the application procedure for school placements, deadlines, admission details, scheduling coursework, and other important information.

Requirements for admission to the undergraduate Licensure program include FR 2020 or FR 2500 or SPN 2020 or SPN 2500 or the equivalent, a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.6 or higher, C or better grades in all undergraduate content and education pre-requisite courses, and standardized testing.

Once candidates complete the program and pass Ohio-required licensure exams, (and the OPI and WPT exams), candidates are eligible apply for an Ohio Resident Educator Multi-Age (PK-12) license in French.

Merit-based scholarships are available.

Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admissions requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.
Requirements for admission to the undergraduate Education Licensure program include a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.6 or higher, C or better grades in all undergraduate content and education pre-requisite courses, and standardized testing.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

develop an in-depth content knowledge about Francophone and Hispanic languages, cultures, and literatures
speak and write proficiently in French/Spanish for a variety of purposes and in a variety of situations at the Intermediate High level or above as defined by ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines
acquire critical thinking skills and learn to appreciate the complexity and diversity of the Hispanophone and Francophone worlds

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Linguistic Proficiency
- Speaking: Students can handle a variety of communicative tasks. They can participate in most informal and some formal conversations on topics related to self, family, home, daily activities, interests and personal preferences. They can also speak about some topics related to shopping, travel and lodging. Students will demonstrate the ability to speak in the present, past and future tenses.
- Writing: Students at this level can meet a number of practical writing needs. They can write short, simple communications, compositions, and requests for information in loosely connected texts about personal preferences, daily routines, common events, and other personal topics. Students will demonstrate the ability to write in the present, past and future tenses.
- Listening and Reading: Students can understand everyday speech, in a variety of personal and social contexts. Also, they are able to understand conventional narrative and descriptive texts, such as expanded descriptions of persons, places, and things and narrations about past, present, and future events. Comprehension derives not only from situational and subject-matter knowledge but also from knowledge of the language itself.
Intercultural Competence
- recognize and describe the historical, social, and political forces that shape society in the target culture
- analyze and critique the products of the target culture (film, literature, art, popular culture, media, etc.) within their context, including conducting basic research tasks
- compare and contrast the cultures and communities of the language they are studying with their own

Undergraduate Language Requirement, College of Liberal Arts

Modern Languages majors will have met their language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts by completing requirements for the major.

Placement

Students with no French background will begin with FR 1010; Students with no Spanish background will begin with SPN 1010 those who have studied French/Spanish previously or who are heritage speakers will take a placement test to determine the best course for their skill level. Native or near-native French/Spanish speakers are encouraged to take an oral and written proficiency test in French or Spanish to verify placement. Details about the placement test and proficiency test for prior learning assessment are available on the Modern Languages website.

Prior Learning Assessment

The School of Social Sciences and International Studies believes that students having learned French/Spanish in high school, through living abroad, or by any other means have the right to earn prior learning credit in French/Spanish. Those students who place into French/Spanish classes between the 1010 and 2020 levels and attain a grade of C or better, may earn “Pass” credits for sequenced courses below that level. Students who have placed into a 3000- or 4000-level course may earn “Pass” credits for 1010 through 2020. By the ninth week of the semester, students desiring prior learning assessment should request and complete their PLA form at the School of Social Sciences and International Studies.

Native and near-native speakers of French or Spanish may take the French or Spanish language proficiency test in two areas, Conversation and/or Composition, and receive Prior Learning Assessment “Pass” credits for FR 3110 / SPN 3110 and/or FR 3210 / SPN 3210.

See the Modern Languages website for details, including fees.

If transferring credit, a minimum of 4 upper-level FR or SPN courses (12 credits) must be taken at Wright State University.

Only courses with a grade of P (Pass/No Credit courses), or a grade of C or better (ABCDF courses) may be applied to the major.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

This program prepares students to be eligible to apply for a professional license to practice in the state of Ohio. Students planning to work in other states or countries should contact the relevant state licensing board in the state where you plan to work before beginning the program. SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensure requirements. Academic programs and the program graduate must meet standards set by the licensing board in a state in order for the graduate to be eligible for a license in that state.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy three additional credit hours in the Additional Core Courses category.

LA 1020 - First-Year Seminar: College of Liberal Arts Credit Hour(s): 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one Element B course from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements list. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the course chosen.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

· One Global Inquiry (GI) course

· One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Major Concentration Requirements: 39 Credit Hours

Students will select a concentration in either French or Spanish.

French Concentration: 39 Credit Hours

Students will complete the following list of coursework:

FR 2010 - Intermediate French I Credit Hour(s): 3
FR 2020 - Intermediate French II Credit Hour(s): 3 OR
FR 2500 - Intermediate French II Through Study Abroad Credit Hour(s): 3
FR 3110 - French Conversation and Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
FR 3120 - French Conversation and Society Credit Hour(s): 3
FR 3210 - Writing in French Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
FR 3310 - Survey of French Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
FR 3320 - Francophone African Studies Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
FR 3510 - French Civilization Credit Hour(s): 3
FR 3610 - French Phonetics Credit Hour(s): 3
One FR courses at the 3000 or 4000 level Credit Hour(s): 3
Two FR courses at the 4000 level Credit Hour(s): 6
Students will select a Capstone course from the list below: Credits / Units: 3
FR 3500 - French Immersion Ambassador Program Credit Hour(s): 3
FR 3550 - French Service Learning Credit Hour(s): 3
FR 3700 - Internship in French Credit Hour(s): 3 to 6
FR 3810 - Applied Elementary French Instruction I Credit Hour(s): 1
FR 3820 - Applied Elementary French Instruction II Credit Hour(s): 1
FR 3830 - Applied Elementary French Instruction Credit Hour(s): 1
FR 3980 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
FR 4500 - Senior Honors Project Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
FR 4810 - Independent Studies for Advanced Students Credit Hour(s): 3
FR 4820 - Independent Reading for Advanced Students Credit Hour(s): 3

Spanish Concentration: 39 Credit Hours

Students will complete the following list of coursework:

SPN 2010 - Intermediate Spanish I Credit Hour(s): 3
SPN 2020 - Intermediate Spanish II Credit Hour(s): 3 OR
SPN 2500 - Intermediate Spanish II through Study Abroad Credit Hour(s): 3
SPN 3210 - Conversation and Writing in Spanish Credit Hour(s): 3 OR (IW)
SPN 3250 - Conversation and Writing: Business Spanish Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
SPN 3220 - Advanced Conversation and Writing in Spanish Credit Hour(s): 3 OR (IW)
SPN 3310 - Survey of Spanish Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
SPN 3320 - Survey of Spanish-American Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
SPN 3430 - Spanish Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 OR
SPN 3440 - Spanish-American Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
SPN 3610 - Spanish Phonology Credit Hour(s): 3
Two courses in SP at the 3000 or 4000 level Credit Hour(s): 6
Two courses in SP at the 4000 level Credit Hour(s): 6
Students will select a Capstone course from the list below: Credits / Units: 3
SPN 3500 - Spanish Immersion Ambassador Program Credit Hour(s): 3
SPN 3550 - Spanish Service Learning Abroad Credit Hour(s): 3
SPN 3700 - Internship in Spanish Credit Hour(s): 3 to 6
SPN 3810 - Applied Elementary Spanish Instruction Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
SPN 3980 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
SPN 4500 - Senior Honors Project Credit Hour(s): 3
SPN 4810 - Independent Readings for Advanced Students Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Related Requirements: 3 Credit Hours

Student will select one course from the following:

One 2000 level or higher ML course: 3 Credit Hours
One 3000 level or higher FR or SPN course: 3 Credit Hours

IV. College Requirements: 6 Credit Hours

Methods of Inquiry: 6 Credit Hours

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods - Choose one course:
PLS 3100 - Quantitative Methods in Political Science Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3400 - Sociological Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3

V. General Electives: 36 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Students are encouraged to consider adding a minor, certificate, or microcredential.

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

These guides are valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and are subject to change. These guides are a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.