Foreign Languages and Literatures (FL–)

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The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers major programs leading to the B.A. degree in French, Russian, German, and Spanish. There are two emphases available for each major. Foreign language majors may gain certification to teach at the secondary level in French, German, and Spanish.

The department offers minors in French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish, participates in the interdisciplinary minors in Chinese/Japanese studies, classical studies, comparative literature, Latino/Latin American studies, linguistics, Southeast Asian studies, and women’s studies, and offers FLCL 271, Classical Mythology, FLFR 371, Masterpieces of French Literature in Translation, FLIT 272, The Italian Renaissance, and FLRU 261, Russian Culture and Literature, in the humanities and the arts area of distributive studies. French majors may not take FLFR 371 and Russian majors may not take FLRU 261 for general education credit.

Department Regulations

Students with high school credit in French, German, or Spanish who wish to continue in that language must gain placement into the appropriate course in the desired sequence by taking the foreign language placement examination. On the basis of this examination, the student must begin the chosen language sequence in the course indicated by the placement examination, disregarding that course’s prerequisites. For example, a student gaining placement into FLFR 201 does not have to complete FLFR 101 or FLFR 102. Students with high school credit in one of the other languages offered by the department for which no placement test is available should see the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Transfer students with college-level credit in a foreign language who wish to continue in that language should register for the course that follows the highest level course for which transfer credit has been granted. Prerequisites must be followed in all other cases.

With the consent of the department, native speakers of Spanish may substitute FLSP 215 for any and all levels of FLSP 101 through FLSP 202, as well as for FLSP 211.

Majors in Foreign Languages

Students majoring in one foreign language may complete a second major in another language.

Foreign language majors may complete minors in languages other than that of their major.

Recommendation for Foreign Language Majors

Majors in French, German, and Spanish are urged to spend a minimum of one semester in study abroad. NIU currently maintains appropriate programs in France, Austria, and Spain. Majors in Russian are encouraged to participate in an approved summer language program or a study-travel program in the Russia.

French and German majors in a translation and business emphasis are strongly advised to take additional course work in business and international relations.

Minors in Foreign Languages

Foreign language majors may complete minors in languages other than that of their major.

Foreign Languages and Literatures Faculty

Katharina Barbe, Ph.D., Rice University, associate professor, chair
John R. Bentley, Ph.D., University of Hawaii, associate professor
Anne L. Birberick, Ph.D., University of Virginia, associate professor
Dennis E. Brain, Ph.D., University of Texas, associate professor
Louise Ciallella, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, associate professor
James Collins, Ph.D., University of Chicago, professor
Jessamine Cooke-Plagwitz, Ph.D., Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, associate professor
Mary L. Cozad, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, assistant professor
William F. Harrison, Ph.D., University of New Mexico, associate professor
John F. Hartmann, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Distinguised Teaching Professor
Patricia B. Henry, Ph.D., University of Michigan, associate professor
Amy L. Miller, Ph.D., Penn State University, assistant professor
Frances Jaeger, Ph.D., University of Illinois, associate professor
Joanna Kot, Ph.D., University of Chicago, associate professor
Maryline Lukacher, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego, professor
Eloy E. Merino, Ph.D., University of Miami, associate professor
Michael C. Morris, Ph.D., University of Iowa, associate professor
Christopher Nissen, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, associate professor
Robert V. Reichle, University of Texas, Austin, assistant professor
Linda K. Saborio, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, assistant professor
Francisco Solares-Larrave, Ph.D., University of Illinois, associate professor
U. Saw Tun, M.A., Rangoon University, associate professor
Stephen Vilaseca, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, assistant professor
Philippe Willems, Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder, associate professor

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