Modern Languages

Modern Language Major & Minor Requirements

The Department of Modern Languages at Carthage offers major and minor programs in French, German and Spanish. Students interesting in majoring in Chinese or Japanese can work with department faculty, their advisor and the Registrar's office to design a major program in the language of their choice.

Carthage also offers an Asian Studies minor.

Please note: Current students should work with their advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.

The Modern Language Major: An Overview

The modern language major and minor programs are designed to develop students’ communication skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing the language. Students are introduced to significant works of literature. Students are also provided with experiences that will sharpen their sensitivity to and appreciation of a culture or worldview different from their own.

Study Abroad

Immersion in the linguistic and cultural setting of a foreign country is essential to the formation of a modern language major. Carthage’s program for majors is structured around a requisite study abroad experience. Majors are required to study abroad over one term. Modern language majors take courses prior to traveling abroad that prepare them both linguistically and culturally for this experience.


The Major

Take all:
201 Intermediate [Language] I (4 credits)
202 Intermediate [Language] II (4 credits)
MLAN 220 Cultural Awareness Orientation (1 credit)
301 Advanced [Language] I* (4 credits)
308 The [Language]-Speaking World: Social, Political & Economic Issues (4 credits)
309 The [Language]-Speaking World: Cultural and Intellectual Life (4 credits)
311 Interpreting Written Texts in [Language](4 credits)
401 Senior Seminar (4 credits)
GNRL 351 Immersion Abroad 12-16 credits**

Choose one:
424 Theater (4 credits)
471 Special Topics in the Language (4 credits)

* During the term in which 301 is taken, students will take and be required to pass a written and oral proficiency evaluation. Passing scores on these evaluations are required before students can enroll in courses numbered 308 or higher.

** Students preparing to study abroad are urged to take MLAN 220.

** Courses taken at foreign institutions are usually recorded on the student's Carthage transcript as GNRL 351. This is a global designation for experiential learning and courses that may be in history, economics, political science, linguistics, art history, or a number of other fields supporting the ML major. When faculty of any department agree, a specific course taken abroad may be accepted in lieu of a course in that department and be so noted on the student's transcript. Students are strongly urged to get such courses approved by Carthage faculty before taking them. GNRL 351 may fulfill the Carthage Symposium requirement. (See department chair for details.)

** Students whose special circumstances do not permit an extended stay abroad must consult with the department chair.


The Minor

Take all:
201 Intermediate [Language] I (4 credits)
202 Intermediate [Language] II (4 credits)
301 Advanced [Language] I* (4 credits)
311 Interpreting Written Texts in [Language] (4 credits)
At least two additional credits above 301 in the target language

Choose one:
308 The [Language]-Speaking World: Social, Political and Economic Issues (4 credits)
309 The [Language]-Speaking World: Cultural and Intellectual Life (4 credits)

* During the term in which this course is taken, students will take and be required to pass a written and oral proficiency evaluation. Passing scores on these evaluations is required before student can enroll in courses numbered 308 or higher.)


Honors in the Major

Please see department chair for details. Basic requirements are listed under All-College Programs in the catalog.


Certification for Teaching Modern Language

In addition to the professional education sequence of courses and 12 credits of student teaching (both required of all students wishing to be certified as teachers), students seeking certification to teach French, German or Spanish in Wisconsin must have a major or minor in the language and complete these four additional requirements before they begin student teaching:

1. Take MLAN 420. Students must successfully complete MLAN 420 Methods and Materials in Teaching Modern Languages.

2. Pass the Praxis II exam. Students must pass this exam in the language in which they wish to be certified.

3. Study abroad for at least four weeks. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requires those seeking certification in a modern language to complete an immersion experience in the target culture. For Modern Language majors, this will be met by the required semester abroad. Modern Language minors wishing to be certified to teach must document an immersion experience of at least four weeks.

4. Achieve an ACTFL proficiency level of "Intermediate High" or better. Students who wish to be certified to teach French, German or Spanish in Wisconsin must take the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview and receive a rating of "Intermediate High" or better prior to beginning their student teaching. Students should contact the Modern Language Department as soon as they have decided to seek certification in French, German or Spanish in order to receive information about preparing for the exam. The exam is taken by telephone and is given by examiners who are independent of the College.


Placement and Proficiency

Students who have studied a modern language and plan to continue their studies in that language will be placed at the appropriate level on the basis of previous courses and grades and/or a placement test administered by the Department of Modern Languages.

Students completing the course in which they were placed with at least a grade of "C" will be awarded credit for the preceding courses in the normal language sequence, to a maximum of 12 credits per language.

Carthage does not administer proficiency examinations in languages not offered at the College. Carthage will recognize the results of proficiency examinations in modern languages administered by other colleges and universities or if credit appears on an official transcript. All arrangements for, and costs related to, such examinations are the responsibility of the student.

Majors and minors are required to pass a target language proficiency exam during the term in which they take 301.

Academic Resources

Prospective Students

Study Abroad

Students who major in a modern language at Carthage must spend a full semester or year abroad. Read more ...

Student Voices

Carthage students speak out about the Department of Modern Languages. Read more.

Target Language Experts

At Carthage, introductory language courses are taught by native speakers. Read more ...

J-Term at Carthage

A special month-long period of study in January to experiment, create and dream. Read more ...