The College Catalogue

Requirements for Majors in the Department of Romance Languages

Students may declare a major in French or in Spanish or in Romance languages (with courses in French, Italian, and Spanish). All majors are expected to achieve breadth in their knowledge of the French-, Italian-, and/or Spanish-speaking worlds by taking courses on the literatures and cultures of these areas from their origins to the present. Students should also take complementary courses in study-away programs or in other departments and programs such as art history, Latin American studies, history, English, and Africana studies. The major consists of nine courses more advanced than French 204 or Spanish 204.* Students must achieve a grade of C- or higher in all prerequisite courses.

All majors in Spanish, French, and Romance languages will complete at least three 300-level courses. No more than two courses may be in independent study, and no fewer than five Bowdoin courses should be taken. Students who study abroad for one semester will receive a maximum of three credits toward the major. Those who study abroad for the academic year will receive a maximum of four credits toward the major.

French Major Requirements

Nine courses higher than French 204*, including:

1. At least two of the following five courses: French 207 (same as Africana Studies 207 and Latin American Studies 206) or 208 or the equivalent in study abroad; and French 209, 210, or 211, or the equivalent in study abroad.
2. Three courses at the 300 level, including French 351 (senior seminar), if offered. At least two 300-level courses must be taken at Bowdoin.
3. Students are strongly encouraged to include courses dealing with all periods and several Francophone contexts.

*or eight courses higher than 204 for students beginning in 101, 102, or 203.

Spanish Major Requirements

Nine courses higher than Spanish 204*:

• Spanish 205 (same as Latin American Studies 205), 209 (same as Latin American Studies 209), and 210 (same as Latin American Studies 210).
• Three courses at the 300 level—at least two 300-level courses must be taken at Bowdoin.
• Students are strongly encouraged to include courses dealing with all periods and several Spanish-speaking contexts.

*or eight courses higher than 204 for students beginning in 101, 102, or 203.

Romance Languages Major Requirements

Nine courses higher than 204* in at least two languages, including the corresponding requirements below:

1. French 207 (same as Africana Studies 207 and Latin American Studies 206) or 208 and 209, 210, or 211, or the equivalent in study abroad
2. Italian 205 and 208 or the equivalent in study abroad, if combining Spanish or French with Italian
3. Spanish 209 (same as Latin American Studies 209) and 210 (same as Latin American Studies 210), or the equivalent in study abroad
4. Three courses at the 300 level. At least two 300-level courses must be taken at Bowdoin.°

*or eight courses higher than 204 for students beginning two languages in 101, 102, or 203.

°Students whose major focus is French will take French 351 (senior seminar), if offered, as one of the 300-level courses.

Requirements for Minors in Romance Languages

Students may declare a minor in French, Italian, or Spanish. The minor consists of at least three courses at Bowdoin in one language higher than 204, including one 300-level course. The Italian minor may include one 200-level course from abroad; the 300-level course must be taken at Bowdoin. Courses taken abroad do not count for the French or Spanish minor.

Placement

Entering first-year and transfer students who plan to take French, Italian, or Spanish must take the appropriate placement test, administered online during the summer. Students with questions regarding placement should speak with a faculty member in the department.