The Romance languages all derive from the Latin spoken in different parts of the Roman Empire. Courses in French, Spanish, and Italian lead students to an understanding of the language when spoken or written, and allow them to read and appreciate each nation's literature. At all stages of instruction students may deepen their linguistic sensibilities and expand their horizons by studying, through a Romance language, a civilization different from but connected to their own. Students may major in French, in Spanish, or in Italian Studies, and may minor in Italian. A special minor for engineering students allows them to minor in French, Spanish, or Italian. The Department of Romance Languages also participates in the programs of the Experimental College.

Language Houses
The Department of Romance Languages sponsors the French House and the Spanish House. The houses are open to all students interested in these languages and cultures and are not limited to majors. They offer small-group living and an opportunity to enjoy an intensive language experience, often with native speakers, and to participate in many social and cultural events.

Junior Year Abroad
Through the Tufts-in-Madrid, the Tufts-in-Paris, and the Tufts-in-Chile programs, the Department of Romance Languages offers undergraduate majors an unusual opportunity for study in Spain, France, and Chile during the academic year. For more information, contact the Department of Romance Languages or the Office of Tufts Programs Abroad.

Tufts University European Center
The Tufts University European Center sponsors a six-week summer study program in Talloires, on the Lac d'Annecy, in the heart of the French Alps. Students enroll for credit in two courses chosen from an array of offerings including French language, literature, and civilization. The courses, taught by members of the Tufts faculty, draw on the rich cultural and physical resources of this beautiful region of France. Classes are held in Le Prieuré (the Priory), which was formerly part of an eleventh-century Benedictine monastery. Each student lives and shares meals with a local French family; the residential component of the program adds an important dimension to the students' experience of French daily life and culture. For more information, contact the Office of the Tufts University European Center.

Placement of Entering Undergraduates
All entering students who elect courses in French, Spanish, or Italian and who have previously studied the language will be placed in the appropriate course level by their scores on the SAT II Subject Tests (formerly known as the CEEB Achievement Test), Advanced Placement Test, or the Tufts placement examination. The Tufts placement examination, which is for diagnostic purposes only, is given each September and January during the orientation period.

Students who place above French, Spanish, or Italian 3 may complete the language requirement by choosing any one of the three available options (see College of Liberal Arts Information, Foundation Requirements). One course credit equivalent to French/Spanish/Italian 21 or 22 is granted under certain conditions (see College of Liberal Arts Information, Advanced Placement and Acceleration Credit).

For further information, see the appropriate coordinator of language instruction.

Undergraduate Concentration Requirements in French and in Spanish
Prospective majors in French or Spanish are advised to consult the guidelines for selecting a related field, which appear in the departmental course brochure and on the Romance Languages Web site. The department highly recommends that seniors returning from overseas programs enroll in two 100-level French or Spanish courses on the Tufts campus during their final year of study. At least one of the four 100-level literature courses must be taken during the senior year on the Tufts campus itself.

Major in French
Ten courses as follows:
French 21 and 22, or equivalent; French 31 and 32, or equivalent; four 100-level courses in literature; one 100-level course to be selected from among the various course offerings in advanced language and culture, including French 121, 122, 124, 125 or their equivalents. (Students participating in programs abroad may count toward the satisfaction of this requirement a wide range of courses in language, literature, art history, geography, history, civilization, and other areas, taught in the language of the major.) One course in a related field. No more than one credit in Independent Study may be counted toward the major. No more than two credits combining an Independent Study and an honors thesis may be counted toward the major. All courses taken for credit in the major must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Major in Spanish
Ten courses as follows:
Spanish 21 and 22, or equivalent; Spanish 31 or 34, and 32 or 35, or equivalent; four 100-level courses in literature; one 100-level course to be selected from among the various course offerings in advanced language and culture, including Spanish 121, 122, 124, 130, 140, 150, or their equivalents. (Students participating in programs abroad may count toward the satisfaction of this requirement a wide range of courses in language, literature, art history, geography, history, civilization, and other areas, taught in the language of the major.) One course in a related field. No more than one credit in Independent Study may be counted toward the major. No more than two credits combining an Independent Study and an honors thesis may be counted toward the major. All courses taken for credit in the major must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

 
Undergraduate Concentration Requirements in Italian Studies
Prospective majors in Italian Studies are advised to consult the list of courses exclusively devoted to Italian culture, taught in departments other than Romance Languages, which count toward the Italian Studies major. The list appears in the departmental course brochure and on the Romance Languages Web site. It is highly recommended that seniors returning from overseas programs enroll in an appropriate Italian course in the Department of Romance Languages during their final year of study. Interested students should consult the designated adviser for the major.

Major in Italian Studies 
Ten courses distributed as follows among Categories A, B, and C:
Category A: Five courses taught in the Department of Romance Languages: Italian 21 and 22, or equivalent; Italian 31 and 32, or equivalent; one 100-level course, such as Italian 121, 177, 191, or 192. Category B: Two courses taught in English in the Department of Romance Languages, such as Italian 51, 52, 55, or 75. Category C: Any three courses from one or more of the following groups: Category A, above; Category B, above; courses in Latin language or literature, with readings in the original, above the level of Latin 3; courses in Latin literature or culture, with readings in English translation; courses devoted exclusively to Italian culture (as attested by course description and syllabus), taught in departments other than Romance Languages. Courses taken in other departments must be approved by the Department of Romance Languages for credit in the major. No more than one credit in Independent Study may be counted toward the major. No more than two credits combining an Independent Study and an honors thesis may be counted toward the major. All courses taken for credit in the major must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Undergraduate Minor Programs

Minor in Italian
Five courses as follows:
Four courses in Italian language, literature, and/or culture above the intermediate level (Italian 3-4), one of which must be in literature. These courses must be taught in Italian. One course chosen from among the following: a) a course, taught in English translation, on Italian literature or civilization (e.g., Italian 41, 42, 51, 52, 55, 75); b) one of the Italian culture courses listed in this bulletin at the end of the College of Liberal Arts Information section; c) one further course in Italian language, literature, and/or culture, taught in Italian on the Medford/Somerville campus; d) an upper-level course, completed in Italy, in one of a variety of disciplines. No more than one credit in Independent Study may be counted toward the minor.

It is highly recommended that seniors returning from overseas programs enroll in an appropriate Italian course in the Department of Romance Languages during their final year of study.

Interested students should consult the designated adviser for the minor.

Special Minors for Engineering Students
The humanities and/or arts and social sciences requirements for students in the School of Engineering may be satisfied by a special minor in French, Spanish, or Italian language and culture comprising a total of six credits.

Please note the following stipulations:
1) Of the five credits taken in the Department of Romance Languages, no more than one credit may be taken in English.
2) Students must determine their level of proficiency in the language by examination (placement test at Tufts, Advanced Placement Test score, or CEEB SAT II Subject Test score).
3) Students cannot receive credit toward the minor for courses taken below this initial placement.
4) Students must consult with the designated adviser for the special minor in the Department of Romance Languages.
5) Independent Studies will not be available.

FRENCH or SPANISH
Five credits above French 3 or Spanish 3.
The sixth credit must be taken in the social sciences, concentrating on the area in which the target language is spoken.

ITALIAN
Five credits above Italian 2.
The sixth credit must be taken in the social sciences, concentrating on the area in which the target language is spoken.

Departmental Honors
The departmental honors program provides the opportunity for majors in French, in Spanish, or in Italian Studies--in close cooperation with a faculty adviser--to write a senior honors thesis for one or two course credits. Each such credit may count toward the major as a 100-level literature course. No more than two credits combining an Independent Study and an honors thesis may be counted toward the major. Near the end of the spring term the thesis is defended before a committee of three readers, who determine whether the degree with highest honors in thesis, with high honors in thesis, or with honors in thesis is to be awarded at commencement. The applicant's name must have appeared on the Dean's List prior to the first term of the senior year. Interested students should consult with the potential adviser and with the chair of the department toward the end of the junior year.

Graduate Program

Master's Degree
A master of arts degree is offered in French language and literature. Preference is given to students who have a strong undergraduate major in French.

To qualify for the master's degree, a student completes an approved program of at least ten courses, including a general examination. A student is expected to show evidence of scholarly attainment both in course work and in the general examination.

Application forms are available from the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies in Ballou Hall.