The Foreign Languages and Literatures Section offers a variety of programs. There are subject sequences in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish languages and literatures taught in the original; a subject sequence on literature in English translation (SILC); studies in bilingualism; and a comprehensive program in English Language Studies.
The Foreign Languages and Literatures curriculum is arranged in three tiers. Fundamental language subjects familiarize students with the principles of the language in both its spoken and written forms, and introduce them to the culture of the country where the language is spoken. Levels III and IV language subjects provide review and refinement of grammar, study of more difficult reading matter with cultural and literary content, and include compositions and discussions in the foreign language.
Subjects in language, literature, and culture are conducted in the foreign language. They introduce students to the form and content of foreign literatures and of foreign cultures and societies. These subjects also offer the opportunity to develop more refined communication skills in the language. Advanced subjects, conducted in the foreign language, encourage students to explore the cultural history of the particular country in which the language is spoken.
Offerings in Studies in International Literatures and Cultures (SILC), taught in English, give students both a specific and comparative focus on foreign cultures.
Concentrations are available in a given language, literature, or culture in the original language or in English. Concentrations should be arranged on an individual basis in consultation with a designated advisor in each language group.
The Minor Programs in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish lead students who have already reached an intermediate level of proficiency into more advanced study of the language, literature, and culture. Note that language levels I and II do not count toward the minor. Also note that, unlike other minor programs in HASS, the minor advisor in each of these languages can, at his or her discretion, approve a minor in which MIT subjects comprise at least one-third of the subjects of the program. However, this exception to the general HASS Minor Requirement is only allowed in those cases in which students have received transfer credits equal to four subjects through study abroad in a country where the language of the minor is the dominant tongue.
Program I in French Studies and Program II in Spanish Studies are designed to provide: competence in reading, writing, and speaking; general knowledge of French or Spanish culture and literature; and advanced subjects in literature, film, and cultural studies.
For either option, each student designs a program in consultation with an advisor in order to meet individual interests, abilities, and goals. However, all majors reflect a balance of historical, geographical, cultural, and linguistic competence.
The Minor Program in Chinese typically consists of six subjects arranged into three levels of study as follows:
| Tier I | Two language subjects at the intermediate level: | |
| 21F.103 | Chinese III, (Regular) | |
| or | ||
| 21F.109 | Chinese III, (Streamlined) | |
| and | ||
| 21F.104 | Chinese IV, (Regular) | |
| or | ||
| 21F.110 | Chinese IV, (Streamlined) |
|
| Tier II | Two language subjects at the advanced level: | |
| 21F.105 | |
Chinese V (Regular) |
| or | ||
| 21F.113 | |
Chinese V (Streamlined) |
| and | ||
| 21F.106 | |
Chinese VI (Regular) |
| Students in the Streamlined sequence of subjects (as opposed
to Regular) should consult with the minor advisor about
the special options for them to fulfill the Tier II requirement. |
||
| Tier III | Two subjects in Chinese literature, history, or culture, at least one of which must be a Chinese Language Option subject, i.e. 21F.190, 21F.191, or 21F.192. The Chinese Language Option subjects meet with the three subjects 21F.036, 21F.046, and 21H.560, respectively, and include some assignments that require reading and writing in Chinese. | |
| 21F.030 | |
East Asian Culture: From Zen to Pop |
| 21F.036/21F.190 | Advertising and Popular Culture: East Asian Perspectives | |
| 21F.038 | The Cultural Politics of Contemporary China | |
| 21F.044 | Traditional Chinese Literature | |
| 21F.045 | Kung-Fu Cinema: Transnational Perspectives | |
| 21F.046/21F.192 | Modern Chinese Fiction and Cinema | |
| 21H.504 | East Asia in the World: 1500–2000 A.D. | |
| 21H.560/21F.191 | |
Smashing the Iron Rice Bowl: Chinese East Asia |
| 21H.580 | From Silk Road to the Great Game: China, Russia, and Central
Asia, 500–2000 A.D. |
The Minor Program in French consists of six subjects arranged into three levels of study as follows:
| Tier I | Two subjects or fewer depending on demonstrated level of entering competence: | |
| 21F.303 | |
French III |
| 21F.304 | |
French IV |
| Tier II | Two or three subjects from the following
intermediate subjects in French language, literature,
and culture: 21F.308–21F.315 |
|
| Tier III | Two or three subjects from the following advanced subjects in French literature and culture: 21F.016, 21F.018, 21F.050J, 21F.051, 21F.052, 21F.320–21F.348, and 21H.346 |
The Minor Program in German consists of six subjects arranged into three levels of study as follows:
| Tier I | Two subjects or fewer depending on demonstrated level of entering competence: | |
| 21F.403 | German III | |
| 21F.404 | German IV |
|
| Tier II | Two subjects or three subjects from the intermediate subjects in German language, literature, and culture: | |
| 21F.405 | Germany Today: Intensive Study of German Language and Culture | |
| 21F.409 | Opening the Text: Reading, Writing and Performing in German | |
| 21F.410 | Professional Communication in German | |
| 21F.412 | German Literature: An Introduction |
|
| Tier III | Two or three subjects from 21F.013, 21F.015, 21F.017, 21F.019, 21F.031J, 21F.055, 21F.056, 21F.059, 21F.061, 21F.062J, 21F.098J, and 21F.414–21F.420 |
The Minor Program in Japanese consists of six subjects arranged into three levels of study as follows:
| Tier I | Two language subjects at the intermediate level: | |
| 21F.503 | Intermediate Japanese I | |
| 21F.504 | Intermediate Japanese II |
|
| Tier II | Two language subjects at the advanced level: | |
| 21F.505 | Advanced Japanese I | |
| 21F.506 | Advanced Japanese II |
|
| Tier III | Two subjects in Japanese literature, history, or culture, at least one of which must be a Japanese Language Option subject, i.e., 21F.590, 21F.591, 21F.592, 21F.593, 21F.594, or 21F.595. The Japanese Language Option subjects meet with the six subjects, 21F.027J, 21F.039, 21F.064, 21F.065, 21F.066, and 21F.067J, respectively, and include some assignments that require reading and writing in Japanese. | |
| 17.433 | International Relations of East Asia | |
| 17.486 | Japan and East Asian Security | |
| 17.537 | Politics and Policy in Contemporary Japan | |
| 17.543 | Japanese Politics and Society | |
| 21F.027J/21F.590 | Visualizing Cultures | |
| 21F.030 | East Asian Cultures: From Zen to Pop | |
| 21F.039/21F.591 | Japanese Popular Culture | |
| 21F.064/21F.592 | Introduction to Japanese Culture | |
| 21F.065/21F.593 | Japanese Literature and Cinema | |
| 21F.066/21F.594 | Japan in Real Time | |
| 21F.067J/21F.595 | Cultural Performances of Asia | |
| 21H.521 | Ancient Japan and Courtly Society | |
| 21H.522 | Japan in the Age of the Samurai: History and Film | |
| 21H.523 | Emergence of the Modern Japanese State: 1800-1952 | |
| 21H.546 | World War II in Asia: Film, Fantasy, Fact |
The Minor Program in Spanish consists of six subjects arranged into three levels of study as follows:
| Tier I | Two subjects or fewer depending on demonstrated level of entering competence: | |
| 21F.703 | Spanish III | |
| and | ||
| 21F.704 | Spanish IV | |
| or | ||
| 21F.705 | Oral Communication in Spanish |
|
| Tier II | Three subjects or fewer depending on demonstrated level
of entering competence from the Spanish Intermediate Subjects
in Language, Literature, and Culture listing: 21F.711–21F.714 |
|
| Tier III | Two subjects or more depending on demonstrated level of entering competence from the Spanish Advanced Subjects in Literature and Culture listing: 21F.010, 21F.080, 21F.084J, 21F.716–21F.740 |
Please also refer to HASS Minors in Regional Studies, which include Applied International Studies, East Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, African and African Diaspora Studies, and Russian Studies.
A degree program is offered in German (Course 21). Joint degree programs are offered in French, German, and Spanish, and include majors in combination with a field in engineering or science (21E, 21S). See the Department of Humanities section for further information.
Further information on subjects and programs may be obtained from the Foreign Languages and Literatures Section Office, Room 14N-305, 617-253-4771.
Isabelle de Courtivron, PhD
Professor of French Studies
Ann F. Friedlaender Professor of the Humanities
MacVicar Faculty Fellow
Section Head
Elizabeth Garrels, PhD
Professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies
Shigeru Miyagawa, PhD
Kochi Prefecture-John Manjiro Professor of Japanese Language and Culture
Professor of Linguistics
Edward Baron Turk, PhD
Professor of French Studies and Film
John E. Burchard Professor of Humanities
William Uricchio, PhD
Professor of Comparative Media Studies
Codirector, Comparative Media Studies Program
Jing Wang, PhD
S. C. Fang Professor of Chinese Language and Culture
Ian Condry, PhD
Mitsui Career Development Associate Professor of Japanese Cultural Studies
Margery Resnick, PhD
Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies
Emma Teng, PhD
Associate Professor of Chinese Studies
Ellen Crocker, MA
Senior Lecturer in German
Undergraduate Academic Officer
Jane Dunphy, MA
Senior Lecturer in English Language Studies
Gilberte Furstenberg, Agrégation
Senior Lecturer in French
Sabine Levet, MA
Senior Lecturer in French
Douglas Morgenstern, MA
Senior Lecturer in Spanish
Patricia Brennecke, MA
Lecturer in English Language Studies
Tong Chen, MA
Lecturer in Chinese
Cathy Culot, MA
Lecturer in French
Ricardo Gessa, MA
Lecturer in Spanish
Margarita Ribas Groeger, MA
Lecturer
Director, Spanish Language Studies
Dagmar Jaeger, PhD
Lecturer in German
A. C. Kemp, MA
Lecturer in English Language Studies
Ayumi Nagatomi, MA
Lecturer in Japanese
Yoshimi Nagaya, MA
Lecturer
Director, Japanese Language Studies
Johann Sadock, PhD
Lecturer in French
Ikue Shingu, MA
Lecturer in Japanese
Lissette Soto, MA
Lecturer in Spanish
Peter Weise, PhD
Lecturer in German
Jin Zhang, MA
Lecturer in Chinese
Kurt Fendt, PhD
Director, HyperStudio
Catherine Vakar Chvany, PhD
Professor of Russian Studies, Emerita
Robert Emmet Jones, PhD
Professor of French and Humanities, Emeritus
Margaret Zaroodny Freeman, SM
Associate Professor of Russian, Emerita
James Wesley Harris, PhD
Professor of Spanish and Linguistics, Emeritus