University Bulletin 2002-03
Foreign Language

Objectives


Knowledge of a foreign language is intrinsic to a sound education in the liberal arts. Language not only defines cultural identity, it constitutes the basis of the literary and philosophical heritage that is at the heart of advanced learning in the humanities. Stepping into another language enriches the imagination by offering fresh insights, perspectives that challenge unexamined habits of mind, and the simple adventure of gaining access to an alien way of life and thought.

Brandeis requires its undergraduates to command a certain degree of proficiency in the use of one foreign language, either ancient or modern. The requirement is satisfied when the student has successfully completed and passed a 30-level (or higher) course with a letter grade. The customary progression for language course work done at the University is three semesters comprising the 10-, 20-, and 30-level course sequence. The number of class hours required per week in any given course may vary depending on departmental requirements.

Below is a list of the language programs of study available at Brandeis with the basic course sequence for satisfying the language requirement. Additional courses beyond the basic sequence can be found in the course listings for each of these programs.


Basic Language Sequences

Arabic 10a, 20b, 30a

Chinese 10a, 20b, 30a

French 10a, 20b, and one of the following: 32a, 33a, 34a

German 10a, 20b, and 30a or 39a (Honors)

Greek (Ancient)10a, 20b, 30a

Hebrew 10a, 20b or 29b, 34a, 35a, 39a

Italian 10a, 20b, 30a

Japanese 10a, 20b, 30a

Latin 10a, 20b, 30a

Russian 10a, 20b, 30a

Spanish 10a, 20b, and one of the following: 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a

Yiddish 10a, 20b, 30a