General Objectives for Minor/Major Courses in Foreign Languages

1. To attain at least Advanced Low (according to standards set out by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, ACTFL) level in A. reading, B. writing, C. aural comprehension, and D. speaking
2. To use critical skills to analyze literary and cultural texts logically, fairly, and insightfully
3. To use research skills to support literary and cultural analyses
4. To understand the perspectives of at least two cultures (including American culture).
5. To challenge the student both cognitive and culturally through language
6. To understand the practices and expectations of the professional world

General Objectives for the MA

1. To understand the nature of language and communication; the fact of language varieties and registers- standard and regional; the structure and development of the Italian/Spanish language and its dialects and the various cultures of Italian/Spanish-speaking regions across time
2. To understand the principles of second language teaching, demonstrate the ability to assess student progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching materials, procedures and curricula
3. To demonstrate critical thinking through the analysis, synthesis and critical evaluation of relevant scholarly literature, master pieces including key theories and research
4. To understand the dialectics involving knowledge and inquiry and to interact thoughtfully with others and with the texts under consideration
5. To construct organized, coherent written texts using Standard Italian/Spanish, appropriate rhetorical style, and appropriate bibliographic style and citation of sources
6. To reflect upon the knowledge gained through the academic study of Italian/Spain/Latin America societies and cultures, literature, cinema, and other media
7. To understand and analyze issues of genre, historical period, artistic movements
8. To demonstrate cross-cultural awareness, ethics and social responsibility