Foreign Language Citations 2009 - 2010
Advanced training in a foreign language is a valuable component of a liberal arts education; it allows students to employ another language in cultural exchange, research, and work. To foster such training, many of the "language and literature" and "language and civilization" departments offer programs in which undergraduates may earn a citation in a modern or ancient language. Those languages in which citations are offered and the specific requirements for each are listed below. The award of a foreign language citation will be noted on the transcript at the time degrees are voted, and will be included in the commencement program. Students will also receive printed citations along with their diplomas.
Each language citation program consists of four half-courses of language instruction beyond the first-year level and/or half-courses taught primarily in the foreign language. At least two of these half-courses must be at the third-year level or beyond. Appropriate courses taken in approved programs of study out of residence for which the student receives Harvard degree credit may be counted toward a citation. Courses that satisfy the requirements for a citation may also be counted toward Core and/or concentration requirements, as appropriate, but only one half-course may count towards a secondary field (see page 34). Also, some students who complete the requirements for the Citation in Foreign Language are able to satisfy the Foreign Cultures requirement of the Core Program; students who wish to pursue this option must file an application with the Core Office.
Students must complete all courses to count toward the citation with letter grades of B– or better. Regardless of the level at which a student enters a language program at Harvard, all citations require the completion of four half-courses taken at Harvard or counted for Harvard degree credit. Language courses that meet these criteria but are bracketed on the transcript may be counted toward a language citation.
Students who plan to satisfy the requirements for a foreign language citation in French, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish must complete a Foreign Language Citation Study Plan and have it signed by Professor Kimberlee Campbell, the Director of Language Programs in Romance Languages and Literatures. This form must be filed with the Registrar no later than the deadline for degree applications in their final term in the College. Students are encouraged to file their intentions to satisfy the requirements for a foreign language citation as early as the declaration of a concentration so that they may benefit from advising by the department that will provide the recognition. Students will benefit from planning ahead and taking courses in consecutive terms, so as not to lose ground between language courses; this is especially important at the early stages of language study. Students planning their courses around a study-abroad or work-abroad experience should consult with relevant advisers upon their return, as their language experience abroad may have an effect on the courses students may use for the Language Citation. Those students who later decide not to complete the requirements for a citation in a foreign language are asked to complete a new Plan of Study indicating this fact in order to inform the relevant department and the Registrar.
Concentrators, including joint concentrators, in African and African American Studies, the Classics, East Asian Studies, Germanic Languages and Literatures, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Romance Languages and Literatures, Sanskrit and Indian Studies, or Slavic Languages and Literatures, whose concentration work is built on a particular language or set of languages, are not also eligible for citations in those languages.
FRENCH
Four of the following half-courses, including at least two from the list labeled third-year level or beyond:
Second-year level: French Ca, Cb, 25; Foreign Cultures 22a.
Third-year level or beyond: French courses numbered at the 30- to 50-level, or any French course numbered at a higher level conducted in French; Foreign Cultures 21, 22b. Students should consult the on-line Courses of Instruction for information on citation credit for literature courses numbered 100–199. Students may take no more than two half-courses numbered at each of the 30-level, 40-level, and 50-level.
Students will not receive credit toward a language citation for courses taken out of sequence. That is, students may not take a second-year course after having taken a third-year course, or a third-year course after having taken a course at the fourth-year level, as indicated by the first digit of the course number. Students will receive neither Harvard nor citation credit for any course designated as equivalent to one they have already taken.
A half-credit toward a citation is granted to students who have enrolled in a French language section (i.e. discussions, readings, and written assignments all in French) of a literature or Core course given in English. This means that students enrolling in French language sections in two classes given in English will receive credit for one half-course toward the four required for a citation.
A maximum of two courses taken out of residence for Harvard degree credit may be substituted for the above courses with the permission of the undergraduate adviser in French. Courses taken out of residence will count toward a citation in French if the course is taught entirely in French as indicated in the syllabus or course description, and, in the case of summer study, the course lasts five weeks or consists of at least 50 class hours; in addition, students must submit some graded written work done for the course.
ITALIAN
Four half-courses in Italian designated Italian Ca or above. Italian Dab is a full course and counts as two citation credits at the second-year level. Students should consult the on-line Courses of Instruction for information on citation credit for literature courses numbered 100–199.
Students will not receive credit toward a language citation for courses taken out of sequence. That is, students may not take a second-year course after having taken a third-year course, or a third-year course after having taken a course at the fourth-year level, as indicated by the first digit of the course number. Students will receive neither Harvard nor citation credit for any course designated as equivalent to one they have already taken.
A half-credit toward a citation is granted to students who have enrolled in an Italian language section (i.e. discussions, readings, and written assignments all in Italian) of a literature or Core course given in English. This means that students enrolling in Italian language sections in two classes given in English will receive credit for one half-course toward the four required for a citation.
Other courses taught primarily in Italian or a maximum of two courses taken out of residence for Harvard degree credit may be substituted for the above courses with the permission of the undergraduate adviser in Italian. Courses taken out of residence will count toward a citation in Italian if the course is taught entirely in Italian as indicated in the syllabus or course description, and, in the case of summer study, the course lasts six weeks or consists of at least 50 class hours; in addition, students must submit some graded written work done for the course. PORTUGUESE
Four half-courses in Portuguese beyond the A level and that are conducted in Portuguese. Students should consult the on-line Courses of Instruction for information on citation credit for literature courses numbered 100–199.
Students will not receive credit toward a language citation for courses taken out of sequence. That is, students may not take a second-year course after having taken a third-year course, or a third-year course after having taken a course at the fourth-year level, as indicated by the first digit of the course number. Courses having the same prerequisites, however, may be taken interchangeably. In unusual cases, the undergraduate adviser in Portuguese may approve an exception to this rule.
Other courses taught primarily in Portuguese or a maximum of two courses taken out of residence for Harvard degree credit may be substituted for the above courses with the permission of the undergraduate adviser in Portuguese. Courses taken out of residence will count toward a citation in Portuguese if the course is taught entirely in Portuguese as indicated in the syllabus or course description, and, in the case of summer study, the course lasts six weeks or consists of at least 50 class hours; in addition, students must submit some graded written work done for the course. SPANISH
Four of the following half-courses beyond the A level:
Second-year level: Spanish C and 30.
Third-year level or beyond: Spanish courses at the 40, 50, 60 and 65 level; or any Spanish course numbered at a higher level conducted in Spanish; Foreign Cultures 33, 37. Students should consult the on-line Courses of Instruction for information on citation credit for literature courses numbered 100–199.
Students will not receive credit toward a language citation for courses taken out of sequence. That is, students may not take a second-year or a third year course after having taken a course at the 70, 90, or 100-level. Students will receive neither Harvard nor citation credit for any course designated as equivalent to one they have already taken.
A half-credit toward a citation is granted to students who have enrolled in a Spanish language section (i.e. discussions, readings, and written assignments all in Spanish) of a literature or Core course given in English. This means that students enrolling in Spanish language sections in two classes given in English will receive credit for one half-course toward the four required for a citation.
Other courses taught primarily in Spanish or a maximum of two courses taken out of residence for Harvard degree credit may be substituted for the above courses with the permission of the undergraduate adviser in Spanish. Courses taken out of residence will count toward a citation in Spanish if the course is taught entirely in Spanish as indicated in the syllabus or course description, and, in the case of summer study, the course lasts six weeks or consists of at least 50 class hours; in addition, students must submit some graded written work done for the course.
From the
Handbook for Student
Fields of Concentration
Last updated on August 20, 2009
