Foreign Language Minor

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FOREIGN LANGUAGES (For Lang)
Offered by the Department of Foreign Languages.

Supplemental Information:
All cadets who have a background in one of the foreign languages offered at the Academy will take a placement examination upon arrival to determine the appropriate placement level. Based on the results of that examination, cadets will be placed in a language course at the appropriate level. Cadets without prior language background will be placed into an appropriate beginning course. Prospective cadets will take the French, German, and Spanish exams on-line prior to arrival at the Academy. Cadets testing in other languages will take their test upon arrival at the Academy. Based on the results of their examination, cadets will be placed into an appropriate course and level. Cadets without prior language background and cadets who score low on a placement examination will be placed into For Lang 131 (Basic Sequence), normally in the language of their choice.  Cadets with one or two years of previous study of the language will normally be placed into For Lang 141 (Accelerated Basic Sequence). Cadets who place into the 200 level or higher will retroactively receive validation credit for For Lang 131-132 after completing the language courses required by their major.

Course Descriptions

For Lang 131-132. Basic Foreign Language Study. Introduction to the language, culture, and civilization. Language Learning Center (LLC) supplements classroom instruction. Students are placed in this course on the basis of no prior language background or low placement examination scores. Must be taken sequentially. Cadets successfully completing For Lang 132 will enroll next in For Lang 221. (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, French, German and Spanish).

For Lang 141-142. Accelerated Basic Foreign Language Study. Foundational Language, Culture, and Civilization. LLC supplements classroom instruction. Students are placed in this course on the basis of placement examination scores. Must be taken sequentially. Cadet successfully completing For Lang 142 will enroll next in For Lang 222. (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, French, German and Spanish)

For Lang 221. Intermediate I: Refinement of communication in the target language. Intensification of aural and reading comprehension. Student presentations and classroom discussions based on selected readings/topics in culture and civilization of language studied. Language Learning Center supplements classroom instruction. (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, French, German and Spanish)

For Lang 222. Intermediate II: Continued refinement of target language. Emphasis on conversational practice and aural comprehension of contemporary spoken language. Student presentations and classroom discussions based on culture and civilization readings/topics in target language. Language Learning Center supplements classroom instruction. (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, French, German and Spanish)

For Lang 321. Advanced: Capstone Course for Skills Development. A capstone communication course designed to enhance the students’ ability in the language and culture. (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, French, German and Spanish)

For Lang 322. Advanced II. A follow-on capstone communication course to For Lang 321 designed to further hone the students’ ability in the language and culture. (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, French, German and Spanish)

For Lang 365. Civilization and Culture (Contemporary Issues).  Oral discussion of civilization, culture, and contemporary issues (military, political, and economic) of the country or countries concerned. Discussion is in the target language and is based on selected readings in that language. (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, French, German and Spanish)

For Lang 376. Introduction to Literature. Survey of important writers, their works and influences on their societies. Students are provided cultural insights through literature. Discussions are conducted in the target language and based on selected literary works ranging from early times to contemporary periods. (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, French, German and Spanish)

For Lang 491. Advanced Readings. Language program with primary emphasis on the development of advanced foreign language reading skills via a variety of media. All classes will be conducted in the target language and all assignments must be completed in the target language.  (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, French, German and Spanish)

For Lang 495. Special Topics. Selected topics in foreign languages.

For Lang 499. Independent Study. Individual study or research conducted on a tutorial basis. Study may be in any of the seven languages offered by the department. Topic or area of study/research must be approved by the department head.

LANGUAGE SPECIFIC COURSES

French 372: Francophone Cultures. Course taught in French on the Francophone movement and the cultures of selected French-speaking countries/regions other than France. In combination with faculty presentations and guidance, cadets will cooperatively research and discuss various French-speaking countries. Francophone Africa will figure prominently. Focus will be on French influence over the historical, political and cultural aspects of those countries and the status of that influence today in relation to other regional and global systems.

French 492. French AFA Preparation.  Language program with emphasis on the development of specific/required language skills and an examination of current cultural, military and political issues. All classes are conducted in French.

German 370. Three Hundred Years of German Immigration to America. More than seven million Germans have come to our shores through the centuries and today some 60 million Americans – one in four – trace their heritage back to German ancestry. This course investigates the reasons why they came and where they settled; and how they were able to endure tremendous hardship only to succeed. The course delves into the economic, social, scientific, cultural and political contributions that these immigrants have made to the growth and success of these United States of America. All activities are conducted in German.

German 492. German AFA Preparation. Language program with primary emphasis on the development of specific/required language skills and an examination of current cultural, military and political issues.  All classes are conducted in German and all assignment must be completed in German.

Japanese 372: Japanese Society and Culture. The purpose of this course is to gain a basic knowledge of Japanese society and culture with particular attention to the areas of governmental organization, diplomatic relations, national defense policy and the constitution. Discussions are conducted in Japanese and based on selected readings in Japanese and/or English. Students learn about Japanese government and its constitution. Students compare what they have learned in other Japanese courses, as well as in courses covering the history, politics and law of other cultures in order to gain a better understanding of human civilization as a whole. Class is “team taught” with an exchange officer from the Japan Air Defense Force. All activities are conducted in Japanese.

Japanese 492.  Japanese AFA Preparation.  Language program with primary emphasis on the development of specific/required language skills and an examination of current cultural, military, and political issues.  All classes will be conducted in the target language.  All assignments will be completed in the target language.  Pass/fail.  Prereq:  Japanese 322 or placement into 300-level and approval by the Superintendent for participation in the Japanese Air Force Academy Exchange Program.

Spanish 220. Basic Spanish II. Follow-on course for cadets starting in Spanish 131 and Spanish 132.  Language Learning Center may supplement classroom instruction.

Spanish 371. Current Events in the Spanish-Speaking World. Cadets will experience a semester-long survey of significant current events in the Spanish-speaking world. They will study and research the cultural, political, economic and historic factors that affect current reality. The course uses available press, television, radio broadcasts and other means such as the World Wide Web to carry out its objectives. Most of the activities of this course are in seminar format and emphasis is placed in oral discussions and written production. All activities are conducted in Spanish.

Spanish 377. Introduction to Literature in Latin America.  Primary focus is a survey of important Latin American writers, their works, and influences on their societies. Students are provided cultural insights through literature. Discussion and classes are conducted in Spanish, and all assignments must be completed in Spanish. Discussions are based on literary works ranging from early times to contemporary periods.

Spanish 492A. Spanish AFA Preparation. Language program with primary emphasis on the development of specific/required language skills and an examination of current cultural, military and political issues. All classes are conducted in Spanish and all assignments must be completed in Spanish.

Spanish 492B. Chilean AFA Preparation. Language program with primary emphasis on the development of specific/required language skills and an examination of current cultural, military and political issues. All classes are conducted in the target language and all assignments must be completed in the target language.