UMHB Online Catalog
Department of Modern Foreign Languages
Department of Modern Foreign Languages has the principle goal of promotion the study of modern foreign languages, cultures, and literatures. In support of this primary aim, it also endeavors (1) to emphasize in all curricula the development of both oral and written proficiency in the foreign language according to guidelines published by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), (2) to provide the highest quality, most up-to-date, practical instruction in foreign languages and cultures and in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), (3) to produce majors able to meet requirements for Spanish teacher certification in Texas (ExCET/TExES and TOPT), (4) to introduce students to the experience of reading Spanish, French, or German literature in the original language.
Course Listing
ESOL 1191-4491
Special Topics in ESOL (1-4 hours)
Topics in interest or more intermediate and advanced level study related to English for Speakers of Other Languages. Designed for international students. Some courses may be designed as lab courses.
ESOL 1301
Readings in English
Emphasizes the development of reading skills, utilizing academic, literary, and other materials.
ESOL 1302
English Idioms
An overview of English idioms, American colloquial usage, and other specialized vocabulary for the academic classroom.
ESOL 1303
Basics of English Grammar
A grammar review for non-native speakers of English; course includes a study of parts of speech and sentence structures.
ESOL 1304
Oral Communication in English
A communicative competency course emphasizing the improvement of listening skills and pronunciation.
ESOL 1305
Elements of Effective Writing in English
Emphasizes the development of paragraph writing skills in various styles using process writing techniques.
ESOL 3360
General Linguistics
An introduction to the scientific study of language, including an overview of phonology, the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), syntax, semantics, and morphology. A study of language theory and various approaches to grammar. (Same as ENGL 4342)
ESOL 3380
Applied Linguistics
A study of theories of language acquisition, including psycholinguistics and methodological trends. Includes measuring proficiency, developing the four language skills, and instructional techniques. (Same as SPAN 3380)
FLAN 1191-4491
Special Topics in Foreign Languages (1 to 4 hours)
A course which presents topics of interest related to foreign languages or when there is an interest in study of a language not already offered. The course could involve a lab component along with classroom lectures.
FREN 1410-1420
Elementary French I & II (3-2)
Beginning French consisting of fundamentals of grammar and composition with strong emphasis on oral comprehension and conversation. No prerequisite for 1410. Laboratory fee.
FREN 2310-2320
Intermediate French I & II
Study of grammar and composition. Selected readings from modern writers. Emphasis is on speaking, understanding, reading, and writing French.
Prerequisites: FREN 1420; two years of high school French; or equivalent.
FREN 3310
French Composition and Conversation
Spoken emphasis with special focus on practical usage. Discussions and reports on assigned topics. Emphasis is on oral communication and composition. Conducted in French.
FREN 3320
French Civilization
French culture in relation to history, geography, literature, and government. Emphasis is on contemporary France and French-speaking countries. Conducted in French.
FREN 3321
Introduction to Literacy Analysis in French
Readings in poetry, drama, and fiction.
Prerequisites: FREN 2320 or permission of instructor.
FREN 3350
Survey of French Literature: Middle Ages Through the 18th Century
A study of representative works of French poetry and fiction from the middle ages up to and including the 18th century.
FREN 3360
Survey of French Literature: The 19th and 20th Centuries
Reading and study of the important representative works of French literature of the 19th century and the more contemporary works of the 20th century.
FREN 3380
Advanced Grammar -- French
Survey of grammatical structures with emphasis on correct written expression and English-French translation.
FREN 4190-4490
Independent Study
A course consisting of a wide variety of topics according to the individual needs of the student. Topics such as composition, readings in French literature, study of secondary school French programs, and special areas of French civilization. Course designed to give the student opportunity to develop proficiency in areas where there is a need or desire for improvement. May be undertaken by individuals in conference under the direct supervision of the professor and may be repeated for credit when the material studied is changed.
GERM 1410-1420
Elementary German I & II (3-2)
Beginning German consisting of fundamentals of grammar and composition with strong emphasis on oral comprehension and conversation. No prerequisite for 1410. Laboratory fee.
GERM 2310-2320
Intermediate German I & II
Selected readings of moderate difficulty from representative German authors. Emphasis on vocabulary building and developing oral proficiency. Grammar review as needed.
Prerequisites: GERM 1420 or two years of high school German.
JAPN 1410-1420
Elementary Japanese I & II (3-2)
A course in beginning Japanese with an emphasis on the development of the listening skills needed to understand a basic core of topics relevant to everyday life and students’ interests; the oral skills needed to talk about these topics and to function in basic situations; basic skimming, scanning, and intensive reading skills; basic writing skills, including descriptive and functional writing, as well as the writing of the two phonetic Japanese alphabets and Chinese characters; and sociocultural awareness. No prerequisite. Laboratory fee.
JAPN 2310-2320
Intermediate Japanese I & II
An intermediate level course which expands listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills allowing the student to use Japanese in real-life situations for different communicative purposes. The introduction of new vocabulary items, grammatical patterns, and language functions in conjunction with a consistent review of previously learned material facilitates communicative proficiency.
SGNL 1410-1420
Elementary American Sign Language I and II (3-2)
Beginning ASL course consists of the fundamentals of grammar and expression. Communication skills are emphasized by studying the syntax of the language and the lexicon (vocabulary). Introduces finger spelling and describes its role. Develops conversational ability and culturally appropriate behaviors. No prerequisite for 1410. Laboratory fee.
SGNL 2310-2320
Intermediate American Sign Language I and II
Integrates and refines expressive and receptive skills. Provides students with information on idiomatic usages for signs and grammatical structures for complex sentences. Emphasizes variations in use of signs.
SGNL 3191-3391
Seminar
A study of selected topics in American Sign Language. The topic will be announced prior to registration.
Prerequisites: SGNL 2320 or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit whenever content varies.
SPAN 1191-4491
Seminar
A study of selected topics in Spanish. The topic will be announced prior to registration.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit whenever content varies.
SPAN 1410-1420
Elementary Spanish I & II (3-2)
Beginning Spanish consisting of fundamentals of grammar and composition with strong emphasis on oral comprehension and conversation. A placement examination is required. Laboratory fee.
SPAN 1430
Spanish for Business (3-2)
Designed for business students and substitutes for SPAN 1420. Emphasis on business vocabulary, grammar, writing and oral proficiency and topics of interest related to international business in Spanish speaking countries.
Prerequisites: SPAN 1410 or an appropriate placement score. Laboratory fee.
SPAN 2310-2320
Intermediate Spanish I & II
Emphasis on development of oral proficiency in the language. Biblical, cultural, and literary readings of moderate difficulty from representative Spanish authors with discussion in Spanish of the reading selections. Review of composition and certain grammatical principles.
SPAN 3330
Advanced Oral Communication
Intensive development of oral proficiency through drills, oral reports, and discussion of short literary texts.
Prerequisites: SPAN 2320 or permission of instructor, and a qualifying score on the placement examination.
SPAN 3340
Advanced Composition and Stylists
Intensive development of writing skills and awareness of style and correctness through guided compositions.
Prerequisites: SPAN 2320 or permission of instructor.
SPAN 3350
An Introduction to Spanish Literature
A survey of Spanish literature from its origins to the present day. Emphasis on authors, movements, and close reading of literary texts. Conducted in Spanish. Oral and written reports in Spanish are required.
SPAN 3360
An Introduction to Spanish American Literature
A survey of Spanish American literature from its origins to the present day. Emphasis on authors, movements, and close reading of literary texts. Conducted in Spanish. Oral and written reports in Spanish are required.
SPAN 3370
Advanced Grammar
In-depth study of prescriptive grammar and semantics in Spanish. Emphasis on rules of sentence formation, verb conjugations, and translation techniques. Analysis of fine shades of meaning in Spanish words.
SPAN 3380
Applied Linguistics for Spanish
A study of the various theories on language acquisition. An analysis of how non-natives can best develop reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in Spanish.
SPAN 3390
Studies in Hispanic Culture and Civilization
A survey of the origins and development of Spanish and Spanish-American culture. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor/department.
SPAN 4190-4490
Independent Study
A course which may emphasize a wide range of topics in Spanish or Latin American literature, the Spanish language, or other areas. Designed to offer the student an opportunity to become more proficient in one or more topics of interest or need. May be repeated for credit by emphasizing different areas.
This is an abbreviated version of the catalog. Click here to view a complete PDF.