Modern Languages

Associate Professors

Judith Caballero, Ph.D.
Priscilla M. Fermon, Ph.D.
David W. Wood, Ph.D., Chair

Visiting Assistant Professor

Sabino Luévano-Ortega, Ph.D.

Policies

Language requirement: At Millsaps College, students are required to take either two or three semesters of a non-native language. The Department of Modern Languages offers Spanish, French or American Sign Language. If pursuing a B.S. degree, students are required to take two semesters of the same language. If pursuing a B.A. degree, students must take three semesters of the same non-native language (NNL). Students who score high enough on the AP. IB. CLEP language or literature/culture exams or the Millsaps French and Spanish Placement tests may satisfy the non-native language requirement for the B.A. or B.S. degrees. If students wish to continue to study a language they previously studied in high school, we recommend taking the department’s placement test.

Placement test: The department administers its own placement test in French and Spanish. Students beginning a new language are not required to take the placement test. Through the French and Spanish placement tests, students will be placed into 1000, 1010, 2000 or higher. This exam is designed to place you in the correct language course. Students may present the equivalent of Millsaps basic and intermediate language courses taken at other institutions, thereby satisfying the language requirement for the B.A. degree. If a student “places out” of the non-native language requirement by earning a high enough score on the placement exam, the student still needs to take enough credit hours to graduate. The placement exam does not grant credits. To satisfy the language requirement for the B.A. degree, students must demonstrate proficiency at the intermediate level by successfully completing a language course in 2000, 2110 or 3110 or its equivalent. The language requirement may also be fulfilled with a language course taken at a higher level.

College Credit by AP, IB or CLEP exams: The appropriate exam scores for the Spanish and French Advanced Placement exam (AP), International Baccalaureate exam (IB), or through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) may count toward major or minor requirements and satisfy the non-native language requirement. For an AP score of 3, credit for Spanish 2000 and the NNL requirement is waived. A student may begin to take Spanish 2110 or 2140 but must take both to fulfill a major or minor if desired. For an AP score of 4, credit for Spanish 2000, 2110 and the NNL is waived. A student may begin to take Spanish 2140. For an AP score of 5, credit for Spanish 2000, 2110, 2140, and the NNL is waived. A student can begin to take Spanish courses at the 3000 level. For an IB score of 5, credit is given for Spanish 2000 and the NNL waived. Student may begin to take Spanish 2110 or 2140. For a CLEP score of 50, credit for Spanish 2000 and the NNL is waived. A student may begin to take Spanish 2110 or 2140. For CLEP score of 63, credit is given Spanish 2000 and 2110 and the NNL is waived. Students may begin to take Spanish 2140.

Transfer Courses: Transfer of credit for language courses taken abroad or at a different university, college or community college is subject to departmental pre-approval. A course description must be submitted for pre-approval to the department chair. Students taking languages abroad that are not offered at Millsaps may satisfy the language proficiency requirement for the B.A. degree by completing pre-approved courses equivalent to three semesters or satisfy the Non-Native Language requirement of the Compass Curriculum by completing pre-approved courses equivalent to two semesters of college level coursework and submitting to the Office of Records supporting documentation including relevant transcripts, syllabi, certificate, and/or diploma proving successful completion of the course. French minors and Spanish majors wishing to take courses in programs not administered by Millsaps College language faculty, whether here or abroad, must seek and receive pre-approval from their French or Spanish adviser and the chair of the Department of Modern Languages. Students must present copies of syllabi for evaluation by the French or Spanish faculty and the Department Chair, who may elect to accept or reject the course for credit toward the French minor or Spanish major or minor. For more information about study abroad, see sections on the Office of International Education and Study Abroad.

Programs

Majors

Minors