Modern Language and Classics Department

Meet the Modern Language and Classics Faculty
Modern Language and Classics Webpage

The study of modern languages has multiple objectives. It presents to the student vocabulary, idiom, and structure of a foreign language, and at the same time it teaches the student to understand the spoken language and to converse in it, to read well and to write correctly. Also, through the study of cultural differences, modern language courses endeavor to help free students’ thinking from provincialism and narrow-minded world views. Through the study of literature, the student moves beyond the language itself and gains important insight into other civilizations, other times and their ideas.

The objectives of the Classics curriculum are twofold. First, the Department teaches courses in Greek or Latin as a preparation for a professional career where a knowledge of the original languages is essential. Second, the Department teaches courses (requiring no knowledge of Greek or Latin) which set forth significant aspects of classical civilization: its pervasive ideals, political experiences, artistic forms, and literary archetypes. The offerings of the Classics curriculum are designed to provide a student with a unique grasp of the origins of Western Culture. Courses are structured in three units: GREK-Greek Language and Literature; LATN-Latin Language and Literature; CLSS-Greek and Roman Studies.

All incoming students who desire to begin their modern language study on the intermediate level shall present a minimum of two years modern language study with a grade of C or higher.

Modern Language majors interested in international studies and international business should consult the section of the catalog describing Siena’s program in International Studies, Foreign Languages, and Business.

Individuals who are native speakers of the language being studied will require departmental permission to take FREN 101  through FREN 302  or SPAN 101  through SPAN 302  or GERM 101  through GERM 302  or RUSS 101  through RUSS 302  for credit.

Programs

• Classics, B.A.
• French, B.A.
• Spanish, B.A.

• French or Spanish, B.A. with Education Certification

• Classics Minor
• French Minor
• German Minor
• Greek Minor
• Italian Minor
• Latin Minor
• Spanish Minor

Courses

• RUSS - 401. Advanced Russian Readings and Conversation I
• RUSS - 402. Advanced Russian Readings and Conversation II

• SPAN - 025. Spanish Speaking World Through Film
• SPAN - 026. Spanish Medieval and Early Modern Literature in Translation
• SPAN - 027. Women Writers from Latin America: Literature in Translation
• SPAN - 028. Visual Culture of the Spanish-Speaking World
• SPAN - 035. Spanish Language Study Travel-English
• SPAN - 101. Fundamentals of Spanish I
• SPAN - 102. Fundamentals of Spanish II
• SPAN - 201. Intermediate Spanish I
• SPAN - 202. Intermediate Spanish II
• SPAN - 250. Medical Spanish
• SPAN - 301. Communication in Spanish I
• SPAN - 302. Communication in Spanish II
• SPAN - 305. Spanish Language Study Travel
• SPAN - 320. Introduction to Hispanic Literature
• SPAN - 335. Pop Culture in the Spanish-speaking World
• SPAN - 340. Advanced Grammar
• SPAN - 350. Spanish Civilization
• SPAN - 360. Spanish American Civilization
• SPAN - 400. Topics in Spanish
• SPAN - 450. The Worlds of Don Quijote: Love, Madness and Enchanters
• SPAN - 495. Independent Study in Spanish