General information
The School of European Languages and Cultures teaches eight modern languages
(French, German, Greek, Spanish, Italian, and the Slavic languages Polish,
Russian and Ukrainian), organised in the areas of French studies, German
studies, Greek studies, Hispanic studies, Italian studies and Slavic studies.
There is also a Centre for European Studies. Majors and honours are available
in all the languages, and in European studies. Courses in all the European
languages beyond introductory level contain significant components on the
relevant social and cultural life, linguistics and literature, alongside
language study graded up to advanced levels. Greek and Polish are offered only
at advanced level (post-VCE or equivalent). All other languages may be taken at
beginner (introductory) or advanced level, and some at intermediate level
(refer to the relevant language entry below).
Students taking a European language are strongly encouraged to take a major or
minor in European Studies. Majoring and in particular honours or fourth-year
students are strongly encouraged to apply for entry to the Monash Study Abroad
program, which permits students to study at an in-country university for a
semester and credit that study towards their degree.
The School of European Languages and Cultures also teaches classical languages
(Ancient Greek and Latin) and offers a minor in Ancient Greek studies, for
which no knowledge of the language is necessary.
For postgraduate courses offered by the School of European Languages and
Cultures, refer to the graduate handbook.
Students interested in studying the classical languages of Ancient Greek and Latin can do so on the Monash Clayton campus due to a collaborative agreement with the Centre for Ancient and Classical Languages at the University of Melbourne. Staff from the University of Melbourne teach a beginners (major) and intermediate (minor) stream in Ancient Greek and Latin at the Monash Clayton campus.
The School of European Languages and Cultures will offer an interdisciplinary sequence of study in the area of classical studies. Details of the subjects on offer will be available to students from the Arts faculty undergraduate office located on the first floor of the Menzies building or from the general office of the School of European Languages and Cultures. For specific subject details, students should refer to the subject listing in this handbook.
The aim of the major in European studies is to introduce students to the cultures and societies of modern Europe. All students intending to major in European studies are strongly advised to take at least a minor in a European language. Students are encouraged to seek advice on their course and may make an appointment with the Director of the Centre, Associate Professor Marko Pavlyshyn (Slavic Studies) or with Associate Professor David Garrioch (History) or Professor Brian Nelson (French Studies);
A first-year sequence (12 points) in European studies consists of HSY1070 followed by HSY1080.
An agreement exists between Monash University and Swinburne University of Technology whereby students from each institution may take subjects from the other institution. Recommended Swinburne subjects are:
The French studies program is designed to enable students to develop a high level of communicative competence in the French language (including translation skills and specialised registers such as business French), and a critical awareness of fundamental areas of French studies: literature, film, cultural studies and linguistics. Students will develop writing and research skills appropriate to advanced independent study.
The French studies program has four entry points through four first-year subject pairs (listed below) corresponding to four proficiency levels ranging from absolute beginners (level 1A/B) to advanced proficiency (level 4A/B). Students who have completed VCE or equivalent French will normally enrol in level 3A/B while students with some previous study of French at a level below VCE or equivalent will enrol in level 2A/B. Levels 1A/B and 2A/B lead to the French studies (introductory) minor and major sequences. Levels 3A/B and 4A/B lead to the French studies (advanced) minor and major sequences. Students will be assisted in determining their enrolment in terms of their proficiency and the best outcome they can achieve.
All students have the opportunity to participate in the Language Study Abroad Program in France or the francophone world. The Department of French Studies has links with the universities of Clermont-Ferrand II, Lyon III and Paris III. Grants for study abroad are available through Monash Abroad, to whom applications should be addressed. Grants can also be made available through Monash Abroad for other approved overseas study (eg the New Caledonia Study Abroad Program). Contact the department for further details.
The Diploma in Languages is available to students whose undergraduate degree is located in a faculty other than Arts or on a stand-alone basis. It can be completed in French studies beginning at any level. The requirements of the diploma are identical to those of the major sequence in French studies (introductory or advanced) (see above). Application forms are available from the Faculty of Arts undergraduate office.
Please
note that the course structure described below is provisional at time of print
and may be subject to change. Courses in German studies are designed both for
students wishing to specialise in German studies (language, linguistics,
literature and their relation to culture and society), and for those requiring
a broad education in the humanities and social sciences. The first-year
subjects offer a general introduction to German language and culture. Practical
language study and fundamental training in German culture and history is an
integral part of the core subjects at every year level. Option subjects,
offered at second and third-year levels, offer opportunities for
diversification and specialisation in the fields of German literature and
culture, media studies, German linguistics and vocational German. These options
are offered from the second year onwards.
The core subjects are organised in streams, catering for different levels of
language proficiency. German can be studied from an absolute beginners' level
up to a level of near-native language proficiency. Depending on the first-year
entry level, the subject sequences may lead either to an introductory
minor or major or to an advanced minor or major.
At the Berwick campus, the department offers a vocational two-year sequence of
German for hospitality and tourism at the beginners' and intermediate levels (6
+ 6 points in first year, and another 6 + 6 points in second year). At Berwick
,only an introductory minor is available. Berwick students who wish to
undertake a minor (advanced) or a major in German should contact the course
coordinator for further advice.
Students with little or no knowledge of German are offered the following sequence:
A
range of first-year sequences are offered. A first-year sequence consists of
one core subject in each semester. The department offers six different entry
levels. They fall into two groups: introductory and advanced. Level 1 and level
2 lead to the introductory minor or major; levels 3 to 6 lead to the advanced
minor or major.
The first-year subject sequences leading to the introductory minor/major
sequence are:
The first-year subject sequences leading to the advanced minor/major sequence are:
Students undertaking any of the latter three subject sequences must have reached at least high distinction standard in German at Year 12 or its equivalent. Students wishing to undertake these subjects must obtain the permission of the head of department prior to enrolment.
The
Greek studies section of the School of European Languages and Cultures offers
courses in Ancient Greek studies and in Modern Greek.
At present only a minor sequence is available. Knowledge of Ancient Greek
language is not a prerequisite. Students interested in acquiring knowledge of
the language should consult the ´Classical languages' section of the
handbook.
Modern Greek is available at all levels for students who have passed VCE Modern
Greek or or have an equivalent linguistic competence. Arrangements for the
teaching of Modern Greek at first-year level are currently under review.
A first-year sequence in Ancient Greek studies consists of AGS1030 and AGS1040.
A first-year sequence in Modern Greek consists of MGR1070 and MGR 1080.
The Italian studies course is designed to enable students to develop proficiency in the Italian language and critical awareness of specific areas of study in Italian literature, linguistics, civilisation and history. The study and practice of language are pursued at all levels of the course. As Italian is the most widely spoken language after English in Australia, some attention will be paid to the Italian language in the Australian community.
Italian is offered either as a major or as a minor sequence, with beginners and post-VCE streams.
Introductory Italian is a beginners course designed for students with little or no knowledge of the language.
In certain cases, students with a higher linguistic competence may, with the convenor's and faculty's approval, substitute for ITA1010 or ITA1070 a first-year, first-semester subject in European studies, or another European language. Native speakers of Italian may be permitted to work at a higher linguistic level or take additional points in lieu of a language and culture core subject.
Students from first year onwards, intending to major in Italian, may participate in the Language Study Abroad Program during the non-teaching periods. Italian has agreements with the University of Florence and with the University for Foreigners in Perugia, Italy. Students are eligible to apply for grants for the Study Abroad Program through the Monash Study Abroad Office. Students are required to consult with the departmental Study Abroad coordinator.
Within
Slavic studies, students may take courses which develop competence in Russian,
Ukrainian and Polish, as well as a range of subjects in literary and cultural
studies and in Slavic linguistics. Majors in Slavic are available in Russian
and Ukrainian both to beginners and to students with VCE/HSC in the
corresponding languages. Students may also take a minor in Russian studies
independently of, or in combination with, language-based studies.
In addition to courses described in this handbook, Monash academic staff in
Slavic studies teach the Russian and Slavic program at the Parkville campus of
the University of Melbourne. This program is detailed in the undergraduate
studies handbook of the University of Melbourne.
The study of Russian, Ukrainian and Polish for a Slavic major may be incorporated into the Bachelor of Arts (Languages) and the Bachelor of Arts (European studies) specialised degrees. A minor in Russian, Ukrainian or Polish may be used to fulfil the requirement that a major in European studies must be accompanied by at least a minor in a European language.
The Diploma in Languages is available in Russian and Ukrainian. The Diploma in Languages requires students to complete 48 points consisting of a three-year sequence in their chosen language.
Coordinator: J E M Clarke
Students with little or no knowledge of Russian enrol in RUS1010. A first-year sequence comprises RUS1010 and RUS1020
Students who have VCE/HSC in Russian or can demonstrate an equivalent level of competence enrol in RUS1070. A first-year sequence normally comprises RUS1070 and RUS1080
Beginners stream |
Advanced stream | |
First-year level |
RUS1010
Introduction to Russian IA |
Coordinator:
S M Vladiv-Glover
In addition to its majors in Russian and Ukrainian, Slavic studies offers a
minor sequence in Russian studies comprising subjects on Russian, Soviet and
post-Soviet literature, culture and society which have no language prerequisite
or corequisite.
As well as first-year subjects described under Russian, Russian studies and Ukrainian, students may take the following:
Coordinator: M Pavlyshyn
Students with little or no knowledge of Ukrainian enrol in UKR1010. A first-year sequence comprises UKR1010 and UKR1020
Students who have VCE/HSC in Ukrainian or can demonstrate an equivalent level of competence enrol in UKR1070. A first-year sequence normally comprises UKR1070 and UKR1080
Beginners stream |
Advanced stream | |
First-year level |
UKR1010 Introductory UkrainianI/1B UKR1020 Introductory UkrainianI/2B |
Coordinator:
L Zarnowski
Students must have VCE/HSC in Polish, or must demonstrate an equivalent level
of competence, to enrol in SLA1040. A first-year sequence comprises SLA1040 and
SLA1050
Courses in Hispanic studies are suitable for students wishing to specialise in the discipline, and for those requiring a broad education in the humanities. Language study is a compulsory part of all courses and is designed to enable students to develop a high level of communicative competence (including specialised registers and translation skills). Optional subjects, covering Spain and Spanish America, are introduced from the second year, and aim to develop a critical awareness of fundamental areas of Hispanic studies: linguistics, literature, cultural theory and civilisation. All courses develop writing and research skills appropriate to advanced independent study.
SPN1010
(Introductory Spanish IA) and SPN1020 (Introductory Spanish IB) are
beginners subjects for those with little or no knowledge of the language.
SPN1070 (Spanish language IA) and SPN1080 (Spanish language IB) are
for students with at least a pass in Spanish at HSC/VCE or equivalent knowledge
of the language.
Students will have to take a placement test to be arranged by the course
coordinator.
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