Modern Language Requirement
FRE 100 /GER 100 / ITA 100 Introductory Language I
FRE 101 / GER 101 / ITA 101 Introductory Language II
FRE 200 / GER 200 / ITA 200 Intermediate Language I
FRE 201 / GER 201 / ITA 201 Intermediate Language II
FRE 300 / GER 300 / ITA 300 Advanced Language I
As part of the university’s mission to cultivate international leadership skills through foreign language acquisition and cultural literacy, Franklin encourages all students to be strong, independent users of at least one Swiss language. Two options, or tracks, are available to students to ensure successful completion of this requirement. Students in Track 1 strive to achieve advanced proficiency in French, German, or Italian. Track 2 students opt for a combination of language study and cultural literacy classes across several FUS disciplines. For all students, a two-semester commitment to Swiss language study (most typically satisfied in the 100-101 sequence) is mandatory. Barring specific exceptions (see notes below), the ML Core represents a five-semester requirement. Students must fulfill each class of the language requirement in sequence and in the same language.
Track 1
Students complete a full five-semester sequence (15 credits) in one Swiss language: FRE/GER/ITA 100-101, 200-201, 300. Following completion of this sequence, B2 or C1-level competency in French, German, or Italian may be certified through external Common European Framework testing.
Students who have previously studied French, German, or Italian are free to self-place into the most appropriate language course. Modern language faculty are available to advise students on self-placement. Students who enter at the 300-level, or higher, must take a minimum total of two advanced language courses at FUS to complete the ML Core requirement
Students who identify as native speakers of French, German or Italian and who choose to complete the language requirement in their native language must take two courses at FUS above the 301-level.
Track 2
Designed as an alternative for students with special circumstances as determined by the academic advisor and department chair in close consultation with the student, this option is open only to:
- Students who are already multilingual (in non-Swiss languages) and who enroll in English for Academic Purposes (WTG 120, WTG 125, WTG 128, or WTG 130);
- Students who have language-specific diagnosed learning challenges on record with the accessibility coordinator;
- Other special cases to be assessed in close consultation with the advisor and the Modern Languages program chair.
In Track 2, students complete the first year in the language sequence (100-101) followed by three classes designated as cultural literacy courses.
New courses may periodically be added to the current list of cultural literacy courses found here:
| AHT 102 | Introduction to Art History and Visual Culture I: Antiquity to Early Renaissance | 3 |
| AHT 103 | Introduction to Art History and Visual Culture II: High Renaissance to Contemporary Art | 3 |
| AHT 234 | Painting in France in the 19th Century: Reality, Impressions, Simultaneity | 3 |
| CLCS 200 | Gender and Sexuality in a Global Context | 3 |
| CLCS 220 | Inventing the Past: The Uses of Memory in a Changing World | 3 |
| CLCS 238T | Reading the Postcolonial City: Berlin and Hamburg | 3 |
| CLCS 242 | Representations of Poverty in Literature, Film and the Media | 3 |
| CLCS 248T | European Food Systems: You Are Where You Eat | 3 |
| CLCS 250 | Ecocritical Approaches to Film | 3 |
| CLCS 251T | Reading Moroccan Culture | 3 |
| COM 202 | Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| HIS 202T | History of Switzerland | 3 |
| HIS 204 | History of Italy from the Renaissance to the Present | 3 |
| HIS 240 | History of Modern Germany | 3 |
| HIS 243 | Worlds of Islam | 3 |
| HIS 271 | History of Modern France | 3 |
IS XXX
| Any Italian Studies course | |
| LC 100 | The Stories We Live By | 3 |
| LC 110 | Reading Cultures: Approaches to Cultural Studies | 3 |
| LIT 236T | Prague on the Page: Alienation and Absurdity | 3 |
| LIT 243 | On Being Human | 3 |
| LIT 255T | Scotland, Story and Song | 3 |
| POL 204 | Government and Politics of Latin America | 3 |
| POL 223T | Italy: Politics, Culture and Society | 3 |
| POL 224 | Politics and Society in Switzerland | 3 |
| POL 290 | Government and Politics of the Middle East | 3 |
| SJS 100 | Sustainability and Social Justice: Ethics, Equality, and Environments | 3 |
Students placed in WTG 120, WTG 125, WTG 128 or WTG 130 and who are approved for Track 2 may count a total of six WTG credits (not including WTG 150 or WTG 200) towards partial completion of the five-semester ML Core requirement.
Note: A minimum grade of C is required in all ML Core classes in order to advance to the next level.