Romance Languages and Literatures

Professor Mary Gaylord, Director of Undergraduate Studies

Today, Romance languages are spoken in Europe, North and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Their rich cultural and literary heritage play a key role in the world's multicultural societies. The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures welcomes concentrators in one or more of the following fields: French and Francophone Literature or French and Francophone Studies, Hispanic Literature or Hispanic Studies, Italian Literature or Italian Studies, Latin American Studies, Portuguese and Brazilian Literature or Portuguese and Brazilian Studies, and Romance Studies. Basic language instruction in Catalan is offered; advanced reading and research in Catalan is also available. The Department encourages students to study abroad and recommends a selection of programs based on each student's specific needs.

Each program has its own requirements, as described below. All provide concentrators with a solid grounding in their chosen language and encourage the study of culture. In each program, tutorials supplement course work by discussing the techniques of literary and cultural analysis and, in certain instances, literary theory. The department offers a wide spectrum of courses that accommodate students planning careers in medicine, law, business, social work, or other fields, as well as those intending to pursue graduate degrees in literature, art, and related fields.

The track in French and Francophone Studies emphasizes French language, literature, and culture, including influential recent work in various fields of the humanities and social sciences. The track in French and Francophone Literature, while similarly broad in scope, allows for greater focus on the study of literature. In both, students are encouraged to develop individual programs of study. Some students may wish to focus on the evolution of fiction, drama, or film, or the literary history of a particular period; others may opt for cultural, theoretical, or political issues. All concentrators acquire proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking French, a familiarity with the long French literary tradition, and an awareness of current intellectual and political trends.

The track in Hispanic Literature offers students the opportunity to explore the many riches of both Spanish and Latin American literature, art, and film, as well as the history and politics of cultural production. The Hispanic Studies track combines an interest in literature with additional courses in related fields such as Anthropology, Government, History of Art and Architecture, and History. Course offerings in the two programs cover the full range of Hispanic cultures, from the Middle Ages to the present. Students are encouraged to design individual programs of study in consultation with faculty members, and will acquire proficiency in the Spanish language. The growing importance of Spanish, both in the US and abroad, has greatly increased the opportunities for Hispanic concentrators to put their knowledge and communication skills to practical use.

The tracks in Italian Literature and in Italian Studies provide students with proficiency in the language and a knowledge of the major periods and authors of the Italian literary tradition, from Dante and the Trecento through the Renaissance to the present, including contributions to modern culture, theater, and film. Both the literature and the studies tracks encourage concentrators to supplement the required courses with individual projects under the supervision of faculty members and to incorporate interdisciplinary studies in their program. Harvard is a Local Chapter of Gamma Kappa Alpha National Italian Honor Society, formed to acknowledge outstanding undergraduate scholarship in the field of Italian language, literature, and culture.

The tracks in Portuguese and Brazilian Literature and Portuguese and Brazilian Studies thoroughly acquaint students with both the Portuguese language and the Brazilian literary tradition. At the same time, concentrators may take courses outside of the department on diverse historical, economic, or political aspects of the culture of Brazil, Portugal, or the Portuguese-speaking countries of Africa and Asia. Concentrators play a large role in the development of their individual plans of study.

Students are invited to pursue Joint Concentrations between any one of the four language sections and a wide range of other departments and programs. In addition, students may elect a combined concentration in two Romance languages and literatures.

The track in Romance Studies is intended for students who wish to combine work in three Romance languages and literatures. Cross-cultural in focus and design, the track acknowledges the commonalities and differences of the Romance traditions. It is not necessary for students to have begun study in all three languages before arriving at Harvard, though the ideal candidate for this concentration track will have an advanced proficiency in one Romance language and an intermediate proficiency in a second Romance language.

The track in Latin American Studies is intended for students who wish to focus mainly on Latin America and its diverse cultural traditions, which include not only knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese, but also the important place of indigenous cultures. The track is cross-cultural in focus and design, and allows for interdisciplinary and bilingual approaches.

A system of tutorials is in effect in all sections of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. The tutorials are designed to promote close contact between undergraduates and faculty. All concentrators must take one term-long tutorial, normally in the sophomore year. Honors candidates, in addition to the sophomore tutorial, are required to take a term-long junior tutorial and a year-long senior tutorial, culminating in a senior thesis. The junior and senior tutorials provide weekly one-on-one instruction tailored, in consultation with a member of the Faculty and Tutorial Board, to fit each student's particular needs.

Concentrators may be eligible to obtain certification to teach in middle or secondary schools in Massachusetts and states with which Massachusetts has reciprocity. See page 47 for more information about the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program (UTEP).

For information on the secondary field in Romance Languages and Literatures, please see page 372 of this Handbook or the secondary fields website (www.secondaryfields.fas.harvard.edu/RLL/program-index-rll.htm).

REQUIREMENTS

French and Francophone Literature
Basic Requirements: 12 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. Two survey half-courses: French 70a and either 70b or 70c.
2. Two of the following advanced half-courses in language: French 47, 48, 51, or 52.
   Note: Must be satisfied with grades of B- or better. Native speakers may replace language courses with literature courses, subsequent to a departmental interview. Courses taken outside of Harvard may be substituted upon approval by the undergraduate adviser in French.
3. Eight half-courses in French that are numbered 100 or above or are tutorials. At least two must treat literature before 1800, and at least five must be taught in French.
2. Tutorial: Sophomore year: French 97 (one term) required. Small-group instruction. Letter-graded.
3. Thesis: Not required.
4. Other information:
1. Pass/Fail: Courses counting for concentration credit may not be taken Pass/Fail.
2. Language requirement: By the end of the junior year, concentrators should be fluent enough in French to pass an oral competency examination during Reading Period and should have satisfied the advanced language course requirements.
3. Joint Concentration: French and Francophone Literature may be combined with another Romance literature, or with a related field in another department. Six half-courses are required in the French and Francophone Literature concentration if it is combined with a related field.
4. Freshman Seminars: With the approval of the undergraduate adviser, up to one Freshman Seminar, for which the student has received a Satisfactory evaluation, may be counted in category 1c.

French and Francophone Studies
Basic Requirements: 12 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. Two survey half-courses: French 70a and either French 70b or French 70c.
2. Two of the following advanced half-courses in language: French 47, 48, 51, or 52.
   Note: Must be satisfied with grades of B- or better. Native speakers may replace language courses with literature courses subsequent to a departmental interview. Courses taken outside Harvard may be substituted upon approval by the undergraduate adviser in French.
3. Six half-courses in French that are numbered 100 or above or are tutorials. At least one of these half-courses must treat literature before 1800, and at least three must be taught in French.
4. Two half-courses in related fields. These include courses in anthropology, the Core Curriculum, English, government, history, history of art and architecture, etc. Upper-level language and literature courses in French and other Romance languages or Latin may also count as related fields. The undergraduate adviser in French must approve all courses to be counted as related fields.
2. Tutorial: Sophomore year: French 97 (one term) required. Small-group instruction. Letter-graded.
3. Thesis: Not required.
4. Other information: Same as French and Francophone Literature Basic Requirements.

French and Francophone Literature or French and Francophone Studies

Requirements for Honors Eligibility: 14 half-courses

Honors candidates must take one term of French 98: Junior Tutorial with weekly one-on-one instruction. This will count toward the requirement listed in item 1c of Basic Requirements.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, honors candidates are required to take two terms of French 99 (graded SAT/UNS) and complete a thesis. A thesis proposal is made by the honors candidate and approved by the undergraduate adviser in French in conjunction with other faculty members and members of the Tutorial Board in the spring term of the junior year.

Also, at the end of their senior year, normally during the Reading Period in May, all honors candidates must take a three-hour written examination, as well as an hour-long oral examination.

Hispanic Literature

Basic Requirements: 12 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. Two survey half-courses:
1. Spanish 70a or 70c.
2. Spanish 71a or 71b.
2. One of the following advanced half-courses in language: Spanish 44, 48, 49a, 49b, 53, 54. Note: Must be satisfied with a grade of B- or better. Native speakers may replace language courses with literature courses, subsequent to a departmental interview. Courses taken outside Harvard may be substituted upon approval by the undergraduate adviser in Spanish.
3. One half-course in the Spanish 90 series.
4. Eight half-courses in Spanish that are numbered 100 or above or are tutorials. At least two of the non-tutorial half-courses must treat literature before 1800, and at least five must be taught in Spanish. May include no more than one of the following: Spanish 35, 36, 41, and 42.
2. Tutorial: Sophomore year: Spanish 97 (one term) required. Small-group instruction. Letter-graded.
3. Thesis: Not required.
4. Other information:
1. Pass/Fail: Courses taken for concentration credit may not be taken Pass/Fail.
2. Language Requirement: By the end of the junior year, concentrators should be fluent enough in Spanish to pass an oral competency examination during Reading Period and should have satisfied the advanced language course requirement.
3. Joint Concentration: Hispanic Literature or Hispanic Studies may be combined with another Romance literature, or with a related field in another department. Six half-courses are required in the Hispanic Literature or Hispanic Studies concentration if either is combined with a related field.
4. Freshman Seminars: With the approval of the undergraduate adviser, up to one Freshman Seminar, for which the student has received a Satisfactory evaluation, may be counted in category 1c.

Hispanic Studies

Basic Requirements: 12 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. Two survey half-courses:
1. Spanish 70a or 70c.
2. Spanish 71a or 71b.
2. One of the following advanced half-courses in language: Spanish 44, 48, 49a, 49b, 53, 54. Note: Must be satisfied with a grade of B- or better. Native speakers may replace language courses with literature courses subsequent to a departmental interview. Courses taken outside Harvard may be substituted upon approval from the undergraduate adviser in Spanish.
3. One half-course in the Spanish 90 series.
4. Five half-courses in Spanish that are numbered 100 or above or are tutorials. At least two of the non-tutorial half-courses must treat literature before 1800, and at least five must be taught in Spanish. May include no more than one of the following: Spanish 35, 36, 41, and 42.
5. Three half-courses in related fields. These include courses in anthropology, the Core Curriculum, English, government, history, history of art and architecture, etc. One intermediate or advanced course in another Romance language or Latin may be counted as a related field. The undergraduate adviser in Spanish must approve all courses to be counted as related fields.
2. Tutorial: Sophomore year: Spanish 97 (one term) required. Small-group instruction. Letter-graded.
3. Thesis: Not required.
4. Other information: Same as Hispanic Literature Basic Requirements.

Hispanic Literature or Hispanic Studies Requirements for Honors Eligibility: 14 half-courses

Honors candidates must take one term of Spanish 98: Junior Tutorial with weekly one-on-one instruction. This will count toward the requirement listed in item 1d of Basic Requirements.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, honors candidates are required to take two terms of Spanish 99 (graded SAT/UNS) and complete an honors thesis. A thesis proposal is made by the honors candidate and approved by the undergraduate adviser in Spanish in conjunction with other faculty members and members of the Tutorial Board in the spring term of the junior year.

Also, at the end of their senior year, normally during the Reading Period in May, all honors candidates must take a three-hour written examination, as well as an hour-long oral examination.

Italian Literature

Basic Requirements: 12 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. One of the following half-courses on Dante: Italian 120a, 120b, 120c, or Literature and Arts A-26.
2. One of the following advanced half-courses in language: Italian 40, 44, 48, or 50.
   Note: Must be satisfied with a grade of B- or better. Native speakers may replace language courses with literature courses subsequent to a departmental interview. Courses taken outside Harvard may be substituted upon approval from the undergraduate adviser in Italian.
3. Ten half-courses in Italian. Must include Italian 97 and a minimum of four Italian half-courses at the 100 level or above other than the 120 series or equivalent. May include Italian 35 and 36. May also include a maximum of three advanced half-courses in language.
2. Tutorial: Sophomore year: Italian 97 (one term) required. Small-group instruction. Letter-graded. May be substituted with an equivalent 100-level course, with the approval of the undergraduate adviser in Italian.
3. Thesis: Not required.
4. Other information:
1. Pass/Fail: Courses taken for concentration credit may not be taken Pass/Fail.
2. Language requirement: By the end of the junior year, concentrators should be fluent enough in Italian to pass an oral competency examination during Reading Period and should have satisfied the advanced language course requirement.
3. Joint concentration: Italian Literature or Italian Studies may be combined with another Romance literature, or with a related field in another department. Six half-courses are required in the Italian Literature or Italian Studies concentration if either is combined with a related field.
4. Freshman Seminars: With the approval of the undergraduate adviser, up to one Freshman Seminar, for which the student has received a Satisfactory evaluation, may be counted in category 1c.

Italian Studies

Basic Requirements: 12 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. One of the following half-courses on Dante: Italian 120a, 120b, 120c, or Literature and Arts A-26.
2. One of the following advanced half-courses in language: Italian 40, 44, 48, or 50.
   Note: Must be satisfied with a grade of B- or better. Native speakers may replace language courses with literature courses subsequent to a departmental interview. Courses taken outside Harvard may be substituted upon approval from the undergraduate adviser in Italian.
3. Six half-courses in Italian. Must include Italian 97 and a minimum of two Italian half-courses at the 100 level or above other than the 120 series or equivalent. May include Italian 35 and 36. May also include a maximum of two advanced half-courses in language.
4. Four half-courses in related fields. These include courses in anthropology, the Core Curriculum, English, government, history, history of art and architecture, etc. One intermediate or advanced course in another Romance language or Latin may be counted as a related field. The undergraduate adviser in Italian must approve all courses to be counted as related fields.
2. Tutorial: Sophomore year: Italian 97 (one term) required. Small-group instruction. Letter-graded. May be substituted with an equivalent 100-level course, with the approval of the undergraduate adviser in Italian.
3. Thesis: Not required.
4. Other information: Same as Italian Literature Basic Requirements.

Italian Literature or Italian Studies
Requirements for Honors Eligibility: 14 half-courses

Honors candidates must take one term of Italian 98: Junior Tutorial with weekly one-on-one instruction. This will count toward the requirement listed in item 1c of Basic Requirements.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, honors candidates are required to take two terms of Italian 99 (graded SAT/UNS) and complete a thesis. A thesis proposal is made by the honors candidate and approved by the undergraduate adviser in Italian in conjunction with other faculty members and members of the Tutorial Board in the spring term of the junior year.

Also, at the end of their senior year, normally during the Reading Period in May, all honors candidates must take a three-hour written examination, as well as an hour-long oral examination.

Latin American Studies
Basic Requirements: 12 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. Latin American Studies 70.
2. One of the following: Spanish 71a or Portuguese 121a.
3. One of the following: Spanish 71b, Portuguese 121b, or any language half-course at the 40 level or above in Spanish or the 30 level or above in Portuguese with substantial Latin American content (e.g., Spanish 43, Spanish 48, Portuguese 37, Portuguese 38, Portuguese 51).
4. Two half-courses at the 90 or 100 level, other than tutorials, in either Spanish or Portuguese specifically focused on Latin America. These may include up to one half-course related to Latin American literatures taught by a member of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures in other programs (i.e. the Core; Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, etc.). If the student is not taking any course on Brazil from item e below, one of the courses in Romance Languages and Literatures should be focused on Brazil. If the student is not taking any course on Spanish America from item e below, one of the courses in Romance Languages and Literatures should be focused on Spanish America.
5. Six half-courses focused on Latin America in at least two different departments or programs other than Romance Languages and Literatures approved by the undergraduate adviser in Latin American Studies. At least one half-course must be in History and at least one half-course must be in the Social Sciences (other than History). Students may also take an additional half-course in Spanish or Portuguese at the 100-level or above of an interdisciplinary nature.
2. Tutorial: Sophomore Year. Spanish 97 or Portuguese 97 (one term). Small-group instruction. Letter-graded.
3. Thesis: Not required.
4. General Examination: Not required.
5. Other information:
1. Pass/Fail: Courses taken for concentration credit may not be taken Pass/Fail.
2. Joint Concentration: Not permitted.
3. Freshman Seminars: With the approval of the undergraduate adviser, up to one Freshman Seminar, for which the student has received a Satisfactory evaluation, may be counted in category 1c.

Latin American Studies
Requirements for Honors Eligibility: 14 half-courses

Honors candidates must take one term of Latin American Studies 98: Junior Tutorial, with weekly one-on-one instruction. This will count toward the requirement listed in item 1d of Basic Requirements.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, honors candidates are required to take two terms of LAS 99 (graded SAT/UNS) and complete a thesis. A thesis proposal is made by the honors candidate and approved by the undergraduate adviser in Latin American Studies in conjunction with other faculty members and members of the Tutorial Board in the spring term of the junior year.

Also, at the end of their senior year, normally during Reading Period in May, all honors candidates must take a three-hour written examination, as well as an hour-long oral examination.

Portuguese and Brazilian Literature
Basic Requirements: 12 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. Ten half-courses in Portuguese, including required tutorials. May include both Portuguese 35 and 36 and any course in the Comparative Literature department with a Portuguese or Brazilian focus.
2. Two half-courses in related fields. These include courses in anthropology, the Core Curriculum, English, government, history, history of art and architecture, etc. Up to two intermediate or advanced courses in another Romance language or Latin may be counted as a related field, as may one 100-level literature course in another Romance language. The undergraduate adviser in Portuguese must approve all courses to be counted as related fields.
2. Tutorial: Sophomore year: Portuguese 97 (one term) required. Small-group instruction. Letter-graded.
3. Thesis: Not required.
4. Other information:
1. Pass/Fail: Courses counting for concentration credit may not be taken Pass/Fail.
2. Language requirement: Concentrators must demonstrate proficiency by passing a special examination given during the spring Reading Period. This requirement should normally be satisfied by the end of the sophomore year.
3. Joint concentration: Portuguese and Brazilian Literature or Studies may be combined with another Romance literature, or with a related field in another department. Six half-courses are required in the Portuguese and Brazilian Literature or Studies concentration if either is combined with a related field.
4. Freshman Seminars: With the approval of the undergraduate adviser, up to one Freshman Seminar, for which the student has received a Satisfactory evaluation, may be counted in category 1c.

Portuguese and Brazilian Studies
Basic Requirements: 12 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. Six half-courses in Portuguese, including required tutorials.
2. Two half-courses in another Romance language above the introductory/requirement level.
3. Four half-courses in related fields. These include courses in anthropology, the Core Curriculum, English, government, history, history of art and architecture, etc. Up to two intermediate or advanced courses in another Romance language or Latin may be counted as related fields, as may one 100-level literature course in another Romance language. The undergraduate adviser in Portuguese must approve all courses to be counted as related fields.
2. Tutorial: Sophomore year: Portuguese 97 (one term) required. Small-group instruction. Letter-graded.
3. Thesis: Not required.
4. Other information: Same as Portuguese and Brazilian Literature Basic Requirements.

Portuguese and Brazilian Literature or Studies
Requirements for Honors Eligibility: 14 half-courses

Honors candidates must take one term of Portuguese 98: Junior Tutorial with weekly one-on-one instruction. This will count toward the requirement listed in item 1a of Basic Requirements.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, honors candidates are required to take two terms of Portuguese 99 (graded SAT/UNS) and complete a thesis. A thesis proposal is made by the honors candidate and approved by the undergraduate adviser in Portuguese in conjunction with other faculty members and members of the Tutorial Board in the spring term of the junior year.

Also, at the end of their senior year, normally during the Reading Period in May, all honors candidates must take a three-hour written examination, as well as an hour-long oral examination.

Romance Studies

Basic Requirements: 12 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. Advanced Language Courses: Three half-courses at the 40 level or above in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures in at least two of the three languages being combined, except for 45-level courses.
2. Two half-courses in Romance studies other than tutorials.
3. Four half-courses in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the 70 level or above. At least one half-course in each of the three languages being combined. At least one half-course must treat literature before 1800. At least two of the half-courses in this category must be at the 100 level or above. None of the half-courses in this category may be taught in English.
4. Two half-courses in related fields. These include courses in anthropology, classics, the Core Curriculum, English, government, history, history of art and architecture, linguistics, etc. One intermediate or advanced course in a Romance language or Latin may be counted as a related field. The undergraduate adviser in Romance Studies must approve of all courses to be counted as related fields.
2. Tutorial: Sophomore year. Romance Studies 97 (one term). Small-group instruction. Letter-graded.
3. Thesis: Not required.
4. Other information:
1. Pass/Fail: Courses taken for concentration credit may not be taken Pass/Fail.
2. Joint Concentration: Not permitted.
3. Freshman Seminars: With the approval of the undergraduate adviser, up to one Freshman Seminar, for which the student has received a Satisfactory evaluation, may be counted in category 1c.

Romance Studies

Requirements for Honors Eligibility: 14 half-courses

Honors concentrators must take one term of Romance Studies 98: Junior Tutorial, with weekly one-on-one instruction. This will count toward the requirement listed in item 1c of Basic Requirements.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, honors candidates are required to take two terms of Romance Studies 99 (graded SAT/UNS) and complete a thesis. A thesis proposal is made by the honors candidate and approved by the undergraduate adviser in Romance Studies in conjunction with other faculty members and members of the Tutorial Board in the spring term of the junior year.

Also, at the end of their senior year, normally during the Reading Period in May, all honors candidates must take a three-hour written examination, as well as an hour-long oral examination.

ADVISING

Advising within the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures is done by the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies (Assoc DUS) and the undergraduate advisers (UA) for each language. For their office hours, please consult: www.fas.harvard.edu/~rll/people/faculty/faculty.html. At the beginning of each term, students should review with the undergraduate adviser the courses they have already completed and those to be completed. Students are responsible for the fulfillment of the concentration requirements and should check regularly on the current status of their programs. In the case of a joint concentration, the concentrator must secure approval from both of the concentrations involved.

For up-to-date information on advising in Romance Languages and Literatures, please see the Advising Programs Office website: www.fas.harvard.edu/~advising/concentrations/Romance.html.

RESOURCES

The combined holdings of Widener and Houghton libraries constitute one of the major collections of Romance literatures in the world.

HOW TO FIND OUT MORE

The Department's offices are located in Boylston Hall on the third, fourth and fifth floors. Professor Mary Gaylord is the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Romance Languages and Literatures, and Dr. Elvira DiFabio is the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies. The undergraduate advisers are:

French
      Ms. Marie-France Bunting, Boylston 422
      (617-495-5269)

Italian
      Dr. Elvira DiFabio, Boylston 321
      (617-495-5478)

Latin American Studies
      Professor Mariano Siskind, Boylston 427
      617-495-9371

Portuguese
      Dr. Clémence Jouët-Pastré, Boylston 324
      (617-495-1929)

Romance Studies
      Professor Mary Gaylord, Boylston 506
      617-496-6027

Spanish
      Dr. Johanna Damgaard Liander, Boylston 421
      (617-495-5895)

ENROLLMENT STATISTICS
Number of Concentrators as of November