University Catalog

Modern Languages (MODL)

Courses

MODL 1441. TOPICS IN MODERN LANGUAGE LEVEL I. 4 Hours.

(Chinese, etc.). This course parallels the 1441 courses in FREN 1441, GERM 1441, RUSS 1441, and SPAN 1441.

MODL 1442. TOPICS IN MODERN LANGUAGE LEVEL II. 4 Hours.

(Chinese, etc.). This course parallels the 1442 courses in FREN 1442, GERM 1442, RUSS 1442, and SPAN 1442.

MODL 1491. CONFERENCE COURSE. 4 Hours.

Independent study; consultation with instructor on a regular basis. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

MODL 2301. INTRODUCTION TO WORLD LANGUAGES. 3 Hours.

An overview of the linguistic features of some of the world's most widely spoken languages, as well as issues affecting languages in a globalized world. Topics include language families; global distribution; writing systems and vocabulary; language and society; languages and globalization. This course satisfies the University of Texas at Arlington core curriculum requirement in social and behavioral sciences. Taught in English.

MODL 2313. TOPICS IN MODERN LANGUAGE LEVEL III. 3 Hours.

(Chinese, etc.). This course parallels the 2313 courses in FREN 2313, GERM 2313, RUSS 2313, and SPAN 2313.

MODL 2314. TOPICS IN MODERN LANGUAGE LEVEL IV. 3 Hours.

(Chinese, etc.). This course parallels the 2314 courses in FREN 2314, GERM 2314, RUSS 2314, and SPAN 2314 .

MODL 2391. CONFERENCE COURSE. 3 Hours.

Independent study; consultation with instructor on a regular basis. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

MODL 3301. TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE LANGUAGES, CULTURE, AND LITERATURES. 3 Hours.

Comparisons of language and language/culture issues across languages and/or time. Topics may include folklore across cultures, comparison of language and cultural production (e.g., international film and international feminism). May be counted toward fulfilling core curriculum requirement in literature or culture. May be repeated for credit when content changes. No prerequisites.

MODL 3310. LOCALIZATION & TRANSLATION I. 3 Hours.

Introduction to cultural and linguistic issues in the translation of language texts. Students will explore current technologies used in various real-world translation contexts and how to adapt texts, products, and services to the locale for which they are intended. Prerequisite: ARAB 2314, CHIN 2314, PORT 2314, or MODL 2314 with a grade of C or better.

MODL 3311. LOCALIZATION & TRANSLATION II. 3 Hours.

Continued study of cultural and linguistic issues in the translation of foreign language and English language texts. Systematic development of advanced skills in localization and computer-aided translation and in using TMX/TBX (international standards for translation memory and terminology exchange) tools. Translation practice, individually and in translation teams, with increasingly longer and more specialized texts. Prepares localization and translation specialists for real-world careers in the language-services industry. May be repeated once. Prerequisites: MODL 3310 with a grade of B or better.

MODL 3318. TOPICS OF IDENTITY IN FRANCE AND THE FRENCH-SPEAKING WORLD. 3 Hours.

This course is a study of places, periods, persons, or questions that helped define French and French-speaking cultural identity, from its origins to the present. Issues studied include linguistic choice, immigration, citizenship, religion, schools, and the representation of women and other groups. No prior knowledge of French language or culture is necessary. Taught in English. May be repeated as the topic changes. Offered as MODL 3318 and FREN 3318; credit will be granted for either MODL or FREN. Students who are working toward a major or minor in French will be required to take FREN 3318.

MODL 3346. BUSINESS OF LOCALIZATION AND TRANSLATION. 3 Hours.

This course examines the business of localization with an emphasis on translation relevance, speed, and quality. This course will address the art of machine translation as well as the areas of cost and metrics. Students will undertake two real-world case studies and will end the course with a final project and/or exam addressing the management of translations in a major industry. Exclusively for students pursuing a minor or major in Localization and Translation. Prerequisite: ENGL 1302.

MODL 3347. LANGUAGE SERVICES INDUSTRY. 3 Hours.

This course will focus on the language services industry and language services for the modern enterprise, including website globalization, transcreation, video localization, multilingual Search Engine Optimization (SEO), International testing and machine translation. It will also provide an overview of industry best practices for tools that automate and streamline localization, translation, and global content creation and use. Exclusively for students pursuing a minor or major in Localization and Translation. Prerequisite: ENGL 1302.

MODL 3391. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 3 Hours.

Independent study; consultation with instructor on a regular basis. May be repeated for credit.

MODL 3393. MODERN LANGUAGE INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.

A combination of field-related experience in the business or service sector with an academic component. Coursework may include journal writing, outside readings, reflection papers, and formal presentations. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor.

MODL 4305. METHODS OF MODERN LANGUAGE TEACHING. 3 Hours.

An applied linguistics course for modern language professionals, focusing on the application of research and theory in linguistics and second language acquisition to the classroom setting. May include specific methods, language learning strategies, cooperative language learning, component and performance skills, lesson planning, and intercultural communication. Prerequisite: Two language courses at the 3000 level with a grade of C or better, or consent of the instructor.

MODL 4310. GRAPHIC NOVELS AND THE MEDICAL WORLD. 3 Hours.

This course examines the ways in which the comic book medium can bring new insights to patient, healthcare, and clinical experiences. Students will become familiar with both major works of graphic medicine and key theoretical texts related to sequential art and to pathographies (autobiographies that revolve particularly around health issues). Includes a cultural comparison component through patient and practitioner stories from an American and from a French perspective. Taught in English. Students in French can read the material in French and write assignments in French with permission of the instructor.

MODL 4316. TOPICS IN GLOBAL FRENCH CUISINES. 3 Hours.

The course examines the history and culture of French cuisines across the globe from France to its former colonies and spheres of influence in the Middle East, North Africa, West Africa, Canada, Louisiana, and the Caribbean across history. Topics include North African and Middle Eastern Cuisines, the Culinary Traditions of Provence, Caribbean Cuisines, West African Cuisines, and the Rise of Café and Bistro Cultures. No prior knowledge of French language or culture is necessary. Taught in English. May be repeated as the topic changes. Offered as MODL 4316 and FREN 4316; credit will be granted for either MODL or FREN. Students who are working toward a major or minor in French will be required to take FREN 4316.

MODL 4338. TOPICS IN GLOBAL FRENCH LITERATURES AND CULTURES. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on French-speaking cultures in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, West Africa, the Americas, and Asia from the 17th century to the present through literature, music, film, and other forms of expression. Topics include the French Caribbean Novel, French Canada, the Mediterranean in the Maghreb and the Middle East. No prior knowledge of French language or culture is necessary. Taught in English. May be repeated as the topic changes. Offered as MODL 4338 and FREN 4338; credit will be granted for either MODL or FREN. Students who are working toward a major or minor in French will be required to take FREN 4338.

MODL 4339. LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. 3 Hours.

Theory and practice of language acquisition. Techniques needed to understand and analyze the sounds, vocabulary, and grammar of the target language and how this knowledge informs classroom practice. Prerequisite: Completion of two 3000 level courses in the same language (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Russian, or Spanish) with a grade of C or better, or consent of the instructor.

MODL 4340. TOPICS IN MODERN LANGUAGE PEDAGOGY. 3 Hours.

Topics, methods, and techniques specific to the teaching of modern languages and the creation of an effective and communicative language classroom. Recommended for students seeking teacher certification. May be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: Completion of one 4000-level class or two 3000-level classes in the same language (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Russian, or Spanish) with a grade of B or better.

MODL 4347. RESEARCH IN LOCALIZATION AND TRANSLATION. 3 Hours.

Overview of research and practice in localization and translation. Topics to include: emerging research frameworks and tools; ethics and risk in applied research for localization and translation settings. Prerequisite: FREN 3320, GERM 3310, GERM 4334, RUSS 3310, RUSS 4334, SPAN 3310, ARAB 3310, CHIN 3310, KORE 3310, or KORE 4334.

MODL 4348. NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING AND UNDERSTANDING. 3 Hours.

Overview of research and practice in natural language processing and natural language understanding. Topics to include: emerging research; identification, planning, and implementation of natural language technologies for the language setting; machine learning; human and machine roles in machine learning; ethics and risks in the natural language processing context. Prerequisite: FREN 3320, GERM 3310, GERM 4334, RUSS 3310, RUSS 4334, SPAN 3310, ARAB 3310, CHIN 3310, KORE 3310, or KORE 4334.

MODL 4349. MACHINE TRANSLATION AND EMERGING LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGIES. 3 Hours.

Overview of machine translation and emerging technologies in language services and their application in real-world settings. Topics to include: history of machine translation; identification, planning, and implementation of automated translation use cases; human and machine roles in translation automation; ethics and risk in emerging language technologies. Prerequisite: FREN 3320, GERM 3310, GERM 4334, RUSS 3310, RUSS 4334, SPAN 3310, ARAB 3310, CHIN 3310, KORE 3310, or KORE 4334.

MODL 4391. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 3 Hours.

Independent study; consultation with instructor on a regular basis. May be repeated for credit.

MODL 4393. MODERN LANGUAGE INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.

A combination of field-related experience in the business or service sector with an academic component. Coursework may include journal writing in Spanish, outside readings, and formal presentations. Prerequisite: Two 3000-level courses and permission of the instructor.

MODL 5300. HISTORY OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE. 3 Hours.

Development of the French language from its earliest forms to the present. Required for the MA in MODL with French concentration.

MODL 5301. MODERN LANGUAGES FOR GRADUATE READING. 3 Hours.

An intensive one-semester course designed for Ph.D. candidates and other graduate students to fulfill departmental foreign language requirements. Sections may be offered in French, German, Russian, or other applicable or appropriate languages. Does not fulfill any graduate degree requirements.

MODL 5302. TOPICS ACROSS THE LANGUAGES. 3 Hours.

This topic course varies in focus and will be taught by in-house faculty or visiting scholars. Taught in English, it will consider issues to cultural and literary concerns across the languages. Possible course offerings include: From Novel to Film, History and/as Literature, Propaganda as Literature, The History and Aesthetics of Film, The Other in Literature and Culture, Freud and the Literary Imagination, and Modernism.

MODL 5304. CURRENTS IN EUROPEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURES AND THOUGHT. 3 Hours.

An examination of the mainstream genres and movements in European and Latin American literatures from 1600 to the present. Taught in English. Required for MA students in Modern Languages. May not be repeated for credit.

MODL 5305. METHODS OF MODERN LANGUAGE TEACHING. 3 Hours.

Methods of Modern Language Teaching is an applied linguistics course for modern language professionals, focusing on the application of research and theory in linguistics and second language acquisition to the classroom setting. May include specific methods, language learning strategies, cooperative language learning, component and performance skills, and intercultural communication.

MODL 5306. L2 ACQUISITION. 3 Hours.

MODL 5307. TOPICS IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. 3 Hours.

May include topics in the areas of second language acquisition, methodologies, culture, and disciplines related to second language acquisition. May be repeated for credit as topics change.

MODL 5308. TECHNOLOGY AND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION. 3 Hours.

Presentation and critique of research regarding the use of electronic media in language instruction; emphasis on computer and video, with attention to the application of research findings to the language classroom.

MODL 5309. TRANSLATION THEORY. 3 Hours.

Provides an introduction to basic concepts and offers a general conceptual framework for the study of translation theory. Students acquire the tools to identify, analyze and resolve translation problems while developing a rational approach to translation. (Following the completion of this course, students are encouraged to enroll in FREN 5309, GERM 5309 or SPAN 5309, Practicum in Translation.).

MODL 5310. THEORIES OF LITERATURE AND CULTURE. 3 Hours.

Readings, analyses, and applications of recent literary and cultural theories. Particular attention to how such theories may serve to focus or refocus literature as cultural production. Required for the M.A. in French, German, and Spanish.

MODL 5391. CONFERENCE. 3 Hours.

MODL 5393. MODL GRADUATE INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.

Graduate internship in the Department of Modern Languages with the student performing duties related to the field of modern languages. A combination of field-related experience at the graduate level with an academic component. Students are required to submit an approved academic project related to the work performed. May be repeated with approval of Graduate Advisor.