HASS Concentrations

Global Languages offers a variety of HASS Concentrations that provide undergraduate students a solid foundation in language study. Students can use the Concentration to continue previous language study, or to learn a new language. To declare a Concentration, consult with the relevant advisor and submit the HASS Concentration Form.

Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Other Languages

Concentrations in languages require that students advance at least through semester “IV” of the target language, with a minimum of three subjects. Students who commence at semester I should typically complete four subjects (semesters I-IV); students who commence at semester II or above need only three subjects. Typical pathways through the Concentration may include, for example: semesters I-IV; II-IV; or III-V. With advisor approval, other subject combinations may be appropriate for the Concentration.

Students can concentrate in languages not offered in Global Languages through the Other Languages Concentration. Other languages taught at MIT include: Latin, Classical Greek, and Old English (offered by the Literature Section). Students may also study other languages through cross-registration at Harvard University and Wellesley College, or (with approval from the appropriate transfer credit examiner and the Concentration advisor) by taking classes at another accredited institution of higher education.

Current Concentration advisors are: Haohsiang Liao (Chinese); Eva Dessein (French); Dagmar Jaeger (German); Takako Aikawa (Japanese); Hee-Jeong Jeong (Korean and Other Languages); Eva Dessein (Portuguese); Maria Khotimsky (Russian); and Liana Ewald (Spanish).

Theory of Language

The Theory of Language Concentration requires two subjects at semester IV or higher in different languages, plus one linguistic theory subject. The current Concentration advisor is Suzanne Flynn.

Studies in International Literatures and Cultures (SILC)

Classes in the SILC Concentration are taught in English and enable students to study other cultures and societies, either in tandem with or separate from study of a target language. Concentrations in SILC require three, twelve-unit subjects with a coherent theme or area of focus, selected in consultation with the SILC advisor. The current Concentration advisor is Eva Dessein.

Minors

Often building on the Concentration, a minor in a global language enables students to progress through intermediate and advanced language instruction, and to take content classes in the area of study. Minors are available in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. To declare a minor, consult with the appropriate minor advisor to develop a course plan and then submit a completed HASS Minor Application Form to Global Languages Undergraduate Academic Administrator Joyce Roberge.

Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish

As part of the minor and major programs, students participate in topical and discussion-based classes, in English and target languages.

Commencing at semester III of the language curriculum, the minor consists of six subjects, five of which may overlap with the 8-subject HASS GIR. The sixth subject is counted toward units beyond GIR. Content classes are taught in the target language or in English (13-unit “Language Option” versions of subjects taught in English include additional coursework in the target language). See the 21G minor degree charts for full requirements.

Programs of study must be designed in consultation with the minor advisor and may incorporate cross-registration at Harvard University and Wellesley College, or (with approval from the appropriate transfer credit examiner and the minor advisor) coursework from another accredited institution of higher education. Students may concentrate and minor in the same language.

Current minor advisors are: Tristan Brown (Chinese); Catherine Clark (French); Jay Scheib (German); Hiromu Nagahara (Japanese); and Margery Resnick (Spanish).

Majors

A 21G major enables students to advance their language study while engaging more deeply with a range of elective content classes in the area of study. Majors are available in French, German, and Spanish. To declare a major, refer to instructions from the Office of the First Year.

French, German, Spanish

Commencing at semester III of the language curriculum, a 21G major consists of eleven subjects (138 units) representing a cohesive program of study. Content classes are taught in the target language or in English (13-unit “Language Option” versions of subjects taught in English include additional coursework in the target language). Students fulfill the CI-M program requirement by completing two 15-unit subject combinations, each consisting of a 3-unit communications subject taken concurrently with a 12-unit subject approved for the major. In these 15-unit combinations, students complete a communications-focused project relevant to the class topic under the supervision of the faculty instructor. In consultation with the major advisor, students who demonstrate excellence in their field of study may incorporate a pre-thesis (21G.THT) and thesis (21G.THU) into their course, for up to 18 units of the 138 units in the major. See the 21G major degree charts for program details.

Programs of study must be designed in consultation with the major advisor and may also incorporate cross-registration at Harvard University and Wellesley College, or (with approval from the appropriate transfer credit examiner and the major advisor) coursework from another accredited institution of higher education. Students may complete a Concentration and major in the same language, but may not obtain both a minor and major in the same language.

Current major advisors are: Catherine Clark (French); Jay Scheib (German); and Margery Resnick (Spanish).

Joint Degrees

Students can combine study in one of the three 21G major fields (French, German, or Spanish) with work in an engineering or science field to pursue a joint degree, earning a Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Engineering (Course 21E) or a Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Science (Course 21S). The degree requires 60% of the work in a humanities field and 40% of the work in an engineering or science field.

Students should consult with the Academic Administrator Shannon Larkin to develop a proposal and obtain approval from the faculty advisors in the relevant fields. See the SHASS website for program details.

Transfer Credit

In some cases, classes taken at another university may be eligible for application to requirements of 21G academic programs. Students are encouraged to discuss any plans for transfer credit before completing classes at another university. See more information on Global Languages transfer credit, and policies of the MIT Registrar.