The program uses the four basic language acquisition skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking to learn at each successive level. In addition to being instrumental and vital to learning another language, honing these skills also advances English language development.

The program is integral to the liberal arts mission of the College. Students discover that one cannot categorize meaning into compartmentalized boxes. Language and the culture in which those words are imbedded help students comprehend economic systems, the fine arts, and history/political science.

The aim of the foreign languages and literatures program is for the student to be able to read, write, and converse with increasing ability as he or she moves to the next course. The goal of this gradual improvement is to make the student an effective communicator in a native-speaking environment. Toward this end, Rocky Mountain College strives to make opportunities available for travel and study abroad.

The foreign languages and literatures program offers a minor in Spanish. Courses in Italian language and culture are offered on demand. French courses will be offered on demand. Opportunities to study other languages, such as Greek, are periodically available.

Minor in Spanish

This program is currently under moratorium and is not accepting new students.

A minimum of 20 semester hours is required, six of which credits must be upper-division hours.

FRN131 - Beginning French I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 4
This is a beginning French course. Emphasis is on basic language structure, pronunciation, and simple conversation.

FRN132 - Beginning French II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 4
Continuing development of basic skills with an introduction to the historical and cultural background of France.

FRN231 - French Conversation and Composition

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
Selected readings on aspects of French arts and sciences with continued practice in writing and conversation.
Prerequisite: FRN132 or appropriate background in French

FRN250 - Culture and Civilization

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the culture of France through representative literary works of authors from the continent. Works examined will include short stories, poetry and excerpts of longer works. The course will consider the culture and historical milieu, and students will discuss, present and write about both the literary movements and corresponding areas of art, music, and popular culture.
Prerequisite: FRN231 or appropriate background in French

FRN301 - The Culture and Literature of France and Francophone Countries

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
A continuation of French culture explored in FRN250, with the addition of a cultural broadening into the diversity of other francophone countries through literature, art, history and music and modern media. Students will expand their knowledge of continental French culture, then compare and contrast it to cultures around the world influenced by French: Africa, island nations (Haiti), Canada, and more. Students will research an area of interest from specific countries and report to the class.
Prerequisite: FRN250 or appropriate background in French

GRK131 - Introduction to 5th-Century B.C.E. Attic Greek I

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 4
Students will learn the ancient Greek language of Thucydides, Plato, Herodotus, Homer, and the 5th-century dramatists. This course is also excellent preparation for students who wish to read New Testament (Koine) Greek.

GRK132 - Introduction to 5th-Century B.C.E. Attic Greek II

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 4
Students will continue to learn the ancient Greek language of Thucydides, Plato, Herodotus, Homer, and the 5th-century dramatists. This course is also excellent preparation for students who wish to read New Testament (Koine) Greek.
Prerequisite: GRK131

ITN110 - From Caesar to the Mafia (Restricted to RFE)

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
Crosslisted as HST110. An introduction to the culture and history of Italy, the course highlights major historical, literary, and artistic, periods. The course examines the Roman Republic and Empire, Medieval, and Renaissance thought and literature, the Unification of Italy, the Mafia and its influence, and Fascism and World War II. Students will explore the works of selected Roman writers, Dante and Machiavelli, and modern writers Leonardo Sciascia and Giorgro Bassani.

ITN131 - Beginning Italian I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 4
This course provides an introduction to Italian speech, language, culture and communication through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The approach integrates culture and language with emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and basic grammatical structures. Class work emphasizes participation, small group work, and opportunities for hearing and speaking Italian.

ITN132 - Beginning Italian II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 4
The course builds on foundations established in Beginning Italian I. Through the use of the four language skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing - students acquire greater proficiency in Italian vocabulary, grammar, and culture. Emphasis is on oral and written expression, with a variety of learning experiences to reinforce language acquisition.
Prerequisite: ITN131, permission of professor, or a placement exam in the Rocky Mountain College Program

SPN131 - Beginning Spanish I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 4
This course provides an introduction to Spanish speech, language, culture, and communication through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. A culture- and language-integrated approach with an emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and basic grammatical structures is used.

SPN132 - Beginning Spanish II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 4
This course builds on the foundation established in SPN131. Through the use of the four language skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, basic grammar skills, vocabulary acquisition, and cultural readings will increase. Greater emphasis is placed on oral and written expression.
Prerequisite: SPN131

SPN211 - Intermediate Spanish I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course utilizes the methodical review and practice of basic vocabulary and grammatical structures, combined with the integrated development of proficiency in the four language skills. Expansion of cultural knowledge and functional vocabulary will occur through intermediate-level reading and discussions. Emphasis is on intermediate-level grammar and reading proficiency.
Prerequisite: SPN132

SPN212 - Intermediate Spanish II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: On demand. 3
As a continuation of SPN211 in which students continue to review, expand, and practice basic vocabulary and grammatical structures, while more advanced grammatical structures are introduced and practiced. Expansion of cultural knowledge and functional vocabulary continues through increasingly advanced intermediate-level readings and discussions. Emphasis is on intermediate-level grammar, reading, and communicating proficiency.
Prerequisite: SPN211

SPN301 - Culture and Literature of Spain

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the culture of Spain through representative literary works of peninsular authors. Works will be examined from the Middle Ages, the Siglo de Oro, and contemporary authors, including an introduction to literary genres. Poetry, short stories, and excerpts of longer works will be studied, via both written works and film. Students will take part in classroom discussions as well as write analytical essays in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPN131, SPN132, and SPN211

SPN302 - Cultures and Literature of Latin America

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course provides an introduction to the richness and diversity of the different countries and cultures of Latin America through their writers. Forms of expression and of preserving knowledge used by ancient civilizations to contemporary writers will be explored. Carvings, ancient writings, short stories, and excerpts from novels and plays will be studied via both written works and film. Students will take part in classroom discussions as well as write analytical essays in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPN131, SPN132, and SPN211

SPN311 - The Art of Spanish Conversation and Composition

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course, conducted in Spanish, is an interactive communication course where students will work with the syntax and the syntactical analysis of spoken and written Spanish. Pronunciation, vocabulary, and fluency will be enhanced through textbook and simulated situations as well as oncampus and off-campus excursions. These real-life situations and dialogue encounters will be used to encourage conversation and elicit discussion, and students will follow up on the situations by writing well-formulated and coherently arranged written works describing their experience. These essays will be marked, shared with the class, and then analyzed for correctness. This analytical exercise will be done individually as homework and then collectively as class discussions. In addition to readings, research, and discussion, students will make oral presentations in class or at special events.
Prerequisite: SPN131, SPN132, and SPN211

SPN450 - Internship

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-12
Students are provided with an on-site, hands-on language experience where students are paired with schools, churches, businesses, government, and/or non-profit organizations in the Billings area, the state(s) or abroad. Contract is required. Contact and feedback will be maintained throughout the course. The student must arrange the internship in agreement with the instructor and the office of career services.
Prerequisite: SPN131, SPN132, and SPN211and junior or senior standing