Foreign Languages and Literatures

      Walter Putnam, Chairperson
      Ortega Hall 229A
      MSC03 2080
      1 University of New Mexico
      Albuquerque, NM 87131–0001
      (505) 277–4771
      zarafanm@gmail.com

      Programs: Arabic, Chinese, Classical Studies, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, French, German, Greek (Ancient), Italian, Japanese, Languages, Latin, Russian

      Affiliated Programs: Biblical Hebrew, Sanskrit (See Foreign Languages)

      Professors
      Monica S. Cyrino, Ph.D., Yale University–Classics
      Walter Putnam, Ph.D., University of Paris–French and Comparative Literature

      Associate Professors
      Susanne Baackmann, Ph.D., University of California (Berkeley)–German
      Stephen Bishop, Ph.D., University of Michigan–French
      Lorna Brau, Ph.D., New York University–Japanese
      Pamela Cheek, Ph.D., Stanford University–French and Comparative Literature
      Lorenzo F. Garcia Jr., Ph.D., University of California (Los Angeles)–Classics
      Carmen Nocentelli, Ph.D., Stanford University–Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies
      Katrin Schroeter, Ph.D., Brown University–German
      Rajeshwari Vallury, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh–French 

      Assistant Professors
      Andre Haag, Ph.D., Stanford University–Japanese
      Xiang He, Ph.D., New York University–Chinese and Comparative Literature
      Tania Ivanova-Sullivan, Ph.D., Ohio State University–Russian
      Emma Trentman, Ph.D., Michigan State University–Arabic
      Osman Umurhan, Ph.D., New York University–Classics

      Adjunct Professor
      George F. Peters, Professor of German, Michigan State University

      Lecturers
      Mohamed Ali, Ph.D., University of New Mexico–Arabic
      Machiko Bomberger, M.A., Columbia University–Japanese
      Rachele Duke, Ph.D., University of California (Los Angeles)–Italian
      Jinghua Pei, M.A., University of Iowa–Chinese
      Marina Peters-Newell, Ph.D., University of Washington–French, Lower–Division Coordinator  
      Heather Sweetser, M.A., Ohio State University–Arabic  
      Jason Wilby, Ph.D., University of California (Irvine)–German

      Visiting Lecturer
      Luke Gorton, Ph.D., Ohio State University–Classics

      Faculty Emeriti
      Bruno Hannemann, Ph.D., University of California (Berkeley)–German
      Robert Holzapfel, Ph.D., University of Iowa–German
      Robert Jespersen, Ph.D., Stanford University–German
      Natasha Kolchevska, Ph.D., University of California (Berkeley)–Russian
      Byron Lindsey, Ph.D., Cornell University–Russian
      Peter K. Pabisch, Ph.D., University of Illinois (Urbana–Champaign)–German
      Diana Robin, Ph.D., University of Iowa–Classics
      Claude M. Senninger, Ph.D., University of Paris–French
      Warren S. Smith, Ph.D., Yale University–Classics


      Undergraduate Programs

      Majors

      The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers undergraduate degrees in the following fields of study:

      • B.A. in Classical Studies
      • B.A. in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies
      • B.A. in French
      • B.A. in German
      • B.A. in Languages
      • B.A. in Russian

      Minors

      Minors are also available in the following:

      • Arabic
      • Chinese
      • Classical Studies
      • Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies
      • French
      • German
      • Greek
      • Italian
      • Japanese
      • Languages
      • Latin
      • Russian

      Undergraduate Advisors

      Director of Undergraduate Studies: Tania Ivanova-Sullivan
      Arabic: Emma Trentman
      Classical Studies: Osman Umurhan
      Chinese: Xiang He
      French: Rajeshwari Vallury
      German: Susanne Baackmann
      Greek: Lorenzo F. Garcia, Jr.
      Italian: Rachele Duke
      Japanese: Lorie Brau
      Languages: Jason Wilby
      Latin: Osman Umurhan
      Russian: Tania Ivanova-Sullivan

      Placement

      101 courses are reserved for students who have not previously studied the language in which they plan to enroll. Students who have had previous exposure to a language and plan to continue the study of the same language must consult the appropriate advisor. Students who enroll in advanced courses may obtain credit by the challenge procedure for any courses below the level of the one in which they enroll.

      How to Challenge a Course for Credit

      Students may obtain credit for a lower-division language course by completing a course at a higher level with a grade of "A" or "B." For example, one could challenge French 101 and 102 on the basis of obtaining a "B" in French 201. Upon completing this requirement, the student must first go to the A&S Advisement Center and fill out a "Challenge for Credit" form. The student may then pay for the lower-division credit hours at the regular UNM tuition rate.


      Graduate Programs

      Majors

      The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers graduate degrees in the following fields of study:

      • M.A. in Comparative Literatures and Cultural Studies
      • M.A. in French
      • M.A. in German Studies
      • Ph.D. in French Studies

      All graduate programs are administered by a Graduate Committee composed of three members of the FLL graduate faculty, the Director of Graduate Studies and the Chairperson of FLL. Except for the internal regulations and requirements outlined below, all degree programs are subject to the terms of The University of New Mexico Catalog in effect at the time a student is admitted into a specific program.

      All graduate students must demonstrate proficiency in another language either through a four-semester sequence of course work, a proficiency exam, or proof of equivalent knowledge acquired elsewhere.

      Graduate Advisors

      Director of Graduate Studies: Dr. Pamela Cheek – pcheek@unm.edu
      Classics: Dr. Lorenzo F. Garcia, Jr. – lfgarcia@unm.edu
      Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies: Dr. Carmen Nocentelli – nocent@unm.edu
      German Studies: Dr. Katrin Schroeter – kaddisch@gmail.com
      French and French Studies: Dr. Pamela Cheek – pcheek@unm.edu

      Application and Admission

      For information about admission to our graduate programs, contact the Director of Graduate Studies or visit the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures Web site.

      The strongest applicants will have a record of study in the languages and literatures associated with their target field and will be able to demonstrate skills in critical thinking and clear writing. Our small graduate seminars create an environment for focused group learning and for individual achievement; students must be able to work supportively with their peers and effectively on their own. We welcome letters of intent and letters of recommendation that specifically address the applicant's record, skills and aptitude for literary and cultural study.

      Assistantships

      The Department awards a limited number of assistantships, either as a Teaching Assistant or as a Graduate Assistant. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies for more information.


      Refer to the following sections of this Catalog for information on the following courses:

      Biblical Hebrew: Foreign Languages, or Department of Religious Studies
      Sanskrit: Department of Philosophy.
      Navajo (Diné) or other Native American languages: Department of Linguistics.


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      Office of the Registrar

      MSC11 6325
      1 University of New Mexico
      Albuquerque, NM 87131

      Phone: (505) 277-8900
      Fax: (505) 277-6809