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

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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.

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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.

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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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