The Language Requirement at Carleton:

The requirement aims to assure that students will acquire a usable level of competence in a second language, involving all four skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). This competence is demonstrated either (a) through satisfactory completion of fourth-level language (fifth-level if Chinese or Japanese) course or (b) through acceptable performance on a standardized or departmentally designed examination.

Students beginning their study of language, as well as those who need more study to complete the requirement, should enroll in language in their first year.

Entering students may fulfill the requirement by satisfactory performance on a College Board Advanced Placement of Achievement test. Students who have not taken such a test before entering the college should take the language placement examination on-line over the summer. Students beginning their study of language, as well as those who need more study to complete the requirement, should enroll in language in their first year.

Please note that the on-line exam is for diagnostic purposes only; it cannot exempt you from the language requirement, and you may also be required to take a written exam on campus.

Click for more information on the Language Placement Test.

Requirements for a Certificate of Advanced Study in Foreign Language and Literature or Foreign Language and Area Studies

With the Certificate of Advanced Study in Foreign Language and Literature the College recognizes satisfactory completion of the equivalent of a minor field of specialization in the indicated language. To achieve the certificate, students must complete with a grade of C- or better six courses in the chosen language or area studies group beyond 103 (204 in Asian Languages). (Students who place out of 204 are still required to complete the six course requirement.) Courses that count toward the certificate and their distribution are indicated in the descriptions of the respective language department offerings in the Catalog. In order to be certified as having fulfilled the requirements, students must submit an application listing courses completed and intended no later than fall of the senior year.

For more information regarding the courses needed in German please refer to your catalog or speak with the section head, Professor Roger Paas.

For Certificate of Advanced Study Form download here or pick up from Mary Tatge.

Courses offered 2012-13