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General
A) Because
the International Relations (INTL) major is an area-studies oriented,
inter-disciplinary program, your course selections should, to a very
considerable extent, be influenced by the foreign language you have opted
to study. The intent of the INTL major's foreign-language (FL)
requirement is to furnish students with one of the essential tools for the
pursuit of any international career: a minimal working knowledge of
one of the foreign languages (i.e., other than English) widely used in
international relations. Because of limitations imposed by the
availability of resources, the INTL major defines the acceptable foreign
languages as French, German, Russian, and Spanish. These are
generally the languages which are widely used in international relations
and for which classroom instruction beyond the fourth semester is
available at Kent State University.
B) As a
general rule, beyond English, which is currently the most widely-used
international language, the four languages listed above may be associated
with world geographic areas in which they are prevalent. Spanish is widely
used in the Western Hemisphere; French, German, and Russian are widely
used in Europe, respectively in the western, central, and eastern parts of
that continent. Additionally, French has considerable currency as an
international language in many parts of Africa. Because of resource
limitations at Kent, INTL majors wishing to study Asian languages should
discuss that matter with their advisor.
C) While in
an idea world, the choice of which foreign language you will study to
satisfy your INTL FL requirement would be determined by the geographical
area of your interest, the fact is that many INTL majors already have some
proficiency in a foreign language and prefer to continue in that language
rather than beginning a new one. That situation does not normally pose any
particular difficulty, since such students are generally interested in the
area of the world in which their foreign language is spoken.
D) The
possibility does exist for students already proficient in a foreign
language other than those mentioned above to petition their advisor for
substitution of that language in satisfaction of the FL requirement. In
the event that such a petition is granted, it is understood that it is
solely the student's responsibility:
► To find an
accredited institution of higher education at which the required courses
(normally the fifth-semester) in the foreign language are offered;
► To obtain
permission from the College of Arts & Sciences, through the Center for
International and Comparative Programs, to enroll at that institution as
a transient student for that course;
► To assume
the financial cost of such enrollment;
► To
successfully complete the course, and to furnish an official transcript
reflecting that work to the Center for International and Comparative
Programs or to the College of Arts & Sciences.
It should be
noted in this context that in addition to the languages mentioned above,
Kent State University may at any given time offer course work beyond the
fifth semester in other languages. Those languages may, where appropriate,
be used in satisfaction of the INTL FL requirement.
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Foreign
Language Proficiency Test
In addition
to the requirement of a fifth semester course, the INTL major requires
satisfactory performance on a multi-skill proficiency test to be
administered by the Center for International and Comparative Programs.
Students should be aware of the following points concerning that
examination:
A) The
examination is generally administered on request; consequently, there are
no scheduled test dates.
B) The
examination is intended to test general proficiency in the language
(normally in the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and
listening). Because it is testing for skills, it is difficult to "study
for" in the same way that it might be possible to study for an examination
intended to test for specific knowledge (such as a test for a particular
history course). The only effective preparation for this examination is
conscientious work in the courses leading up to it, as much reading in the
target language as possible (great for vocabulary acquisition!) and,
perhaps, a general review of grammar.
C) While
there is no formal requirement concerning the timing of the examination,
you would be well advised to remember that: Foreign-language skills
evaporate very quickly when the language is not being used.
Consequently, you would be wise to schedule your proficiency examination
as close to the completion of your last FL course as is practical.
Leaving your proficiency test for the end of the semester at the end of
which you expect to graduate is extremely risky, since it may not allow
adequate time for additional work in the language and retesting (if
required). It is essential, if you are to avoid this danger, to complete
your FL courses by your next-to-last semester at the very latest. Failure
to heed this recommendation could very well delay your graduation date.
The FL
proficiency examination is designed to test for the level of proficiency
expected at the end of five semesters of university FL study.
Standardized examinations are used where they are available (currently for
French, German, and Spanish); the Center for International and Comparative
Programs will assist in making appropriate arrangements for examinations
in other languages. Experience has shown that students who prepare
conscientiously for this examination usually have little trouble passing
it. Students who do not succeed in passing the FL examination the first
time do have the possibility of retaking it. They should, however,
heed these recommendations concerning the completion of the FL
requirement.
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Alternative to Proficiency Test
In
recognition both of the importance of FL proficiency in all international
fields and of the important role of classroom instruction and experience
in developing that proficiency, an alternative way of satisfying the FL
Proficiency requirement has been established. The requirement may
now also be satisfied through completion of two additional, pre-approved,
upper-division courses in the language (i.e., two courses beyond the
fifth-semester course already required) with a grade of "A" or "B."
Prior approval for the courses used in this connection must be obtained in
writing by the student's advisor.
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