Romance Languages and Literature (Major)

The undergraduate major in Romance Languages and Literatures is designed for qualified students who wish to major in two programs (French, Italian, or Spanish). Cross-cultural in focus, the major recognizes the importance of studying the correspondences and differences among various Romance literatures and cultures and of reexamining traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Placement in Language Courses

For French and Spanish, there is an online placement exam for students who have not already demonstrated language proficiency through national standardized testing, such as the AP or Achievement tests. Students with previous experience are required to take one of these tests before enrolling in their first course in those languages. For Italian or Portuguese placement, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The normal prerequisite for a 30xxx-level course is at least one 20202 or above level course. The normal prerequisite for a 40xxx-level course is at least one 30xxx-level course or permission of the instructor.

Policy Regarding Romance Language Placement Examination

The placement examination is designed to place each student at an appropriate level within a language sequence. Obtain placement examination information from the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures.

The requirements for a major in Romance languages and literatures include competency in two languages and successful completion of 12 courses that total at least 36 credit hours, which must be distributed equally between the two respective language programs as follows:

  1. Two area courses in each language and literature program (French or Italian); Spanish requires 2 core courses numbered 30710 or above;
  2. 30310 (ROFR 30310, ROIT 30310, ROSP 30310) in at least one program;
  3. Two 40xxx-level courses in each program;
  4. One Senior Seminar (ROFR 53000, ROIT 53000, ROSP 53000) in one program; An advanced 40xxx-level course may be taken in place of 53000 if the seminar is not offered in the fall of the student's senior year.
  5. One elective course at the 20202 or above level, one in each program (any exception requires permission from the DUS).

​Senior Thesis

Faculty in the respective programs are glad to serve as directors for students seeking to write a senior thesis. The thesis can be written in English or in the target language. Interested students should make contact with the DUS during the fall semester of their senior year.

The Honors Track in Romance Languages and Literatures

To be eligible for the honors track, students in Romance Languages and Literatures must be first majors with a minimum GPA of 3.7 in the major, and will have completed at least eight courses toward the major. It is strongly recommended that students take at least one 40000-level class in the major at Notre Dame by the end of their junior year. In addition to the general requirements for the major, honors track students will maintain a 3.7 GPA in the major through graduation and complete one graduate-level course in one of the Romance languages with a grade of A– or higher. Highly motivated students may elect to complete an honors thesis in lieu of taking the graduate course. The honors thesis option must be carried out under the direction of a department faculty member, in the area of specialization. Students will identify the professor with whom he or she intends to work, obtain approval of the topic, and Director of Undergraduate Studies by October 15th of the student’s senior year. Students are also encouraged to take at least one course that addresses cultural or literary theoretical questions and readings; this course may be a 40000- level course offered in the Department of Romance Languages, or a similar course in a related field (English, gender studies, FTT, philosophy, sociology, etc.). Eligible seniors for the honors track should contact the DUS by October 15th of their senior year.