Language Exams
OVERVIEW
language requirements
MTS Students on the ancient/medieval track must show proficiency in a modern research language (class or exam), and demonstrate proficiency in an ancient/medieval language (exam).
MTS Students on the modern/contemporary track must show proficiency in a modern research language (class or exam) only.
Modern research languages include French, German, and Spanish.
Ancient/medieval languages include Latin, Greek, or Arabic.
How Do I Fulfill My Language Requirements?
Sit for a Language Exam (French, German, Spanish, Greek, Latin, Arabic). Four times a year, the department offers translation exams. You will receive notification of these dates by email. You can also check this website. You may bring a dictionary. You’ll receive a theological text to translate within a certain time span. For certain exams, you might also need to answer comprehension questions related to the text.
Take a Graduate-Level Language Course in a Modern Research Language at Fordham (French, German, Spanish). You must take the course for a letter grade and let the instructor know that you are taking the course to fulfill a language requirement. You need at least a B+ in the course to demonstrate proficiency. The following courses offered during the year or summer qualify:
FREN 5090 or 5001 (French for Reading)
GERM 5002 (German, the second course of a two- semester sequence). Note that this course has a prerequisite, GERM 5001, from which you need a passing grade or an exemption from the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies
SPAN 5090 (Spanish for Reading)
For ancient/medieval languages: If you have no background in these languages, take a sequence of language courses in Classics or Modern Languages and Literature Departments at Fordham and then sit for the language exam.
Take a non-funded Graduate-Level Modern Research Language Course or Ancient/Medieval Language Courses at another institution. You must secure prior approval from the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies and your Advisor to exercise this option.
Logistics
What are the exams like?
Language exams involve translating a 400-500 word passage into English in 3 hours. A hard copy dictionary may be used but no electronic devices or online sources.
Two examiners will review the translation and designate a pass or no-pass.
The Department offers language exams 2x per semester.
You can take the exam as many times as you would like; a no-pass is not a strike against you in any way, but should be seen as a diagnostic going forward.