Advice for New Students

Depending on your interests, your language background, and the results of your placement test, many departmental offerings listed in the Course of Study are open to you and are appropriate for diversification credit. It is not unusual for students with four to five years of language study in high school to be recommended for placement in an advanced language course (e.g., a course numbered 321) or in an introductory literature course.

Beginning and Middle Levels: Language Skills

Courses numbered 111-112 are beginning language classes. These courses stress the acquisition of the four basic language skills (oral comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading) while incorporating some cultural and/or literary materials. All introductory language courses, listed as 111-112, are taught through the Kenyon Intensive Language Model (KILM), an intensive approach that allows students to gain in one year the linguistic competence and cultural literacy normally acquired after one and a half to two years of non-intensive study. KILM classroom activities aim at dispelling inhibitions and encouraging communication. For each meeting with the professor (typically four times per week), there is a session with a Kenyon undergraduate apprentice teacher (AT), working with a group of six to eight students. Work in the Language Practice Room or in the Language Learning Center (for example, listening comprehension practice) is sometimes required in conjunction with the class. Apprentice-teacher classes usually meet in the late afternoon or early evening and are arranged during the first days of class each semester.

Courses numbered 213-214 are middle-level or intermediate classes. These courses continue to develop the basic skills introduced in the beginning-level classes, usually with increasing emphasis on cultural materials, vocabulary, and reading skills. The classes usually meet three days per week, with one or two additional hours per week with the apprentice teacher.

The following courses serve as an introduction to literature and/or culture and also continue the development of language skills. Students are recommended for these courses on the basis of their scores on the placement examination, AP credit, or previous coursework in the language.

Courses offered in 2003-04:

FREN 324 Introduction to French Literature II (fall)
GERM 325 Survey of German Literature (spring)
SPAN 328 Survey of Contemporary Spanish American Fiction (fall)
SPAN 323-324 Introduction to Spanish American Literature (year)

Courses to be offered in other years:

FREN 328 Aspects of French Civilization

Courses numbered 300-399, except the introduction to literature courses, are advanced-level language and/or civilization courses. Courses numbered in the 400s and above are usually advanced-level literature or culture courses. See below for a full description of these courses.