Modern and Classical Languages Department


The Department of Modern and Classical Languages educates Notre Dame’s students to become communicatively competent and informed global citizens with proficiency in languages and critical insights into the cultures of our target languages. Cultural diversity and language proficiency are essential parts of educating the minds and hearts of our students to become true global citizens.

Carmen Gunneson
Mrs. Dacia Mirabelle
Department Chair

Mrs. Mirabelle is a proud member of the Notre Dame community. This is her sixth year teaching Spanish in the Modern and Classical Languages Department. Mrs. Mirabelle received a B.A. and B.S. from Southern Connecticut State University.  She is currently earning a Master of Arts in Foreign Language Teaching. She is also the moderator of the Model UN Club and the Ronald Reagan Political Discussion Club. 

Language Courses for 2023-2024


Modern and Classical Language Courses

#L12A Latin I
1 Credit Level 2 NCAA

This course introduces the student to the structure of Latin. Emphasis is placed on grammar and syntax. The primary concern is to present the forms, vocabulary, and syntax in an orderly, cumulative fashion so that the student can advance in a systematic and efficient manner. Additional emphasis is placed on the influence of Latin on other languages. To further enrich the student’s understanding, presentations on various cultural topics are assigned to students. Students will demonstrate proficiency in technology in their presentations. 

#J12A Spanish I
1 Credit Level 2 NCAA

This beginning course introduces the student to reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the target language. Basic functional vocabulary and fundamental grammatical structures are stressed. Students are also introduced to Spanish/Hispanic culture as it exists in the country where the target language is spoken. 

#I12A Italian I
1 Credit Level 2 NCAA 

This beginning course introduces the student to reading, writing, speaking and understanding the target language. Basic functional vocabulary and fundamental grammatical structures are stressed. Students are introduced to Italian culture as it exists in the country of Italy. 

#I22A/B Italian II
1 Credit Level 2 NCAA 

This intermediate course reviews the concepts covered in Italian 1 and develops further speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the foreign language. More advanced grammatical structures are studied, and a student’s vocabulary is enhanced. Cultural units continue to play a major role in these courses. The course is conducted in Italian as much as is feasible. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Italian I/ or Placement Exam

#J22A/B Spanish II
1 Credit Level 2 NCAA

This intermediate course reviews the concepts covered in Level 1 and develops further speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the foreign language. More advanced 

grammatical structures are studied, and a student’s vocabulary is enhanced. Cultural units continue to play a major role in these courses. The courses are conducted in the appropriate foreign language as much as is feasible. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Spanish I/or Placement Exam 

#J21A/B Spanish II
1 Credit Level 1 

This intermediate course reviews the concepts covered in Spanish 1 and develops further speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the foreign language. More advanced grammatical structures are studied, and a student’s vocabulary is enhanced. Cultural units continue to play a major role in these courses. This course is conducted in the appropriate foreign language as much as is feasible. This course does NOT fulfill the requirement for future Spanish study. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Spanish 1 

Signature of the Foreign Language teacher

#L22A/B Latin II
1 Credit Level 2 NCAA

After some review of first-year material, this two-semester course will continue to introduce the student to the structure of Latin and complete the study of basic Latin grammar. Emphasis is placed on grammar, syntax, and reading. The primary concern is to present the forms, vocabulary, and syntax in an orderly, cumulative fashion so that the student can advance in a systematic and efficient manner. Additional emphasis is placed on the influence of Latin on other languages. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Latin I/ or Placement Exam 

#I32A/B Italian III
1 Credit Level 2 NCAA 

The third year of language study is designed to improve the student’s knowledge in all language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Oral and written communication skills are stressed. The third-year language course is mostly conducted in the target language. Grammar review plays an important role in the course. This course teaches the language skills necessary to function in an environment where the target language is spoken. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Italian 2 with a minimum grade of 75; Signature of the Italian Teacher

#J32A/B Spanish III
1 Credit Level 2 NCAA

The third year of language study is designed to improve the student’s knowledge in all language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Oral and written communication skills are stressed. The third-year language course is mostly conducted in the target language. Grammar review plays an important role in the course. This course teaches the language skills necessary to function in an environment where the target language is spoken. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Spanish 2 with a minimum grade of 75; Signature of the Spanish Teacher

#J31A/B Spanish III
1 Credit Level 1 NCAA

This course reviews the basic concepts of Spanish 1 and Spanish 2. The course will cover some Spanish 3 concepts when prior understanding is clearly established. Cultural understanding is an important part of the curriculum. Some of the course is taught in Spanish when possible. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Spanish 2; Signature of the Spanish 2 teacher. 

#L32A/B Advanced Latin Prose
1 Credit Level 3 NCAA

This course offers students the opportunity to engage with Latin literature in its original, undated form. The focus of this course is on the history of the Latin language as it develops in prose, beginning with the oldest attestations of Latin, and ending with Neo-Latin as it appears from the Renaissance up to the present (including Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis). Selections will therefore not only come from Classical authors like Cicero and Caesar, but will also include selections from earlier (e.g. inscriptions and legal texts) and later (e.g. Jerome, Newton, and Tolkien) periods. In reading and translating these texts, focus will largely be on Latin grammar, syntax, and style, but attention will also be given to the social, cultural, and historical contexts of the various texts we read. Assessment will take the form of quizzes, tests, and student presentations. The course is an ECE-approved course that could result in three college credits earned for it. This iteration of the course will be offered every other academic year. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Latin II with at least a minimum grade of 80 average, and the approval of the Latin II teacher. 

L33A/B Advanced Latin Poetry
1 Credit Level 3 NCAA

This course offers students the opportunity to engage with Latin literature in its original, undated form. The focus of this course is on the development of both the form and content of Latin poetry, beginning with its earliest attestations in Ennius, and ending with the varieties of Latin poetry found throughout the Medieval period. Selections will therefore not only come from Classical authors like Catullus, Ovid and Vergil, but will also include selections from earlier (e.g. Ennius, Plautus, and Terence) and later (e.g. Hiberno-Latin) periods. In reading and translating these texts, focus will largely be on Latin grammar, syntax, and style, but attention will also be given to the social, cultural, and historical contexts of the various texts we read. Assessment will take the form of quizzes, tests, and student presentations. The course is an ECE approved course that could result in 3 college credits earned for it. This iteration of the course will be offered every other academic year. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Latin II with at least a minimum grade of 80 average, and the approval of the Latin II teacher. 

#I43A/B Italian IV 
1 Credit Level 3 NCAA

This fourth-year language course is conducted entirely in the target language and builds upon the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills developed in previous levels. This course explores all aspects of culture. Topics include: history, literature, cuisine, music, art, everyday life as well as a variety of other pertinent topics. A review of grammar in context is given. Effective communication leading to proficiency is the main goal. A major work of literature is also reviewed.

Requirements for placement: completion of Italian 3; Signature of the Italian Teacher with a minimum grade of 80.

#J43A/B Spanish IV
1 Credit Level 3 NCAA

This fourth-year language course is conducted entirely in the target language and builds upon the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills developed in previous levels. This course explores all aspects of culture. Topics include: history, literature, cuisine, music, art, everyday life as well as a variety of other pertinent topics. A review of grammar in context is given. Effective communication leading to proficiency is the main goal. A major work of literature is also reviewed. Spanish IV is a UConn ECE approved course. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Spanish 4 with a minimum grade of 80; Signature of the Spanish Teacher.

#F43A/B French IV
1 Credit Level 3 NCAA

This fourth-year language course is conducted entirely in the target language and builds upon the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills developed in previous levels. This course explores all aspects of culture. Topics include: history, literature, cuisine, music, art, everyday life as well as a variety of other pertinent topics. A review of grammar in context is given. Effective communication leading to proficiency is the main goal. A major work of literature is also reviewed.

Requirements for placement: completion of French 3; Signature of the French teacher with a minimum grade of 80.

#J54A/B Spanish V 
1 Credit Level 4 NCAA

This two-semester course is for students who are interested in completing studies comparable in content and difficulty to a full-year course at the college level. The curriculum is flexible, allowing for independent projects, constant written, oral, and aural practice, and an intense, structural review of grammar. The Spanish V is a UConn ECE approved course. It will follow the guidelines established by the College Board for the Advanced Placement test, which students may take in May. 

Requirements for placement: completion of the fourth level of the language course with a minimum grade of 80; signature of the Spanish teacher. 

#I54A/B Italian V 
1 Credit Level 4 NCAA

This two-semester course is for students who are interested in completing studies comparable in content and difficulty to a full-year course at the college level. The curriculum is flexible, allowing for independent projects, constant written, oral, and aural practice, and an intense, structural review of grammar. It will follow the guidelines established by the College Board for the Advanced Placement test, which students may take in May. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Italian 4 with a minimum grade of 80; signature of the Italian teacher