# Languages & Past Exams ## expand\_more Graduate students are expected to demonstrate an acceptable level of reading ability in languages other than English. **Language requirements** are determined by the fields of research: Open all sections Close all sections ### Language Requirements by Field expand\_more *AFRICA* One European language (preferably French); Arabic or another African language *ANCIENT* Ancient Greek; French; German; Latin *BRITISH* French or German; one other European language *BYZANTINE* Byzantine Greek; French; German; Latin *EARLY MODERN EUROPE* At least two European languages (modern and/or ancient), to be chosen in consultation with the graduate advisor *EAST ASIA* Two East Asian languages. Or, one East Asian language and one of the following: German, French, Russian. *ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY* Two languages related to proposed dissertation research and approved by the advisor or co-advisors. *INTERNATIONAL* Two major international languages (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian) that are related to proposed dissertation research and approved by the advisor *LATIN AMERICA* Spanish and Portuguese; and a third language if the dissertation supervisor determines it is necessary *WESTERN MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE HISTORY* French, German, Latin *MIDDLE EAST* French; German; one Middle Eastern language *MODERN HISTORY OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE* French or Russian; German *MODERN HISTORY OF EASTERN EUROPE* French or German; two approved languages pertinent to the area studied *MODERN RUSSIAN HISTORY* Russian; French or German *MEDIEVAL RUSSIAN HISTORY* Russian; Old Church Slavonic; French or German *SOUTH ASIA* Two South Asian languages. Or, one South Asian and one non-South Asian language (e.g., French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic) *UNITED STATES* Two foreign languages at a Satisfactory level. Or, one at a Proficient level. *INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES* French; German ## Testing and Exceptions Open all sections Close all sections ### Testing expand\_more To test proficiency, the department offers reading exams twice a year, in September and again in January. All first-year students are required to take at least one exam in the week before classes begin in September. Exams are usually given in the following languages: Ancient Greek, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. To schedule an exam in another language, please contact the graduate coordinator before August 15 for a August exam, and before December 15 for a January exam. ### Exceptions for African or Asian Language Skills expand\_more Students who study African or Asian history may have an advisor attest that they have the language skills necessary to conduct research in some languages required by their field of research, e.g., Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Swahili, Tamil, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu. However, students studying African or Asian history must demonstrate proficiency in their required European language by taking a department reading exam. For more information please write the [graduate coordinator](/people/graduate_coordinator). ### Courses to Aid in Language Proficiency expand\_more Students who do not satisfy the language requirement before the beginning of the fall semester, or need further preparation in a second or third language, are encouraged to take courses designed to help with written language skills. Language requirements must be fulfilled before students can take the general exam. Past language exams may be found [here](/languages-past-exams). ### Grading expand\_more Possible grades for language exams are Proficient, Satisfactory, and Fail. A plus or minus may be attached to grades of Proficient and Satisfactory. The definitions of Proficient and Satisfactory used in evaluating language exams are as follows: Proficient: a smooth and accurate rendering of the passage into English that reflects a nuanced understanding of the text, with few if any errors. Satisfactory: an acceptable translation that reflects a good understanding of the passage, free of major errors or significant omissions. ## Past Exams Open all sections Close all sections ### Ancient Greek expand\_more - [Spring 2009 ](/file_url/276) - [Fall 2008](/file_url/275) - [Spring 2005](/file_url/274) ### French expand\_more - [Fall 2020](/file_url/3040) - [Fall 2014](/file_url/485) - [Fall 2008](/file_url/264) - [Fall 2007](/file_url/263) ### German expand\_more - [Fall 2014](/file_url/486) - [Fall 2008](/file_url/273) - [Spring 2006](/file_url/272) ### Italian expand\_more - [Fall 2019](/file_url/3046) - [Fall 2014](/file_url/487) - [Spring 2008 ](/file_url/261) - [Fall 2007](/file_url/260) ### Latin expand\_more - [Spring 2020](/file_url/3041) - [Fall 2014](/file_url/488) - [Fall 2007](/file_url/270) - [Fall 2006](/file_url/269) ## Past Exams Open all sections Close all sections ### Polish expand\_more - [Fall 2008](/file_url/258) - [Fall 2007](/file_url/257) - [Fall 1994](/file_url/256) ### Portuguese expand\_more - [Spring 2020](/file_url/3047) ### Russian expand\_more - [Spring 2020](/file_url/3042) - [Fall 2014](/file_url/489) - [Fall 2008](/file_url/267) - [Fall 2005](/file_url/266) ### Spanish expand\_more - [Fall 2019](/file_url/3043) - [Fall 2014](/file_url/490) - [Fall 2008](/file_url/3044) - [Spring 2006](/file_url/3045)