Language Requirement

Source: https://histlit.fas.harvard.edu/language-requirement Parent: https://histlit.fas.harvard.edu/hl90s

Learning to read in another language changes the way you read and think in any language, and it gives you access to more of the world. For that reason, History & Literature students must take at least one course in which they read sources in a language other than English.

Concentrators are not expected to achieve fluency, and each student’s path is unique. Please speak with one of the Directors of Studies to make a plan to fulfill History & Literature’s language requirement. For example, you may:

• Satisfy the requirement with a single course at Harvard in which you read sources in a language other than English;
• Satisfy the requirement by completing the intermediate level if you begin a new language at Harvard;
• Use the final course in a language citation to fulfill this requirement;
• Take a course taught in translation and, with the instructor’s participation, read the required texts in the target language;
• Take a study abroad course that satisfies the requirement; or
• Petition to satisfy the language requirement with a course taken pass/fail if it enables you to enroll in a more advanced course.

Students who take language courses beyond the requirement are welcome to petition them for concentration credit regardless of field. For those who may wish to pursue extensive research in a language other than English, History & Literature welcomes joint concentrations with language departments.