coffeetoffee646

I'm interested in doing a major in Romance Languages.
I emailed some of the language chairs and one of them agreed to see me about it if I attend Barnard (I got in today).
So, do you think they would go for something like that?
I mean, Harvard and NYU offer such majors; do you think that it would pass?

Advice from anyone at Barnard who has created a special major would be appreciated!

collegegirl86

I have not personally tried to create a special major at Barnard, but my roomate has, and I have to tell you that it's hard work. Barnard isn't really a place that pushes students to blaze their own trails in regards to requirements and majors - and these words come from Dean Denburg and President Shapiro themselves. That is not to say, however, that it is impossible to get one approved, and if you have a language chair willing to meet with you then that is a very good sign, IMHO. Just know that it will require alot of extra work on your part in regards to getting the important people in each department to approve the requirements you set out for yourself.

My advice would be to go for it. It can't hurt to try, and your major sounds quite plausible in relation to some of the other ideas I've heard...

Edit: P.S. Congrats on your admission. I hope that this time next year you'll here, advising future Barnardians on such matters!

coffeetoffee646

When should I start planning? as soon as i get to barnard?
I am really interested in making this work.
What are some other examples of similarly created majors?

ennie

When I was at Barnard in the '70s, I thought I wanted to be a Math major but found I wasn't very good at theoretical math. Columbia College was starting a Statistics major, and I already had taken some of the required courses. So I petitioned Barnard for a Statistics major with the same requirements as CC's, and it was approved with no problem. As far as I know, I was the first Barnard Statistics major. This is now officially offered through Columbia.

I went on to graduate school in health statistics, worked as an actuary/statistician until being "downsized" 10 years ago, and now am doing something completely different - research, editing and proofreading in the world of game shows and crosswords (I'm the woman in the documentary "Wordplay").

In your case, if a special major in Romance Languages isn't feasible, you could major in one of the languages and take courses in the others, double major in two of the languages, look into Comparative Literature or European Studies or any number of options.

StephanieJP914

The dean that heads the special majors program actually just spoke to my class the other week. While it's not impossible for you to get it approved, Barnard doesn't really like to encourage special majors. It's generally more work than a traditional major, and there is a lot of planning that goes into it. Also, it shouldn't be too specific.

If you'd like I can scan the packet they gave us and email it to you. Just send me a PM.

And congratulations on your acceptance!

scarfmadness

Congratulations!

I wouldn't start planning your major right away. I don't think you need to fill out the special proposal until second semester sophomore year, by which point you may have decided you really want to do something else, after all. Just keep it in the back of your head, and if you really want it, and think carefully about it when it's time, then you can make it happen.

I know an alum who created a combined poetry and dance major in the early 80s. I also know a current student who created a religion and society major, and I know of someone at Columbia who is doing ethnomusicology (leaning heavily on the graduate schools for credits). So there are a variety of things you can do, but really you can do so much with the pre-existing programs that it may not be such an issue.