Languages & Cultures

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Languages & Cultures

The Program

The Languages and Cultures Major prepares students for an increasingly globalized and interdependent world that rewards knowledge of languages and cultural literacy. The major provides students with advanced proficiency in language skills and cultural competency that will enable them to expand career opportunities and enhance their personal lives in an international and intercultural environment. In addition to studies in a primary target language, students take courses in comparative study of cultures and literatures to gain insight into the interrelation of language, culture and human nature. The 2 required seminars in cultural theories and methodologies constitute the capstone experience for intercultural studies. Students also are encouraged to study abroad, take a secondary target language and select from a rich array of courses offered in other Departments that deal with interactions among peoples, cultures and regions.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate fluency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in the target language;
  2. Demonstrate ability to reason and present sound arguments in both oral and written discourse;
  3. Demonstrate critical thinking in the analysis of traditions, cultures and civilizations;
  4. Understand the nature of language, its function, structure and interactional (social) purposes; and
  5. Analyze and clearly articulate interpretations of literary texts.