
Languages and Cultures (B.A.)
If you have strong second language skills, you are an asset to any employer.
- Degrees & Offerings
-
- B.A.
- Department
- Program Contact
-
Professor, Chair
Foreign language study will enhances your opportunities in government, business, medicine, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, etc. A second language improves your skills and grades in math and English, as well as and on the GRE. Analytical skills improve when you study a foreign language.
Courses and Curriculum
Deciding to combine a languages and cultures major with another major not only adds to your credentials, it provides you with greater opportunities in the job market!
Required Arabic Language Courses (18 credits)
A total of 33 semester hours is required for a major in Arabic Studies. Students must receive a minimum grade of C in every course required for the major.
- ARABIC 101: Elementary Arabic I (3 credits)
- ARABIC 102: Elementary Arabic II (3 credits)
- ARABIC 203: Intermediate Arabic III (3 credits)
- ARABIC 204: Intermediate Arabic IV (3 credits)
- ARABIC 305: Arabic for Advanced communication 1 (3 credits)
- ARABIC 306: Arabic for Advanced communication 2 (3 credits)
Required Arabic Culture Course: Choose one course (3 credits)
- ARABIC 211: Cultures in the Arabic-speaking World (3 credits)
- ARABIC 212: Euro-Arab Cinema (3 credits)
Required Electives: Choose two courses from either a or b (6 credits)
a. Humanities and Social Sciences:
- HISTORY 145: History of the Muslim World to 1405 (3 credits)
- HISTORY 146: History of the Muslim World since 1405 (3 credits)
- HISTORY 456: History of the Modem Middle East (3 credits)
- HISTORY 457: Early Ottoman Empire (3 credits)
- HISTORY 458: Late Ottoman Empire (3 credits)
- ANTHRO 440: Languages and Culture (3 credits)
- ANTHRO 320: Contemporary World Cultures (3 credits)
- FRENCH 212: France Today (3 credits)
- FRENCH 402: Contemporary Issues in Francophone Media (3 credits)
b. Economics and Political Sciences:
- ECONOMIC 333: Internatl Economics (3 credits)
- ECONOMIC 340: Economics of the Middle East (3 credits)
- ECONOMIC 533: Int Pol & Relations (3 credits)
- POLISCI 376: Government and Politics of the Middle East (3 credits)
- POLISCI 181: Contemporary Issues in World Politics (3 credits)
- POLISCI 280 : Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)
- POLISCI 345: Democratization and Regime Change (3 credits)
Required Common Core (6 credits)
- LANGCULT 200 Comparative Cultural Studies (3 credits)
- LANGCULT 400 Comparative Language Studies (3 credits)
Minor in Arabic Studies: 18 credits
NB: Take the Arabic Language Placement Test (free, does not earn credits) or the ACTFL OPI (fee, earns credits) to verify a starting point other than Arabic 101. If you don't take a placement test, your starting point is Arabic 101. (https://bloomu.edu/testing)
Arabic 101 Elementary Arabic 1
Arabic 102 Elementary Arabic II
Arabic 203 Intermediate Arabic III
Arabic 204 Intermediate Arabic IV
6 additional credits from:
Arabic 211 Cultures in the Arabic speaking world
Arabic 212 Euro-Arab Cinema
Arabic 305 Advanced Communication I
Arabic 306 Advanced Communication II
LangCult 200 Comparative Cultural Studies
LangCult 400 Comparative Language Studies
Other courses counting toward the Major in Arabic Studies also count toward the Minor in Arabic Studies:
History 145, History 146, History 456, History 457, History 458, Anthro 320, Anthro 440, French 212, French 402, Economics 333, Economics 340, Economics 533, PoliSci 181, PoliSci 280, PoliSci 345, PoliSci 376
Program Director
Course Requirements
Chinese Major (33 credits)
Chinese 101 (3crs)
Chinese 102 (3crs)
Chinese 203 (3crs)
Chinese 204 (3crs)
Langcult 200 Comparative Language Studies (offered in English) (3crs)
Langcult 400 Comparative Culture Studies (offered in English) (3crs)
Study Abroad at Beijing Normal University (BNU) and Transfer 15 Credits:
Chinese 490 Comprehensive Chinese (Reading and Writing) (6 BU credits)
Chinese 491 Conversational Chinese (6 BU credits)
Chinese 492 Chinese Listening (3 BU credits)
Chinese Minor (18 credits)
Required: Chinese 101, 102, 203, 204 (12 crs)
Electives: Choose 2 courses (6crs) from the following:
CHINESE 199, 299, 399, 499: Chinese Transfers
ARTHSTRY 346 East Asian Art
CHINESE 211 Foundations of Chinese Culture and Civilization
CHINESE 212 China Today
DIGFOR 311 Security Fundamentals
EGGS 102 World Cultural Geography
HISTORY 359 Twentieth Century China
HISTORY 392 US Diplomatic History from 1898
HISTORY 131 History of Asian Civilizations to 1500
HISTORY 132 History of Asian Civilization since 1500
HISTORY 141 Imperialism and Colonialism in Modern East Asia
LANGCULT 200 Comparative Culture Studies
LANGCULT 400 Comparative Language Studies
MKTG 380 International Marketing
MUSIC 102 World Music
POLISCI 181 Contemporary Issues in World Politics
POLISCI 280 International Relations
POLISCI 310 Government and Politics of China
POLISCI 360 Nations, States, Gov
POLISCI 368 Asian Politics
POLISCI 373 Govt China & India
POLISCI 466 IR in East Asia
French Course Requirements (27 credits)
FRENCH 203: Intermediate French: Cultural History
FRENCH 204: Intermediate French: Francophone Arts & Humanities
(By advisement, students may substitute FRENCH.203 and FRENCH.204 with French electives if they place out of the course on the Language Placement Test).
FRENCH 205: Applied Phonetics and Pronunciation
FRENCH 206: Structure of the French Language
FRENCH 207: Conversation: French Daily Life
FRENCH 401: Advanced French Language
One of the following:
FRENCH 402: Contemporary Issues in Francophone Media
OR FRENCH 423: Black Francophone Writers & Cultures
One of the following:
FRENCH 331: Selected 20th-Century Writers
FRENCH 422: Masterpieces of French Literature
Three Credits by advisement from the following:
FRENCH 290: French Studies Abroad
FRENCH 309: Commercial French
FRENCH 333: French through Film
FRENCH 431: Special Topics
Common Core (Required):
Languages and Cultures 200: Comparative Cultural Studies
Languages and Cultures 400: Comparative Language Studies
Secondary Education in Languages and Cultures additional requirement:
Languages and Cultures 350: Foreign Language Teaching Methodology
Minor in French: 18 credits
NB: Take the French Language Placement Test (free, does not earn credits), the French CLEP test or the French OPI test to verify a starting point other than French 101. If you don't take a placement test, your starting point is French 101.
French 102 French II
French 203 Intermediate French: Cultural History
French 204 Intermediate French: Francophone Arts of Humanities
French 206 Structures of the French Language
6 additional credits in French (see Dr. Cornelius for details)
Note: New students are not being accepted into this program
German Course Requirements (27 credits)
GERMAN 203: German III
GERMAN 204 German IV
GERMAN 206: Conversation and Composition I
GERMAN 207: Conversation and Composition II
GERMAN 390: German Studies Abroad I
GERMAN 490: German Studies Abroad II
Note: Transfer of a minimum of 15 credits from the combined GERMAN 390 and GERMAN 490
Common Core (Required)
Languages and Cultures 200: Comparative Cultural Studies
Languages and Cultures 400: Comparative Language Studies
Secondary Education in Languages and Cultures additional requirement
Languages and Cultures 350: Foreign Language Teaching Methodology
Minor in German: 18 credits
NB: Take the German Language Placement Test (free, does not earn credits), the German CLEP test or the German OPI to verify a starting point other than German 101. If you don't take a placement test, your starting point is German 101. (https://bloomu.edu/testing)
German 102 German II
German 203 German III
German 204 German IV
German 206 Structure of the German Language
6 additional credits in German
Minor in Middle East Studies: 18 credits (6 of which must be at the 300 or 400 level)
Core Requirement: (One of the following four courses - 3 credits)
HISTORY 145 History of the Muslim World to 1405
HISTORY 146 History of the Muslim World since 1405
HISTORY 456 History of the Modern Middle East
POLISCI 376 Government and Politics of the Middle East
Core Electives (15 credits):
(Core requirement courses can also count as a core elective. However, No single course can double-count as a "requirement" and an "elective" at the same time. Students who take more than one of the core courses may use the extra courses towards their elective requirements.)
FRENCH 402 Contemporary Issues in Francophone Media
ARABIC 101 Arabic I
ARABIC 102 Arabic II
ENGLISH 283 Jewish Fictions: An International Perspective
ARTHSTRY 345 Art History of the Near East
ECONOMIC 340 Economics of the Middle East
HISTORY 457 History of the Early Ottoman Empire
HISTORY 458 History of the Late Ottoman Empire
Students may petition to have the following courses count toward the minor based on content:
EGGS 102 World Cultural Geography
POLISCI 181 Contemporary Issues in World Politics
POLISCI 280 Introduction to International Relations
POLISCI 345 Democratization and Regime Change
ANTHRO 102 Anthropology & World Problems
ANTHRO 320 Contemporary World Cultures
ANTHRO 495 Special Topics in Anthropology
Russian and East European Studies Course Requirements (18 credits)
RUSSIAN 101: Russian I
RUSSIAN 102: Russian II
RUSSIAN 203: Intermediate Russian I
RUSSIAN 204: Intermediate Russian II
RUSSIAN 305: Russian for Professional Communication I
RUSSIAN 306: Russian for Professional Communication ll
3 Credits by Advisement from the Following:
RUSSIAN 211: Russian Culture and Civilization
RUSSIAN 212: Russian Film, Literature, and Culture
RUSSIAN 214: East European Film, Literature, and Culture
SIX CREDITS from one of the following groups of concentration courses:
a) Humanities Concentration:
HISTORY 349: Medieval Russia
HISTORY 356: Imperial Russia
HISTORY 452: Soviet Russia
HISTORY 405/505: Jews of Europe
HISTORY 460/461: Topics in European History
RUSSIAN 290: Independent Study
b) Business Concentration:
ECONOMIC 322: Contrasting Economics
ECONOMIC 333: International Economics
ECONOMIC 334: Economic Growth of Underdeveloped Areas
ECONOMIC 531: Current Economic Problems
ECONOMIC 532: Comparative Economic Systems
ECONOMIC 533: International Economic Policies and Relations
BUSED 350: Valuing Diversity in Business
LAW 407: International Legal Environment in Business
c) Social and Political Sciences Concentration:
ANTHRO 320: Contemporary World Cultures
ANTHRO 440: Language and Culture
EDFOUND 406: Multicultural Education
EGGS 102: World Cultural Geography
EGGS 104: World Regional Geography
POLISCI 181: Contemporary Issues in World Politics
POLISCI 280: Introduction to International Relations
POLISCI 487: International Law and Organization
Common Core (Required)
Languages and Cultures 200: Comparative Cultural Studies
Languages and Cultures 400: Comparative Language Studies
Minor in Russian and Eastern European Studies
NB: Take the Russian Language Placement Test or the Russian OPI to verify a starting point other than Russian 101. If you don't take a placement test, your starting point is Russian 101.
Russian 101 Russian I
Russian 102 Russian II
Russian 203 Intermediate Russian I
Russian 204 Intermediate Russian II
3 credits (cultural elective): Russian 211 – Culture & Civilization, Russian 212 – Film, Literature & Culture, Russian 214 – East European Film, Literature & Culture
3 credits (concentration area): History 349, History 356, History 452, History 405/505, History 460/461, Russian 290, Economics 322, Economics 333, Economics 334, Economics 531, Economics 532, Economics 533, BusEd 350, Law 407, Anthro 320, Anthro 440, Edfound 406, EGGS 102, EGGS 104, PoliSci 181, PoliSci 280, PoliSci 487
Spanish Course Requirements (24 credits)
SPANISH 203: Spanish III
SPANISH 204: Spanish IV
(By advisement, students may substitute SPANISH 203 and SPANISH 204 with Spanish electives if they place out of the courses on the Language Placement Test)
SPANISH 206: Structure of the Spanish Language
SPANISH 207: Conversation and Composition I
SPANISH 305: Applied Phonetics & Pronunciation
SPANISH 306: Conversation & Composition II
SPANISH 405: Spain
SPANISH 406: Latin America
3 Credits by Advisement from the following:
SPANISH 208: Spanish for Health Professions
SPANISH 209: Spanish for Social Services
SPANISH 210: Commercial Spanish
SPANISH 211: Spanish Culture & Civilization
SPANISH 212: Spanish American Culture & Civilization
SPANISH 213: U S Hispanic Cultures & Literatures
SPANISH 214: Hispanic Culture & Civilization
SPANISH 221: Spanish Culture through Film
SPANISH 222: Latin American Culture through Film
SPANISH 250: Spanish for Heritage Speakers I
SPANISH 281-9: Special Topics
SPANISH 290: Study Abroad
SPANISH 325: Spanish for Educators
SPANISH 331: Literary Analysis of Hispanic Texts
SPANISH 350: Spanish for Heritage Speakers II
SPANISH 390: Internship in Spanish
SPANISH 403: Advanced Structure & Composition
SPANISH 421: Latin American Literature
SPANISH 422: Hispanic Theater and Poetry
SPANISH 430: Hispanic Short Story
SPANISH 490: Independent Study
Common Core (Required)
Languages and Cultures 200: Comparative Cultural Studies
Languages and Cultures 400: Comparative Language Studies
Secondary Education in Languages and Cultures additional requirement:
LANGCULT 350: Foreign Language Teaching Methodology
Minor in Spanish
NB: Take the Spanish Language Placement Test, the Spanish CLEP test or the Spanish OPI to verify a starting point other than Spanish 101. If you don't take a placement test, your starting point is Spanish 101.
Spanish 102 Spanish II
Spanish 203 Spanish III
Spanish 204 Spanish IV
Spanish 206 Structure of the Spanish Language (required)
6 additional Spanish credits. Any course above Spanish 206 counts.
Acquiring a formal knowledge of speaking and writing in the Spanish language is beneficial to heritage language learners — students who speak another language due to family heritage rather than to have studied the language in school. The Spanish for Heritage Language Learners track focuses on language and cultural related issues that traditional Spanish learners do not experience. Having the Spanish for Heritage Language Learners degree appear on a student’s transcript (usually as a second degree) will testify to the student’s ability to use the Spanish language in formal, professional and academic settings.
See the example course sequence below to see how the Spanish for Heritage Language Learners track can be picked up late and completed without adding extra semesters or summers to your anticipated date of graduation.
Spanish for Heritage Language Learners Requirements
Language core (18 credits):
Spanish 203 Spanish 3 3 cr.
Spanish 204 Spanish 4 3 cr.
Spanish 250 Spanish for Heritage Speakers 1 3 cr.
Spanish 350 Spanish for Heritage Speakers 2 3 cr.
Spanish 405 Spain 3 cr.
Spanish 406 Latin America 3 cr.
Elective core (9 credits):
Spanish 208 Spanish for the Health Professions 3 cr.
Spanish 209 Spanish for Social Services 3 cr.
Spanish 210 Commercial Spanish 3 cr.
Note: One of the Elective Core courses above may be substituted by one of the electives below:
Spanish 212 Spanish American Culture and Civ. 3 cr.
Spanish 213 U.S. Hispanic Cultures and Literatures 3 cr.
Spanish 214 Hispanic Culture and Civilization 3 cr.
Spanish 222 Latin American Culture through Film 3 cr.
Common core:
Languages and Cultures 200 Comparative Cultural Studies 3 cr.
Languages and Cultures 400 Comparative Language Studies 3 cr.
NOTES:
College Level Exam Program (CLEP) credits can substitute Spanish 203 and Spanish 204. However, the CLEP test must be taken before receiving a grade in another Spanish course.
All Electives listed above can substitute Spanish 203 and 204.
Spanish 250 / 350 is a stacked course (mixed levels in one classroom). Students must schedule it twice.
Power of Second Language Proficiency
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and its Lead with Languages campaign say:

Languages and Cultures Contacts
Applying to this Program
Apply
-
Application Process
Review the step-by-step process whether you're a first-year student, transferring to BU, or more.
-
Apply Now
Ready to apply? Great!! Start your online application here.
Explore More
-
Explore Bloomsburg
There's no better way to learn more than to experience Bloomsburg for yourself! Set up a campus tour or connect with us virtually.
-
Connect with Your Admissions Counselor
Applying to college is a big step. You have questions, and we have answers!
-
Financial Aid Guide
Our Financial Aid team is your guide to navigating the aid process here at BU.