Bachelor of Arts in Languages

With a strong emphasis on effective communication, critical thinking, and intercultural fluency, the Bachelor of Arts in Languages prepares students for a range of academic, professional, and global careers, such as postgraduate study in language and culture as well as careers in translation, interpretation, teaching, international business, non-profit sector, diplomacy, intelligence, tourism and hospitality, media, advertising, marketing, event management, information technology, public relations, and healthcare.
 

Admission Requirements

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
  • Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
  • All language majors are required to take the Languages Exit Exam, consisting of both oral and written components, during their final semester prior to graduation. There is no minimum score required for graduation as the Languages Exit Exam serves purely programmatic needs. Please contact your faculty advisor to schedule the exam. 
  • Students may not earn a major and a minor in the same language.
  • Complete the following major requirements.
Choose one of the following languages:
German
Complete the following six courses:
Elementary German I
Elementary German II
Intermediate German I
Intermediate German II
Advanced German I
Advanced German II
Complete 6 credits from the following:
Selected Topics: Literary Trends and Traditions
Topics in Literatures and Cultures of the German-Speaking Countries
Complete 6 additional credits from the following:
Selected Topics: Literary Trends and Traditions
Topics in Literatures and Cultures of the German-Speaking Countries
Selected Topics in Crosscultural Explorations and Perspectives
Internship in Languages
Japanese
Complete the following six courses:
Elementary Japanese I
Elementary Japanese II
Intermediate Japanese I
Intermediate Japanese II
Advanced Japanese I
Advanced Japanese II
Complete 6 credits from the following:
Selected Topics: Studies in Japanese Culture and Society
Selected Topics: English-Language Studies in Japanese Culture and Society
Selected Topics: Studies in Japanese Literature and Culture
Complete 6 additional credits from the following:
Selected Topics: Studies in Japanese Culture and Society
Selected Topics: English-Language Studies in Japanese Culture and Society
Selected Topics: Studies in Japanese Literature and Culture
Selected Topics in Crosscultural Explorations and Perspectives
Internship in Languages
Spanish
Complete the following six courses:
Elementary Spanish I
Elementary Spanish II
Intermediate Spanish I
Intermediate Spanish II
Advanced Spanish I
Advanced Spanish II
Complete 6 credits from the following:
Selected Topics: Literary Trends and Traditions
Studies in Contemporary Hispanic Cultures
Selected Topics: Studies in Hispanic Literature and Culture
Complete 6 additional credits from the following:
Selected Topics: Literary Trends and Traditions
Studies in Contemporary Hispanic Cultures
Selected Topics: Studies in Hispanic Literature and Culture
Selected Topics in Crosscultural Explorations and Perspectives
Internship in Languages
Complete the following capstone:
LANG A490Selected Topics in Societies and Cultures through the Lens of World Literatures3

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, 39 of which must be upper-division.

Honors in Languages

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Languages recognizes distinguished achievement by conferring programmatic honors in languages. In order to receive honors in languages, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a declared languages major;
  • Satisfy all requirements for a BA in Languages;
  • Meet the requirements for Graduation with Honors as outlined in the catalog;
  • Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.80;
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.90 in courses taken in the primary language option beyond A302.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Languages will be able to:

  • Communicate effectively in both spoken and written forms, as per the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Guidelines, in the emphasis language.
  • Demonstrate close reading and critical analysis of authentic texts in the emphasis languages.
  • Articulate knowledge of cross-cultural similarities and differences, appropriately communicating this knowledge within a given context in the emphasis language.

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

  • Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.

  • GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.

  • Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.

  • Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.

  • Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.

  • Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
WRTG A111 Writing Across Contexts 3
GER Oral Communication Skills 3
GER Quantitative Skills 3
GER Social Sciences 3
Program: Primary Language A101 4
 Credits16
Spring
WRTG A211 Writing and the Humanities 3
GER Fine Arts 3
GER Natural Sciences Lecture 3
GER Social Sciences 3
Program: Primary Language A102 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
GER Alaska Native-Themed 3
GER Natural Sciences Lecture 3
GER Natural Sciences Lab 1
Elective 3
Program: Primary Language A201 3
 Credits13
Spring
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Program: Primary Language A202 3
Upper Division Elective 3
 Credits15
Third Year
Fall
Elective 3
Elective 3
Program: Primary Language A301 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective 1 3
 Credits15
Spring
Elective 3
Elective 3
Program: Primary Language A302 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall
Elective 3
Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective 1 3
Upper Division Program Elective (Program Primary Language) 1 3
 Credits15
Spring
LANG A490 Selected Topics in Societies and Cultures through the Lens of World Literatures 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective (Program Primary Language) 1 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
1

Listed under the program primary language