The World Languages and Cultures curriculum is designed to increase a student’s proficiency in another language by developing four skill areas: aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. The knowledge of another language and culture is a cornerstone of a liberal education and is a key to interacting in a complex and multicultural world. The department offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced language instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. Classes are conducted in the target languages. There is a language laboratory and an Oral Proficiency Class to supplement classroom instruction. Advanced courses in linguistics, literature, history, and culture are offered in French, German, Italian, and Spanish. The department offers a major in Spanish, as well as self-designed majors in the other languages and minors in Arabic, Chinese, French, German Studies, Italian Studies, Japanese, Russian Studies, Spanish, and Linguistics.

The department offers Intensive Courses in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. ARA, CHI, JPN, and RUS 151 are offered in the fall and cover the material/skills from the former 101-102 courses. ARA, CHI, JPN, and RUS152 are offered in the spring and cover the material/skills from the former 103-201 courses. ARA, CHI, JPN, and RUS 251 are offered in the fall and cover the material/skills from the former 202-301 courses. Each of these courses meets four days a week for 80 minutes each class day, plus an Oral Proficiency Class (50 minutes). Each of these courses carries two (2) course units of academic credit.

The Spanish major provides intensive study of the literature, language, and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. The Spanish major can be successfully combined with a major or minor in another discipline such as business, English, history, international studies, political science, or psychology in preparation for graduate and professional studies. The department offers different tracks within the Spanish major:

Spanish: Liberal Arts

Spanish: Early Childhood Education

Spanish: Elementary Education

Spanish: Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing