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LANGUAGES, CULTURES, AND LINGUISTICS

Marston Hall
206-281-2036

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There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.  — 1 Corinthians 14:10–12

The Department of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics seeks to help students:

• Understand and appreciate the rich diversity of world languages and cultures, both ancient and modern.
• Be a blessing as a stranger in another land and be hospitable to strangers in one’s own land.
• Reach stated levels of language proficiency, as defined by national standards.

High School Preparation
Three years or more of language study in high school are strongly recommended for all students entering one of the degree programs in Languages, Cultures, and Linguistics.

It is also recommended that students take advantage of intercultural opportunities including travel for study or . Highly capable students are encouraged to take advanced-placement courses and exams if possible.

Placement Test
All students entering SPU having studied a foreign language are required to take the . This exam is for placement purposes only and cannot be used to satisfy the proficiency requirement.

Majors
There are four departmental degree programs:

• Classics
• European Studies, with specializations in French, German, Latin, Russian, Spanish, Linguistics, and a general Europe Track
• Latin American Studies/Spanish
• Linguistics and Cultural Studies

All programs emphasize the relationship between culture and language. The European Studies majors, the Latin American Studies/Spanish major and the Linguistics and Cultural Studies major require participation in an overseas travel/study program, typically in an area where the language of specialization is spoken.

Before graduation, all students majoring in programs involving spoken languages, including those majoring in Linguistics and Cultural Studies, must take a standardized exam, such as the ACTFL oral proficiency exam, in the language(s) studied. Students in these majors also must write a senior paper and present it in The Symposium (formerly called the European Studies Symposium).

Admission to the Majors or Minors

Applicants for a major or minor within the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Linguistics must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in all college work applicable to the B.A. degree and a 2.5 GPA in coursework at SPU in foreign languages and literatures, linguistics, and/or European or Latin American Studies, after completing at least 10 credits in the department. A student must complete the major or minor requirements in effect when the student is admitted to the major or minor.

Classics (Student-designed)
Classics major

European Studies
The European Studies major offers students a B.A. degree with the choice of one of five language programs: French, German, Latin, Russian, and Spanish; of a general-studies program titled Europe; or a program in Linguistics.

All programs focus on the language, culture, and literature of Europeans and former European colonies.

Graduates in European Studies follow careers in business, missions, travel, government, and education, among other fields. Students must complete all non-credited and language proficiency requirements found on the European Studies: Europe page.

All European Studies majors must complete satisfactorily the following major requirements:

• 19 credits in European Studies courses (base courses).
• 40 credits in one of the seven programs listed above; 25 of these credits must be upper-division; for the language programs a minimum of 18 upper-division credits must be in courses taught in the language.
• One quarter of study in Europe with the SPU European Quarter, or an approved alternative.
• Proficiency in a second European language (other than English) equivalent to one year of college-level language study.

Latin American Studies/Spanish
Latin American Studies major

Linguistics and Cultural Studies

Linguistics and Cultural Studies major

Minors
The minimum requirement for minors within the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Linguistics is 33 credits (30 in the case of Linguistics and Cultural Studies), of which a minimum of 15 must be upper-division. Students will take a minimum of two courses from the base requirements of the corresponding major.

For spoken languages, a minimum of 7 upper-division credits must be in courses taught in that language. Students should work closely with their faculty advisors to choose appropriate courses. A student must complete the minor requirements in effect at the time the student is admitted to the minor.

Travel/Study Programs

Santiago, Chile. An intensive, three-week, 5-credit study abroad/missions trip hosted at the Fuente de Vida church in Santiago, Chile. Students participate in the ongoing ministry activities of the church, and homestay with local families. The program involves three hours of academic study of Spanish in the morning, three hours of one-on-one Spanish conversation practice with a Chilean native in the afternoon, followed by outreach and ministry-related activities in the evening.

Europe

European Quarter is held Spring Quarter of odd-numbered years. Sites vary, depending on faculty leadership, but participants meet the expectations of a quarter’s study in Europe both academically, earning a minimum of 12 credits, and culturally, through in-depth contact with the language/culture connection.

Paris, France
The Paris Study program offers students the opportunity to earn 10 credits while immersing themselves in French language and culture. Intensive French courses focus on oral proficiency in common, everyday situations encountered in Paris.

The program includes the study of European civilization using the museums, theaters, and historic sights of the city as our classroom. Students also participate in a weekend excursion outside of Paris.

More information about these programs, and about overseas programs sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) can be found at or at .

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