Academic Catalog and Handbooks

2025-2026 Edition

Global Language and Cultures Minor

Overview of Global Languages and Cultures minor

We designed this minor to be flexible not only for students but also for staffing purposes, working with our existing resources and faculty expertise. We anticipate many creative combinations of classes that can deliver on the GLC minor’s learning goals and outcomes.

The Global Languages and Cultures minor has no fixed path to its completion and no single class that is required (for example, there is no “Intro to Global Languages and Cultures” nor is there a similar requirement). This will cater to the specific interests, as well as scheduling needs, of each student. Language classes at the 211-level (FREN 211, GERM 211, JAPN 211, LATN 211, HISP 211) serve as the common language classes where students reach proficiency in our language-specific learning outcomes.


Language

The 16 credits of language can be fulfilled in multiple ways, but at least 4 of those credits must be at the intermediate level (200-level) or above, ensuring that Global Language Proficiency is also fulfilled and that we may assess our first learning goal for students to “engage in a multilingual world.” There are multiple paths to achieving the language credits:

  • 16 credits in one language concentration
  • 16 credits in multiple languages (such as 3 classes in French and 1 class in
  • German)
  • 12 credits in language study + one linguistics course or ESL course
  • Students taking ESL/EBS courses may apply those credits towards the
  • language credits of the GLC minor, which supports international students
  • with additional interest in language study.

At first glance, it may appear that a student wishing to achieve 16 credits in one language would be in a bind, given that our language offerings in French, German, Japanese, and La􀆟n will be limited to 111, 112, and 211, thus only 12 credits. However, there are multiple ways to resolve this:

  • The final 4 credits can be taken while studying abroad (as is frequently the case with students taking French, German, and Japanese).
  • Two 2-credit ILPs (or similarly structured 2-credit courses), either attached to existing courses (such as language-focused reading group that meets once per week outside of a Japanese/French/German film course) or as stand-alone, could easily cover those last 4 credits.
  • Reminder: students short on language credits in one language can always enrich their studies by adding a second language, and we hope that the GLC minor will indeed encourage such exploration


Global

The 8 credits of global electives courses (with at least 4 credits at the 300-level) must be in courses approved by the Languages and Cultures Department to ensure the meeting of learning outcomes, but in order to encourage broad engagement across our campuses, we will invite many faculty members to participate if they believe their courses will teach to our learning outcomes.

Mission Statement

The Global Languages and Cultures minor enables students to become engaged global citizens through the development of core linguistic and cultural skills. The study of both modern and classical languages broadens our students’ ability to actively communicate and negotiate meaning in multilingual contexts. Engaging in intercultural exchange on campus and abroad gives our students the tools to understand diverse worldviews and develop solutions that benefit multicultural communities. This intercultural agility promotes success in a wide array of careers, including education, medicine, law, public office and policy, business leadership, arts management, and many other creative fields.