World Languages and Cultures

World Languages and Cultures
Academic Bulletin

Area of Study: Languages, Literature, and Culture
Programs:

• Arabic: Minor
• French: Major and Minor
• German: Minor
• Spanish: Major and Minor

Discontinued Program: Chinese Minor (last in 2021-2022 Bulletin)

When advising a student interested in World Languages and Cultures, please note:

• Students who have previous experience in a language that they would like to continue at Allegheny must take the placement test and may consult with members of the department for help interpreting their results. They will begin our program in the course indicated by that progress; the paths through the programs that we lay out below will vary based on this and other factors.
• When a student is interested in continuing a language or beginning the study of a new one, the study should begin as early as possible in the student’s college career.
• Students intending to major in International Studies or Global Health Studies should enroll in language study in the first year.
• Students learning a second language are encouraged to study abroad.
• Students pursuing a major should plan to take at least one course in the major each semester in the first two years, and two in the second two years.

In addition to the majors and minors described in detail below, WLC offers courses in

• American Sign Language: WLC 100 and 200. Contact the department for more information about these courses, which are generally not suitable for first-year students.
• Latin: See the Classical Studies Minor listed in the “Interdivisional Minor Program” section.
• English for Speakers of Other Languages: Listed under “WLC” rubric. These courses offer additional support for bilingual students or students for whom English is not their first language.
• Chinese: The Chinese minor was canceled in the staffing reductions in 2021-22. 2022 and later matriculants will not have the Chinese minor as an option. Chinese courses will continue to be offered through Fall 2024, but are intended for earlier matriculants (2021 and before) who are completing the minor; new students who express an interest in these courses should be directed to the Chair of World Languages and Cultures.

Questions may be directed to Briana Lewis, Chair of World Languages and Cultures (blewis@allegheny.edu, Ruter 102, 814-332-2322) or to the Section Heads for each language.

• Arabic: Reem Hilal (rhilal@allegheny.edu, Ruter 105, 814-332-3310)
• French: Briana Lewis (blewis@allegheny.edu, Ruter 102, 814-332-2322)
• German: Julia Ludewig (jludewig@allegheny.edu, Ruter 206, 814-332-2327)
• Latin: Judson Herrman (jherrman@allegheny.edu, Arter 202A, 814-332-4303)
• Spanish: Barbara Riess (briess@allegheny.edu, Ruter 107, 814-332-2323)

The Majors available in World Languages and Cultures are French and Spanish

• Major Advisor: Students may ask any World Languages and Cultures (French or Spanish) faculty member.
• Junior Seminar: Students should plan to take their Junior Seminar in their Senior Year Fall semester (for most students, this is when they have reached the necessary level. Some may be able to take it sooner.). There is generally only one section per semester.
• Senior Comp: A 2 Semester Comp Fall and Spring is required. For enrollment reasons, the Junior/Senior seminar is sometiems “stacked” with the 300-level course given in the same semester – this is almost always the case in French, and has occasionally happened in Spanish. In that situation, students cannot register for both the seminar and the 300-level course, so should plan their path through the major accordingly.

Here is an example schedule for French Majors placing in French 110/105/106:

 **Advising notes for French 105/106

• French 105 and 106 are Module A/B courses “stacked” with French 110, to allow students to take only the first or second half of this introductory course.
• Students who place into 110/105 and who are interested in a French major or minor (i.e., who are relatively certain to continue to 120) should be encouraged to enroll in the full-semester French 110 course, NOT French 105.
• French 105 (Module A, 2 credits) should be reserved for those who want a 2-credit course only, or who are uncertain about the full-semester course.
• Students who place into 110/106 theoretically have enough experience in French to skip the first half of 110; they may choose French 110 or begin at mid-semester by enrolling in French 106 (Module B, 2 credits). These students should be aware that the material in the first half of French 110 may be familiar, but they should not be forbidden or discouraged from taking the full-semester course if they prefer to. 

Here is an example schedule for French Majors placing in French 215:

Here is an example schedule for Spanish Majors placing in Spanish 110:

Here is an example schedule for Spanish Majors placing in Spanish 215:

Minors in World Languages and Cult:

Arabic: The Minor requires completing a total of 24 semester hours of coursework, including 16 semester hours of coursework in the Arabic language, one 100-level culture course taught in English, and one course at the 300 level. See also the Middle East and North Africa Studies Minor in the “Interdivisional Minor Program” section.

Here is an example schedule for a student who minors in Arabic beginning in Arabic 110

French Minor Requirements: A minor in French requires completion of 20 semester credit hours in French, including FRNCH 305 and one other course numbered above 300. Students who test into the program at a higher level must complete 20 credits at the appropriate level for them.

Here is an example schedule for a student who minors in French beginning in French 110:

German Minor Requirements: A minor in German requires completion of 20 semester credit hours in German, including at least eight credit hours on the 300-level. Students who test into the program at a higher level must complete 20 credits at the appropriate level for them. 

Here is an example for a student who minors in German beginning in German 110:

Spanish Minor Requirements: A minor in Spanish requires the completion of a minimum 20 semester credit hours in Spanish, including Spanish 220, 230, and 225 and one course at the 300-level. Students who test into the program at a higher level must complete 20 credits at the appropriate level for them. If student places above this level have them contact the Spanish Section head to chart out their minor. See also the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Minor listed in the “Interdivisional Minor Program” section.

Here is an example schedule for a student who minors in Spanish beginning in Spanish 110: