World Languages and Cultures

World Languages and Cultures
Academic Bulletin

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

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

Discontinued Program: French Major (last in 2023-2024 Bulletin), Chinese Minor (last in 2021-2022)

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

• Students who have previous experience in a language that we teach 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:
• 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.

Questions may be directed to Wilfredo Hernandez, Chair of World Languages and Cultures (whernandez@allegheny.edu, Ruter 102, 814-332-2319) or to the Section Heads for each language.

• Arabic: Reem Hilal (rhilal@allegheny.edu, Ruter 105, 814-332-3310)
• French: Marie Dufay-Verbie (mdufayverbie@allegheny.edu, Ruter 202) or Briana Lewis (blewis@allegheny.edu, Ruter 102, 814-332-2322)
• German: Aaron Carpenter (acarpenter@allegheny.edu, Ruter 304) or 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 Major available in World Languages and Cultures is Spanish

• Major Advisor: Students may ask any World Languages and Cultures (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 – 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 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

ASL Sequence (no minor available, but internship opportunities may be available on request)

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:

**FRNCH 105 & 106 are 2-credit options for beginners in French. Students with no prior knowledge of French may take 105 as a low-risk way to “try it out,” and if they want to finish the semester, they can register for 106 before the Module B Add deadline. Students who have had a bit of French may see “110 or 106” as their placement result; these students can begin French at mid-semester by registering for 106.

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: