Mar 28, 2024  
2018-19 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-19 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Modern Languages and Cultures


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Faculty

Associate Professor: Dr. Jojo Lucena (Chair)

Assistant Professors: Dr. Kate Bonin, Dr. Giorgio Galbussera, Dr. Aroline Seibert Hanson

Instructor: Ms. Gabriela Segal 

Adjunct Professors: Aura de Baki, Elisa Clewis, Melanie R. Drolsbaugh, Dr. Stella Gevorgyan-Ninness, Mari Hayashi, Lidia Hurtado, Dr. Pilar L. Maravi, Sophie Rivara,

Study Abroad Opportunities

The Department of Modern Languages has a unique and vital role to play in preparing students to study abroad. The ability to speak the language and to appreciate the cultural life of another nation greatly enhances the experience. The Department actively encourages all students to plan to study abroad as part of their academic programs.

Academic year, semester and summer programs are available. Most language majors take advantage of study abroad to enhance their command of language and culture.

Students who plan to study abroad generally do so their junior year, after completing the Undergraduate Curriculum requirements and acquiring basic knowledge of the foreign language they are studying. Students can stay for one or two semesters and take courses for their major. Any course at the 201 level or higher completed abroad in the local language counts toward a major or minor, provided it is not a repetition of a course taken in Glenside. Locations for study include Granada, Mallorca Barcelona, Chile, and Cuba for Spanish; Rome, Florence, and Perugia for Italian and Paris for French.

In addition to language courses, students can select courses from literature, culture, cinema, history, political science, economics, philosophy and other disciplines. Study in other countries also can be arranged. Visit the Arcadia University website for more information.

Since it is important that students plan ahead for study abroad, they should consult with their advisers as soon as possible and make their intentions known to the Department Chair and the the Office of Study Away ((215) 572-8514), which is located on the first floor of Taylor Hall.

About the Program

  • Preparation for graduate study
  • Preparation for teaching
  • Preparation for careers in business, media & communication, social services, healthcare, education or government
  • Minors in Spanish, French, Italian, German and Linguistics
  • Courses in American Sign Language, Japanese and Russian
  • Internships in the Hispanic community in Philadelphia
  • Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities around the world

Objectives

Proficiency in a language in addition to English is an increasingly important tool for a career in business, communications, social services, healthcare, education or government.

Modern Languages and Cultures programs focus on the study of language, culture, literature and film within each international language group. Students who pursue a major in Spanish, Italian or French can take advantage of a wide range of courses in the language, culture and literature of Spain, Latin America, Italy, and France, and Francophone countries respectively.

Modern Languages and Cultures programs include a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Spanish Cultural Studies, Italian Cultural Studies, French and Francophone Studies, and minors in Spanish, French, Italian, German and Linguistics. Also available are courses at the beginning level in American Sign Language and Russian.  Intermediate courses are offered in Japanese. Modern Language courses emphasize both language proficiency and cultural understanding. Fluency and accuracy of language are the basis for effective communication. At the same time, students can begin to relate to the cultural aspects of the language they are studying through authentic written materials. Classes are taught in the target language, and small-group activities involve students in active learning.

Critical thinking is encouraged from beginning courses through advanced courses in literature, culture, cinema, history, political science, economics, philosophy and other disciplines. Students who intend to continue a language studied previously (in high school or elsewhere) take a placement test and enroll in the course designated by the Department. The completion of the 101-201 level sequence (or its equivalent) is required for all courses above 201.

The Department supports chapters of Sigma Delta Pi, the national Spanish honor society, and Pi Delta Phi, the national French honor society and Gamma Kappa Alpha, the national Italian honor society. Students of Spanish, French, and Italian are involved in the multicultural community at Arcadia University in many ways.

Programs

    MajorMinor

    Courses

      American Sign LanguageFrenchGermanItalianJapaneseLinguisticsModern LanguagesRussianSpanish

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