Undergraduate

Bachelor of Arts in Language

At Roger Williams University, we offer degrees in five modern languages (French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish). In addition to Modern Language Studies, RWU offers programs of study in Latin-American Studies and Classical Studie, as well as minors in 11 languages. Courses are taught in the University's Global Heritage Hall and Language majors are usually found in the Robert F. Stoico /FIRSTFED Charitable Foundation World Languages Center, our state-of-the-art interactive language lab.

All Foreign Language courses are taught from the beginning in the specific language, and prepare students for study at universities in foreign countries. At RWU, we make a distinction between learning languages for professions and learning languages for the humanities. You will be given the opportunity to take proficiency tests offered by the foreign countries.

Students are assigned the appropriate course based upon placement testing and previous language study. In addition to classroom activities, students at all levels are also expected to utilize the Language Lab for further training. It is the expectation of the Department that all students who complete the program will use their language proficiency in their future careers or in graduate study.

Degree Requirements

Majors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in a language must satisfy the University general education requirements and the College speech requirement, COMM 210. Specific requirements of the language programs are outlined below. In addition, majors must complete sufficient electives to total 120 credits. Majors are encouraged to apply electives taken outside the major toward a minor or a second major.

The three programs of study offered by the department are: Modern Language Studies, Latin-American Studies and Classical Studies.

The Modern Language Studies major consists of at least 18 credits in the selected language, with 12 of those credits at the 300 level (or above) and two major electives to be chosen from a specified list of alternatives. In addition, students are required to pass a comprehensive examination during their final year and to complete a senior thesis related to their course of study.

The Latin-American Studies major consists of the same requirements as the Modern Language Studies major with the following changes:

• Students must choose either Spanish or Portuguese for the four 300 level course requirements
• Students must complete at least one 300 level course in both Spanish and Portuguese
• Both major electives must be related to Latin-American studie.
• The Classics Concentration consists of the same requirements as the Modern Language Studies major with the following changes:
  • Students must complete four courses at the 300 level (or above) in Latin
  • Students must complete at least one 300 level course (or equivalent) in German, French, or Italian
  • Both major electives must be related to classical studie.
  • Students must complete two of the following courses: PHIL 251, AAH 121, any ancient history course, or any classical mythology course

The Language/Secondary Education Dual Major

Majors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in a language must satisfy the University general education requirements, all Secondary Education requirements, the following Language requirements and a sufficient number of electives to total 120 credits.

• The Language and Secondary Education Dual Major requires the completion of 30 credits of Language offerings
• 12 credits must be completed in the target language at the 300-level or higher
• Two Survey in Literature courses (338-339) must be completed in the target language
• Students must complete LANG 430: Senior Thesis and satisfactorily complete a written and oral exit exam
• 6 credits may be satisfied with elective courses (in translation) related to the target language, provided those credits are approved by the Department. For Modern Language Majors, the Senior Thesis will count as one of these two courses in translation, if the Senior Thesis not completed in the target language
• Students must complete at least one course in linguistics. This linguistic course will count as one of the two elective courses (in translation) if it is not delivered in the target language