Sept. 1, 2013 — AOS Guidelines: Cultural Studies

Studies in world languages (eg., Spanish, German, French, Italian, Chinese, etc.) aim to foster cross-national and cross-cultural understanding and to facilitate the development of skills associated with language acquisition, such as speaking, writing, reading and listening. These skills are particularly important in the 21st century, when local and world cultures are increasingly intertwined. Indeed, linguistic and cultural competency opens numerous opportunities to experience and contribute to globalization and enhances learners’ professional and personal growth. Employment opportunities for graduates with language concentrations include teaching, sales, market research, international law, public relations, state and federal service, foreign service, the airlines, travel agencies and businesses.

Framework: Disciplinary

Concentrations in languages generally demonstrate knowledge of and lead to:

• The effective use of language in the exploration of different cultures, including one’s own, and for the purposes of written and oral communication.
• Skills in using resources of the target language (or knowing how to discover cultural information, etc.).
• An enhancement of an inquiring and open-minded attitude when faced with otherness.

In their studies of world languages, students might want to focus on literature or language.

A. If the focus is in literature, students’ programs should highlight knowledge of the representative literary works in the target language, studied in their literary, cultural and political contexts. Students should demonstrate advanced-level knowledge of a particular language, advanced-level knowledge of literature taught in the target language and advanced-level knowledge of civilization or history that focuses on the region where the targeted language is spoken.
B. If the focus is in language, students’ programs should demonstrate knowledge of the structure of the target language in the context of linguistic theory. Students should demonstrate advanced-level language skills, advanced-level linguistics skills in the target language and advanced-level knowledge of the civilization or history that focuses on the region where the targeted language is spoken.

The program in world languages, literatures and cultures does not award teacher certification.