2014-2015

Modern Languages, Bachelor of Arts

Department of Global Languages and Cultures

College of Arts and Letters

This degree provides proficiencies in the student’s choice of French, German or Spanish. A study-abroad requirement ensures grounding and experience among native speakers.

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • French Global Sciences and Engineering - Emphasis
  • French - Emphasis
  • German Global Science and Engineering - Emphasis
  • German - Emphasis
  • Spanish Global Science and Engineering - Emphasis

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 38 units of major requirements including 23 units of emphasis requirements

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • For this major the liberal studies prefixes include FRE, GER or SPA depending on the prefix of your emphasis

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA 2.0
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Foreign Language Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Study Abroad Required
University Honors Program Optional
Progression Plan Link Not Available
Student Learning Outcomes

Emphasis in French

  • Orally express ideas in French through meaningful discussion of concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). Students can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non- natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • When listening to others, be able to identify and use main ideas and details from the conversation, including description and narration in different time frames or aspects, about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation, to communicate meaningfully with others. (Listening skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from authentic, connected, longer, written texts involving description and narration in different formats about a variety of topics for communicative purposes. (Reading skills)
  • Create with language to express meanings in written form about familiar topics using the major time frames with some control of aspect. (Writing skills)
  • Think critically and analytically in response to socio-cultural, historical, and linguistic issues and/or classic and contemporary literary texts related to the French-speaking world. (Critical thinking and analytical skills)
  • Understand the cultural, political and artistic diversity of perspectives, practices and products of the French populations of France, Africa and the Americas including how racial and ethnic diversity relates to those perspectives, practices and products. (Globalization - Diversity)
  • Recognize, investigate, and produce French written and oral discourse communicating findings about historical and contemporary issues important to life in French-speaking countries and the United States.
  • Explore how historical, political, religious and economic forces have shaped the current world system with its power inequalities and efforts to address them with a focus on the French-speaking world. (Globalization – Global Engagement)
  • Analyze the structure and use of the language at the sound, word, and sentence level.
  • Explore and analyze the role of human interactions with the environment and its relation to the root causes of many global problems focusing on those occurring in the French-speaking world. (Globalization - Environmental Sustainability)
  • Summarize different linguistic features observed in different dialects in terms of historical change, geographical location and social variables.
 Emphasis in German
  • Orally express ideas in German through meaningful discussion of concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). Students can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non- natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • When listening to others, be able to identify and use main ideas and details from the conversation, including description and narration in different time frames or aspects, about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation, to communicate meaningfully with others. (Listening skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from authentic, connected, longer, written texts involving description and narration in different formats about a variety of topics for communicative purposes. (Reading skills)
  • Create with language to express meanings in written form about familiar topics using the major time frames with some control of aspect. (Writing skills)
  • Think critically and analytically in response to socio-cultural, historical, and linguistic issues and/or classic and contemporary literary texts related to the German-speaking world. (Critical thinking and analytical skills)
  • Understand the cultural, political and artistic diversity of perspectives, practices and products of Germany including how racial and ethnic diversity relates to those perspectives, practices and products. (Globalization - Diversity)
  • Recognize, investigate, and produce German written and oral discourse communicating findings about historical and contemporary issues important to life in German-speaking countries and the United States.
  • Explore how historical, political, religious and economic forces have shaped the current world system with its power inequalities and efforts to address them with a focus on the German-speaking world. (Globalization – Global Engagement)
  • Analyze the structure and use of the language at the sound, word, and sentence level.
  • Explore and analyze the role of human interactions with the environment and its relation to the root causes of many global problems focusing on those occurring in the German-speaking world. (Globalization - Environmental Sustainability)
  • Summarize different linguistic features observed in different dialects in terms of historical change, geographical location and social variables.

Major Requirements

  • Be aware you must complete at least 9 units at the 400-level of your emphasis prefix (FRE, GER, or SPA) in your core and/or emphasis. 

  • You may only complete a Global Science and Engineering Emphasis if you are concurrently enrolled in an eligible degree offered through the College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences. For a listing of eligible degrees, please contact an advisor in the College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences.

  • Take the following 38 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each letter graded course and with a passing grade in pass-fail courses.

    Core Requirements (15 units)

    Select 9 units from: 
    If not completing the Global Science and Engineering Program (GSEP), you must take a minimum of 9 study abroad units from (FRE 323, GER 323, or SPA 323), or (FRE 423, GER 423, or SPA 423). If completing the GSEP, you must take 12 fieldwork experience units from (FRE 408, GER 408, or SPA 408) in the form of an internship abroad as determined by your major advisor.

    Emphasis Requirements (Select One):

    • French Emphasis (23 units)

      Some courses may be fulfilled by CLEP or by challenge exam.

      You may not count FRE 101 and FRE 102 toward your major requirements.

      In addition, you may only take lower-level FRE courses if you have not already taken advanced FRE coursework. For instance, after you've completed 200-level FRE courses, you can't take FRE courses at the 100 level; after completing 300-level courses, you can't take 100 or 200-level courses.

      In addition, it is recommended that you pass the Test de Connaissance du Français. This proficiency verification can be invaluable in your post baccalaureate endeavors. See your advisor for details.

      Be aware that you must complete at least 9 units at the 400 level of your emphasis prefix (FRE, GER, SPA) in your core and/or emphasis.

    • German Emphasis (23 units)

      Some courses may be fulfilled by CLEP or by challenge exam.

      You may not count GER 101 and GER 102 toward your major requirements.

      In addition, you may only take lower-level GER courses if you have not already taken advanced GER coursework. For instance, after you've completed 200-level GER courses, you can't take GER courses at the 100 level; after completing a 300-level courses you can't take 100- or 200-level courses.

      In addition, it recommended that you pass the Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache exam with a score of "Gut" or better before completing your undergraduate degree. This proficiency verification can be invaluable in your post baccalaureate endeavors. See your advisor for details.

      Be aware that you must complete at least 9 units at the 400 level of your emphasis prefix (FRE, GER, SPA) in your core and/or emphasis.

    • French Global Sciences and Engineering Emphasis (23 units)

      Some courses maybe fulfilled by CLEP or by challenge exam.

      You may not count FRE 101 and FRE 102 toward your major requirements.

      In addition, you may only take lower-level FRE courses if you have not already taken advanced FRE coursework. For instance, after you've completed 200-level FRE courses, you can't take FRE courses at the 100-level; after completing 300-level courses, you can't take 100 or 200-level courses. 

      In your senior year, you must take the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages Advanced-Low Level Check. See your advisor for details.

      Be aware that you must complete at least 9 units at the 400-level of your emphasis prefix (FRE, GER or SPA) in your core and/or emphasis.

    • German Global Sciences and Engineering Emphasis (23 units)

      Some courses maybe fulfilled by CLEP or by challenge exam.

      You may not count GER 101 and GER 102 toward your major requirements.

      In addition, you may only take lower-level GER courses if you have not already taken advanced GER coursework. For instance, after you've completed 200-level GER courses, you can't take GER courses at the 100-level; after completing 300-level courses, you can't take 100 or 200-level courses. 

      In your senior year, you must take the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages Advanced-Low Level Check. See your advisor for details.

      Be aware that you must complete at least 9 units at the 400-level of your emphasis prefix (FRE, GER or SPA) in your core and/or emphasis.

    • Spanish Global Sciences and Engineering Emphasis (23 units)

      Some courses maybe fulfilled by CLEP or by challenge exam.

      You may not count SPA 101 and SPA 102 toward your major requirements.

      In addition, you may only take lower-level SPA courses if you have not already taken advanced SPA coursework. For instance, after you've completed 200-level SPA courses, you can't take SPA courses at the 100-level; after completing 300-level courses, you can't take 100 or 200-level courses. 

      In your senior year, you must take the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages Advanced-Low Level Check. See your advisor for details.

      Be aware that you must complete at least 9 units at the 400-level of your emphasis prefix (FRE, GER or SPA) in your core and/or emphasis.

Minor Requirements

  • A minor is not required for the Modern Languages B.A. However, if you do not have a second major, we strongly encourage you to consult with an advisor about a minor and/or elective coursework that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs.

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.