2024-2025

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 Interdisciplinary Global Program - Emphasis
  • French and Francophone Studies - Emphasis
  • German Interdisciplinary Global Program - Emphasis
  • German - Emphasis
  • Japanese Interdisciplinary Global Program - Emphasis
  • Japanese - Emphasis
  • Spanish Interdisciplinary Global Program - 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:

  • 40 - 41 units of major requirements including 22 - 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, JPN, or SPA depending on the prefix of your emphasis.

  • Fieldwork is required for some emphasis areas.

  • 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
Study Abroad Required
University Honors Program Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan
Emphasis Required

An emphasis is required for this major.

Purpose Statement

The Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages provides students with a socio-cultural and historical background as well as linguistic abilities to engage with French, German, Japanese, and Spanish speaking populations from around the world in a variety of social and cultural contexts. Through linguistic, literary and cultural approaches to the study of the French, German, Japanese, and Spanish language, our students develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills that allow them to understand and interact effectively with diverse cultures. Throughout this process the students develop cognitive skills in critical thinking and analysis and recognize the importance of being able to function in a global society. With their linguistic abilities in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, they are better able to compete for career opportunities in the domestic and global job markets and are prepared to become productive, responsible members of the local, national and international communities in which they live and work.

Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes are Aligned with Standards for Language Learning created by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Upon completing this degree, students will be able to:

Emphasis in French

  • Create with language to express meanings orally on concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). They can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non-natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from connected aural discourse involving description and narration in different timeframes or aspects, and about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation for communicative purposes. (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 timeframes 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 culture of the target language. (Critical thinking and analytical skills)
  • Understand the cultural, political and artistic diversity of perspectives, practices and products of the target language populations including how racial and ethnic diversity relates to those perspectives, practices and products. (Globalization - Diversity)
  • Recognize, investigate, and produce written and oral discourse in the target language communicating findings about historical and contemporary issues important to life in countries of the target language.
  • 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 culture of the target language. (Globalization – Global Engagement)
  • Analyze the structure and use of the language at the sound, word, and sentence level.
  • Summarize different linguistic features observed in different dialects in terms of historical change, geographical location and social variables.
  • 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 culture of the target language. (Globalization - Environmental Sustainability)
 Emphasis in German
  • Create with language to express meanings orally on concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). They can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non-natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from connected aural discourse involving description and narration in different timeframes or aspects, and about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation for communicative purposes. (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 timeframes 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 culture of the target language. (Critical thinking and analytical skills)
  • Understand the cultural, political and artistic diversity of perspectives, practices and products of the target language populations including how racial and ethnic diversity relates to those perspectives, practices and products. (Globalization - Diversity)
  • Recognize, investigate, and produce written and oral discourse in the target language communicating findings about historical and contemporary issues important to life in countries of the target language.
  • 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 culture of the target language. (Globalization – Global Engagement)
  • Analyze the structure and use of the language at the sound, word, and sentence level.
  • Summarize different linguistic features observed in different dialects in terms of historical change, geographical location and social variables.
  • 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 culture of the target language. (Globalization - Environmental Sustainability)
Emphasis in Japanese
  • Create with language to express meanings orally on concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). They can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non-natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from connected aural discourse involving description and narration in different timeframes or aspects, and about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation for communicative purposes. (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 timeframes 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 culture of the target language. (Critical thinking and analytical skills)
  • Understand the cultural, political and artistic diversity of perspectives, practices and products of the target language populations including how racial and ethnic diversity relates to those perspectives, practices and products. (Globalization - Diversity)
  • Recognize, investigate, and produce written and oral discourse in the target language communicating findings about historical and contemporary issues important to life in countries of the target language.
  • 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 culture of the target language. (Globalization – Global Engagement)
  • Analyze the structure and use of the language at the sound, word, and sentence level.
  • Summarize different linguistic features observed in different dialects in terms of historical change, geographical location and social variables.
  • 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 culture of the target language. (Globalization - Environmental Sustainability)
Japanese IGP Emphasis
  • Create with language to express meanings orally on concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). They can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non-natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from connected aural discourse involving description and narration in different timeframes or aspects, and about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation for communicative purposes. (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 timeframes 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 culture of the target language. (Critical thinking and analytical skills)
  • Understand the cultural, political and artistic diversity of perspectives, practices and products of the target language populations including how racial and ethnic diversity relates to those perspectives, practices and products. (Globalization - Diversity)
  • Recognize, investigate, and produce written and oral discourse in the target language communicating findings about historical and contemporary issues important to life in countries of the target language.
  • 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 culture of the target language. (Globalization – Global Engagement)
  • Analyze the structure and use of the language at the sound, word, and sentence level.
  • Summarize different linguistic features observed in different dialects in terms of historical change, geographical location and social variables.
  • 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 culture of the target language. (Globalization - Environmental Sustainability)

Major Requirements

  • This major requires 40 - 41 units distributed as follows:

    • Core Requirements: 9 units
    • Select an Emphasis: 22 - 23 units
      • French Interdisciplinary Global Program Emphasis: 23 units
      • French and Francophone Studies Emphasis: 23 units
      • German Interdisciplinary Global Program Emphasis: 23 units
      • German Emphasis: 23 units
      • Japanese Interdisciplinary Global Program Emphasis: 23 units
      • Japanese Emphasis: 22 units
      • Spanish Interdisciplinary Global Program Emphasis: 23 units


    Take the following 40 - 41 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each letter graded course and with a passing grade in pass-fail courses.

    Be aware that you must complete at least 12 units of upper division(300 - 400) of your emphasis prefix (FRE, GER, JPN, or SPA) in your core and/or emphasis.

  • Emphasis Requirements - Select One (22 - 23 units)

    • French and Francophone Studies Emphasis (23 units)

      • FRE 201, FRE 202 (8 units)
      • FRE 304W (3 units)
      • Select additional from the following (12 units):
        • FRE 300-level elective
        • FRE 400-level electives
      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.

       

    • German Emphasis (23 units)

      • GER 201, GER 202 (8 units)
      • GER 304W (3 units)
      • Select an additional 12 units from:
        • GER 300-level electives 
        • GER 400-level electives
      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.

       

  • Interdisciplinary Global Programs Emphasis

  • You may only complete the Interdisciplinary Global Programs (IGP) Emphasis if you are concurrently enrolled in an eligible degree offered through the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS), the College of Engineering, Informatics and Applied Sciences (CEIAS), or the W. A. Franke College of Business. For a listing of eligible degrees, please contact an advisor in CEFNS, CEIAS, or the W. A. Franke College of Business.

    • French IGP Emphasis (23 units)

      • FRE 201, FRE 202 (8 units)
      • FRE 304W (3 units)
      • FRE 408 (3 units)
      • Select an additional 9 units from:
        • FRE 300-level electives 
        • FRE 400-level electives

    • German IGP Emphasis (23 units)

      • GER 201, GER 202 (8 units)
      • GER 304W (3 units)
      • GER 408 (3 units)
      • Select an additional 9 units from:
        • GER 300-level electives 
        • GER 400-level electives

    • Japanese IGP Emphasis (23 units)

    • Spanish IGP Emphasis (23 units)

  • Minor Option

    A minor is not required for the Modern Languages BA. 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

  • You may not count FRE 101 and FRE 102 and FRE 105, GER 101 and GER 102, or SPA 101 and SPA 102 toward your major requirements.
     
    In addition, you may only take lower-level FRE, GER, or SPA courses if you have not already taken advanced FRE, GER, or SPA coursework. For instance, after you've completed 200-level FRE, GER, or SPA courses, you can't take FRE, GER, or SPA courses at the 100 level; after completing 300-level courses, you can't take 100 or 200-level courses.
     
    Some courses may be fulfilled by CLEP or by challenge exam.

  • 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.