Degree Programs

The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers the following majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree: French, German, Spanish and two interdisciplinary concentrations in Language and World Trade and in Latin American Studies.

Proficiencies/Certifications

At all levels, language instruction at Samford is based on developing proficiency in the four skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing, studied within the geographical and cultural context of the target language. Instructional and assessment methodologies follow competency-based guidelines established by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The campus experience is enhanced by language and computer laboratories and complemented by numerous opportunities to study in one of the department’s classrooms abroad. 

For students planning careers with international firms, service agencies, missions, teaching, or for those who seek the advantage of being bilingual in the multicultural world of the 21st century, the World Languages and Cultures majors provide the opportunity to develop advanced linguistic proficiency and increase cross-cultural understanding. All WLAC graduating seniors, upon completion of exit interviews and writing sample analysis, receive internationally recognized Oral and Writing Proficiency Ratings from the department’s ACTFL-trained examiners. 

In association with the National Association of Self-Instructional Language Programs, the Department offers self-instructional/tutorial language study in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Swahili, and Russian. Other non-traditional Languages may also be available if there is sufficient demand. 

Core Requirements for All Majors (22 Credits)

Course	Credits
Cultural Perspectives I	4
Cultural Perspectives II	4
Perspectives on the Bible	4
Communication Arts I	4
Communication Arts II	4
Concepts of Fitness and Health	2

General Education Requirements (26 Credits)

Course	Credits
Natural Sciences	8
Mathematics [credits beyond intermediate college algebra (210 required for LWT)]	4
Social Sciences	4
Fine Arts	4
Physical Activity	2
Humanities	4

Language and Literature Major Requirements (One Language)

French, German, or Spanish 101-102	8 credits (or equivalent proficiency)
French, German, or Spanish 201-202, or 203*	4-8 credits
French, German, or Spanish 300-400 level courses	28 credits, including two literature courses at the 400 level and the Senior Project

*203 accelerated courses are available only to those students who place at this level.

Language and Literature Major Requirements (Two Languages)

French, German, or Spanish 101-102	16 credits (or equivalent proficiency)
French, German, or Spanish 201-202, or 203*	8-16 credits
French, German, or Spanish 300-400 level courses	32 credits, including one 400-level literature course in each language and a Senior Project

Language and Literature Required Minor

WLAC’s Language and Literature majors are required to complete a minor, either in a second world language, in an established minor (or second major) in another discipline, or by completing the equivalent number of courses (6) in a specially designed minor created in consultation with WLAC faculty advisor.

Minors in French, German, Latin, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish

For students in any discipline who wish to advance their linguistic proficiency and cross-cultural communication skills beyond the required intermediate level, a minor is available in any of the five languages indicated above. A language minor consists of 16 credits beyond the 202 or 203 course. 

Language Minor Requirements

French, German, Latin, Japanese, Russian, Spanish 101-102	8 credits (or equivalent proficiency)
French, German, Latin, Japanese, Russian, Spanish 201-202, or 203*	4-8 credits
French, German, Latin, Japanese, Russian, Spanish 300-400 level courses	16 credits

Requirements for Language and World Trade Concentration

Language Courses (44-48 credits)	Credits
French, German, Spanish 201-202 OR 203*	8 OR 4
Conversation course	4
Civilization and Culture course	4
Literature, 400 level	8
Major language electives (300-400 level)	8
French, German, Spanish 370 and 470	8
One year of a second language	8
Business Courses (30 credits)
Group I: To be completed before starting Group II
Acct 211, 212	6
Econ 201, 202	7
Group II: Prerequisite: Junior status, Math 210, completion of Group I
Busa 352	3
Busa 321	4
Busa 301	4
Busa 311	4
Busa 370	2
Electives (10-14 credits)
English 351 (Strongly recommended)	4
Geog 201	4
Soci 102	4
Pols 310W, 351W, 451	4
Geog/Pols 393W, 395W, 419W	4
Scat 215 (Strongly recommended)	4
Relg 301	4
Hist 303W (Spanish majors only)	4
other electives by advisor’s permission
Total Credits	128

Requirements for Latin American Studies Concentration

Course	Credits
Advanced Spanish Language (Spanish 301, Spanish 302)	8
Interdisciplinary Course (Last 201)	4
Discipline-Based Courses Choose one from each group plus two additional courses: Political Science: Pols 322; History: Hist 303; Literature: Span 403w, Span 404w, Span 405w, Span 406w; Civilization and Culture: Span 316	24
Study Abroad. One of the following required: Span 351, Span 353, Span 354, Bio 340	4
Latin America in Global Perspective. One of the following required: Biol 326, Busa 370, Hist/Pols 319, Hist/Pols/Geog 351, Pols 363, Relg 301	4
Capstone Experience	4
Optional Language Track. Additional courses that may be taken but are not required are: Port 201, 202, Span 370w, Span 342-344	0
Total credits required for major:	48