New B.A. in World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
After two years of deliberation and planning, on April 28, 2023, the Board of Governors voted to approve a new B.A. in World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. The new B.A. consolidates CMLLC's existing language majors into one multi-concentration degree.
The new B.A. is comprised of nine concentrations: six language studies concentrations (Chinese, French and Francophone Studies, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish) and three area studies concentrations (Asian Studies; Classics, Greek, and Latin; and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures).
Together with the existing program in Global Studies, the new language and area studies concentrations form a three-part portfolio of B.A. programs through which CMLLC makes an essential contribution to fulfilling the University's global mission. Additionally, CMLLC offers fifteen minors ranging from Folklore and Fairytale studies to Slavic studies, as well as courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Swahili.
An important goal was to align learning outcomes across the new concentrations by adopting a common framework and national proficiency standards. The language studies concentrations aim at "Intermediate High to Advanced Low" language proficiency outcomes as defined by ACTFL. In parallel, area studies type concentrations aim at "Intermediate Low to Intermediate Mid" language proficiency in one language or "Novice High" proficiency in two languages as defined by ACTFL and the Standards for Classical Language.
Other goals included creating more flexibility for comparative and interdisciplinary studies as well as reducing students' time to degree through streamlined and flexible program architectures that give students multiple options.
These changes will allow CMLLC to continue more effectively its mission to train students in foreign language competency, to deliver high-level, expert instruction in the fields of language, literary, and cultural studies in the target languages, and to prepare its students for engaged global citizenship in an increasingly interconnected world.
Contact our in-house advisor, Chris Clark, for more information about CMLLC's new concentrations.