World Languages and Cultures

Learn more about the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Valpo online.

Professors S. DeMaris, Duvick, Hoult-Saros (chair), Malchow, Miguel-Pueyo, Tomasik, Zamora-Breckenridge; Assistant Professors De Rivera, López Martín; Clinical Assistant Professor Jennings; Visiting Assistant Professor Alagna.

To study another language is to see the world through the eyes of another culture, and true understanding of a culture requires knowledge of its language. In our increasingly global community, such meaningful engagement with multiple cultures is essential. World language study is thus an important facet of any area of University study. The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers a diverse range of courses that not only teach students to express themselves in another language but also allow them to explore other cultural traditions, both past and present. By immersing themselves in these other traditions, students gain insight into their own languages and cultures while deepening their understanding of what it means to be human, a central concern of the liberal arts.

The department provides students with linguistic and cultural skills that can be effectively applied in their chosen professions. A major or minor in a world language thus prepares students for success in a variety of careers ranging from international business, education, law, engineering, and government service to social work, the ministry, translation, and medical professions.

Learning Objectives

Students pursuing study in world languages and cultures will work toward the following objectives:

Students will demonstrate a high level of communicative proficiency in the target language.
This proficiency encompasses interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes in the modern languages and, in Greek and Roman Studies, emphasizes the interpretive mode.
Interpersonal: Students will interact and negotiate meaning in spoken and written conversations to share information, reactions, feelings, and opinions.
Interpretive: Students will understand, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics.
Presentational: Students will present information, concepts, and ideas in both writing and speech to inform, explain, persuade,and narrate on a variety of topics for various audiences and in multiple genres (e.g., narration, argumentation, correspondence,analyses of cultural products, and reports on research).
Students will interpret a variety of cultural products in the target language from a critical perspective.
Students will use sources of information appropriately in the target language and in English.
Appropriately using sources involves students finding, evaluating, engaging with, and correctly citing them, mindful of how these sources support their own academic work.
Students will apply wide-ranging knowledge of culture (past and present) in speech and writing.
Students will engage in cross-cultural dialogue and experiences through participation in curricular, co-curricular, and/or study abroad programs.

World Languages across the University

In addition to language majors and minors, the University offers a variety of interdisciplinary majors and minors that incorporate the study of a world language. Please visit the following sections for more information about these programs and relevant courses.

Global Studies

Asian Studies concentration
Global Service concentration
International Economics and Cultural Affairs concentration

Latin American and Latinx Studies

Beyond these departmental programs, the University also offers other programs that include the study of a world language:

Certificate in Business Spanish
Cinema and Media Studies
Enhanced International Business in German
International Business
Valparaiso International Engineering Program (VIEP) in China, France, Germany, and Spain

Study Abroad

Through University programs and affiliations, an opportunity to study abroad is afforded students of any of the world languages. World language majors and minors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. See Global Education Programs for details.

World Language General Education Requirement

General Education Requirement for Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Social Work Degree

8 credits: Course number 102 in a world language in which the student has no more than one year of high school credit, or course number 203 in any world language. A student who has completed a second-year language course in high school will not be granted credit toward degree requirements for level 101 in that language at Valparaiso University (see Bachelor of Arts Degree (124 Cr.) ).

General Education Requirement for College of Business

8 credits: One of the following options: Courses numbered 102 and 203 in a world language in which the student has more than one year of high school credit. Courses numbered 101 and 102 in a world language which the student has not taken before (see Bachelor of Science in Business Administration ).

General Education Requirement for the College of Engineering

4 credits: Students may fulfill the World Language/Diversity requirement with any four-credit world language course at the 102 level or higher. (See College of Engineering Electives )

Special Exceptions to World Language Requirement

International students whose native language is not English and who are studying on a nonimmigrant visa are exempt from the world language requirement provided that they have successfully completed ENGL 101 , ENGL 102 , ENGL 103 , or ENGL 200 .

Continuing Education students and other nontraditional students who have completed Level II of a second language in high school (9-12) but have not studied that language for at least six full years may be allowed to count credit earned for level 101 toward the world language requirement. Students should consult with the dean of the respective college.

Placement and Retroactive Credit

Before beginning the study of a world language already studied in high school, students are required to take a placement examination administered by this department.

Students who wish to begin languages they have not studied before must register for course 101 of those languages. Those students must complete level 102 to fulfill the world language requirement.

Students who have completed Level II of a world language in high school and also place into 101 of that language may enroll in 101 for elective credit only, but must complete level 203 to fulfill the world language requirement.

Students who place directly into level 203 of a language shall receive 4 credit hours for level 102 and 4 credit hours for level 203 when they pass course 203 at Valparaiso University.

Students who place directly into level 204 or higher in a language shall receive 4 credit hours for level 102, 4 credit hours for level 203 and the credit hours for the course into which they have placed when they pass this latter course at Valparaiso University.

Advanced Placement by Examination

It is also possible to fulfill the world language General Education requirement through the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board or through the College Level Examination Program. Students who earn a score of 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement exam or a score of 45-50 on CLEP exams are eligible to receive credit for certain language courses. See Admission for more information.

Transfer Credit

Students with potential transfer credit for one or more languages must submit a copy of any official university transcript(s). To continue in a language at Valparaiso University, students are still encouraged to take the placement exam to confirm that they will be starting at the appropriate course level.

Students who have taken the equivalent of level 203 at another institution will not be awarded retroactive credit. However, they will have fulfilled their Valparaiso University world language requirement.

Degree

Completion of the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in German or Spanish leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Cooperative Education

Qualified students may participate in the Cooperative Education program, subject to the availability of suitable positions. During the time of their employment, students are financially reimbursed by the cooperating employer and also receive credit toward the World Language major. Eligible students are normally junior or senior World Language majors who have completed 12 credits beyond the third semester of their language with a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 in their world language courses. Cooperative Education may be repeated for up to a total of 12 credit hours, only 3 of which may be counted toward meeting the minimum requirements of the major. For further information, refer to Cooperative Education, College of Arts and Sciences , and consult the department chair.

Approval of Schedules

All students who take a major or minor in the department and all students who plan to teach a world language must have their schedules approved by their World Language advisors prior to registration. A list of specific courses required of teaching majors is available from the chair of the Education Department.

Chinese

Study Abroad Opportunities

Hangzhou Program is available fall semester only. See Global Education Programs for details. Students considering study abroad should consult with the department chair and their academic advisor as early as possible.

Valparaiso University International Engineering Program in China (VIEP in China)

Engineering students who wish to enhance their program with Chinese language study, study abroad, and an overseas cooperative education placement should see College of Engineering for details about the VIEP in China program.

French

Special Placement

Students who place directly into, and complete, a course higher than level 203 may count retroactive credit for FREN 203 , but no other retroactive credit, towards the minor.

Teaching Programs

Students who plan to teach French in elementary, middle, or secondary schools with a major or minor in French should consult their departmental advisor and the Education Department for specific requirements.

Valparaiso University International Engineering Program in French (VIEP - French)

Engineering students who wish to enhance their program with French language study, study abroad, and an overseas cooperative education placement should see College of Engineering for details about the VIEP - French program.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Paris Internship Program (available fall or spring semester)
IES Abroad Nantes (available fall or spring semester)
La Rochelle International Business School (available spring semester)
Université de Technologie de Compiègne Exchange Program (available full year only)

See the section beginning on Global Education Programs for details; students considering study abroad should consult with the department chair and their academic advisor as early as possible.

The Roger and Hazel Guillaumant Award

See Student Honors, Awards, and Societies for details.

The Patterson MacLean Friedrich Scholarship

See Student Honors, Awards, and Societies for details.

German

Special Placement

Students who place directly into, and complete, a course higher than level 203 may count retroactive credit for GER 203 , but no other retroactive credit, toward the major or minor.

Teaching Programs

Students who plan to teach German in elementary, middle, or secondary schools with a major or minor in German should consult their departmental advisor and the Education Department for specific requirements.

Enhanced International Business in German (EIB-German)

International Business students who wish to enhance their program with German language study, study abroad, and an overseas cooperative education placement should see College of Business for details about the EIB-German program.

Valparaiso University International Engineering Program in German (VIEP - German)

Engineering students who wish to enhance their program with German language study, study abroad, and an overseas cooperative education placement should see College of Engineering for details about the VIEP - German program.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Reutlingen Program (fall semester for students in the College of Business or College of Engineering; spring semester for students in the College of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Nursing and Health Professions)
Rottenburg am Neckar (available spring semester only)
Tübingen Program (available full year only)

See Global Education Programs for details; students considering study abroad should consult with the department chair and their academic advisor as early as possible.

The Walther M. Miller Memorial Prize

See Student Honors, Awards, and Societies for details.

Thora Moulton Prize

See Student Honors, Awards, and Societies for details.

Also available for select upper class students: Tübingen Orientation Scholarship and Giebel Scholarship.

Greek and Roman Studies

Study Abroad Opportunities

College Year in Athens (available fall, spring, summer)
American School of Classical Studies at Athens (available summer only)
Archaeological Field Work (available summer only)
Three-week guided study trips to Greece and Italy in alternate summers See Global Education Programs for details; students considering study abroad should consult with the department chair and their academic advisor as early as possible.

Japanese

Study Abroad Opportunities

Kansai Gaidai Program (available fall and/or spring semesters) See Global Education Programs for details. Students considering study abroad should consult with the department chair and their academic advisor as early as possible.

Spanish

Special Placement

Students who place directly into a course higher than level 204 need not complete level 204 but must complete all other requirements for the major or minor, including the required total of 27 credit hours (major) or 14 credit hours (minor).

Teaching Programs

Students who plan to teach Spanish in secondary schools with a major or minor in Spanish should consult their departmental advisor and the Education Department for specific requirements.

Valparaiso International Engineering Program in Spanish (VIEP - Spanish)

Engineering students who wish to enhance their program with Spanish language study, study abroad, and an overseas cooperative education placement should see College of Engineering for details about the VIEP - Spanish program.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Granada, Spain (available fall semester or for the full year but not for the spring semester)
Zaragoza, Spain (available fall, spring, or full year)
Puebla, México (available fall, spring, or full year)
Viña del Mar, Chile (available fall, spring, or full year)
San José, Costa Rica (available fall, spring, or full year)

See the section beginning on Global Education Programs for details; students considering study abroad should consult with the department chair and their academic advisor as early as possible.

Global Studies

Coordinator: Professor López Martín (World Languages and Cultures).

Administrative Committee: Professors Longan (Geography and Meteorology), Nelson (Psychology), Pati (Theology), Prough (Christ College), Tomasik (World Languages and Cultures); Associate Professor Gundersen (Economics).

Learn more about Global Studies at Valpo online.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Global Studies with a choice of three concentrations: Asian Studies, Global Service, and International Economics and Cultural Affairs. This interdisciplinary major is designed to assist students in meeting career objectives leading to employment in foreign service, international organizations, international business, non-governmental organizations, philanthropic organizations, and communication or education fields, among many others. The department combines interdisciplinary approaches to area studies - Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe - with thematic issues such as globalization, humanitarian aid, sustainable development, human rights, social justice, global security, migration, transnationalism, environmental issues, and poverty reduction. Anchored in the study of world languages and cultures, the Global Studies major integrates course work in ethnology, cultural awareness, economics, geography, history, political science, theology, and study abroad, all leading to a faculty-mentored senior research project.

Regional Emphasis: All Global Studies majors choose a regional emphasis to focus their coursework on a particular area of the world. In addition to completing the Global Studies Core and specific concentration requirements below, students are required to complete a major or minor in French, German, or Spanish, or a minimum of 16 credits in Chinese or Japanese language.

WID course: Writing in the Disciplines courses for Global Studies majors will be designated in a future catalog.

Latin American/Latinx Studies

Coordinator: Professor Hoult-Saros (World Languages and Cultures).

Administrative Committee: Professor Hoult-Saros (World Languages and Cultures; Associate Professor Johnson (Political Science and International Relations).

Objectives

The LALS interdisciplinary minor is designed for students in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and professional programs who are considering careers in international business, nonprofit agencies, or government, in the United States or abroad, as well as students who foresee working with the increasing Latinx population in the United States, particularly in education, ministry, nursing, or other professional or service careers. Students with a Latin American/Latinx Studies (LALS) Minor will study the language, histories, politics, cultures, and societies of Latin America and the Latinx communities in the United States.