Modern Languages and Cultures Programs

Students in Arcadia’s Modern Languages and Cultures program enjoy a unique opportunity to learn about different languages and cultures in a small University setting that is dedicated to global awareness and exploration. The program offers majors and minors in Spanish, French, and Italian; a minor in Linguistics; and courses in Japanese, German, and Russian. Coursework is reinforced by a dedicated faculty and real-world, hands-on internships both in the U.S. and through Arcadia’s acclaimed study abroad program. Particularly in today’s global marketplace, the Modern Languages and Cultures Program supports students in a variety of careers and helps broaden their communication/cultural skills and marketability.

• Preparation for graduate study
• Preparation for teaching
• Preparation for careers in business, communications, social services, healthcare, education or government
• Minors in Spanish, French, Italian and Linguistics
• Courses in Japanese, German, and Russian
• Internships in the Hispanic community in Philadelphia
• Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities around the world

• French and Francophone Studies (a Majors Abroad Program)
• Italian Cultural Studies (a Majors Abroad Program)
• Spanish 
• Spanish Cultural Studies (a Majors Abroad Program)

Minors

• French, Spanish, Italian, or Linguistics  

Options

• Coursework in Japanese, German, and Russian

• Proficiency in a language in addition to English is an increasingly important tool for a career in business, communications, social services, healthcare, education or government.
• Modern Languages and Cultures programs focus on the study of language and culture  within each language group. Students who pursue a major in Spanish, Italian or French can take advantage of a wide range of courses in the language, culture and literature of Spain, Latin America, Italy, France, and French-speaking regions, respectively.
• Modern Languages programs include a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Spanish Cultural Studies, Italian Cultural Studies, French and Francophone Studies, and minors in Spanish, French, Italian, and Linguistics. Also available are courses at the beginning level, in German and Russian. Beginning and intermediate courses are offered in Japanese .
• Modern Language courses emphasize both language proficiency and cultural understanding. Fluency and accuracy of language are the basis for effective communication. At the same time, students can begin to relate to the cultural aspects of the language they are studying through authentic written materials. Classes are taught in the target language, and small-group activities involve students in active learning.
• Critical thinking is encouraged from beginning courses through advanced culture courses. Students who intend to continue a language studied previously (in high school or elsewhere) take a placement test and enroll in the course designated by the Department. The completion of the 101-201 level sequence (or its equivalent) is required for all courses above 201.

The Department supports chapters of Sigma Delta Pi, the national Spanish Honor Society; Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honor Society; and Gamma Kappa Alpha, the National Italian Honor Society. Students of Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese are involved in the multicultural community at Arcadia University in many ways.