Undergraduate Program
The department houses two vibrant majors, in applied linguistics and multilingualism, and in Spanish studies. The applied linguistics and multilingualism major is designed for students who wish to pursue the study of a particular language, and at the same time, gain an in-depth understanding of language use in bilingual and multilingual settings. Applied linguistics courses are taught in English and cover topics such as language and gender, second-language teaching, bilingualism, discourse analysis, and intercultural communication. Spanish studies is an interdisciplinary major that promotes advanced linguistic proficiency in Spanish as well as a broad understanding of the historical and cultural developments of the Spanish-speaking world.
Placement Exams
Information about this topic can be found under Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics.
Academic English
The Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics offers a series of courses in Academic English (ACEN) designed specifically for students whose native language is not English, and who would benefit academically by improving their English language skills. The main objective of these courses is to raise the linguistic, academic, and cultural competence of international students who are currently pursuing various majors at UCSC. The ACEN courses help students develop and refine their knowledge of English usage, advanced grammar, vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, while at the same time developing their listening, oral communication, and academic reading and writing skills. The specific content of each course varies per quarter, and thus, none of the courses are prerequisites to the others.
Arabic
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic can enroll in language courses from beginning to intermediate levels (ARBC 1-ARBC 6). The curriculum aims to build a solid foundation in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as imparting an understanding of culture and society in the modern Arabic-speaking world.
Study abroad
Students may apply to spend time in Jordan or Morocco; see the Office of International Education (OIE) for information about current programs.
Chinese
Students interested in learning Chinese may enroll in language courses from beginning to advanced levels and should do so early in their careers at UCSC. Only those with no prior experience with the language may enroll in CHIN 1, which is only offered fall quarter. Heritage learners and those with prior instruction are required to take a placement exam. Students interested in combining their language study with their major focus may choose from a major or minor in language studies or linguistics, a minor in East Asian studies through the History Department, an individual major in East Asian studies through their college, or a global economics major.
The sequence of lower-division courses CHIN 1–CHIN 6 is aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Instruction takes place mostly in Chinese from the second half of the first quarter. Upper-level courses include CHIN 103, Language and Society; CHIN 104, Readings in Chinese Literature; CHIN 105, Readings in Chinese History; CHIN 107, Introduction to Classical Chinese Prose; and CHIN 108, Introduction to Classical Poetry.
Study Abroad
Students may apply to study intensive Chinese language at universities—in Taipei, Hong Kong, or Beijing—for periods ranging from a summer up to a full year through the Office of International Education (OIE). Courses taken abroad can, with approval of an adviser, be applied to major requirements. For a list of current programs and requirements, visit the Global Engagement website. For information on credit applied to a major, please contact the appropriate department.
French
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in French can enroll in language courses from beginning to advanced levels. In addition, students may select from among the following programs: a major in language studies, a major in literature with an emphasis in French literature, or a major in global economics.
Lower-division FREN 1–FREN 6 are taught entirely in French and prepare students for advanced study either on campus or abroad. They are designed to help students develop proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills, and to introduce student to French and Francophone cultures. Upper-division courses, also taught in French, are offered on topics such as French phonetics, advanced grammar and composition, French civilization, French linguistics, history of the French language, and French for professions.
Study Abroad
The Office of International Education (OIE) offers both semester and one-year programs in many regions of France, including Bordeaux, Lyon, Grenoble, Toulouse, and Paris. With the approval of an adviser, some French courses taken abroad may be applied to major requirements. For a list of current programs and requirements, visit their web site, http://oie.ucsc.edu.
German
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in German can enroll in language courses from beginning to advanced levels. In addition, students may select from among the following programs: a major in applied linguistics, a major or minor in language studies, a major in literature with an emphasis in German literature, or a major in global economics.
The sequence of lower-division courses GERM 1–GERM 6 is aimed at helping students to develop listening and reading comprehension, as well as speaking, reading, and writing skills. Another sequence of lower-division courses, equivalent to levels 1, 2, and 3, consists of courses GERM 1A and GERM 1B, which offer accelerated German language instruction. GERM 1A and GERM 1B are taught sequentially, winter and spring quarters. The German language sequence also includes a course on German Media (GERM 119); successful completion of GERM 5 is a prerequisite for this course. Instruction takes place almost exclusively in German.
Study Abroad
The Office of International (OIE) offers study abroad opportunities in Berlin and Munich. Students may spend a summer semester or a full academic year in Berlin or a summer in Munich. The semester and full-year programs are at the Freie Universität, the Humbold Universität and the Technische Universität. Both the Freie Universität and the Technische Universität also offer summer programs. The summer program at the Freie Universität is self-designed. Students may choose their own curriculum from a variety of available courses (in English or German). The summer program at the Technische Universität is designed for science and engineering majors. Students concentrate on a single engineering course (in English), with visits to relevant companies and research facilities in Berlin. The summer program in Munich (in English) is designed for science, engineering, and environmental studies majors and concentrates on sustainability and green technology, with visits to relevant companies and research facilities. Language requirements for admission to these programs range from little or no German required (summer programs in Berlin and Munich and the FU-BEST program in Berlin) to two years of college-level German required (regular course of study in Berlin). Academic and professional internship opportunities are also available to all students on study abroad in programs Germany.
Students may apply to any of these programs at any point in their student career. For the year-long programs, students generally apply in their sophomore year for a junior year abroad. As an exception, some students apply in their junior year for a senior year abroad; such students must sometimes spend an additional quarter at UCSC in order to satisfy all requirements for their major. Courses taken abroad can, with approval of an adviser, be applied to major requirements.
For a list of current programs and requirements, visit the Education Abroad website. Also, visit the UCSC Office of International Education website. For information on credit applied to a major, contact the appropriate department.
Hebrew
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in modern Hebrew can enroll in language courses from beginning to intermediate levels. In addition, credits from these courses may be counted toward the major or minor in Jewish studies. Lower-division courses are aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Attention is also given to developing an understanding of the culture, history, and religion that have been expressed through the Hebrew language from antiquity until today. Students interested in learning the basic lexicon and grammatical structures of biblical Hebrew can enroll in HEBR 80. HEBR 1, HEBR 2, and HEBR 3 (or equivalency) are required for the major in Jewish studies, and other Hebrew courses are encouraged. In addition, credits from modern or biblical Hebrew courses may be counted toward the minor in Jewish studies.
Italian
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Italian can enroll in language courses from beginning to advanced levels. In addition, students may select from among the following programs: a major or minor in Italian studies, a major or minor in language studies, a major in literature with an emphasis in Italian literature, a major in global economics
The sequence of lower-division courses ITAL 1–ITAL 6 is aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. ITAL 1A and ITAL 1B offer lower-division intensive Italian language instruction equivalent to levels 1, 2, 3. The ITAL 1, ITAL 2, ITAL 3 sequence starts once a year in the fall quarter, while the ITAL 1A-ITAL 1B sequence starts once a year in the winter quarter. Classes are taught in Italian from the beginning level.
Study Abroad
The Office of International Education (OIE) sponsors programs of study in Italy. For a list of current programs and requirements, visit their website.
Japanese
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Japanese can enroll in language courses from beginning to advanced levels. Instruction takes place mostly in Japanese from the second half of the first quarter. The curriculum aims to build a solid foundation in all four aspects of linguistic skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) as well as sociolinguistic competence and cultural knowledge.
Students may use Japanese courses for the following majors and minors: a major in language studies: a major in linguistics; an East Asian minor; a major in global economics; or a major in literature.
Study Abroad
The Office of International Education (OIE) has information on study in Japan. There are study abroad—programs at many universities, including Doshisha, Hitotsubashi, ICU, Keio, Meiji Gakuin, Osaka, Tsuru, and Waseda. Courses taken abroad can, with approval of an adviser, be applied to major requirements. For a list of current programs and requirements, visit their website. For information on credit applied to a major, contact the appropriate department.
Persian
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Persian (Farsi) can enroll in beginning language courses (PERS 1–PERS 3), courses available to both heritage and non-heritage speakers. The curriculum aims to build a solid foundation in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as imparting an understanding of Persian culture.
Portuguese
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Portuguese may choose to enroll in either of two accelerated introductory tracks which comprise First-Year Portuguese: PORT 1A– PORT 1B are designed as a two-quarter sequence for students who have no previous experience with the Romance languages; PORT 60A–PORT 60B are designed as a two-quarter sequence for students who have a strong background in the Romance languages (typically Spanish) or some previous rudimentary knowledge of Portuguese. A Second-Year Portuguese sequence, also accelerated (PORT 65A–PORT 65B), follows the first-year sequence, and is offered over two quarters. The completion of this sequence fulfills the two-year language requirement for study abroad programs. The program is aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Instruction takes place in Portuguese from the beginning and draws heavily on Brazilian culture through popular music and cinema.
Study Abroad
Students may apply to spend time either in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil or in Salvador (Bahia) through the Office of International Education (OIE). Courses taken abroad can, with approval of an adviser, be applied to major requirements. For a list of current programs and requirements, visit their website. For information on credit applied to a major, contact the appropriate department
Punjabi
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Punjabi can enroll in PUNJ 1A and PUNJ 1B, courses for both heritage and non-heritage learners. Lower-division language courses are aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Attention is also given to developing an understanding of the culture that has been expressed through the Punjabi language. This program is part of Sikh and Punjabi studies at UCSC.
Russian
The Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics offers beginning and intermediate level courses in Russian that provide a comprehensive introduction to the language and develop basic communicative skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) within the framework of contemporary Russian culture. RUSS 1 is offered fall quarter; RUSS 2, winter quarter; and RUSS 3, spring quarter.
Spanish and Spanish for Heritage Speakers
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Spanish can enroll in a wide range of Spanish language or Spanish for Heritage speakers (SPHS) courses, from beginning to advanced levels. The language and culture sequence of lower-division courses (SPAN 1-SPAN 6 as well as SPHS 4–SPHS 6) and upper-division series (SPAN 114, SPHS 115, SPAN 140, SPAN 156 and SPAN 150-SPAN 154 courses) are aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing as well as meta-linguistic and cultural competence. Students are strongly encouraged to finish year-long sequences without interruption and, if possible, to study in Spanish-speaking countries. Students can pursue a major in Spanish Studies or select from among several programs that require some coursework in Spanish, including: a major or minor in language studies, a major in literature with an emphasis in Spanish/Latin American/Latino literatures, a major in Latin American and Latino studies, or a major in global economics.
Spanish
Students interested in taking Spanish classes are required to take the placement examination to enroll in the appropriate level. Students finishing a first year of instruction in Spanish (SPAN 1–SPAN 2–SPAN 3) are encouraged to continue on to second-year (intermediate-level) by taking SPAN 4, SPAN 5, and SPAN 6. First-year students also have the option of enrolling in the accelerated sequence (SPAN 1A and SPAN 1B), which is equivalent to three quarters of language study.
Declared human biology majors have priority enrollment in SPAN 5M, Medical Spanish, but others may enroll if there is space availability. Students are also encouraged to continue with the third-year SPAN 114, SPHS 115, SPAN 140, and the SPAN 156 and SPAN 150-SPAN 154 series in which a wide variety of topics are covered. For more information on the courses offered in Spanish, please see the course descriptions.
Spanish for Heritage Speakers
SPHS has been developed for heritage speakers who, although raised in Spanish-speaking communities or households, are not yet fully proficient in Spanish. SPHS courses take into account the experiences and influences of bilingual and bicultural upbringing.
SPHS students are encouraged to attend a group tutoring session once a week in addition to the regular class meetings. Some lower-division and all upper-division courses can fulfill requirements for several majors or departments, such as American studies, education, global economics, language studies, and Latin American and Latino studies.
Heritage speakers who are planning to continue with the Spanish Studies major are strongly encouraged to take the SPHS 4–SPHS 5–SPHS 6 sequence of courses. Keep in mind that this is a sequence which starts in the fall.
Study Abroad
The Office of International Education (OIE) offers programs ranging one quarter or one academic year in Buenos Aires; Argentina, Santiago, Chile; San Jose and Monteverde, Costa Rica; Morelia and Monterrey, Mexico, and Cordoba, Madrid, Alcala, Barcelona, and Granada, Spain. Generally, students must have completed Spanish 6 or SPHS 6 by the end of the sophomore year to qualify for a junior year abroad. Courses taken abroad can, with approval of an adviser, be applied to major requirements. For more information, see the OIE website. For information on credit applied to a particular major, contact the appropriate department.
Yiddish
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Yiddish can enroll in beginning language courses. In addition, some credit from these courses may be counted toward the major or minor in Jewish studies; consult with the Jewish studies program. Lower-division courses are aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Attention is also given to developing an understanding of the culture that has been expressed through the Yiddish language.