Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures

Language & Culture Major

The Languages and Cultures major prepares students for an increasingly globalized and interdependent world that rewards knowledge of languages and cultural literacy. The major is designed to provide students with advanced proficiency in language skills and cultural competency, which will enable them to expand their career opportunities and enhance their personal lives in an international and intercultural environment.

In addition to studies in a primary target language, students take courses in comparative study of cultures and literatures to gain insight into the interrelation of language, culture, and human nature. The humanities emphasis in this major fosters interdisciplinary approaches to international and comparative issues. The two required seminars in cultural theories and methodologies continue the capstone experience for intercultural and interdisciplinary studies.

Students are also encouraged to take a secondary target language, to study abroad, and to select from an array of courses offered in other departments that deal with the ability to reason and present sound arguments using the target language.

Why Study Language? 

Career and Business

1. English is the language most used in conferences and in airports. Likewise, Spanish, Mandarin, French, Japanese, Italian, Arab, Korean, Armenian, Hebrew, Russian, and Farsi are widely spoken languages in the world.

2. International business travel. Your real ticket to take advantage of them will be your ability to communicate in the countries you visit.

3. Upgrades. You can work more easily by speaking more than one language and can easily communicate with networks abroad.

4. Native languages. You will be able to attract more business opportunities to your company if you are able to communicate with customers in their native language.

5. Positioning in the internal of the company. You will become more indispensable if you are the only one in the firm that speaks another language.

6. Respect the language of your customers. If you know more than one language, it is likely that you can receive clients from abroad and communicate with them through their language.

7. Possible transfers. If there is a possibility of transfer and you speak the language of the place, you will probably be transferred.

8. You must know more than one language in order to be aware of the news that happens in each country in all fields: science, business, society, culture and so on.

9. You will be competitive. New generations are beings of two or more languages so knowing another language will allow you to be competitive.

10. Knowing more than one language can be more sensitive to cultural differences.

11. Your business can save the cost of a translator.

12. It will allow you to understand jokes, memos or emails that make communication.

13. You may receive a higher salary.

14. You will become a more effective teller of your services or capabilities.

15. You can compete for jobs abroad.

Personal

16. If you are traveling abroad and know the native language of the place, you can learn more about their culture, customs and traditions.

17. It seems that bilingual people are happier, richer and sexier.

18. It will allow you to get closer to those who live outside borders.

19. You will be able to understand more of diplomacy and other aspects if you know a foreign language and thus more about different cultures.

20. You will become more independent since you will gain trust on the part of others with whom you communicate.

21. It will allow you to help and make suggestions to foreigners who visit your country.

22. It may allow you to achieve some of your dreams or goals.

23. You can recite poems in another language.

24. You will improve your reading skills.

25. You will improve your memory.

26. It will help you place an order in an ethnic restaurant.

27. You can make new friends more easily.

28. Your new accent will look sexier.

29. Knowing another language and customs will allow you to better understand yours as well.

30. It will keep you active and healthy.

31. It will also enable you to better deal with potential problems.

Travel and Hobbies

32. If you travel to a country where they speak a language different from yours but you know, your experience will be enriched.

33. If you speak on your trip in the native language of the country you are visiting, you can be kinder.

34. You can read recipes in other languages and learn more about other cultures.

35. You can visit places where they speak your second language to practice.

36. You can take advantage of degree programs abroad.

37. It will allow you to understand the opera and music of other countries.

Academic

38. Learning a Foreign Language stimulates your brain, and benefits you personally and professionally.

39. It will motivate your mind to think in different ways.

40. As a student or teacher, you can get better communication in the classroom.

41. You will have more chances to get a scholarship.

42. You can solve problems more flexibly.

43. You can consider other grammars and their complexities.

44. Your grades will improve.

45. It will help your research tasks.

Other Benefits

46. It will serve you to appreciate art differently.

47. You can speak a new code.

48. By being able to read or view news from another country, you can analyze them from another perspective.

49. Once you learn a second language, you will find it easier to learn others.

50. Not all languages have the same degree of difficulty so you study which will be the most accessible or attractive.

The BAWLC is a hybrid instructional computer lab and collaborative space utilized by students, staff, and faculty for the purposes of language acquisition. It supports all the languages taught in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures and offers audio, video, electronic, and text resources for both instructors and students. The full catalogues are available for viewing at the front desk. Inside the Language Center you will find four working areas:

• The Common Area and Front Desk is the main room of the Language Center. BAWLC staff are available at the front desk to answer questions and offer assistance. The common area also houses a large conference table and several laptop stations for students and faculty to plugin their equipment.
• The Instructional Lab (316A) is a 30-station multipurpose lab designed for scheduled classes and library-style use. Faculty and staff may use the instructor station, which consists of the following: a Windows computer with multi-standard DVD player, Blu-ray player, document camera, laptop A/V inputs, miracast adapter, and Apple TV. A second computer monitor allows presenters to manage their visual aids. A ceiling-mounted projection, audio, and SMART board system provides high visibility and interactivity for the audience. Lecture Capture is available in this room through CSUN IT.
• The Drop-In Computer Lab (316B) is a separate drop-in computer lab to accommodate students when the Instructional Lab is occupied. Students in the Drop-In Lab have access to six Windows computers and four Mac desktops. Faculty and staff may use the room’s media station, which consists of the following: a Windows computer, multi-standard DVD player, document camera, laptop A/V inputs, miracast adapter, and Apple TV. A ceiling-mounted projection and audio system provides high visibility for the audience. The room also houses a large, wired conference table with seating for 12, where faculty and students can charge their devices as they work. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Satellite Viewing Room (316C) houses a large LCD flat screen television and several comfortable chairs. Students and faculty may use the DVD/VHS player to watch a film from our growing library of international titles.
• Chinese language TV and movies can also be viewed using the Charming China streaming service. The Satellite Viewing Room is available on a first-come, first-served basis and by faculty and student reservation.