Languages and Intercultural Studies: Hispanic Studies Concentration, B.A.

Mission Statement

The Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies educates students to be global citizens by offering coursework, co-curricular programs, and study abroad opportunities that allow students to acquire proficiency in languages other than English and critical awareness of the cultures associated with these languages. Learning another language facilitates one’s ability to take the perspective of others who perceive and describe the world using a different linguistic and cultural frame of reference. By promoting such perspective-taking, the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies fosters respect for cultural and intellectual diversity and nurtures students’ desire and ability to promote productive communication between individuals and nations.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate language skills at or above the intermediate high level of proficiency consistent with the ACTFL guidelines on proficiency in a foreign language.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of target cultures and perspectives in a global context and to think critically about issues related to these cultures.
3. Demonstrate intercultural competence through engagement with target language communities at home and abroad.
4. Demonstrate skills to qualify for professional work in various areas, such as teaching, translating, tourism, business, journalism, or to be prepared to attend graduate school.