Modern Languages (B.A.)

The aim of the Modern Languages Major is twofold: to enable students to develop proficiency in the four language skills--aural, oral, reading, and writing--in two modern languages (Concentration A and Concentration B), and to develop cultural literacy. Two of the following languages offered in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures can be combined for the Modern Languages major: Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Students start Concentration A at least in the third semester (CHIN 2103, FREN 2103, GRMN 2103, ITAL 2103, SPAN 2103) and Concentration B at least in the first semester (CHIN 2101, FREN 2101, GRMN 2101, ITAL 2101, SPAN 2101).

Through a structured and carefully planned group of course offerings and a strong recommendation to participate for a semester or a summer in study abroad programs, the Modern Languages Major will prepare students for a world in which intercultural understanding provides the basis for mutual respect, global harmony, and social justice.

The program will encourage and advise students to embark in study abroad experiences, research opportunities, extracurricular activities, and community-based learning opportunities that will prepare them to speak, understand, and write two foreign languages as well as linguistically analyze them, to know the principal aspects of some of the cultures where those languages are spoken, and to exercise intercultural awareness.

The Major is highly desirable for those students who:
- Are interested in international communications and have access to immigrant populations in areas including, but not limited to business, teaching, social work, theology, law, theatre, and the visual arts
- Are interested and have competence in more than one foreign language
- Have a keen awareness of cultures, and an understanding of the structure of language itself, which is a compelling combination of skills that will prepare the student for employment in a globalized economy
Modern Languages majors will know:
- The principal aspects of two foreign languages and cultures
- The tools to analyze languages and cultures
- The principal aspects of two cultures and civilizations through the study of their cultural productions such as literature, art, social practices, and media.
Modern Languages majors will be able to:
- Speak, understand, and write two foreign languages as well as linguistically analyze them
- Read a variety of texts in two languages and discuss their content, technique, and cultural significance.
Modern Languages majors will be able to demonstrate that they value:
- Two distinct cultures and civilizations and their cultural productions
- Increasing intercultural awareness
- Multilingualism and the world it opens up for them.
Modern Languages majors choose two languages to study.

These languages offered in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures can be combined for the Modern Languages major: Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Lower Division Requirements:

24 semester hours consisting of a selection of courses in two concentrations.
- Concentration A begins at least in the third semester (CHIN 2103, FREN 2103, GRMN 2103, ITAL 2103, SPAN 2103)
- Concentration B begins at least in the first semester (CHIN 2101, FREN 2101, GRMN 2101, ITAL 2101, SPAN 2101).
Upper Division Requirements:

33 semester hours in upper division courses:
- Concentration A 12 semester hours
- Concentration B 12 semester hours
- MDLG 3400 Linguistics 4 semester hours
- MDLG 4400 Applied Linguistics 4 semester hours OR FNLT 4200 Comparative Cultures 4 semester hours
- MDLG 4990 Senior Capstone Project 1 semester hours
Students who need more semester hours to complete the Modern Languages major due to their initial language placement must take additional upper division elective courses in that language concentration. If no upper division elective courses in the language are offered by the Department of Modern Languages and Literature, students may fulfill up to four credits by taking a course offered outside the Department in the appropriate cultural studies area (e.g., ASPA, CLST, HMNT, LBST). Students must have pre-approval from the Modern Languages Program Coordinator and the Department Chair prior to taking a course.

See the LMU Bulletin for the complete Modern Languages major requirements.

Need a major/minor worksheet or 4-year-plan? Check here.
Course offerings for MDLG Spring 2025

See all Modern Languages courses offered in the LMU Bulletin.