Catalog Year: 2021-2022
The Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages prepares students for teaching, graduate study in languages and cultures, research, professional work, as well as service in government, nonprofits, or business. Our graduates are particularly valued for their multilingual and cross-cultural knowledge. Majors are encouraged to complete a minor or a second major in another field. Concentrations are offered in Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, and Spanish. Minors are offered in Arabic, Chinese, Classical Studies, French, German Studies, Italian Studies, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies, Latin, Russian and Spanish.
Double majors in foreign language and another subject should plan a program of study with advisors from both disciplines and follow the steps outlined in AP.5.3.3 Second Bachelor's Degree.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Total credits: minimum 120
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
In addition to the other college and university requirements for a degree, provided in the tabs below, students pursuing this degree complete a 30-33 credit concentration chosen from the following:
The concentration in Arabic has an emphasis on developing strong language skills, including literacy and oral communication, along with an in-depth understanding of modern Arabic culture and society. Students concentrating in Arabic are expected to gain fluency in Modern Standard Arabic and a working knowledge of at least one Arabic dialect. Additionally, students will graduate with a strong background in Arab intellectual history, literature, and culture.
Students pursuing the concentration in Arabic must complete a minimum of 30 credits in Arabic at the 300 level and above, each with a minimum grade of C. Only two courses (6 credits) taught in English may be applied to the major. Students are highly encouraged to participate in study abroad.
A minor in Arabic is also offered, which can easily and effectively be combined with majors in other disciplines, such as global affairs, international relations, government, journalism, philosophy, and religion.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Select eight courses from the following: | 24 | |
| Advanced Arabic | ||
| Reading and Conversation I | ||
| Reading and Conversation II | ||
| Media Arabic I (Written Media) | ||
| Media Arabic II (Spoken Media) (Mason Core) | ||
| Advanced Arabic Media: Debates Context (Mason Core) | ||
| Study Abroad - Arab World | ||
| Arabic Dialects | ||
| Translation Methods: Arabic to English | ||
| Survey of Arabic Literature | ||
| Advanced Arabic Grammar | ||
| Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core) | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Major Arab Writers/Stories (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Arabic Cultural Production | ||
| Special Topics in Modern Arabic Studies | ||
ANTH 1
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ARTH 1
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ENGH 1
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GOVT 1
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HIST 1
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PHIL 1
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RELI 1
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SOCI 1
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| Total Credits | 30 | |
| 1 | Requires approval of advisor and the director; relevant courses only. |
The concentration in Chinese prepares students for research and professional work in government and private enterprise, teaching careers at the secondary school level, and graduate study in Chinese. Language majors with the Chinese concentration are encouraged to complete a minor or, if possible, a second major in another field.
Students pursuing the concentration in Chinese must complete a minimum of 30 credits in Chinese at the 300 level and above, each with a minimum grade of C. Students are expected to complete a balanced program that includes courses in language, culture and civilization, and literature. Only two courses (6 credits) taught in English may be applied to the major. Students are highly encouraged to participate in study abroad.
A minor in Chinese is also offered, which can easily and effectively be combined with majors in other disciplines, such as global affairs, international relations, government, journalism, philosophy, and religion.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Select eight courses from the following: | 24 | |
| Reading Skills Development | ||
| Advanced Grammar and Syntax | ||
| Chinese for the Business World | ||
| Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core) | ||
| Readings in Chinese Poetry and Poetics (Mason Core) | ||
| Readings in Chinese Fiction after Mao | ||
| Chinese Popular Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Fourth-Year Chinese I | ||
| Fourth-Year Chinese II | ||
| China on Stage: Introduction to Chinese Theatrical Dramas in the 20th Century | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select two courses from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Survey of Chinese Literature (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Chinese Literature in Translation (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Chinese Film | ||
| Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| Asian American Women Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| Special Topics in Chinese Studies | ||
| Internship in Chinese Studies | ||
| Arts of China (Mason Core) | ||
| Geography of China (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Traditional China | ||
| Modern China (Mason Core) | ||
| Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | ||
| Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| 1 | Relevant courses offered by other departments may be allowed with Chinese program director's approval. |
Students pursuing the concentration in French must complete a minimum of 33 credits in French at the 300 level and above, each with a minimum grade of C. No more than two courses (6 credits) conducted in English may be used to fulfill requirements for the concentration. These may be chosen from FREN 325 Major French Writers (Topic Varies) (Mason Core) or FREN 329 Problems of Western Civilization in French Literature (Mason Core) or a FRLN or non-MCL course at the 300- or 400- level with approval. Students are expected to complete a balanced program that includes courses in language, culture and civilization, and literature.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Language Course | ||
| FREN 309 | Reading and Writing Skills Development | 3 |
| Literature and Civilization | ||
| FREN 380 | The Making of Modern France | 3 |
| FREN 340 | Francophone Identities | 3 |
| or FREN 385 | Introduction to French Linguistics | |
| FREN at the 300-level or Above | ||
| Select four courses in FREN at the 300-level or above | 12 | |
| FREN at the 400-level or above | ||
| Select four courses in FREN at the 400-level or above | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
The major in Korean prepares students to perform professional work in the field of translation, international relations, local and federal government, transnational enterprise, cultural industry and teaching careers in Korea or at local public schools and to pursue graduate studies in Korean or Korean studies. The concentration in Korean has an emphasis on developing solid Korean language proficiency skills, technical translation skills, and in-depth understanding of both South and North Korean society and culture.
Students majoring in Korean need to complete a minimum of 30 credits in Korean at the 300 level and above, each with a minimum grade of C. Students are expected to take well-balanced courses including language, culture, literature and translation. Only two courses (6 credits) taught in English are applied to the major requirements. Students are strongly recommended to participate in study abroad.
The major in Korean can ideally be combined with majors or minors in other disciplines, such as global affairs, international relations, government, journalism, conflict analysis and resolution, philosophy, religion, and education.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Select eight courses from the following. Some courses may be repeated for credit. | 24 | |
| Advanced Korean Language and Culture | ||
| Business Korean | ||
| Korean Proficiency through Visual Culture | ||
| Special Topics in Advanced Korean Reading | ||
| Special Topics in Advanced Korean Speaking | ||
| Transformation of Language and Culture in North and South Korea | ||
| Advanced Korean Writing | ||
| Special Topics in Korean Linguistics | ||
| Special Topics in Translation of Korean | ||
| Korean Cultural Studies | ||
| Internship in Korean Studies | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select two courses taught in English on Korean subject matter from the following: | 6 | |
| Korean Culture and Society | ||
| Traditional Korean Literature in Translation | ||
| Modern Korean Literature in Translation (Mason Core) | ||
| Korean Popular Culture in a Global World | ||
| Major North and South Korean Writers | ||
| Introduction to Korean Linguistics | ||
GOVT 333 |
Government and Politics of Asia | |
GOVT 433 |
Political Economy of East Asia | |
| Buddhism (Mason Core) | ||
| Daoism | ||
| Korean Philosophy and Religions | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
With more than 400 million people speaking Spanish worldwide - nearly 40 million in the US - and the growing influence of Hispanic cultures around the globe, knowledge of Spanish and the Spanish-speaking world has never been more important. The Spanish courses and degree programs provide students with the opportunity for language development and interdisciplinary study of the cultures, film, history, linguistics and literature of the 20 Spanish-speaking countries, including the United States. Students can also receive Spanish credit through participation in study-abroad programs.
Students pursuing the concentration in Spanish must complete a minimum of 33 credits in Spanish courses at the 300-level and above, each with a minimum grade of C. Two courses taught in English (6 credits) may be applied toward the concentration, only one of which may be taught outside the department. FRLN topics courses and outside elective courses taught in English require pre-approval by the Spanish program coordinator.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (Select one of the following options) | 6 | |
| Option 1 | ||
| Spanish in Context I | ||
| Spanish in Context II | ||
| Option 2 | ||
| Intensive Spanish in Context | ||
| Option 3 | ||
| Spanish in Context for Heritage Speakers | ||
| Additional Required Courses | ||
| SPAN 370 | Spanish Writing and Stylistics | 3 |
| SPAN 385 | Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | 3 |
| SPAN 390 | Introduction to Hispanic Literary Analysis | 3 |
| Spanish at the 400 Level | ||
| Select four courses in Spanish at the 400 level | 12 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Latin American Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Major Hispanic Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| Special Topics in Spanish and Latin American Literature | ||
| Multilingualism, Identity, and Power (Mason Core) | ||
FRLN topics courses with pre-approval of Spanish Program Coordinator |
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Other relevant elective courses taught in English with pre-approval of Spanish Program Coordinator 1
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| Total Credits | 33 | |
| 1 | Prefixes for elective courses (with pre-approval) include ANTH, ARTH, ENGH, GGS, GOVT, HIST, RELI, and SOCI. |
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in foreign language may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ARAB 331 Reading and Conversation II, CHIN 480 Fourth-Year Chinese I, FREN 309 Reading and Writing Skills Development, KORE 370 Advanced Korean Writing, or SPAN 370 Spanish Writing and Stylistics.
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
PHIL 1
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| 1 |
Note that the following courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement:
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| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement) 1 | 3 | |
| ANTH | ||
| CRIM | ||
| ECON | ||
| GOVT | ||
| HIST 2 | ||
| LING | ||
| PSYC | ||
| SOCI | ||
| Or choose from the following GGS courses: | ||
| Major World Regions (Mason Core) | ||
| Human Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Geoinformation Technologies | ||
| Political Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
GGS 304 |
Population Geography (Mason Core) | |
GGS 305 |
Economic Geography | |
| Urban Geography | ||
| Geography of the United States | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Geography of the Soviet Succession States | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Geography of Virginia | ||
| 1 | The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and Mason Core requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. |
| 2 | HIST 100 History of Western Civilization (Mason Core) and HIST 125 Introduction to World History (Mason Core) may not be used to fulfill this requirement. |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, fulfilled by: 1 | ||
Or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test |
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Or completing the following ASL three course sequence: |
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EDSE 115 |
American Sign Language (ASL) I | |
EDSE 116 |
American Sign Language (ASL) II | |
EDSE 219 |
American Sign Language (ASL) III | |
| 1 | Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. |
Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global understanding)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits (additional to Mason Core Global Understanding requirement) 1 | ||
| ANTH 114 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 300 | Civilizations | 3 |
| ANTH 302 | Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 307 | Ancient Mesoamerica (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 308 | Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 309 | Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 313 | Myth, Magic, and Mind (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 314 | Zombies | 3 |
| ANTH 330 | Peoples and Cultures of Selected Regions: Non-Western | 3 |
| ANTH 332 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Globalization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 381 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 396 | Issues in Anthropology: Social Sciences (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARAB 360 | Topics in Arabic Cultural Production | 3 |
| ARAB 420 | Survey of Arabic Literature | 3 |
| ARAB 440 | Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 203 | Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 204 | Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 206 | Survey of African Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 318 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ARTH 319 | Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 320 | Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 382 | Arts of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 383 | Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 384 | Arts of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 385 | Arts of Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 386 | The Silk Road (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 482 | RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art | 3 |
| CHIN 318 | Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 320 | Contemporary Chinese Film | 3 |
| CHIN 325 | Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 470 | Special Topics in Chinese Studies | 3 |
| DANC 118 | World Dance (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 361 | Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 362 | African Economic Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FREN 451 | Topics in Sub-Saharan Francophone Literature and Culture | 3 |
| FREN 454 | Topics in Caribbean Francophone Literature and Culture | 3 |
| GGS 101 | Major World Regions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 316 | Geography of Latin America | 3 |
| GGS 317 | Geography of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 325 | Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | 3 |
| GGS 330 | Geography of the Soviet Succession States | 3 |
| GGS 399 | Select Topics in GGS | 3 |
| GOVT 328 | Global Political Theory | 3 |
| GOVT 332 | Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| GOVT 333 | Government and Politics of Asia | 3 |
| GOVT 338 | Government and Politics of Russia | 3 |
| GOVT 340 | Central Asian Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 341 | Chinese Foreign Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 345 | Islam and Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 433 | Political Economy of East Asia | 3 |
| HIST 251 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 252 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 261 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 262 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 271 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 272 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 281 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 282 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 326 | Stalinism | 3 |
| HIST 327 | The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | 3 |
| HIST 328 | Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 329 | Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 353 | History of Traditional China | 3 |
| HIST 354 | Modern China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 356 | Modern Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 357 | Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 358 | Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 360 | History of South Africa (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 364 | Revolution and Radical Politics in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 365 | Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 366 | Comparative Slavery | 3 |
| HIST 367 | History, Fiction, and Film in Latin America | 3 |
| HIST 387 | Topics in Global History (Mason Core) | 3-6 |
| HIST 426 | The Russian Revolution | 3 |
| HIST 460 | Modern Iran (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 461 | Arab-Israeli Conflict | 3 |
| HIST 462 | Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 465 | The Middle East in the 20th Century | 3 |
| JAPA 310 | Japanese Culture in a Global World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| JAPA 340 | Topics in Japanese Literature (Mason Core) | 3 |
| KORE 320 | Korean Popular Culture in a Global World | 3 |
| MUSI 103 | Musics of the World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 211 | Religions of the West (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 212 | Religions of Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 240 | Death and the Afterlife in World Religions | 3 |
| RELI 272 | Islam | 3 |
| RELI 313 | Hinduism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 314 | Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions | 3 |
| RELI 315 | Buddhism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 317 | Daoism | 3 |
| RELI 337 | Mysticism: East and West | 3 |
| RELI 365 | Muhammad: Life and Legacy | 3 |
| RELI 374 | Islamic Thought (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 375 | Qur'an and Hadith | 3 |
| RELI 379 | Islamic Law, Society, and Ethics | 3 |
| RELI 387 | Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights | 3 |
| RELI 490 | Comparative Study of Religions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 353 | Russian Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 354 | Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core) | 3 |
| 1 | A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. |
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (ENGH 101) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Understanding | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Western Civilization/World History | 3 | |
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communications (ENGH 302) | 3 | |
| Writing-Intensive 1 | 3 | |
| Synthesis/Capstone 2 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
| 1 | Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core. |
| 2 | Minimum 3 credits required. |