World Languages Option

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Associate in Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Bedford Campus and Lowell Campus - Day and Evening

Program Description:

The World Languages Option Associate in Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences degree program is designed to develop students’ global perspective, enable them to understand different cultures and value systems, and prepare them to participate in a society characterized by linguistic and cultural diversity. This program option allows the student to master one world language at the Intermediate II level, and another at the Beginning II level. Language study will involve a seamless transition between Flexible Studies and traditional classroom settings. Graduates in this option will be able to transfer into a language major or minor, and to satisfy the intermediate-level language requirement, at a bachelor’s degree program. This program qualifies for MassTransfer, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state universities and the University of Massachusetts.

View the Academic Map for this program

Career and Transfer Outlook:

Graduates with a second language are highly sought after in fields such as law enforcement, nursing and international business. The World Language Option degree allows a student to continue language study at the transfer institution. This option also prepares students to pass the intermediate-level language requirement for many bachelor’s degree programs.

Helpful Hints:

It is suggested that non-language courses emphasize world issues to enhance language study.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the World Languages Option will achieve the learning outcomes of the Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. Addtionally, graduates are prepared too:

Pass, or be close to passing, the intermediate-level language proficiency requirement for a bachelor’s degree program at many colleges/universities;
Continue at least a language minor, if not a major, at the transfer institution;
Demonstrate sensitivity and understanding of cultural differences.

Required Courses

ENG 101 - English Composition I 3 ♦
ENG 102 - English Composition II: An Introduction To Literature 3 ♦
HST 130 - History Of World Civilization Before 1500 3 ♦
HST 131 - History Of World Civilization After 1500 3
World Language A, Beginning I 3 ♦
World Language A, Beginning II 3
World Language A, Intermediate I 3
World Language A, Intermediate II 3
World Language B, Beginning I 3
World Language B, Beginning II 3
Literature Elective (See Recommended List) 3
Social Science/Behavioral Science Elective (See Recommended List) 3
Choose Lab Science or Non Lab Science Option: 6-8
Lab Science Option:
Lab Science 4
Math* or Science Elective 3-4
or
Non Lab Science Option:
Science Elective 3
Science Elective 3
Elective (See Recommended List) 3
Elective (See Recommended List) 3
Elective (See Recommended List) 3
Behavioral Science Elective 3 ♦
Laboratory Science Elective 4 ♦
*Mathematics Elective 3 ♦
♦ Fulfills the Core Curriculum

Total Credits: 61-63

*Must be above MAT 100

Recommended Courses for the World Language Option

Science: Environmental Studies (ENV 115 – 3 credits) or Environmental Science with lab (ENV 131– 4 credits) is recommended.

Social and Behavioral: World Geography (GGY 120), International Fellowship, Multicultural Communications (SOC 118), History of the Middle East.

Literature elective: World Literature I or II (ENG 140/141); World Masterpieces (ENG 135); Irish Literature (ENG 175); The Holocaust (ENG 120); Literature of Protest and Hope (ENG 125).

Electives: Religions of the World (REL 101); Religions of Asia (REL 102); or literature elective or SOC/BEH elective as above.

Languages (The number of semesters of instruction currently available appears in parenthesis): Arabic (3), Chinese (2), Finnish (3), French (3), German (3), Italian (2), Japanese (3), Khmer (1), Latin (2), Portuguese (2), Spanish (4), and Russian (2). Note: Development of 4th semester language courses is in progress.

Admission Note: Students entering the program will be given placement tests to take advantage of previous language study.

Note: Additional coursework may be required based on college placement testing. Students are urged to meet with their academic advisor for proper course sequencing.