World Languages and Cultures (B.A.)
(Formerly Foreign Languages)
Total Semester Hours required for the Degree: 120 semester hours
Semester Hours required for the World Languages Major: 33-35 semester hours*
MAJOR
BA in World Languages and Cultures (with a Concentration in French, German, or Spanish)
Total Hours: 33-35*
For placement policies, credit for prior study (including high school study), and/or proficiency exams, see "Prior study of the language" section below.
All language majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad.
Faculty-led programs and/or summer programs range from 1 to 4 weeks, earning 2 - 6 credits.
Semester programs at partner universities may earn 12-18 credits.
French and Francophone Studies (33 hours)*
Requirement: 24 hours French
Choose from among the following courses:
Or
Topics courses include: Contemporary French and Francophone Cultures; Introduction to Francophone Studies; Francophone Cinema; Advanced French Expression: Writing and Speaking.
Earn French credits through Study Abroad. The program offers a faculty-led study abroad program to Quebec (2 credits). Students can also earn 12-18 French credits during semester programs at our partner universities in francophone countries.
Elective: 9 hours of elective courses
Any combination of courses from other departments with a focus on diversity or international studies and/or courses in another world language. Courses will be chosen in consultation with advisor.**
Total: 33
German Studies (33 hours)*
Requirement: 24 hours German.
Choose from among the following courses:
Or
Topics courses include: German Film for Conversation; Legends and Fairly Tales; Contemporary Forms of Communication; The Nazi Past in German Film.
Earn German credits through Study Abroad. The program offers a faculty-led study abroad program to Germany (6 German credits). Students can also earn 12-18 German credits during semester programs at our partner universities in Germany.
Elective: 9 hours of elective courses
Any combination of courses from other departments with a focus on diversity or international studies and/or courses in another world language. Courses will be chosen in consultation with advisor.**
Total: 33
Spanish and Hispanic Studies (35 hours)*
Requirement 26 hours Spanish.
At least 3 courses (9 credits) must come from the courses marked #.
Choose from among the following courses:
Note: WLS 3000 is a prerequisite for all upper-division courses except WLS 3050.
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Or
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Topics courses include: Culture and Literature of Argentina; Space and Identity in Spanish American Literature; Latin Identity and Cultural Diversity.
Earn Spanish credits through Study Abroad. The program offers faculty-led study abroad programs to Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Argentina (2-6 Spanish credits). Students can also earn 12-18 Spanish credits during semester programs at our partner universities in Spanish-speaking countries.
Elective: 9 hours of elective courses
Any combination of courses from other departments with a focus on diversity or international studies and/or courses in another world language. Courses will be chosen in consultation with advisor.**
Total: 35
Prior study of the language
(1) General Placement Policy
Students with prior high school study are advised to begin at the following level:
With 2 to 3 years of high school language study: Take WLF/G/S 2201G/2291G (4). Course counts toward General Education, Humanities. Spanish: Honors section WLS 2291G available.
With 3 to 4 years of high school language study: Take WLF/G/S 2202G/2292G (4). Course counts towards General Education, Humanities. Spanish: Honors section WLS 2292G available.
4+ years: May start at 3000-level after consultation with departmental advisor.
(2) Illinois Seal of Biliteracy
https://www.eiu.edu/registra/biliteracy.php
A student who has received State Seal of Biliteracy will receive a total of 8 credits (lower division). This is the equivalent of first semester (4 credits) and second semester (4 credits) of language study at EIU.
(3) Advanced Placement (AP) Test
https://www.eiu.edu/registra/advancedplace.php
A score of 3 will receive credit for WLF/G/S 2201G (4 hours).
A score of 4 will receive credit for WLF/G/S 2201G and 2202G (8 hours).
A score of 5 will receive credit for WLF/G/S 2201G, 2202G, and one 3000-level course (11 hours).
(4) Advanced Competency Credit
Students receive up to 6 credits free of charge for language study completed in high school. Credits count toward graduation and are applied after completing two language courses (8 hours) at EIU. Students must begin at the 1102 or 2201/2202 level.
(5) Proficiency Exams in Spanish
Students who have acquired Spanish proficiency through heritage learning or through work/travel abroad are encouraged to take the following proficiency exams for credit. Upon passing the exam/s, students receive full credit for the following course/s:
Footnotes:
* The number of total hours depends on the level at which a student begins the program.
** Elective courses: Prior high school language work in a world language other than the language of concentration will be recognized as follows: One year of high school study with grade of C or better is equivalent to one world language course (3 hours); 2 years are equivalent to 2 world language courses (6 hours); 3 years are equivalent to 3 world language courses (9 hours). Consultation with and permission of Department Chair required.
Information sourced from the 2025-2026 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.