Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Language and Culture

Contact Information

Website: arts.ucalgary.ca/languages-linguistics-literatures-cultures.

For Program Advice

Students should consult an undergraduate program advisor in the Arts Students’ Centre for information and advice on their overall program requirements. Advising contact information can be found online: arts.ucalgary.ca/advising.

Introduction

The School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures offers programs that focus on Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and the literatures and cultures associated with these languages, as well as programs in general linguistics. It also offers an interdisciplinary program in East Asian Studies.

The language programs challenge students to think critically about the relationship between language and culture, theories of language competency, cross-cultural awareness, including literature and film studies, and the socio-linguistic histories involved.

The School recognizes the special role and place that French, as one of our country’s two official languages, has played and continues to play in the socio-historical context of Canada. The French programs encompass French Canada, French-speaking Europe, francophone African literatures, critical theories, sociolinguistics and second language teaching.

Linguistics programs educate students in the scientific study of language. Linguistic analysis and theory (syntax, morphology, semantics, phonology, phonetics, historical linguistics) constitute the core, which is enriched by the focal areas of language acquisition and processing and the analysis of Indigenous languages of Canada. Students in Linguistics can pursue a concentration in Applied Linguistics or Speech-Language Sciences.

Placement in Introductory Courses in German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish

Students who register in introductory courses in German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish are required to complete an online placement form to indicate whether they have taken a previous course in the language or lived in an environment where that language is spoken. The online placement form will be available to registered students via D2L up to a month before the first day of class. Students must be registered in the respective course in order to access the D2L site.

Students who indicate on the online placement form that they have taken a previous course in the language or lived in an environment where that language is spoken will be required to meet with the program’s undergraduate advisor and will be informed of the appropriate course in which to register. Students who do not complete the online placement form, or who are asked to consult with the advisor but fail to do so, will be removed from the course by the drop deadline.

Placement in Arabic and Chinese Courses

All students wishing to take a course in Arabic or Chinese for the first time must contact the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures in order to determine the appropriate course in which to register. Students who do not complete the online placement form, or who are asked to consult with the advisor but fail to do so, will be removed from the course by the drop deadline.

For more information please consult the School website at arts.ucalgary.ca/languages-linguistics-literatures-cultures/arabic-language-muslim-cultures/assessment-and-placement (Arabic) and arts.ucalgary.ca/languages-linguistics-literatures-cultures/chinese/home/assessment-and-placement (Chinese).

Study Abroad

The School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures encourages its students to take advantage of possibilities for studying off-campus, wherever one of its target languages is spoken. Detailed information on exchange programs and Study Abroad programs in Arabic, Chinese, French (in Quebec or elsewhere), German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish is available from the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures and/or University of Calgary International.

Students planning to study at another institution must obtain a letter of permission from their faculty. They are strongly advised to consult the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures beforehand to discuss details concerning course selection and transfer of credit.