School of Languages, Cultures, and RaceMajorsForeign Languages & Cultures

Foreign Languages & Cultures

Foreign Languages and Cultures is the study of languages other than English and the cultures where these languages are spoken. Studying a foreign language allows for direct access to people and cultures other than one’s own and furthers the development of global understanding and sensitivity. Proficiency in a foreign language is an important tool in a broad variety of professions.

Foreign Languages offers coursework in these languages: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages & Cultures Majors

  • Chinese
  • French Language
  • French Teaching
  • Japanese
  • Spanish Language
  • Spanish Teaching

Bachelor of Arts in Humanities-International Area Studies – Major Advising

The BA in Humanities-International Area Studies major is for students who have interests that are both international and interdisciplinary. Students may choose between these major concentrations:  Latin American Area studies, German Area Studies, French and Francophone Area Studies, and European Area Studies.

Students who wish to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a focus in International Area Studies will devise an approved, coherent program of study with the coordinator and a designated advisor who is a specialist in the student’s area of interest. The program of study must fulfill an academic or career goal, include prerequisites consistent with the 300-400 level major coursework, satisfy the UCORE requirements and any additional requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences, and include language proficiency appropriate to the cultural area. The area studies major will consist of a minimum of 40 credits.

Professional Second Majors

An additional Professions major in French, German, Japanese, or Spanish language can be combined with a primary major in any other academic area to expand your language skills and increase global opportunities. This additional major does not lead to a degree.

  • French Professions
  • German Professions
  • Japanese Professions
  • Spanish Professions
View Minors and Certificates
Foreign Languages Student Handbook

Advisor

Laurie Heustis
CUE 502D
509-335-4136
heustis@wsu.edu

Make an Appointment

Career Possibilities

  • Public relations/marketing/advertising
  • International business, banking, finance
  • Travel/tourism/hospitality
  • Law enforcement
  • Health and social services
  • Publishing/editing/journalism
  • Translation and interpretation
  • Customs and immigration
  • Customer service and personnel management
  • Education/teaching
  • Science, engineering, and technology
  • Music, film, drama, photography
  • Apparel and Merchandising
  • Peace Corp and Aid Agencies

Skills Learned

  • Proficiency in a language other than English
  • Cross-cultural communication
  • Awareness of cultural differences
  • Global experience
  • Ability to adjust to new environments
  • Enhanced speaking and writing abilities
  • Enhanced reading and listening comprehension skills
  • Independent, critical and creative thinking with increased analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Learning an additional language can be advantageous in the job market.
  • Gaining new perspectives of our own and other’s languages and cultures