Global Languages and Cultures

FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
Mission Statement
Through interdisciplinary studies, Foreign Language and International Studies (FLIS) majors gain an in-depth understanding of global culture, language, geography, history and politics. Students select one foreign language in which to master reading, writing and verbal communication skills, while developing global competency through study abroad experiences, internship opportunities, and a diverse selection of courses such as international relations, human geography, world religions and intercultural communications. The FLIS major builds a solid foundation for careers in government, and human resources, and for graduate degrees in international law, foreign relations, diplomacy and global language education.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate professional written and verbal language competencies in a world language.
2. Demonstrate a capacity to deploy multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to meaningfully understand issues of international, comparative, and/or global significance through a major capstone project and an international experience.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural, ethical, and disciplinary aspects of recent international issues in public policy, social science, or humanities.

SPANISH
Mission Statement
The Spanish program develops Spanish language proficiency and introduces students to the historical evolution of Hispanic culture in Europe and the Americas. Students master advanced linguistic skills, and seminar courses explore literary and cultural works with emphasis on structural and conceptual analysis. The university offers a wide array of study abroad options through which students may enhance their language and cultural skills. The Spanish degree program addresses the growing demand for bilingual professionals in every field of business and prepares students for success in graduate school or in careers within the global job market, including health and government professions, entrepreneurship, politics, and education.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate professional written and verbal language proficiency, including the ability to communicate/engage in dialogue with native Spanish speakers from a variety of nations and cultures.
2. Demonstrate the ability to think critically about issues related to Hispanic/Latino cultures.
3. Produce coherent, well-organized critical analysis of literary and cultural works from the Hispanic tradition.

The Department of Global Languages and Cultures is committed to helping Bellarmine students gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living and communicating in the globally interdependent and culturally diverse world of the 21st century.

Studying world languages not only provides students with valuable insights into other cultures, but it also confronts students with their own language, culture, and values. Knowledge of a foreign language serves as a solid basis for a broad liberal arts education. Proficiency in a foreign language provides the extra edge in the highly competitive world of trade and commerce, international relations, government, and research.

While many of Bellarmine students studying a world languages have cultural, social, political, and economic interests in order to support and broaden their studies in other fields, Bellarmine’s program is aimed toward preparing students for graduate school and a global job market, by offering a major in Foreign Languages and International Studies, a major in Spanish, minors in French, German, and Spanish, and a minor in International Studies.