Programs Overview

The Department of Modern Languages includes programs in Chinese, French, Italian, and Spanish. Classes are conducted in the target language. Courses integrate culture, history, literature, and other creative productions into the learning experience, as well as introduce students to business discourse. Language study teaches students to think critically and analytically, and it introduces them to the ways in which other cultures construct thought and make meaning. To enhance study of the language, students are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous study abroad experiences available to them.

Chinese and Spanish offer majors and concentrations. These majors require ten courses (30 credits), out of which two may be at the 200 level and eight must be at the 300 and 400 levels. The Chinese, Spanish, and French concentrations require six courses (18 credits), out of which, one may be at the 200 level and five at the 300 and 400 level. Chinese, French, Italian, and Spanish have complete minors, which includes at least three courses at the advanced level. Students must complete introductory and intermediate study in these languages or test out of these levels before taking the advanced courses. All introductory and intermediate courses include a live-lab credit, which incorporates intensive conversation of the language with a native or near native speaker.

The Department hosts an innovative language lab, which provides students with supplemental instruction and teacher- and student-guided instructional materials.

Language study is necessary for employment in a range of fields and offers many opportunities for students in graduate study. A background in languages is fundamental to employment in International Business, thus the BSIB requires a full minor in a language for completion of the degree. Language is similarly important to work in the social and technical sciences, as well as the arts and humanities. Proficiency in a language is required by most graduate programs; therefore, under-graduate language study prepares students for work in a wide range of humanities and liberal-arts based graduate programs.

Major in Chinese

The Chinese major aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop advanced Chinese language proficiency and full understanding of the Chinese culture as they study a wide range of authentic texts and practice through meaningful communication and interaction. The Chinese major requires ten courses (30 credits), out of which two may be at the 200 level and eight must be at the 300 and 400 levels.

Objectives:

Demonstrate advanced Chinese language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Develop effective communication skills in both oral and written Chinese language.
Cultivate full understanding of Chinese people, culture, and China-related issues.
Be able to work and study in contexts that require knowledge and practice of Chinese language and culture.

Chinese Major Requirements (12 credits):

ML-CH305 Reading and Writing I (3 credits)
ML-CH306 Conversation and Listening Comprehension (3 credits)
ML-CH404 Chinese for Business or CH406 Chinese for Media (3 credits)
One more 400-level Chinese language course
Six additional courses (18 credits). Two may be at the 200 level, and the rest at the 300 and 400 levels.
Fifteen credits must be earned at Bryant.

Learn more about a major in Chinese.

Concentration in Chinese

The Chinese concentration aims to promote meaningful and proﬁcient Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese people and Chinese culture, as foreign language proﬁciency has become indispensable in today’s economic and political interdependence of nations. The Chinese concentration requires six courses (18 credits), out of which one may be at the 200 level and ﬁve at the 300 and 400 levels. Three of the six courses (9 credits) must be earned at Bryant. This is an 18 credit concentration only. Students must have a primary concentration in the College of Business or a major in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Objectives:

Develop meaningful and proﬁcient communication skills in oral and written Chinese.
Cultivate the appreciation and understanding of Chinese people and Chinese culture.
Prepare students to travel, work and study in contexts that require knowledge and practice of Chinese language and culture.

Chinese Concentration Requirements:

ML – CH305 Reading and Writing I (3 credits)
ML – CH306 Conversation and Listening Comprehension (3 credits)
One 400 level advanced Chinese course (3 credits)
Three additional courses (9 credits). One may be at the 200 level and at least two must be at the 300 and 400 levels.
Nine credits must be earned at Bryant.

Learn more about a concentration in Chinese.

Minor in Chinese

The Chinese Minor is designed to provide students with an advanced level of language proﬁciency in Standard Mandarin and a solid foundation for the development of cultural understanding and communicative competence across a broad array of social contexts and settings in China.

In addition to providing students with the necessary tools to become effective and creative communicators, the Chinese Minor also prepares students to live, study, and work in China and to take advantage of the steadily growing international market for professionals in all ﬁelds who have a background in Chinese language and culture.

Objectives:

Develop strong communication skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Develop an understanding of important cultural and social themes and concepts in Chinese-speaking communities.
Prepare students for travel and advanced study in China.
Prepare students to work in international business contexts requiring knowledge of Chinese language and culture.

Chinese Minor Requirements:

ML-CH305 – Reading and Writing I (3 credits)
One 400 level advanced Chinese course (3 credits)
Two additional Chinese courses (6 credits). One may be at the 200 level and at least one must be at the 300 or 400 level.
Six credits must be earned at Bryant.

Learn more about a minor in Chinese.

Concentration in French

French is one of the official languages of the United Nations and is spoken by over 200 million people throughout the world. The French concentration offers an advanced level of proficiency in the language, as well as a strong understanding of the cultures of France and French-speaking societies in Europe, Africa, Asia, Canada, and the Caribbean. The French concentration is six courses or 18 credits and complements either a concentration in the College of Business or a major in the College of Arts and Science.

Learn more about a concentration in French.

Minor in French

The French minor offers an advanced level of proficiency in the language, as well as a strong understanding of the cultures of France and French-speaking societies. Four courses are required for the minor, and it is available to all students.

Learn more about a minor in French.

Minor in Italian

The Italian minor develops an understanding of important cultural and social themes and concepts in Italian-speaking communities, prepares students for travel and advanced study in Italy, and provides contextual knowledge of Italian language and culture to conduct international business.

Learn more about a minor Italian.

Major in Spanish

The Spanish major is designed to promote the development of advanced proficiency in Spanish and a deepening understanding of Hispanic cultures. As the knowledge of at least one foreign language has become indispensable in today’s economic and political interdependence of nations, the Spanish major will advance the development of intercultural competence. The Spanish major requires ten courses (30 credits), out of which two may be at the 200 level and at least eight must be at the 300 and 400 levels. At least two of the advanced level courses must be at the 400 level. At least five courses (15 credits) must be taken at Bryant.

Learn more about the major in Spanish.

Concentration in Spanish

The Spanish concentration equips students with the necessary tools to become excellent communicators and rigorous thinkers. It also offers the knowledge and skills students need to live and work within an increasingly international context.

With the significant presence of Latina/os in the U.S, the considerable number of Spanish-speaking transnational immigrants, and the importance of Spain in the European Union, a concentration in Spanish offers tangible skills that are beneficial to future success.

Learn more about the concentration in Spanish.

Minor in Spanish

The Spanish minor offers an advanced level of proficiency in the language, as well as a strong understanding of the cultures of Spanish-speaking societies. Four courses are required for the minor, and it is available to all students.

Learn more about a minor in Spanish.