Bachelor of Arts, Majors and Minors
Languages and Culture (Romance Languages)
A Minor is offered
Program Fees: Domestic Students, International Students
Apply for Admission
VIU also offers a Bachelor of Science, Minor in Languages & Culture (Romance Languages) and a Post Degree-Diploma in Languages and Culture (Romance Languages).
General Description
The B.A. - Minor in Languages and Culture (Romance Languages) is designed to serve a variety of students whose overall program or career plans require or benefit from a strong grounding in another language or culture: not only B.Ed students, but also History, Anthropology, Global Studies, Liberal Studies, Business, Recreation and Tourism, etc. There is an identified need for people with second language skills in a wide variety of employment areas such as primary and secondary education, research, business, tourism, fisheries, forestry and other federal government services.
Students may choose to do concentrations in French or Spanish, and in either concentration may also choose any of the following cultural related courses: LANG 240, 417, 470, and 471; SPAN 310 and 311. The program's strong interdisciplinary framework allows students to not only work in both French and Spanish, but also to include work from other departments. Students may also apply upper-level field school or exchange program credits to their minor, something that is often limited to language majors. The program is distinct (no other comparable Romance Languages Minor in BC), yet consistent with VIU's overall emphasis on global perspectives and multidisciplinary programs.
Requirements for a Minor
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:
French Concentration
Years 1 and 2: A minimum 'C+' average in 15 credits of first and second year French, or equivalent (French Immersion 12). (Native French speakers should consult with the department regarding eligibility).
Years 1 & 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
FRCH 121 - (Intermediate French I) |
3 |
FRCH 122 - (Intermediate French II) |
3 |
FRCH 221 - (French Oral and Written Practice I) |
3 |
FRCH 222 - (French Oral and Written Practice II) |
3 |
FRCH 230 - (Introduction to Francophone Culture and Literature) or |
3 |
Note: Students without French 12 must take FRCH 100 / FRCH 101 and/or FRCH 110 to meet the prerequisite for FRCH 121. (Prerequisite for FRCH 121 is French 12, or a 'B' in FRCH 101 or FRCH 110).
Years 3 and 4: A minimum 18 credits of third and fourth year French, Spanish, or Language courses.
Years 3 & 4 |
Credits |
|---|---|
FRCH 300 - (Critical Analysis and Writing Skills) |
3 |
FRCH 301 - (Oral Expression and Cultural Exploration in French) |
3 |
and four courses from the following: |
12 |
Note 1: Students may apply up to 6 credits of upper-level courses outside the Modern Languages department that are clearly relevant to the student's specialization, such as ENGL 405 - Inter–American Studies, LING 350 - Linguistics and the Dimensions, LBST 420 - The Modern Experience & Beyond (counts as 3 credits).
Other courses may also apply; consult with the Minor Program Coordinator for specific course approval. (Students may not count any course for required credit, in more than one program).
Note 2: Students may also apply up to 9 credits from a field school or exchange program with approval from the Department.
Spanish Concentration
Years 1 and 2: A minimum 'C+' average in 15 credits of first and second year Spanish, or equivalent. (Native Spanish speakers should consult with the department regarding eligibility).
Years 1 & 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
SPAN 100 - (Beginning Spanish I) |
3 |
SPAN 101 - (Beginning Spanish II) |
3 |
SPAN 200 - (Intermediate Spanish I) |
3 |
SPAN 201 - (Intermediate Spanish I) |
3 |
Select one of the following: |
3 |
Years 3 and 4: A minimum 18 credits of third and fourth year Spanish, or Language courses.
Years 3 & 4 |
Credits |
|---|---|
SPAN 300 - (Advanced Spanish I) |
3 |
SPAN 301 - (Advanced Spanish II) |
3 |
and four courses from the following: |
12 |
Note 1: Students may apply up to 6 credits of upper-level courses outside the Modern Languages department that are clearly relevant to the student's specialization, such as ENGL 405 - Inter–American Studies, LING 350 - Linguistics and the Dimensions, LBST 420 - The Modern Experience & Beyond (counts as 3 credits).
Other courses may also apply; consult with the Minor Program Coordinator for specific course approval. (Students may not count any course for required credit, in more than one program).
Note 2: Students may also apply up to 9 credits from a field school or exchange program with approval from the Department.
Post Degree-Diploma in Languages and Culture (Romance Languages)
Program Length: 33 credits related to the language of specialization; 1 - 4 years
Program Fees: Domestic Students, International Students
Apply for Admission
The Program
The Languages and Culture (Romance Languages) Post-Degree Diploma offers students who have completed a Bachelor's degree (e.g. Bachelor of Education), the opportunity to document their completion of a specialization in Language outside their Bachelor's program. It is awarded subsequent to a Bachelor's degree.
The Languages and Culture (Romance Languages) Post-Degree Diploma is not an addition to the Minor; it has the same course requirements, learning outcomes, and evaluation procedures as the B.A. Minor.
Career Opportunities
There is an identified need for people with second language skills in a wide variety of employment areas such as primary and secondary education, research, business, tourism, fisheries, forestry and other federal government services.
Admission Requirements
This program is designed for students who have recognized Bachelor's degrees and wish to complete an academic credential equal in scope to a language minor. New students will be placed in language courses according to ability, experience, and previous education. Native French and Spanish speakers should consult with the department regarding exemption from lower-level requirements.
Program Regulations
Students must obtain a minimum "C+" average in all required first and second year courses, and then complete 18 credits of upper-level courses related to their language of specialization.
Start Date and Application Deadline
Entry is ongoing and applications are accepted throughout the academic year. Students must have a recognized Bachelor's degree to enter the Post-Degree Diploma program.
Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of the required courses (33 credits related to the language of specialization).
French Concentration
Years 1 and 2: A minimum 'C+' average in 15 credits of first and second year French, or equivalent (French Immersion 12). (Native French speakers should consult with the department regarding eligibility).
Years 1 & 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
FRCH 121 - (Intermediate French I) |
3 |
FRCH 122 - (Intermediate French II) |
3 |
FRCH 221 - (French Oral and Written Practice I) |
3 |
FRCH 222 - (French Oral and Written Practice II) |
3 |
FRCH 230 - (Introduction to Francophone Culture and Literature) or |
3 |
Total credits |
15 |
Note: Students without French 12 must take FRCH 100 / FRCH 101 and/or FRCH 110 to meet the prerequisite for FRCH 121. (Prerequisite for FRCH 121 is French 12, or a 'B' in FRCH 101 or FRCH 110).
Years 3 and 4: A minimum 18 credits of third and fourth year French, Spanish, or Language courses.
Years 3 & 4 |
Credits |
|---|---|
FRCH 300 - (Critical Analysis and Writing Skills) |
3 |
FRCH 301 - (Oral Expression and Cultural Exploration in French) |
3 |
and four courses from the following: |
12 |
Total credits |
18 |
Note 1: Students may apply up to 6 credits of upper-level courses outside the Modern Languages department that are clearly relevant to the student's specialization, such as ENGL 405 - Inter–American Studies, LING 350 - Linguistics and the Dimensions, LBST 420 - The Modern Experience & Beyond (counts as 3 credits).
Other courses may also apply; consult with the Minor Program Coordinator for specific course approval. (Students may not count any course for required credit, in more than one program).
Note 2: Students may also apply up to 9 credits from a field school or exchange program with approval from the Department.
Spanish Concentration
Years 1 and 2: A minimum 'C+' average in 15 credits of first and second year Spanish, or equivalent. (Native Spanish speakers should consult with the department regarding eligibility).
Years 1 & 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
SPAN 100 - (Beginning Spanish I) |
3 |
SPAN 101 - (Beginning Spanish II) |
3 |
SPAN 200 - (Intermediate Spanish I) |
3 |
SPAN 201 - (Intermediate Spanish I) |
3 |
Select one of the following: |
3 |
Total credits |
15 |
Years 3 and 4: A minimum 18 credits of third and fourth year Spanish, or Language courses.
Years 3 & 4 |
Credits |
|---|---|
SPAN 300 - (Advanced Spanish I) |
3 |
SPAN 301 - (Advanced Spanish II) |
3 |
and four courses from the following: |
12 |
Total credits |
18 |
Note 1: Students may apply up to 6 credits of upper-level courses outside the Modern Languages department that are clearly relevant to the student's specialization, such as ENGL 405 - Inter–American Studies, LING 350 - Linguistics and the Dimensions, LBST 420 - The Modern Experience & Beyond (counts as 3 credits).
Other courses may also apply; consult with the Minor Program Coordinator for specific course approval. (Students may not count any course for required credit, in more than one program).
Note 2: Students may also apply up to 9 credits from a field school or exchange program with approval from the Department.
Updated: February 29, 2012