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Department of World Languages and Cultures

FACULTY Professor Hertich (chair); Associate Professors Cisneros, Courtad, Harris (emeritus), Hertich (chair), Portocarrero, Walker (emeritus); Assistant Professor Barajas; Visiting Assistant Professors Cser, Charrat Nelson; Tenured Lecturer Kessler.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, and Spanish. In addition to elementary, intermediate, and advanced language classes, the department offers courses on a variety of topics including culture, linguistics, translation, literature, film, and business. Many students elect a double major/minor with other disciplines in order to enhance capabilities and marketability for careers in international business or industry, cultural or social services, and education.

Students who wish to continue the same language at the university level that they studied in high school must take the departmental placement exam. The test should be taken prior to course enrollment and is administered online. Students cannot receive credit for a course lower than that at which they place. They are permitted to enroll for credit in a course higher than where they placed, but can enroll for credit in a course higher than where they placed.

Language Requirements For The B.A. Degree

All candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must complete three semesters of college-level foreign language study or its equivalent. This requirement may be met in several ways: 1) Completion of a three-semester sequence (101-102-201) or higher in one language; 2) Completion of 102 or higher course in one language plus one course in another language; 3) Transfer of similar credits from another institution; 4) By proficiency examination (AP or CLEP); 5) By departmental examination in languages offered by the World Languages and Cultures Department. Option 5 is only available to non-native speakers. See department chair for details.

Students who have taken a foreign language in high school and wish to continue studies in the same language must take a placement examination. If a student places in 201 or higher the student will need to take only one course to fulfill the requirements for the B.A. degree. If a student places at the 102 level the student will need to take two courses to fulfill the requirements for the B.A. degree.

 Students completing foreign language at the 202 level may also receive one GP in the Bradley Core Curriculum.

Credit by Examination

Advanced Placement Credit (AP)

Credit is given for scores of 3 or above.  Specific information on the type of credit awarded can be obtained from the Undergraduate Admission Office or visit bradley.edu/admissions/freshman/apguides.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

Credit is given for International Baccalaureate scores of 4 or higher on Language B HL exams.  Specific information can be obtained from the Undergraduate Admission Office or visit bradley.edu/admissions/freshman/apguides.

Retroactive Credit

Students who place in a language at the 102 level or higher and take a course in the same language in the World Languages and Cultures Department at Bradley University will receive retroactive credit ("retrocredits"). See Retroactive Credit for more information.

Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy

Credit is given to students who have received the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy. Students receive 3 100-level elective credits in the language for which they have the State Seal.

AAPPL

Credit is given to students who have taken the entire AAPPL (Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages) exam according to the following scale.  Note that all four areas (Interpersonal listening and speaking, interpretive reading, interpretive listening, and presentational writing) must be completed in order to receive credit.  An average of individual area scores will be used to determine credit granted. 

  • Novice (score of N-1 or N-2) = no credit
  • Novice High (score of N-3 or N-4) = 101 credit
  • Intermediate Low (score of I-1 or 1-2) = 102 credit
  • Intermediate Mid (score of I-3 or I-4) = 201 credit
  • Intermediate High (score of I-5 or higher) = 202 credit

Language Majors and Minors

The department offers a major in French and Spanish and a minor in French, German, and Spanish.

Major Requirements

French

Students majoring in French must complete a minimum of 24 hours of credit in French at the 202 level or above. In consultation with their French advisor, their French courses must include the following:

  • WLF 303 Composition (prerequisite for other 300-level courses)
  • WLF 304 Conversation
  • WLF 320 Phonetics
  • One Literature Course: WLF 315, WLF 340, or WLF 341
  • One Civilization Course: WLF 322 or WLF 321
  • Three Electives

In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all French courses, with the exception of the practicum WLF 492, in which they must receive a P. Twelve hours of credit must be taken at Bradley, three of which must be taken during the senior year. Study abroad is also highly recommended.

Spanish

Students majoring in Spanish must complete a minimum of 27 hours of credit in Spanish at the 202 level or above, in consultation with their Spanish advisor. Spanish courses must include the following:

  • WLS 303 Composition
  • WLS 304 Conversation*
  • WLS 315 Introduction to Literature
  • One Linguistics Course: WLL 311, WLS 320, WLS 360, WLS 370, WLS 402
  • One Peninsular Literature Course: WLS 340, WLS 341, WLS 346, WLS 347**
  • One Latin American Literature Course: WLS 342, WLS 343, WLS 345, WLS 347**, WLS 380, WLS 385, WLS 425
  • One Civilization Course: WLS 305, WLS 306, WLS 307, WLS 321, WLS 322, WLS 330, WLS 401, WLS 410
  • Two Electives

In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all Spanish courses, with the exception of WLS 492, in which they must receive a P. Twelve hours of credit must be taken at Bradley, three of which must be taken during the final year. Study abroad is also highly recommended.

* This course is designed for non-native and non-near-native speakers. Students with native or near-native proficiency must substitute another 300-level Spanish class.

** WLS 347 Images and Text in the Hispanic World could be counted either for Peninsular or Latin American literature depending on the topic offered that semester.

Minor Requirements

French

For the French minor, requirements are a minimum of 18 hours of credit in French at the 202 level or above, with at least nine of the hours to be taken at Bradley, and approval by the foreign language advisor. In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all French courses, with the exception of WLF 492, in which they must receive a P.

German

For the German minor, requirements are a minimum of 18 hours of credit in German at the 202 level or above, with at least six of the hours to be taken at Bradley, and approval by the foreign language advisor. Foreign study may be required to complete the minor.  In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all German courses, with the exception of WLG 492, in which they must receive a P.

Spanish

For the Spanish minor, requirements are a minimum of 18 hours of credit in Spanish at the 202 level or above, with at least nine of the hours to be taken at Bradley, and approval by the foreign language advisor. Their Spanish courses must include the following:

  • WLS 303 Composition
  • WLS 304 Conversation*
  • WLS 315 Introduction to Literature
  • One Literature Course: WLS 340, WLS 341, WLS 343, WLS 347, WLS 380, or WLS 385
  • Two Electives

In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all Spanish courses, with the exception of WLS 492, in which they must receive a P.

*This course is designed for non-native and non-near-native speakers. Students with native or near-native proficiency must substitute another 300-level Spanish course.

Study Abroad

For students interested in studying at a foreign university, programs are available at selected sites abroad. For further information contact the International Programs and Study Abroad Office.

This is the official catalog for the 2019-2020 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.