Languages and Applied Linguistics
Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics
218 Cowell College
(831) 459-2054
https://language.ucsc.edu
Programs Offered
Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism B.A.
Spanish Studies B.A.
Spanish Studies Minor
Teaching English as a Second or Other Language
Other Programs of Interest
Language Studies B.A.
Linguistics B.A.
Language is an intellectual tool basic to all disciplines. In today’s communities, multicultural and global, learning a second language is not a refinement but a necessity—the key to understanding and communicating with others near and far. The goal of the Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics at UC Santa Cruz is to allow students to achieve a substantial level of proficiency in languages other than English. Since such proficiency always includes cultural as well as linguistic comprehension, our courses examine the complex relationship between language and culture.
The Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics offers rigorous training by professional instructors. Most courses are taught in the target language from the very beginning. Currently, we offer courses in Chinese, French, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Punjabi, Spanish, Spanish for heritage speakers, and Yiddish.
Students with previous language preparation who wish to continue in that language take a placement examination to determine the course level appropriate for them. Each language’s placement examination format is described in the quarterly Schedule of Classes, along with the date ,time, and location of the examination.
Our upper-division courses further expand students' understanding of language in its social contexts, focusing on linguistic, historical, literary, sociological and cultural issues, among others.
Students may also use language courses for the following majors and minors that have a language requirement: classical studies, East Asian studies, global economics, human biology, Italian studies, Jewish studies, Latin American and Latino studies, linguistics, language studies, and literature.
Students of language who are interested in theater have the opportunity to participate in the annual International Playhouse, which presents highly successful programs every spring. To date, pieces have been performed in Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Punjabi, Russian, and Spanish.
Study abroad is an important component of language study at UCSC. Language students have various opportunities to study abroad, for a summer, quarter, semester, or year. Students may choose to study abroad through the Division of Global Engagement through the UCSC Summer Abroad Program, or through affiliate programs around the globe. The Division of Global Engagement offers programs in Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. There are programs available for students of all levels of language ability, including Language and Culture programs for beginner or intermediate speakers, to full immersion programs for students with advanced language skills. For a list of current programs and requirements, please visit the following Global Engagement website.
Undergraduate Program
The department houses two vibrant majors, in applied linguistics and multilingualism, and in Spanish studies, as well as a minor in Spanish studies and a TESOL certificate program. The applied linguistics and multilingualism major is designed for students who wish to pursue the study of a particular language and, at the same time, gain an in-depth understanding of language use in bilingual and multilingual settings. Applied linguistics courses are taught in English and cover topics such as language and gender, second-language teaching, bilingualism, discourse analysis, and intercultural communication. In Spanish studies, the major and minor are both interdisciplinary programs that promote advanced linguistic proficiency in Spanish studies as well as a broad understanding of the historical and cultural developments of the Spanish-speaking world.
Placement Exams
Information about this topic can be found under the Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics website in the "placement” tab located in the navigation bar at the top of the page.
Chinese
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Chinese can enroll in language courses from beginning to advanced levels. Only those with no prior experience with the language may enroll in CHIN 1, which is only offered fall quarter. Heritage learners and those with prior instruction are required to take a placement exam. In addition, students may select from among the following programs: a major in applied linguistics and multilingualism, a major in language studies or linguistics, a minor in East Asian studies through the History Department, an individual major in East Asian studies through their college, a major in literature with an emphasis in Chinese literature, or a major in global economics.
The sequence of lower-division courses CHIN 1–CHIN 6 is aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Instruction takes place mostly in Chinese from the second half of the first quarter. Students interested in studying abroad or in Chinese culture knowledge can enroll in CHIN 80, which is taught primarily in English and wish to learn a few phrases in Chinese Mandarin. Upper-level courses include CHIN 103, Language and Society; CHIN 104, Readings in Chinese Literature; CHIN 105, Readings in Chinese History; CHIN 107, Introduction to Classical Chinese Prose; and CHIN 108, Introduction to Classical Poetry.
Study Abroad
Students may apply to study intensive Chinese language at universities—in Taipei, Hong Kong, or Beijing—for periods ranging from a summer up to a full year through the Division of Global Engagement. Courses taken abroad can, with approval of an adviser, be applied to major requirements. For a list of current programs and requirements, visit the Division of Global Engagement website. For information on credit applied to a major, please contact the appropriate department.
French
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in French can enroll in language courses from beginning to advanced levels. In addition, students may select from among the following programs: a major in applied linguistics and multilingualism, a major in language studies, a major in literature with an emphasis in French literature, or a major in global economics.
Lower-division FREN 1–FREN 6 are taught entirely in French and prepare students for advanced study either on campus or abroad. They are designed to help students develop proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills, and to introduce student to French and Francophone cultures. FREN 35 offers additional conversational practice and vocabulary development for students who have completed at least FREN 3. FREN 85, taught in English, examines questions related to contemporary French identity. At the upper-division level, students can gain in-depth understanding of topics such as French regional cultures and cuisine (FREN 105, taught in English), advanced grammar and composition (FREN 111), advanced pronunciation (FREN 114), structures of spoken French (FREN 115, taught in English), linguistics (FREN 120), history of the French language (FREN 121), French for professions (FREN 130), and social activism as expressed through songs (FREN 131).
Study Abroad
The Division of Global Engagement offers both semester and one-year programs in many regions of France, including Bordeaux, Lyon, Grenoble, Toulouse, and Paris. With the approval of an adviser, some French courses taken abroad may be applied to major requirements. For a list of current programs and requirements, visit the Division of Global Engagement website.
Hebrew
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in modern Hebrew can enroll in language courses from beginning to intermediate levels. In addition, credits from these courses may be counted toward the major or minor in Jewish studies. Lower-division courses are aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Attention is also given to developing an understanding of the culture, history, and religion that have been expressed through the Hebrew language from antiquity until today. Please reference the following requirements for the major in Jewish studies and requirements for the minor in Jewish studies.
Italian
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Italian can enroll in language courses from beginning to advanced levels. In addition, students may select from among the following programs: a major in applied linguistics and multilingualism, a minor in Italian studies, a major or minor in language studies, a major in global economics.
The sequence of lower-division courses ITAL 1–ITAL 6 is aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. The ITAL 1, ITAL 2, ITAL 3 sequence starts once a year in the fall quarter. Classes are taught in Italian from the beginning level.
Upper-division courses, also taught in Italian, are offered on topics such as ITAL 100, Advanced Italian Composition and Conversation, ITAL 101, Italian Culture Through Food, and ITAL 80, Italian Culture Through Cinema.
Study Abroad
The Division of Global Engagement sponsors programs of study in Italy. For a list of current programs and requirements, visit the Global Engagement website.
Japanese
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Japanese can enroll in language courses from beginning (JAPN 1, JAPN 2, JAPN 3, JAPN 4, JAPN 5, JAPN 6) to advanced levels (JAPN 103, JAPN 104, JAPN 105, JAPN 106, JAPN 109, JAPN 111). Only those with no prior experience with the language may enroll in JAPN 1, which is only offered fall quarter. Heritage learners and those with prior instruction are required to take a placement exam. See the placement website for more information.
The curriculum aims to build a solid foundation in all four aspects of linguistic skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) as well as sociolinguistic competence and cultural knowledge. Instruction takes place mostly in Japanese from the second half of the first quarter.
Students may use Japanese courses for the following majors and minors: a major in applied linguistics and multilingualism, a major in language studies (and minor), a major in linguistics (and minor), an East Asian minor, a major in global economics, or a major in literature (and a minor).
See the department's Japanese website for more information about the Japanese program.
Study Abroad
The Division of Global Engagement has information on study in Japan. There are study abroad—programs at many universities, including Doshisha, Hitotsubashi, ICU, Keio, Meiji Gakuin, Osaka, Tsuru, and Waseda. Courses taken abroad can, with approval of an adviser, be applied to major requirements. For a list of current programs and requirements, visit the Division of Global Engagement website. For information on credit applied to a major, contact the appropriate department.
Punjabi
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Punjabi can enroll in PUNJ 1, PUNJ 2, and PUNJ 3. These courses are intended for both heritage and non-heritage learners and are aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Attention is also given to developing an understanding of the culture that has been expressed through the Punjabi language. This program is part of Sikh and Punjabi studies at UCSC. Punjabi language courses are offered every other academic year.
Spanish and Spanish for Heritage Speakers
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Spanish can enroll in a wide range of Spanish language or Spanish for heritage speakers (SPHS) courses, from beginning to advanced levels. The language and culture sequence of lower-division courses (SPAN 1-SPAN 6 as well as SPHS 4–SPHS 6) and upper-division series (SPAN 114, SPHS 115, SPAN 130, SPAN 140-SPAN 142, SPAN 150-SPAN 155, and SPAN 156, and SPAN 157-SPAN 158 courses) are aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing as well as meta-linguistic and cultural competence. Students are strongly encouraged to finish year-long sequences without interruption and, if possible, to study in Spanish-speaking countries. Students can pursue a major in Spanish Studies or a minor in Spanish. Other programs that require some coursework in Spanish include a major or minor in language studies, a major in literature with an emphasis in Spanish/Latin American/Latino literatures, a major in Latin American and Latino studies, and a major in global economics.
Spanish
Students interested in taking Spanish classes are required to take the placement examination to enroll in the appropriate level. Students finishing the first year of instruction in Spanish (SPAN 1–SPAN 2–SPAN 3) are encouraged to continue on to second-year (intermediate-level) by taking SPAN 4, SPAN 5, and SPAN 6.
Declared global and community health majors have priority enrollment in SPAN 5M, Medical Spanish, but others may enroll if there is space availability. Students are also encouraged to continue with the third-year SPAN 114, SPHS 115, SPAN 130, SPAN 140-SPAN 142, SPAN 150-SPAN 155, the SPAN 156 series, and SPAN 157-SPAN 158 in which a wide variety of topics are covered. For more information on the courses offered in Spanish, please see the course descriptions.
Spanish for Heritage Speakers
SPHS has been developed for heritage speakers who, although raised in Spanish-speaking communities or households, are not yet fully proficient in Spanish. SPHS courses take into account the experiences and influences of bilingual and bicultural upbringing.
SPHS students are encouraged to attend a group tutoring session once a week in addition to the regular class meetings. Some lower-division and all upper-division courses can fulfill requirements for several majors or departments, such as education, global economics, language studies, and Latin American and Latino studies.
Heritage speakers who are planning to continue with the Spanish studies major are strongly encouraged to take the SPHS 4–SPHS 5–SPHS 6 sequence of courses. Keep in mind that this is a sequence which starts in the fall.
Study Abroad
The Division of Global Engagement offers programs ranging one quarter or one academic year in Buenos Aires; Argentina, Santiago, Chile; San Jose and Monteverde, Costa Rica; Morelia and Monterrey, Mexico, and Cordoba, Madrid, Alcala, Barcelona, and Granada, Spain. Generally, students must have completed SPAN 6 or SPHS 6 by the end of the sophomore year to qualify for a junior year abroad. Courses taken abroad can, with approval of an adviser, be applied to major requirements. For more information, see the Division of Global Engagement website. For information on credit applied to a particular major, contact the appropriate department.
Yiddish
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Yiddish can enroll in beginning language courses. In addition, some credit from these courses may be counted toward the major or minor in Jewish studies; consult with the Jewish studies program. Lower-division courses are aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Attention is also given to developing an understanding of the culture that has been expressed through the Yiddish language.