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 Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Persian, 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. 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.
Academic English
The Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics offers a series of courses in Academic English (ACEN) designed specifically for students whose native language is not English, and who would benefit academically by improving their English language skills. The main objective of these courses is to raise the linguistic, academic, and cultural competence of international students who are currently pursuing various majors at UCSC. ACEN courses help students develop and refine their knowledge of English usage, advanced grammar, vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, while at the same time developing their listening, oral communication, and academic reading and writing skills. The specific content of each course varies per quarter, and thus, none of the courses are prerequisites to the others.
Arabic
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic can enroll in language courses from beginning to intermediate levels (ARBC 1 - ARBC 6). The curriculum aims to build a solid foundation in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as imparting an understanding of culture and society in the modern Arabic-speaking world. Other courses at UC Santa Cruz that may be of interest to students of Arabic are detailed here.
Study Abroad
Students may apply to spend time in Jordan or Morocco, visit the Division of Global Engagement website for information about current programs.
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. Upper-division courses, also taught in French, are offered on topics such as French phonetics, advanced grammar and composition, French civilization, French linguistics, history of the French language, French for professions, and French social activism through song.
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.
German
Students interested in learning German at UCSC 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 or minor in language studies, a major in literature with an emphasis in German literature, or a major in global economics.
The sequence of lower-division courses GERM 1–GERM 6 is aimed at helping students to develop listening and reading comprehension, as well as speaking, reading, and writing skills. The regular sequence begins in fall quarter with German 1 (GERM 1), German 2 (GERM 2) in winter quarter and German 3 (GERM 3) in the spring. An accelerated sequence begins in the winter quarter with GERM 1A and GERM 1B in spring quarter. The German language sequence also includes a course on German Media (GERM 119) and a third-year course entitled Advanced German Conversation and Composition (GERM 120); successful completion of GERM 5 is a prerequisite for these courses. Instruction takes place in German. After completing German 5 (or testing out of that course), students are also able to take courses in the literature department that are taught almost exclusively in German.
Study Abroad
The Division of Global Engagement offers study abroad opportunities in Berlin and Munich. Students may spend a summer semester or full academic year in Berlin or a summer in Munich. The semester and full-year programs are at the Freie Universität, the Humbold Universität and the Technische Universität. Both the Freie Universität and the Technische Universität also offer summer programs. The summer program at the Freie Universität is self-designed. Students may choose their own curriculum from a variety of available courses (in English or German). As of summer 2021, you can study in Berlin through UCEAP even if you don’t speak German, as there are numerous courses offered in English that meet both major and GE requirements. Berlin is an exciting, fascinating city, its universities among the finest in Europe. The summer program at the Technische Universität is designed for science and engineering majors. Students concentrate on a single engineering course (in English), with visits to relevant companies and research facilities in Berlin. The summer program in Munich (in English) is designed for science, engineering, and environmental studies majors and concentrates on sustainability and green technology, with visits to relevant companies and research facilities. Language requirements for admission to these programs range from little or no German required (summer programs in Berlin and Munich and the FU-BEST program in Berlin) to two years of college-level German required (regular course of study in Berlin). Academic and professional internship opportunities are also available to all students on study abroad in programs Germany.
Students may apply to any of these programs at any point in their student career. For the yearlong programs, students generally apply in their sophomore year for a junior year abroad. As an exception, some students apply in their junior year for a senior year abroad; such students must sometimes spend an additional quarter at UC Santa Cruz in order to satisfy all requirements for their major. 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.
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. Students interested in learning the basic lexicon and grammatical structures of biblical Hebrew can enroll in HEBR 80. Students interested in learning the basic lexicon and grammatical structures of modern Hebrew, with an emphasis on the development of a set of useful translation strategies can enroll in HEBR 82. HEBR 1, HEBR 2, and HEBR 3 (or equivalency) are required for the major in Jewish studies, and other Hebrew courses are encouraged. In addition, credits from modern or biblical Hebrew courses may be counted toward 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. ITAL 1A and ITAL 1B offer lower-division intensive Italian language instruction equivalent to levels 1, 2, 3. The ITAL 1, ITAL 2, ITAL 3 sequence starts once a year in the fall quarter, while the ITAL 1A-ITAL 1B sequence starts once a year in the winter quarter. Classes are taught in Italian from the beginning level.
Students interested in Italian Culture Through Cinema can enroll in ITAL 80.
Upper-division courses, also taught in Italian, are offered on topics such as Advanced Italian Composition and Conversation, Italian Culture Through Food, and Italian Culture Through Film.
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). 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.
Persian
Students interested in acquiring proficiency in Persian (Farsi) can enroll in beginning language courses (PERS 1–PERS 4), courses available to both heritage and non-heritage speakers. The curriculum aims to build a solid foundation in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as imparting an understanding of Persian culture. Other courses at UC Santa Cruz that may be of interest to students of Persian are detailed here.
Study Abroad
Students may apply to spend time either in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 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, 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 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 human biology 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 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.