Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Modern Languages and Cultures, Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Concentration in Cultural Area Studies

Program Learning Outcomes 

  • Communication: Communicate in other language than English
    • Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
    • Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
    • Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
  • Communities: Participate in multilingual communities at home & around the world
    • Standard 5.1: Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting.
    • Standard 5.2: Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.
  • Comparisons: Develop insight into the nature of language and culture
    • Standard 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
    • Standard 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
  • Connections: Connect with other disciplines and acquire information
    • Standard 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
    • Standard 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.
  • Cultures: Gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures
    • Standard 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.
    • Standard 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.

Related Links

Modern Languages and Cultures - Cultural Area Studies, BA Program Page

Languages, Literatures, Cultures, and Writing Department Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Modern Language Requirement0-9
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Computer Competency0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements36
Electives42

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

BA Modern Language Requirement

BA degree requires language proficiency at the 103 class level. Exemption by placement or examination is possible.

Complete 0-9 credits0-9
Total Hours0-9

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

Computer Competency

Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following:0-3
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution:
Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts
Computer Concepts
Introduction to Computing and Programming
Technology for Wellness
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major/Concentration Requirements

  • 17 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 17 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above (Adviser approved courses)
  • Courses used in this major may not be used to satisfy Rock Studies 2, a minor, or another major’s requirements.
  • A student must have earned 30 credits and a 2.0 GPA to enter the program.
  • AP, Credit by Exam, CLEP, and institutional credit by exam may count towards the degree to a maximum of 45 credits. Pass/Fail and non-credit courses will not be counted in the major.
Oral and Written Communication
Select two of the following:6
Intercultural Communication 1
World Regional Geography 1
International Relations 1
Analytical, Quantitative & Critical Thinking Skills
Select one of the following courses approved for your cultural area:3
Ancient World to the Age of Global Encounters 1
Early Modern to Contemporary World 1
Race and Ethnic Diversity in the USA 1
Cultural Area Studies 1
Archaeology of the Americas 1
Introduction to Asian Civilizations 1
Select one of the following:3
Statistics for the Social Sciences 1
Research Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies 1
Subtotal12
Emphasis Area
Courses selected by advisement
Part I: Primary Cultural Area –America, Asia, Europe, Latin America or Middle East
Select five courses in the following categories: Foundations, Culture and Society, History, Current Issues 15
Part II: Electives
Select three electives9
Subtotal24
Total Hours36
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Experiential Learning Experience

Must complete 40 hours of experiential learning activities which are approved by the Academic Adviser. Please consult with your Adviser for details of the options available.

Experiential Learning Activities40

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

The department of Modern Languages encourages students to engage in the following areas to deepen their educational experience:

  1. International study programs (short-term, semester, and year-long)
  2. High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
  3. Student-faculty research
  4. Student leadership development
  5. Service-learning classes
  6. Career education and development
  7. Internships
  8. Field Experiences
  9. Volunteering (schools, world language competition, language clubs, communities)

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

MODERN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES - BA (5 45)
Concentration in Cultural Area Studies (CAST)
This program is effective as of Fall 2019
Revised 05.26.2022
UCC RISP 2019 

Recommended Four-Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
Modern Language Requirement I 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 4 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
 Hours16
Spring
Modern Language Requirement II 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
COMM 217 Intercultural Communication 1 3
HIST 151 Ancient World to the Age of Global Encounters 2 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Modern Language Requirement III 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 3
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 217 Intercultural Communication 1 3
HIST 151 Ancient World to the Age of Global Encounters 2 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
Major Emphasis Area Course 3
Major Emphasis Area Course 3
Major Emphasis Area Course 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring
INDP 317
Statistics for the Social Sciences
or Research Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies
3
Major Emphasis Area Course 3
Major Emphasis Area Course 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
Major Emphasis Area Course 3
Major Emphasis Area Course 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
Rock Studies 2 Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
Major Emphasis Area Course 3
Major Emphasis Area Course 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

And/or GES 105 (F), World Regional Geography, and/or POLS 103 (F), International Relation.

2

And/or HIST 152, Rise of the Modern World (European) and/or INDP 106, Race and Ethnic Diversity (Asian Studies) and/or INDP 310, Cultural Area Studies-Middle East and/or INDP 322 Archeology of the Americas (Latin Am) and/or MODL 105, Intro to Asian Civilizations (Asian Studies).

3

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

4

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 5 45
Concentration Code: CAST
Revised: 05.26.2022