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Bachelor's Degree Programs

SIU Languages Culture International Studies Student

Immerse yourself in a comprehensive linguistic and cultural journey with our Bachelor's program at Southern Illinois University. Beyond just acquiring grammar rules, our program is designed to equip students with practical language skills and cultural competence, ensuring a holistic understanding of the language under study. Engage in a dynamic learning environment that goes beyond the classroom, offering opportunities to travel abroad and study in diverse universities and cultures.

Interact with native speakers of the language you're learning, fostering authentic language acquisition, and collaborate with fellow students, creating a vibrant and supportive learning community. Language tables provide conversational experiences, while additional events enrich cultural knowledge, creating a well-rounded educational experience that transcends traditional language education.

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Bachelor of Arts

This comprehensive program is designed to expand your knowledge of global cultures, improve your language skills, and equip you for various international careers. You can choose to focus on language proficiency, cultural studies, or a combination of both. If you’re looking to combine language expertise with business acumen, the Foreign Language and International Trade (FLIT) track offers the perfect mix.

Our K-12 Teaching License pathway prepares you to become a certified Spanish or German language educator, meeting the growing demand for language teachers in Illinois.

We offer 6 specializations within the Bachelor of Arts in Languages, Cultures, and International Studies:

  • Classics specialization
  • East Asian Language and Culture specialization
  • Foreign Language and International Trade specialization
  • German specialization (with or without teaching license)
  • Spanish specialization (with or without teaching license)
  • International Studies specialization

Bachelor of Science

Our program offers a bachelor of science in both German and Spanish, each designed to enhance your cultural understanding and language proficiency.

Our German program covers German-speaking culture throughout history, including literature, film, theater, contemporary culture, and business German, with enriching study abroad opportunities. Customize your coursework to align with your interests, completing a B.S. in Languages, Cultures, and International Studies with a Specialization in German, requiring 32 semester hours. This degree equips you for language-centered careers or enhances prospects in various non-language fields.

Meanwhile, our Spanish program addresses the soaring demand for Spanish language skills, the fifth most spoken language globally and the second in the U.S. Through courses in linguistics, history, literature, and film, you'll foster high-level language skills and cultural knowledge, promoting cultural awareness and critical thinking. Engage in immersive experiences abroad and connect with native speakers through organized activities like Spanish Table and Spanish Club. Both programs offer pathways to diverse career opportunities, enriching your professional and personal growth.

Specializations

Embark on a transformative academic journey with our diverse specializations. Dive into the rich legacy of Classics, exploring Ancient Greece and Rome. Immerse yourself in East Asian Language and Culture, unraveling the intricacies of the Far East. Combine language proficiency with economic insights in Foreign Language and International Trade. Specialize in German, delving into its language and culture. Uncover global perspectives in International Studies, and master Spanish for rich cultural connections. Each specialization offers a unique blend of knowledge and skills, shaping your academic experience.

Minors

Elevate your academic journey by adding depth and versatility with a language or cultural study minor, doubling your career options and gaining a valuable global perspective. Dive into the rich tapestry of International Studies, unlocking cultural insights that complement majors ranging from game design to art history and pre-med. Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of Mythology or Classical Civilization, offering a wealth of cultural knowledge applicable to diverse fields. Break down communication barriers with American Sign Language, enhancing your skills across various disciplines. Power up your humanities or business degrees by incorporating a foreign language minor, as the ability to communicate in multiple languages becomes an invaluable asset in today's interconnected world. Embrace the endless possibilities of adding a second or third language to your skill set—where academic enrichment meets enhanced career readiness.

Here are our minors:

  • American Sign Language
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilization
  • East Asian Civilization
  • German
  • International Studies
  • Japanese
  • Latin
  • Mythology
  • Spanish

Scholarships

Experience the impact of over $125,000 in scholarships awarded to our program majors in the 2021-2022 academic year, thanks to our generous donors. Incoming students can seize the opportunity of the Liedloff Scholarship in German, while all majors qualify for scholarship support, with a special emphasis on study abroad assistance. Easily access these opportunities by applying through SIU's central scholarship site, connecting you to various scholarships campus-wide. For inquiries, contact sll@siu.edu.

Scholarships Available

  • Alan H. Kim Japanese Scholarship (Current Japanese specialization)
  • Mary Eleanor Buschek Foreign Language Award (Preference is given to incoming freshmen, incoming transfer students, and first-year students)
  • Mary Eleanor Buschek Travel Award for Foreign Language Study (Current students)
  • Classics Laureate Award (Classics graduate; no application)
  • Helmut and Mary Liedloff Award for German Majors (This award is available to incoming freshman and community college transfer students. Currently enrolled SIU students may be eligible for the award; subject to availability.) Full Tuition for up to three years.
  • Wilma Hughes Ochs Classics Scholarship (Incoming and current Classics specialization)
  • Marie-Jose Southworth Award for Achievement in Foreign Languages and Literatures (Current students) Eugene F. Timpe Award for FLIT Internships (Current FLIT students)

Placement and Proficiency

Discover the perfect language class for you with easy placement tests. Starting at a higher level not only fulfills language requirements sooner but also earns free credit for lower-level classes, advanced core curriculum credits, and a head start on a language major or minor.

Forget high school language? Don't worry, we ensure you're placed appropriately. Earn credit by excelling in SIU language courses or through proficiency exams. AP exam takers can also gain course credit. Maximize your language learning journey with the credit you deserve.

Internships

Unlock unparalleled language proficiency and cultural immersion through internships and study abroad programs at SIU. Immerse yourself in another culture and enhance your language skills with faculty-led summer trips to Japan, Spain, Egypt, and Greece. Students in the Foreign Language & International Trade program take internships abroad as a crucial part of their academic journey. Elevate your language learning experience by gaining real-world experience and exploring diverse cultures through these transformative opportunities.

Contact Information

Scott Collins
Interim Director
Faner Hall 3080
1000 Faner Dr
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-536-5571
sll@siu.edu

Thomas Price,
Academic Advisor
Faner Hall 3341
1000 Faner Dr
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-3388
tprice@siu.edu