Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Kasongo Mulenda Kapanga, Chair
Kathrin Bower, Interim Chair (Spring 2023)
Professors Bonfiglio, Bower, Delers, Howell, Kapanga, Ravaux-Kirkpatrick
Associate Professors Chan, Gao, Pappas, Radi, Weist
Assistant Professors Bertucci
Director of the Arabic Language Program Vacant
Director of English Language Learning Bohon-Atkinson
Director of the Intensive Language Program in French Baker
Director of the Japanese Language Program Suzuki
Director of the Global Studio Marsh-Soloway

Master a language. Live in that language and its culture and learn to think differently. Study complex global social and ethical issues through art, literature and film. This is what the faculty of LLC offers you in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Russian.

Departmental courses designated as LLC are taught in English and have no prerequisite, except as noted. Approved LLC courses may be counted as elective credit toward the relevant major in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, or Russian Studies if taken in conjunction with a Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum (CLAC) component (.25 units).

Study Abroad

Study and travel abroad are strongly encouraged for all students. The department offers summer study programs in China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Jordan, and Russia. In addition, there are exchange agreements for study during the academic year in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Quebec, and Russia; others are being negotiated. For a complete list, contact the Office of International Education.

The Residency Requirement

For all LLC majors, at least 5 of the 9 courses required for the major must be taken on the University of Richmond campus. If the student participates in a study abroad program, at least one upper-level course in the major must be taken upon return from the program.

Administration

PLACEMENT

A student who desires to continue study of a language begun elsewhere or spoken as a first language will be placed for continuation by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. The determination of level may be by the score received on the AP, IB or SATII test in a given language; by placement test; or, in special cases, by interview. Students who meet the language communication skills requirement by placement may not take for credit 100- or 200-level courses in the same language.

SEQUENTIAL CREDIT

Once the 100 or 200 level is begun, continuation, if any, must be to the next higher level within the sequence of courses. Students cannot receive credit toward the degree for 100- or 200-level coursework which is taken after credit has been earned in coursework more advanced in the sequence.

MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION

All courses taught in the department are taught in the respective language with the exception of the courses listed in the languages, literatures and cultures category.

Self-Directed Language Acquisition Program (SDLAP)

The Self-Directed Language Acquisition Program allows students to study languages not offered in the standard curriculum. Participants in the program develop competence in speaking, reading, and writing a less-commonly-taught language while honing their skills as autonomous learners and exploring the cultural context of language use. Modern Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish are routinely offered; other languages are offered upon student request when necessary resources can be arranged.

All students begin the program in SDLC 110. SDLAP courses do not fulfill the COM 2 requirement. It is strongly advised that students complete COM 2 before entering the program.