School of Language and Literature

[1] Purposes – School of Language and Literature

The School of Language and Literature (SLL) is a large, pluralistic unit whose students and faculty study the cultures, ideas, letters, and traditions of diverse peoples from across the world. The SLL offers majors in English, Linguistics, and Modern Languages, with tracks of study in Chinese, French, and Spanish. The SLL also offers minors in Chinese, English, French, Linguistics, Spanish, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Finally, the SLL houses an MA in English, along with the Intensive English Program (IEP) and the Community Language School (CLS).

No matter which course of study SLL students pursue, upon graduation they will have developed exceptional oral and written communication skills. They likewise excel in the critical analysis of multimedia texts and contexts. They are confident and humble as they interact with diverse peoples. They welcome discussion and debate, too, and can disagree without being disagreeable. Employers consistently rate these skills as the most important ones they seek.

Given as much, the overwhelming majority of SLL BA and MA graduates secure meaningful, full-time employment, or they enter a post-baccalaureate program of their choosing, within a year of graduation from UCA. Traditionally, language and literature graduates have secured teaching positions at the secondary and tertiary levels. Many of today’s SLL graduates do just that. However, an ever-increasing number of SLL graduates are pursuing successful careers in advertising, particularly of the digital and social-networking varieties; foreign service, especially in the “helping professions”; law; public relations; publishing, whether digital, print, or mixed-media; and writing, whether it be creative, journalistic, professional, or technical. Interestingly, at mid-career, language and literature graduates are just as likely to be managing a business enterprise as a business graduate.

The department also includes the Intensive English Program (IEP). See detailed IEP information here: program link.

[2] Advanced Placement

The School of Language and Literature participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) program. The AP courses and minimum exam scores required to earn credit can be found elsewhere in the bulletin (see the Advanced Placement Program section of this bulletin). Students who have an AP score in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish and who are interested in continuing study in the same language at UCA will be able to receive more credit if they also follow the credit by examination procedures below.

[3] Placement and Credit by Examination

Students with prior experience in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish language must take a placement exam before enrolling in their first foreign-language course. Information about placement exams for these languages are available on the School of Language and Literature’s website. There is no fee to take a placement exam.

Students who have not previously received undergraduate credit in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish at a college or university may receive credit by examination. Such credit is limited to a maximum of six hours in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish or eight hours in Chinese and is granted for the six or eight credit hours of course work that immediately precedes the course of placement when the following criteria are met:

1. Achievement of a satisfactory score on proficiency examinations administered by the School of Language and Literature.
2. Satisfactory completion, with a minimum grade of B, of the language course at the level of placement recommended by the School of Language and Literature.
3. The student formally requests credit from the School by completing the Credit by Exam Request form located on the School’s website after completing the first course.

Students may earn up to an additional six credits in a second language offered by the school.

[4] Honors in English, Linguistics, and Modern Languages

Students who major in English, Linguistics, or Modern Languages and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the Honors in the Major Program. For details, see Honors in the Major Program.

[5] Bachelor of Arts in English

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The degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in English requires successful completion of at least 120 credit hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated major, minor, or elective courses; (2) degree requirements; (3) major requirements and the related course requirement; and (4) a minor or second major.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in English enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

[5.1] Major in English

Thirty-nine credit hours of English, of which at least 24 credit hours must derive from upper-division English courses, and 3 credit hours of related course requirements.

[5.1.1] Major Course Requirements (39 credit hours)

Designated English major courses are used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication. Students will take English 4335, Senior Seminar, as the required UCA Core capstone.

[5.1.2] Related Course Requirements (3 hours)

Students must complete a three-credit-hour Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish language course at the 2000-level or above as well as all course prerequisites.

[5.2] Major in English with Teacher Licensure

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Thirty-nine credit hours of English, of which at least 24 credit hours must derive from upper-division English courses, as well as 38 hours of teacher preparation, and 3 hours of related course requirements.

[5.2.1] Major Course Requirements (39 credit hours)

[5.2.2] Required Teacher Preparation Courses (38 credit hours)

Students who wish to pursue a teaching license in this content area must apply to the College of Education Office of Candidate Services and meet established criteria for admission to the teacher-education program. For Admission, Exit, and Retention Requirements, see the College of Education page in this bulletin.

The degree requires successful completion of (1) the UCA Core, (2) the minor in Teaching and Learning or approved substitutions by program coordinator, (3) major field of study content and methods courses, (4) Internship I and II, and (5) licensure requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Education.

[5.2.3] Related Course Requirements (3 credit hours)

Students must complete a three-credit-hour Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish language course at the 2000-level or above as well as all course prerequisites.

[6] Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics

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The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: completion of 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the lower-division UCA Core requirements) and completion of upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements) in this bulletin; (2) completion of the Related Course Requirement below; (3) completion of the major as described below; (4) 40 upper-division hours; and (5) completion of a minor. All students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each course applying to the major program.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Linguistics (except the Computer Science track) enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

Linguistics Core courses are used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirement in Effective Communication, Diversity, Critical Inquiry, and Responsible Living. The program has also designated courses (required for certain tracks, available as electives in others) which satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirements. LING 2350, World Languages, satisfies the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Critical Inquiry (Humanities). LING 1310, Language Culture and Society, is a social science elective in the Diversity in World Cultures area.

[6.1] Related Course Requirement

This requirement applies to Tracks 2, 3, and 4. It is fulfilled by track requirements for Track 1.

Option One

Option Two

[6.2] Linguistics Core (22 hours)

Required courses (19 hours)

Choose one course (3 hours)

[6.3] Linguistics Tracks (15 credit hours)

Students must complete an additional 15 hours from one of the following four tracks.

[6.3.1] Track One: Language

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Choose Option One or Option Two for 15 hours in Languages.

Note: none of these courses can also apply to a minor but can be applied to a second major.

Option One

15 hours in one language (Spanish, French, German, or Chinese) at the 2000 level and above

Option Two

Nine hours in Chinese or Japanese

AND

Six hours in a second language: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish

[6.3.2] Track Two: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

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Required courses (9 hours):

Choose Two Courses (6 hours):

[6.3.3] Track Three: Computer Science

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A total of fifteen credit hours is required to complete this track. Most students will actually complete 17–18 credit hours and adjust the general electives taken for the degree accordingly. Note that each of the required and elective courses in this track requires a prerequisite. Check the Computer Science course list in this UBulletin for details.

Mathematics Pathways: First-time, first-year students majoring in Linguistics/Computer Science track enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390.

Required courses (14 hours):

Electives (1 credit hour required):

[6.3.4] Track Four: General Linguistics

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Required Courses (9 hours)

Choose Two Courses (6 hours)

[7] Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages

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The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages, with a major concentration in Chinese, French, or Spanish, requires successful completion of 120 hours (of which 40 must be upper division), including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) all degree requirements; (3) a major concentration in Chinese, French, or Spanish as outlined below; and (4) a minor as planned with the student’s minor advisor. All students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each course applying to the major program.

Proficiency Tests
All students seeking a BA in World Languages will be required to take a general proficiency test in the language before enrolling in upper-division courses. Exit assessment examinations in the language, literature, and culture of the target language are also required for all majors during the senior year. Additional courses will be required for students with deficiencies.

LALS 2310, and Chinese, French, German, and Spanish 2320 courses satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Critical Inquiry (Humanities). WLAN 2315 (Humanities) fulfills the Diversity in Creative Works Core requirement, while LALS 2300 and WLAN 2325 satisfy the Diversity in World Cultures requirement as humanities electives. Students may fulfill the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication in minor and major courses in Chinese, French, German, and Spanish. Modern Language students will take CHIN, FREN, or SPAN 4110, Senior Capstone Project, as the required UCA Core capstone.

[7.1] Major in Modern Languages, Concentration in Mandarin Chinese (37 credit hours)

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Mathematics Pathways: First-time, first-year students majoring in Modern Languages (except the Business Track) enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

[7.1.1] Teacher Education Track

The BA curriculum may be combined with preparation for K–12 Foreign Language Education licensure. For further information, contact the Director of the School of Language and Literature. For information about teacher education Admission, Exit, and Retention Requirements, see the College of Education page in this bulletin.

ESL Endorsement Courses: All teacher candidates with a major in Modern Languages who complete the teacher licensure program at UCA will graduate with ESL endorsement. In addition to WLAN 4315, 4325, and 4330, students must take EDUC 3322 in the College of Education.

This major qualifies for the Teaching and Learning minor.

Linguistics Foundation Course (3 hours). Choose one:

Intermediate Chinese (6 hours):

Required Advanced Language Core (9 hours):

Three hours of culture and civilization (3 hours):

Three hours of literature (3 hours):

Twelve hours of elective credits chosen from among the following:

Required UCA Core Capstone:

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of CHIN 2320 and at the end of the degree program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the major program.
Teacher candidates must graduate with a 2.75 GPA overall in major courses.

Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad at one of our exchange partner schools in China.

Teaching and Learning Minor:

Other required courses for Chinese Teacher Education:

Students wishing to pursue a teaching license in this content area must apply to the Office of Candidate Services and meet established criteria for admission to the teacher education program (for admission requirements, click here). The degree requires completion of (1) the UCA Core, (2) the 18-hour minor in Teaching and Learning (click here) or approved substitutions by program coordinator, (3) Major field of study content hours and methods courses, (4) successful completion of Internship I and II, and (5) meet licensure requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Education.

[7.1.2] Traditional Language and Literature Track

Linguistics Foundation Course (3 hours). Choose one:

Intermediate Chinese (6 hours):

Required Advanced Language Core (9 hours):

Three hours of culture and civilization (3 hours):

Three hours of literature (3 hours):

Twelve hours of elective credits chosen from among the following:

Required UCA Core Capstone:

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of CHIN 2320 and at the end of the degree program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the major program.

[7.1.3] Business Chinese Track

Linguistics Foundation Course (3 hours) Choose one:

Intermediate Chinese (6 hours):

Required Advanced Language Core (9 hours):

Three hours of culture and civilization (3 hours):

Three hours of literature (3 hours):

Required Chinese Business Core (6 hours):

Mathematics Pathways:

Six hours of elective credits chosen from among the following (6 hours):

Required UCA Core Capstone (1 hour):

Required minor in General Business (24 hours)

Required Business Courses (12 hours):

Business Electives (12 hours)

Choose 12 hours of additional courses in business (must include at least 6 hours of upper-division courses). NB: Students planning to pursue graduate study in business (i.e., MBA) should select MBA prerequisite courses as their elective hours for the General Business minor.

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of CHIN 2320 and at the end of the degree program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the major program. Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad at one of our exchange partner schools in China.

[7.2] Major in Modern Languages Concentration in French (37 credit hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

[7.2.1] Teacher Education Track

The BA curriculum may be combined with preparation for K–12 Foreign Language Education licensure. For further information, contact the Director of the School of Language and Literature. For information about teacher education Admission, Exit, and Retention Requirements, see the College of Education page in this bulletin.

ESL Endorsement Courses: All teacher candidates with a major in Modern Languages who complete the teacher licensure program at UCA will graduate with ESL endorsement. In addition to WLAN 4315, 4325, and 4330, students must take EDUC 3322 in the College of Education.

This major qualifies for the Teaching and Learning minor.

Linguistics Foundation Course (3 hours). Choose one:

Intermediate French (6 hours):

Required Advanced Language Core (9 hours):

Three hours of culture and civilization. Choose one:

Three hours of literature. Choose one:

Note: French 3315 may not be taken twice in fulfillment of both the culture and literature area requirements.

Twelve hours of elective credits chosen from among the following:

Required UCA Core Capstone:

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of FREN 2320 and at the end of the degree program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the major program.

Teacher candidates must graduate with a 2.75 GPA overall in major courses.

Teaching and Learning Minor:

Other required courses for French Teacher Education:

Students wishing to pursue a teaching license in this content area must apply to the Office of Candidate Services and meet established criteria for admission to the teacher education program (for admission requirements, click here). The degree requires completion of (1) the UCA Core, (2) the 18-hour minor in Teaching and Learning (click here) or approved substitutions by program coordinator, (3) Major field of study content hours and methods courses, (4) successful completion of Internship I and II, and (5) meet licensure requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Education.

[7.2.2] Traditional Language and Literature Track

Linguistics Foundation Course (3 hours). Choose one:

Intermediate French (6 hours):

Required Advanced Language Core (9 hours):

Three hours of culture and civilization. Choose one:

Three hours of literature. Choose one:

Note: French 3315 may not be taken twice in fulfillment of both the culture and literature area requirements.

Twelve hours of elective credits chosen from among the following:

Required UCA Core Capstone:

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of FREN 2320 and at the end of the degree program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the major program.

[7.2.3] Business French Track

Linguistics Foundation Course (3 hours) Choose one:

Intermediate French (6 hours):

Required Advanced Language Core (9 hours):

Required French Business Core (6 hours):

Mathematics Pathway:

Three hours of culture and civilization. Choose one:

Three hours of literature. Choose one:

Note: French 3315 may not be taken twice in fulfillment of both the culture and literature area requirements.

Six hours of elective credits chosen from among:

Required UCA Core Capstone:

Required minor in General Business (24 hours)

Required Business Courses (12 hours):

Business Electives (12 hours)

Choose 12 hours of additional courses in business (must include at least 6 hours of upper-division courses).
NB: Students planning to pursue graduate study in business (i.e., MBA) should select MBA prerequisite courses as their elective hours for the General Business minor.

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of FREN 2320 and at the end of the degree program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the major program.

Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad at one of our exchange partner schools in Belgium or France.

[7.3] Major in Modern Languages with Concentration in Spanish (37 credit hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

[7.3.1] Teacher Education Track

The BA curriculum may be combined with preparation for K–12 Foreign Language Education licensure. For further information, contact the Director of the School of Language and Literature. For information about teacher education Admission, Exit, and Retention Requirements, see the College of Education page in this bulletin.

ESL Endorsement Courses: All teacher candidates with a major in Modern Languages who complete the teacher licensure program at UCA will graduate with ESL endorsement. In addition to WLAN 4315, 4325, and 4330, students must take EDUC 3322 in the College of Education.

This major qualifies for the Teaching and Learning minor.

Linguistics Foundation Course (3 hours) Choose one:

Intermediate Spanish (6 hours):

Required Advanced Language Core (9 hours):

Three hours of culture and civilization. Choose one:

Three hours of literature. Choose one:

Note: Spanish 3315 may not be taken twice in fulfillment of both the culture and literature area requirements.

Twelve hours of elective credits chosen from among the following:

Required UCA Core Capstone:

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of SPAN 2320 and at the end of the degree program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the major program.

Teacher candidates must graduate with a 2.75 GPA overall in major courses.

Teaching and Learning minor

Other required courses for Spanish Teacher Education:

Students wishing to pursue a teaching license in this content area must apply to the Office of Candidate Services and meet established criteria for admission to the teacher education program (for admission requirements, click here). The degree requires completion of (1) the UCA Core, (2) the 18-hour minor in Teaching and Learning (click here) or approved substitutions by program coordinator, (3) Major field of study content hours and methods courses, (4) successful completion of Internship I and II, and (5) meet licensure requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Education.

[7.3.2] Traditional Language and Literature track

Linguistics Foundation Course (3 hours) Choose one:

Intermediate Spanish (6 hours)

Required Advanced Language Core (6 hours)

Three hours of culture and civilization. Choose one:

Three hours of literature. Choose one:

Note: Spanish 3315 may not be taken twice in fulfillment of both the culture and literature area requirements.

Fifteen hours of elective credits (3 of which must be at the 4000 level) chosen from among the following:

Required UCA Core Capstone:

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of SPAN 2320 and at the end of the degree program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the major program.

[7.3.3] Business Spanish Track

Linguistics Foundation Course (3 hours) Choose one:

Intermediate Spanish (6 hours):

Required Advanced Language Core (6 hours):

Spanish Business Core (6 hours):

Three hours of culture and civilization. Choose one:

Three hours of literature. Choose one:

Note: Spanish 3315 may not be taken twice in fulfillment of both the culture and literature area requirements.

Mathematics Pathway:

Nine hours of elective credits (3 of which must be at the 4000 level) chosen from among the following:

Required UCA Core Capstone:

Required minor in General Business (24 hours)

Required Business Courses: (12 hours)

Business Electives (12 hours)

Choose 12 hours of additional courses in business (must include at least 6 hours of upper-division courses).
NB: Students planning to pursue graduate study in business (i.e., MBA) should select MBA prerequisite courses as their elective hours for the General Business minor.

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of SPAN 2320 and at the end of the degree program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the major program.

[8] Minor Programs

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[8.1] Minor in English (18 credit hours)

Eighteen credit hours of English, of which at least nine hours must derive from upper-division English courses.

[8.2] Minor in Linguistics (21 hours)

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A minor in Linguistics requires the following. All students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each course applying to the minor program in the Required Courses and Electives categories.

Required courses (12 hours):

Choose Three Electives (9 hours):

Related Course Requirement (3–4 hours)

[8.3] Minor in Mandarin Chinese (18 hours)

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A minor in Mandarin Chinese requires the following.

Required Language Core (9 hours):

Three hours of culture/civilization or literature. Choose one:

Six hours of elective credits chosen from among the following:

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of CHIN 2320 to continue in the program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the minor.

[8.4] Minor in French (18 hours)

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A minor in French requires the following:

Required Language Core (9 hours):

Three hours of culture/civilization or literature. Choose one:

Six hours of elective credits chosen from among:

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of FREN 2320 to continue in the program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the minor.

[8.5] Minor in Spanish (18 hours)

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A minor in Spanish requires the following:

Required Language Core (9 hours)

Three hours of culture/civilization or literature. Choose one:

Six hours of elective credits chosen from among:

Other requirements:

All students must (1) meet proficiency requirements at the end of SPAN 2320 to continue in the program and (2) earn a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the minor.

[8.6] Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (21 hours)

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A minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) requires the following:

All students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each course applying to the minor program in the Required Courses and Electives categories.

Required Courses (15 hours)

Electives (6 hours selected from the following)

Related Course Requirement (3–4 hours)

[9] Master of Arts (MA) in English Degree

See Graduate Bulletin.

[10] Course Links (CHIN, ENGL, FREN, GERM, JAPN, LALS, LING, WLAN, SPAN)

Follow this link for CHIN course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for ENGL course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for FREN course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for GERM course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for JAPN course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for LALS course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for LING course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for WLAN course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for SPAN course descriptions: course link.