University of Alaska Fairbanks

1996-1997 catalog

Degrees and Programs


Foreign Languages

College of Liberal Arts
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
(907) 474-7396

Degree: B.A.

Minimum Requirements for Degree: B.A.: 120 credits

In a shrinking world Americans increasingly need to communicate directly with other peoples in order to achieve mutual understanding. Whether it be Japanese or English, the language of a people embodies its unique culture and its way of thinking and feeling. Therefore, to know only one language is to think in only one way.

The study of foreign languages and literatures liberates the student from the confines of one culture.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Foreign Language B.A. Degree

  1. Complete the general university and B.A. degree requirements.
  2. Complete the following program (major) requirements:
    1. Background-related Requirements (24 credits)
      Option A (Liberal Arts Option)
      1. LING 101 Nature of Language      or LING 216 Languages of the World (3)
        ENGL 310 Literary Criticism (3)
        ENGL 318 Modern English Grammar (3)
        HUM 411 Dimensions of Literature (3)
      2. 6 credits in literature courses other than those of the field of specialization (6)
      3. 6 credits from among the following:
        PHIL 102 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
        History: one or two courses in student's language area; if two, one course must be upper division (6)
        ART 261 or 262 History of World Art (3)
        One course from the following as related to student's language focus:
        GEOG 305 Geography of Europe (except U.S.S.R.) (3)
        GEOG 306 Geography of Russia (3)
        GEOG 311 Geography of Asia (3)
        GEOG 402 Resources and Environment (3)
      Option B (Career-oriented Option)
      1. LING 101 Nature of Language      or LING 216 Languages of the World (3)
      2. 21 credits in major-related courses in other disciplines, such as business, education, journalism, political science, etc. (to be agreed upon with the advisor according to the student's career preferences) (21)
    2. Major Requirements (two languages required) First Language (French, German, Russian or Spanish) (above 100 level) (24-26 credits)
      1. Complete the following courses in the first language:
        201 and 202 (6-8)
        301 and 302 (6)
      2. Complete a minimum of twelve (12) credits in the first language at the 400-level. Students may repeat a 400-level course for credit if the topics vary but may not count any one course more than twice in fulfillment of this requirement.
      3. Complete the following courses in the second language (French, German, Japanese, Russian or Spanish):
        201, 202 and 301, 302 (12-14)
        The second language does not satisfy the minor requirements.
      Where appropriate, 12 credits of courses required under any option (A or B) above and courses in the first and second language repeated for credit, may be counted toward fulfillment of B.A. requirements listed under 1 or the minor but not both.

      In addition, 100-level language courses (which are preparatory to, but not part of the foreign language degree) may be counted toward fulfillment of requirements specified under Perspectives on the Human Condition and/or Humanities. Each language counts as a separate discipline.

      Foreign language majors are encouraged to spend one or both semesters of their junior year in an exchange program appropriate to their language focus.

    Minimum credits required 120

MINOR in Foreign Languages

A minor in foreign languages requires 15 credits, 12 of which must be at the 200 level or above.