Academic Programs Catalog

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Arabic is designed to develop both the linguistic and intercultural skills of students to an advanced level of language competency. Students will study modern standard Arabic and Arabic culture and literature. The major focuses on creating proficient speakers of Arabic who can apply their language skills in a variety of disciplines and careers.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the major should consult an undergraduate advisor in Arabic.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Arabic                   
 

1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate  Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Arabic.
   
   The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Arabic major is met by completing Arabic 401 or 402 or 460 or 461.  Those courses are referenced in items 3. a. and 3. b. below.
2. The  requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree. The completion of Arabic 202 satisfies the College of Arts and Letters requirement of second-year competency in a foreign language.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	All of the following courses (24 credits):
   	ARB	201	Second-Year Arabic I				5
   	ARB	202	Second-Year Arabic II				5
   	ARB	301	Third-Year Arabic I				4
   	ARB	302	Third-Year Arabic II				4
   	ARB	401	Fourth-Year Arabic I (W)				3
   	ARB	402	Fourth-Year Arabic II (W)				3
   b.	Both of the following courses (6 credits):
   	ARB	460	Special Topics in Arabic Culture (W)				3
   	ARB	461	Introduction to Arabic Literature (W)				3
   c.	Completion of a capstone experience.
   	This requirement may be satisfied by completion of special assignments in Arabic 460 or 461, an advanced 400-level Arabic language course, ARB 499 Senior Thesis Research, or advanced language study during an approved study abroad program.

This option is designed to encourage students to combine a major in Arabic with a major in another field such as business, economics, history, international relations, political science, or another foreign language.  Students electing this option must meet the requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree and must complete the requirements 3. a. as well as select one of the courses listed in 3. b. (Arabic 460 or 461) in the Bachelor of Arts degree in Arabic above to fulfill the requirement of 27 semester credits.

The Minor in Arabic, which is administered by the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures, will provide students the opportunity to acquire a core of basic knowledge of Arabic language and culture.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Arabic.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in Arabic.

Requirements for the Minor in Arabic

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese is designed to equip students with functional proficiency in the language, and cultural sensitivity to and factual knowledge about China. Study abroad is encouraged to provide students with firsthand experience of cultures superficially different from those to which they are accustomed, but are similar in many ways at the level of human interaction.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the major should consult an undergraduate advisor in Chinese.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chinese

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate  Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Chinese major is met by completing Chinese 401 or 402.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. a. below.
2. The  requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree. The completion of Chinese 201 and 202 satisfies the College of Arts and Letters requirement of second-year competency in a foreign language.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	All of the following courses (31 credits):
   	CHS	202	Second-Year Chinese II						5
   	CHS	301	Third-Year Chinese I						4
   	CHS	302	Third-Year Chinese II						4
   	CHS	350	Studies in Chinese Language						3
   	CHS	366	Chinese Culture: Tradition and Modernity (W)						3
   	CHS	401	Fourth-Year Chinese I (W)						3
   	CHS	402	Fourth-Year Chinese II (W)						3
   	CHS	410	Chinese Short Stories						3
   	CHS	466	Modern Chinese Literature and Films (W)						3
   b.	Complete 3 credits from at least one course from the following:
   	CHS	291	Special Topics in Chinese						1 to 4
   	CHS	360	Chinese Film Studies						3
   	CHS	411	Advanced Spoken Chinese						3
   	CHS	491	Special Topics in Chinese Studies						1 to 4
   c.	Completion of a capstone experience. This requirement may be satisfied by completion of special assignments in Chinese 302 (in China), 366, 402 or 466. The capstone experience must be approved by the student’s advisor.
   d.	Study Abroad: Students with a primary major in Chinese are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad experience approved by the Chinese program. MSU study abroad programs are available at various sites in China and vary in length.
   e.	In order to fulfill the college-level cognate requirement, students should consider the following disciplinary areas from within the College of Arts and Letters: English literature, linguistics, philosophy, art history, and religious studies. Suggested disciplinary areas from outside the college are: sociology, political science, economics, communication and history. With advisor approval history may be treated as a cognate within the College of Arts and Letters. Students are encouraged to formulate interdisciplinary thematic areas for both cognates. Both the cognates and the related courses must be approved by the student’s academic advisor.

This option is designed to encourage students to combine a major in Chinese with a major in another field.  Students electing an additional major must meet the requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree and must complete requirements 3. a. in the Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese above to fulfill the requirement of 31 semester credits.

The Minor in Chinese, which is administered by the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures provides students the opportunity to acquire a core of basic knowledge of Chinese language and culture.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chinese.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures.

Requirements for the Minor in Chinese

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in German

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate  Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in German.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the German major is met by completing German 420, 435, 445  or 455.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. a. (3) below.
2. The  requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
    
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	The following German courses (34 to 40 credits):
   	(1)	Two of the following courses (6 credits):
   		GRM	301	Third-Year German: Global Germany			3
   		GRM	302	Third-Year German: Nature in Germany			3
   		GRM	303	Third-Year German: German Genders			3
   		GRM	304	Third-Year German: German Media			3
   		GRM	311	Business German I			3
   	(2)	Six additional credits at the 300-level, including at least one of the following courses (6 credits):
   		GRM	341	German Literature and Culture Before 1918			3
   		GRM	342	German Literature and Culture Since 1918			3
   	(3)	Twelve credits at the 400-level selected from the following courses (12 credits):
   		GRM	420	Advanced German (W)			3
   		GRM	435	18th and 19th German Literary Studies (W)			3
   		GRM	445	20th Century and Contemporary German Literary Studies (W)			3
   		GRM	455	Major Themes in German Cultural History (W)			3
   		GRM	460	Linguistic Analysis of Modern German			3
   		GRM	461	Applied Linguistics for German Learners and Teachers			3
   		GRM	491	Special Topics in German Studies			1 to 4
   	(4)	The following capstone course (1 credit):
   		GRM	492	Capstone Project			1
   	(5)	German electives:  Additional credits in German courses numbered 250 and above, with the exception of German 400, as needed to meet the requirement of at least 34, but not more than 40, credits in courses in the major. A maximum of 3 credits of German 250 or Linguistics and Languages 250A may be counted as elective credits toward the major.
   	(6)	Education Abroad requirement: Students with a primary major in German are expected to participate in a education abroad experience approved by the German program. MSU study abroad programs are available at various sites in Germany and Austria throughout the year. Completion of German 202, or the equivalent, is a requirement for participation. Under special circumstances, equivalent experiences may be approved by the department.

This option is designed to encourage students to combine a major in German with a major in another field such as international relations, political science, English, another foreign language, or engineering.  Students electing this option must meet the requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree and must complete the following requirements for the major in German:

1. The German courses listed in items 3. a. (1) through (4) under the heading Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in German above, plus one additional course of at least 3 credits, to meet the requirement of 28 credits. Additional majors are also expected to participate in a study abroad program as listed in item 3. a. (6) above.

The Minor in German, which is administered by the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures, provides students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of the German language and German cultures.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts Degree in German.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures.

Requirements for the Minor in German

The Minor in Indian and South Asian Studies equips students with linguistic and cultural proficiency focused on India and the other nations of South Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, and Tibet) to enable their future work across the region and the disciplines. Students gain global cultural understanding, develop communication skills, and think analytically. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in study abroad programs, internships, student-centered organizations, and experiential learning opportunities through which they can practice the language and deepen their cultural understanding. Students will become conversant with digital technologies as an integrated part of their academic training in preparation for their career beyond MSU.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. 

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures.

Requirements for the Minor in Indian and South Asian Studies

Students must fulfill the following requirements:

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese is designed to equip students with functional proficiency in the language, and cultural sensitivity to and factual knowledge about Japan. Study abroad is encouraged to provide students with firsthand experience of cultures superficially different from those to which they are accustomed, but are similar in many ways at the level of human interaction.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the major should consult an undergraduate advisor in Japanese.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Japanese

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate  Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Japanese major is met by completing Japanese 469.  This course is referenced in item 3. b. below.
2. The  requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree. The completion of Japanese 202 satisfies the College of Arts and Letters requirement of second-year competency in a foreign language.
   1. The following requirements for the major:

      a.	All of the following courses (19 credits):
      	JPN	202	Second-Year Japanese II				5
      	JPN	301	Third-Year Japanese I				4
      	JPN	302	Third-Year Japanese II				4
      	JPN	401	Fourth-Year Japanese I				3
      	JPN	402	Fourth-Year Japanese II				3
      	Students who place out of any of these courses may take additional electives from item 3. c. below to make-up for deficient credits in this requirement. Students may also choose from the following elective courses to make-up deficient credits: Japanese 290, 490, 493, or 499. Course work used to make-up deficient credits must be approved by the student's academic advisor.
      b.	Both of the following courses (6 credits):
      	JPN	369	Japanese Literary and Cultural Studies I				3
      	JPN	469	Japanese Literary and Cultural Studies II (W)				3
      c.	Three of the following courses with at least one course at the 300- or 400-level (9 credits):
      	JPN	260	Japanese Cinema				3
      	JPN	261	Japanese Culture and Anime				3
      	JPN	350	Japanese Language in Society				3
      	JPN	451	Advanced Japanese for Japanese Language Proficiency Test Preparation				3
      	JPN	460	Media and Digital Culture in Japan				3
      	JPN	461	Japanese Children's Literature and Cultural Translation				3
      d.	Completion of a capstone experience.
      	This requirement may be satisfied by completion of an approved education abroad or internship experience in Japan or by completion of JPN 492 Capstone Project.
      e.	Study Abroad: Students with a primary major in Japanese are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad experience approved by the Japanese program. Michigan State University study abroad programs are available at various sites in Japan throughout the year.
      f.	To fulfill the college cognate requirement of 15 credits, students are encouraged to consider a cognate in the field of East Asian Studies.

This option is designed to encourage students to combine a major in Japanese with a major in another field.  Students electing an additional major must meet the requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree and must complete requirements 3. a., 3. b., and one course from 3. c. in the Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese above to fulfill the requirement of 28 semester credits.

The Minor in Japanese, which is administered by the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures provides students the opportunity to acquire a core of basic knowledge of Japanese language and culture.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Japanese.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures.

Requirements for the Minor in Japanese

The Minor in Korean, which is administered by the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures equips students with linguistic proficiency in the Korean language and cultural literacy about Korea and its place in the world. Students gain global cultural understanding, develop communication skills, and think analytically. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in study abroad programs, internships, student-centered organizations, and experiential learning opportunities through which they can practice the language and deepen their cultural understanding.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the department.

Requirements for the Minor in Korean

Linguistics is the scientific study of the nature of human language and the characteristics of particular languages. It is a field with close ties to many areas of study, such as English, foreign languages, psychology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, history, mathematics, and speech and language pathology; majors may emphasize any one or more of these areas.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Linguistics major is met by completing Linguistics 499. That course is referenced in item 3. a. (2) below.
2. The requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	The following Linguistics courses (32 to 38 credits):
   	(1)	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		LIN	200	Introduction to Language			3
   		LIN	401	Introduction to Linguistics			4
   	(2)	All of the following courses (14 credits):
   		LIN	424	Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology			3
   		LIN	431	Introduction to Morphology			3
   		LIN	434	Introduction to Syntax			3
   		LIN	437	Semantics and Pragmatics			3
   		LIN	499	Senior Thesis Research (W)			2
   		The completion of Linguistics 499 satisfies the capstone course requirement for the Linguistics major.
   	(3)	Linguistics electives:  Additional credits in Linguistics courses as needed to meet the requirement of at least 32, but not more than 38, credits in courses in the major.

The minor in Linguistics, which is administered by the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures will provide a minimum foundation in the field; general knowledge and basic findings and theories in one of the core areas of phonetics-phonology or syntax; and knowledge of one or two subfields selected according to the interest of the student. The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures.

Requirements for the Minor in Linguistics

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Russian

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Russian major is met by completing Russian 440 or 441. Those courses are referenced in item 3. a. (1) below.
2. The requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	The following Russian courses (32 to 40 credits):
   	(1)	All of the following courses (20 credits):
   		RUS	201	Second–Year Russian I			4
   		RUS	202	Second–Year Russian II			4
   		RUS	420	Russian Life and Culture Before World War I			3
   		RUS	421	Russian Life and Culture in the 20th Century			3
   		RUS	440	Contemporary Russian Life and Culture (W)			3
   		RUS	441	Russian Literature (W)			3
   	(2)	A capstone experience.  This requirement may be satisfied by completing special assignments in Russian 420, 421, 440, or 441; by completing RUS 341Russian Life and Culture of the 20th Century, in Russia, or by completing RUS 499 Senior Thesis Research.
   	(3)	Russian electives:  Additional credits in Russian courses numbered 201 and above, as needed to meet the requirement of at least 32, but not more than 40, credits in courses in the major.

The following cognates from within the College of Arts and Letters are suggested: English literature, history, linguistics, philosophy, art history, and religious studies. Suggested disciplinary cognates from outside the college are:  sociology, psychology, political science, economics, or communication. For both required cognates, students are also encouraged to formulate interdisciplinary thematic areas.

This option is designed to encourage students to combine a major in Russian with a major in another field such as international relations, political science, English, another foreign language, or hotel and restaurant management.  Students electing this option must meet the requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree and must complete the following requirements for the major in Russian:

1. The Russian courses listed in items 3. a. (1) and 3. a. (2) under the heading Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Russian (20 credits).
2. Six additional credits in Russian courses numbered 201 and above.
3. The completion of a major in addition to Russian satisfies one of the cognates required by the College of Arts and Letters.

The minor in Russian, which is administered by the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures, will provide students the opportunity to acquire a core of basic knowledge of Russia, Russian culture, and the Russian language. The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Russian. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures.

Requirements for the Minor in Russian

The Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, which is administered by the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures, provides students with the skills necessary to construct learning activities, select and evaluate English teaching.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University except for students in the College of Education. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures.

Requirements for the Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Students must complete a minimum of 15 or 16 credits from the following:

The Minor in Cognitive Science introduces students to one of the most important remaining mysteries in science: the nature of the mind and how biological systems process complex information to produce thought and adaptive behavior, and how artificial systems can be endowed with the same capabilities. The scientific study of the nature of mind requires familiarity with many different theoretical perspectives and empirical traditions, and an appreciation for the concerns of several different academic disciplines. Students enrolled in this minor will gain understanding from a variety of disciplinary viewpoints, of problems in cognitive science.

The Minor in Cognitive Science is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the Minor in Cognitive Science should consult the undergraduate advisor for cognitive science.

Requirements for the Minor in Cognitive Science

Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits from the courses listed below. Independent study and special topics courses must be approved in advance by the advisor for the minor, to ensure that the content of the course is specifically related to cognitive science. Students are encouraged to take advantage of research opportunities with specific faculty members through independent study. The students program of study must be approved by the advisor for the minor.