Languages, Cultures and Linguistics
- American Sign Language
- Arabic Studies
- French and Francophone Studies
- German Studies
- Hebrew
- Italian Studies
- Linguistics
- Russian Studies
Learning a foreign language contributes to a liberal education by providing performative exercises in cultural practices and linguistic concepts that open up new perspectives on what it means to be human. Furthermore, foreign-language courses allow access to world views expressed in the target language on their own linguistic and cultural terms, thus also making possible a more profound reflection on one’s own source language and culture. The Department of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics’ offerings at all levels investigate and analyze important interconnections between the histories, society, cultures, and languages among the people that speak Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Italian and Russian, as well as offering students an introduction to American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. The curricula within the Department of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics asserts the importance of attaining fluency not only in the target language but also in the nuances of interpreting the target language’s literatures and other modes of cultural production.
The goal of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics is to allow students to achieve competency and literacy in the target language in order to employ that target language in a range of intellectual and professional contexts. The department’s mission is firmly supported by the study of current thinking in linguistics where language is analyzed as a phenomenon in itself. Courses in linguistics link the study of human language to the cognitive underpinning of language acquisition and production in both the source and target cultures.
The department offers courses in six modern languages, in American Sign Language, and in linguistics. Language courses are regularly offered in Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Russian, and on occasion in other Slavic languages.
Coursework in all the programs is designed to promote a level of language proficiency and cultural understanding that will enable students to be active participants in a shrinking multicultural world. Each program’s curriculum features a sequence of courses focusing on the development of language skills, at the lower level, followed by a transition to upper-level courses that focus on the appreciation and critical analysis of a wide variety of literary and cultural works. As the Goals 2000 document of the National Standards in Foreign Language Education states: “Knowing another language system, another culture, and communication strategies, enables students to access new information and knowledge, develop insight into their own language and culture, and participate in multilingual communities and a global society.”
Students are strongly encouraged to continue or begin the study of the language(s)/culture(s) of their choice as early in their undergraduate career as possible. Doing so will ensure the possibility of completing a major or minor in the language and will open the door to many stimulating study abroad programs. Many students find that the study of other languages and cultures provides a good background for work in other disciplines. In addition, by working to an advanced level of language proficiency and cultural awareness, students may improve their chances for a Fulbright or other international fellowships after graduation.
Placement: French, German, Italian, and Russian
First-year students with prior instruction or background in French, German, Italian, and/or Russian should take the on-line placement examination before arriving at Bucknell regardless of whether they have taken the AP exam or the SAT II. Information on accessing this exam is included in the first-year student registration materials. Any questions regarding placement should be directed to the program directors.
Placement: Arabic
First-year students with prior instruction or background in Arabic should contact the program director (Arabic) to consult about the appropriate placement level.
World Literature and Culture (in English)
| ARBC 203 | Unveiling the Hijab's Culture | 1 |
| EAST 211 | Premodern Japanese Literature in Translation | 1 |
| EAST 212 | Modern Japanese Literature in Translation | 1 |
| EAST 213 | Traditional Chinese Literature in Translation | 1 |
| ITAL 240 | Love and Politics | 1 |
| GRMN 261 | Nazi Culture | 1 |
| HEBR 215 | Hebrew Bible and Modern Literature | 1 |
| HEBR 236 | Israel: Literature, Film, Culture | 1 |
| RUSS 250 | Crimes and Punishments: 19th-century Russian Literature | 1 |
| RUSS 255 | Politics of Writing: 20th-century Russian Literature | 1 |
| RUSS 325 | Dostoevsky and Tolstoy: Literary Philosophy | 1 |
| RUSS 330 | Nabokov and His Worlds | 1 |
For descriptions, see the respective programs of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, and the Department of East Asian Studies.
Faculty
Chair: Helen G. Morris-Keitel