Program Overview

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Modern Languages and Intercultural Communication, B.A.

Overview

The Saint Louis University Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages and Intercultural Communications is the first major of its kind in the U.S. and can be studied either in St. Louis or at Saint Louis University-Madrid. The program is a collaboration between the SLU's Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures and the SLU-Madrid's Department of ESL, Modern Languages and Education. The major is aimed at students who love languages and culture and seek proficiency in multiple languages.

Curriculum Overview

Program highlights include:

• Small class sizes and close connections to faculty
• Many professional development opportunities through experiences such as study abroad or internships that count toward the major
• Opportunities to study both in Madrid and St. Louis or to take advantage of our study abroad agreements with institutions in other countries, thereby engaging deeply with several cultures and languages
• The opportunity to become a true global citizen

It consists of 32 credits that include three foreign languages, linguistics and intercultural communication classes, and a practicum experience abroad or in a context in which a foreign language predominates. It is broader and more practical than a pure language major and is designed to complement other majors, which affords many students the possibility of a double major.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Benefits of the MLIC major also include practicum, internship and career readiness opportunities. Department faculty assist students in finding internships in the St. Louis area, Madrid and other study abroad locations. Being plurilingual and interacting effectively with people from other cultures provides you with a wider range of fieldwork and job opportunities; you are no longer limited to workspaces that use English because you can think, work and travel globally.

Careers

A degree in modern languages and intercultural communication will enhance employment prospects in any area in which communication with people from other cultural backgrounds is required, for example:

• Administrative work
• Diplomatic service
• Foreign service
• Health care
• International business
• International law
• Law enforcement
• Media
• Scientific research
• Translation and interpretation
• Travel and tour guides
• United Nations

Tuition

Undergraduate Tuition | $56,960

Additional charges may apply.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to communicate at least at an intermediate mid/B2 level in one foreign language, at an intermediate low/B1 level in a second foreign language, and at an elementary/A2 level in a third foreign language.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the different aspects of human communication, including the relationship between language, behavior, culture and mind.
3. Students can communicate with speakers of other languages in culturally appropriate ways.
4. Students will articulate the self-development of an intercultural identity and demonstrate how this is impacted by multiple cultural influences.

Major Requirements

The Modern Languages and Intercultural Communication B.A. requires 32 credits for the major.

• Language Requirement: 18 credits
  • Students are required to take six (6) credits in 3 different languages carrying the "MLIC Language" attribute, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish.
• Communication Requirement: 3 credits
  • CMM 3300: Intercultural Communication
  • or LING 3010: Language Acquisition
  • or LING 3020: Language and Society
  • or LING 3040: Language Contact and Bilingualism
• Linguistics Requirement: 3 credits
  • Choose from the following courses which will carry the "MLIC Linguistics" attribute:
    • LING 1000: How Language Works: Introduction to Linguistics
    • ENGL 4110: Introduction to Linguistics
    • or SPAN 4110: Language and Linguistics
    • or FREN 4110: Language & Linguistics
    • SPAN 4030: Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
    • SPAN 3100: Spanish Pronunciation
    • ANTH 2400: Linguistic Anthropology
    • SLHS 3000: Cultural Linguistic Diversity
• Intercultural Requirement: 3 credits
  • Choose from the following courses which will carry the "MLIC Intercultural" attribute:
    • LLC 1250: Speaking in (Inter)Cultural Context
    • LLC 1255: Modern Languages and Intercultural Competence
    • ANTH 2200: Cultural Anthropology
    • PSY 4270: Cross-Cultural Psychology of Human Development
• Elective Course: 3 credits
  • Choose from the following courses which will carry the "MLIC Elective" attribute:
    • ANTH 3340: World Archaeology
    • ARTH 3770: Art and Politics: From Goya to the Cold War
    • CHIN 3100: Modern Chinese Fiction and Film 1
    • CMM 4460: Global Media
    • DANC 2650: Spanish Dance: Flamenco
    • EDI 3350: Curriculum and Methods in Teaching World Languages
    • ENGL 2750: Film, Culture and Literature
    • FREN 4240: French Cuisine: Culture, Text, and Context 1
    • GR 3210: German Cultural History 1
    • HIST 3720: Cultural Encounters
    • HUM 4100: Engaging Difference in a Pluralistic World
    • IB 3160: Cultural Differences in International Business
    • MUSC 1170: Music of Cultures of the World
    • POLS 3140: Public Opinion and Mass Communication
    • RUSS 3270: Soviet and Russian Cinema: Traditions and Innovations 1
    • SOC 1180: World Geography
    • SPAN 4790: Spanish Culture & Civilization 1
• Capstone Requirement: 2 credits
  • LLC 4500: Reflection on Intercultural Experiences

Non-Course Requirements

• Languages 1, 2 and 3: Once students have fulfilled the 18-credit language requirement and have completed (or validated by way of an official language certificate) a first foreign language at a 3xxx + level, a second foreign language at a 2xxx + level, and a third foreign language at a 1xxx + level, then the program director will check this non-course requirement.
• Language Proficiency: Students must demonstrate proficiency in three distinct languages. Program directors will confirm the achievement of these language requirements.
• Practicum: The program director/coordinator will check this non-course requirement once a student has shown evidence of having completed a practicum experience.

Continuation Standards

A grade of “C or better is required in every course counting for the Major. Students who do not achieve the “C” or better grade in any required course for the major will be expected to repeat the course in an attempt to achieve the “C” or better grade. Students may repeat a required course one time. Students who fail to achieve the “C” or better grade after one repeat attempt will not be permitted to complete the major.

Roadmap

Year One

• Fall: CORE 1000, Language Requirement, Core and Elective courses
• Spring: Language Requirement, LLC 1250 or LLC 1255 or ANTH 2200 or PSY 4270, Core and Elective courses

Year Two

• Fall: Language Requirement, MLIC Elective attributed course, Core and Elective courses
• Spring: CMM 3300, Language Requirement, Core and Elective courses

Year Three

• Fall: Language Requirement, MLIC Linguistics attributed course, Core and Elective courses
• Spring: Practicum experience, Language Requirement, Core and Elective courses

Year Four

• Fall: LLC 4500, Core and Elective courses
• Spring: Core and Elective courses

Total Credits: 120

Program Notes

Please note, that courses offered by the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures that satisfy the language requirement or the elective requirements in the MLIC major also count for many of the required core components. A student may wish to look for such courses specifically to enrich their experiences in multiple areas of their education at the same time. For example, courses that are attributed as dignity, ethics and a just society, writing intensive or creative expression. Be sure to confirm with your academic advisor and your degree mentor that you will complete all the MLIC and core requirements.

You can complete all or part of the modern languages and intercultural communication, B.A. at Saint Louis University-Madrid.