Modern Languages

Feinstein School of Humanities, Arts and Education
Department of Modern Languages, Philosophy and Classics

Modern languages bring wings to your future career and help you stand out on job markets because employers know that it takes diligent work, self-discipline, and a vision to do well in modern language classes. If one succeeds in learning a language, one can succeed at anything!

Our Programs

Majors

Students are encouraged to pursue a double major in a language and another area of study. The language program is designed to provide maximum flexibility and compatibility for a combination of a language major with another major in other academic disciplines. We offer language majors in Chinese, Italian, and Spanish.

Minors

The modern language programs offer minors in American Sign Language (ASL), Chinese, Italian, and Spanish. The language minors are open to all majors and fulfill the University Minor requirements. 

To complete a minor in a language, students are placed at the appropriate level in their chosen language and required to complete a minimum of four courses in the same language, with at least two courses being at the 300 level (or above). 

Degree Requirements

Chinese, B.A.

The B.A. in Chinese provides students with the linguistic proficiency in Mandarin, the standard modern Chinese language, and the knowledge of Chinese history and culture, required for Chinese-related careers, which range from business to education and diplomacy. It offers students the opportunity to understand Chinese culture and think critically about the world from a global and multicultural perspective. 

The objectives of the program are achieved through rigorous language learning and interdisciplinary courses. Study abroad is encouraged. The curriculum is composed of language courses at all levels, combined with upper-level courses in Chinese and East Asian culture and history taught in English.

Students are encouraged to pursue a second major or a minor. The structure of the program is designed to provide the maximum flexibility and compatibility for a double-major or a combination of the Chinese major with other academic disciplines.

***Please note that students may need to complete coursework via a study abroad experience and/or by taking courses at another institution and transferring them back to RWU to fulfill the requirements of this major.   

Program Requirements

Majors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in a language must satisfy the University General Education Curriculum requirements Specific requirements of the language programs are outlined below. In addition, majors must complete sufficient electives to total 120 credits. Majors are encouraged to apply electives taken outside the major toward a minor or a second major.

Required Courses:

Students in the Chinese major must take 18 credits of the Chinese language courses, with 12 credits at the 300-level.

Electives

Students must take two electives from the list below for their Chinese major. 

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Spanish, B.A.

Spanish language and Hispanic culture play a vital role in both global and American contexts.  

Spanish is the third most spoken language in the world, with nearly 60 million speakers in the United States. At RWU, students fully immerse themselves in the language and explore the specificities and complexities of Hispanic and Latinx culture at various language levels. They learn the use of Spanish in different contexts, from everyday communication to professional and academic settings. 

The study of Spanish at RWU goes beyond language acquisition. Students will develop their cultural sensibilities and demonstrate an awareness of cultural differences.

 

 

Required Courses

Students are required to take 21 credits from the following courses. 15 of these required credits must be at the 300- level.


Electives

Students must take 6 additional credits from the courses listed below: 


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American Sign Language Minor

Requirements

In order to complete a minor in American Sign Language, students are placed at the appropriate level and are required to complete a minimum of four courses from the list below, with at least two courses being at the 300 level or above. 

Required Courses

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Chinese Minor

In order to complete a minor in Chinese, students are placed at the appropriate level and are required to complete a minimum of three courses in the Chinese language, with at least one course being at the 300 level. Additionally students must complete one course from the listing below.

Program Requirements

Required Courses

Note:

Minors are not permitted in a student's native language. Select one: Advanced Chinese Instruction

Total: 18 credits

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Italian Language Minor

Requirements

In order to complete a minor in Italian Language, students are placed at the appropriate level and are required to complete a minimum of four courses from the list below, with at least two courses being at the 300 level or above. 

Required Courses

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Spanish Language Minor

Requirements

In order to complete a minor in Spanish Language, students are placed at the appropriate level and are required to complete a minimum of four courses from the list below, with at least two courses being at the 300 level or above. 

Required Courses

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Chinese Language Certificate

The certificate program helps students to reach Chinese proficiency at low intermediate level, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) .

Students with little or no prior knowledge in Chinese are encouraged to join the program and pursue a Chinese language certificate.

 

Required Language Courses

Required Language Courses
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Coming Soon

Why Study Modern Languages?

Our world has become more interdependent. New technologies have allowed us to work in close contact with people all over the world. As relationships (in business, commerce, cultures, politics, etc.) grow, so does the need to speak a modern language and become culturally and linguistically prepared.

At RWU, Students are encouraged to do a double major or a minor or Core Concentration in a language. 

Here is an overview of career potentials for students with a combination of a language and another field at RWU:

Modern Language + Legal Studies or Criminal Justice

  • Immigration/Naturalization
  • Customs
  • Security and Protection (Language Analyst for Security Services)
  • Law Enforcement
  • Court Interpreter

Modern Language + International Relations

  • Diplomacy (Embassies and Consultants)
  • Government: CIA, FBI, Defense Dept., Peace Corps,
  • Political Risk Analyst
  • International Political Organizations
  • International Aid/Development Worker

Modern Language + International Business / Marketing

  • Marketing Executive
  • Import/Export Companies & International Banks
  • Business, Logistics and Finance Careers
  • Advertising and Public Relations (PR) Careers

Modern Language + Science (Biology, Chemistry, Sustainability, Environmental Science, Aquaculture and Aquarium Science)

  • International Aid/Development Worker
  • International Research
  • Pharmaceutical Representative
  • Consultant
  • Non-Profit Organization Officer

Modern Language + Graphic Design Communications

  • Journalism/Broadcasting
  • Advertising
  • Public Relations
  • Tourist information manager
  • Travel Writer

Modern Language + Public Health

  • Translation/Interpretation
  • Hospitality, Health Care Services, Pharmaceutical Companies
  • International Aid/Development Worker

Modern Language + Visual Arts

  • Advertising
  • Art dealer

Modern Language + Education

  • Foreign Language Educator
  • Education Consultant
  • International Student Programs
  • Corporate Programs for Transfer Students
  • English as a Foreign Language Teacher

Language Placement Test

A placement test is required for all new students who have skills in a second language and/or have taken courses in a second language in high school; students who major in International Relations or International Business are also required to take the test. Students who have no prior experience studying a second language but are interested in learning one are encouraged to take the placement test to determine their level placement.

Q: What languages are placement tests in?

A: Online tests are available in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. For American Sign Language (ASL), please contact the Dean’s Office in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Education (SHAE).

Q: Where is the language placement test located?

A: How to access the language placement exam

Q: Do I take the test in all of the languages?

A: No, you take a test only in the language you intend to study at RWU.

Q: Can I take the test more than once?

A: No, the test is taken only once. Review the language you have learned, then take the test when you feel prepared.

Q: What should students do after their language placement?

A: Start taking language courses right away! The sooner you begin studying a language, the less time you will need to refresh your skills and the better you will do in class.

Q: What if the placement level does not reflect a student’s proficiency?

A: Placement is not set in stone. If the language course you are taking is too easy or too challenging for you, talk with the instructor, speak with them in the target language, and ask whether you can be placed in a different course.

Q: What is the benefit of taking language courses at RWU?

A: To graduate, RWU students need a major and a Core Concentration. A Core Concentration requires five courses. However, if you are placed in 102 of a language and do a Core Concentration in that language, you need only four courses; if you are placed in 201, 202, or 300-level of a language and do a Core Concentration in that language, you need only three courses!

Q: Why should I take language courses?

A: Our world has become very interdependent. New technologies have allowed us to work in close contact with people all over the world. As relationships (in business, cultures, politics, etc.) grow, so does the need to speak different languages and become culturally and linguistically prepared! And foreign languages bring wings to your future career and help you stand out in job markets because employers know that it takes diligent work, self-discipline, and a vision to do well in language courses. If one succeeds in learning a foreign language, one can succeed in their pursuit of anything!

Q: What if I am interesting in majoring in another field?

A: Students can do a double major or a minor or Core Concentration in a language.

Study Abroad

Learn more about study abroad opportunities

Student Learning Outcomes

It is the expectation of the department of Modern Languages that students show a level of foreign language competency equal to or exceeding the equivalent of the ACTFL standard for Level B High on standardized examinations in Italian, German, French and Spanish. Where such standardized examinations do not exist, such competency is tested internally through the department’s exit examination.

Roger Williams University Goals and Outcomes: 

The learning outcomes of our program integrate completely with the university’s goals and mission. We aim to graduate competitive members of the work force, young people with exceptional skills and advantages; we integrate with global communities, helping to address problems that matter to our society and to others; our classes encourage diversity of viewpoints and cultural understanding; beyond our classes, our study abroad programs offer experiential learning and are truly transformative of students’ lives. 

  • Roger Williams language students will enter the labor force with special skills and a competitive advantage 
  • On the RWU campus, language students will be ambassadors for other cultures and world views 
  • Language students will write English with greater clarity and professionalism 
  • Roger Williams language students will have experience through study abroad, and international and domestic internships, that will greatly change their vision of their potential and their life-paths 

American Council on The Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) defines Level B high as:

  • Students can understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in a field of specialization. 
  • They can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for you or your conversation partner. 
  • They can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. 

Recent Alumni Success and Opportunities for Language Students

  • Students wrote the first commentary ever written for a Medieval Latin text on the city of Rome.
  • Students assisted in surveys comparing the differences in spoken Spanish in Puerto Rico and Florida.
  • Students assisted in developing high school language textbooks.
  • Students assisted a professor in comparing travel literature in Communist China and the former Communist Germany.
  • Bibliographical Database of Spanish Linguistics
  • Translation and Commentary on the “Mirabila Romae”
  • Academic Standards Comparison of American and German Educational Systems
  • History of Fishing in Ancient Greek and Latin Literature
  • Methodologies in Creating Online and Distant Learning Language Classes
  • Digital Scholia
  • History of Rome Through Coins
  • CDS International, Inc.
  • AIB Cologne
  • IAESTE United States
  • A Praça Magazine
  • Diálogos Books

Our Graduates Are Working At:

  • Barrington High School
  • Banco de Portugal
  • Interserver, Inc.
  • Bauer, Inc.
  • U.S. Consulate, New York, NY
  • U.S. Trade Commission, New York, NY
  • Fulbright Commission
  • Siemens, Guibh
  • Asahi Shimbun New Agency, Tokyo, Japan
  • Texaco, Inc.
  • Bayer, Inc.

Our Graduates Are Studying At:

  • Princeton University
  • University of Dallas
  • American University
  • University of Munich
  • Catholic University
  • Rutgers University
  • University of Pennsylvania

Juris Doctor/Bachelor's 3+3 Accelerated Program (J.D.)

Earn your bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees in six years through RWU’s Three-Plus-Three Law program. You’ll get a jump-start on your J.D. by integrating law courses into your undergraduate studies and completing undergraduate requirements in your first year of law school. Accepted students will take first-year courses in the School of Law along with legal electives to fulfill undergraduate fourth-year requirements. Interested students must indicate their intent to pursue a 3+3 pathway early in their undergraduate studies for curriculum planning and advising.

Learn More About the 3+3 Program

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