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Language

This requirement aims to give students a functional proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in a language other than their own. The goal of this requirement is not only for students to gain competency, but also to encourage a global worldview through the ability to engage with those who speak another language.

To complete this requirement, students must achieve the equivalent of three semesters of language. Students will be placed at the course level (151, 152, or 251) indicated on the placement exam. The language requirement is waived for students who place at the 252 level on the placement exam proctored in the International Studies and Languages (ISL) division. However, no unit credits can be earned through the exam. Unit credit may only be earned by the challenge procedure through the International Studies and Languages division. The challenge procedure is only available for languages taught in the ISL division.

The requirement can be waived for international students, if the student was in a high school where the language of instruction was in their native language for the entirety of their high school. Please consult the Office of International Student Services at 310.506.4246.Transfer students may receive credit for language courses taken at a regionally-accredited college or university and need not take the placement exam.

Since the focus is on global understanding rather than simply second language acquisition, American Sign Language does not meet the requirements set forth by this definition.

Students should take all courses for the language requirement in sequential semesters; finishing a language course ensures admittance in the next level course for only one year.

Courses that fulfill the Language requirement

The courses below represent the last courses in the sequence which will indicate completion of the requirement.

 ARBC 251 Intermediate Arabic I (4)

Builds on the Elementary Arabic Program. Students will expand their skills in language comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Prerequisite: ARBC 152 or equivalent competency.

 CHIN 251 Second-Year Chinese I (4)

This course emphasizes language production skills and interactive language use with a concentration on conversation. This course also develops reading strategies and examines complex grammar structures. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- before they can advance to subsequent courses. Prerequisite: CHIN 152 or equivalent competency.

 FRE 251 Second-Year French I (4)

Emphasizes language production skills and interactive language use with a concentration on conversation. This course also develops reading strategies and examines complex grammar structures. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- before they can advance to subsequent courses. Prerequisite: FRE 152 or equivalent competency.

 FRE 282 Intensive French II (5)

FRE 182.282 is a two-course sequence (5 units each) designed to cover the material from standard second-, third-, and fourth-semester French courses. Learning French in a French-speaking country, and thus being exposed to the language on a daily basis, enables the serious student to progress faster than would be possible in a classroom situation int he United States. In addition to language acquisition, class time will also be spent exploring various aspects of local culture, particularly the relation of the language to the mentality of the people, to history, and to the country's role in Europe. Taught only during the regular academic year. A student cannot receive credit for the FRE 152, 251, 252 sequence and FRE 182/282. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- before they can advance to subsequent courses. Prerequisite: FRE 182. Open only to students participating in a full academic year-long international program.

 GER 251 Second-Year German I (4)

This course emphasizes language production skills and interactive language use with a concentration on conversation. This course also develops reading strategies and examines complex grammar structures. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- before they can advance to subsequent courses. Prerequisite: GER 251 or equivalent competency.

 GER 282 Intensive German II (5)

GER 182/282 is a two-course sequence (five units each) designed to cover the material from standard second-, third-, and fourth-semester German courses. Learning German in Germany, and thus being exposed to the language on a daily basis, enables the students to progress faster than would be possible in a classroom situation in the United States. In addition to language acquisition, class time will also be spent exploring various aspects of German culture, particularly the relation of the language to the mentality of the people, to history, and to Germany's role in Europe. Taught only in Heidelberg during the regular academic year. A student cannot receive credit for GER 152, 251, 252 sequence and GER 182/282. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- before they can advance to subsequent courses. Prerequisite: GER 182. Open only to students participating in a full academic year-long international program.

 GRE 351 Intermediate New Testament Greek (4)

Readings from the Greek New Testament and other Hellenistic Greek texts, with continued emphasis on vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and exegetical method. Prerequisite: GRE 152 or equivalent competency.

 HEB 351 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew (4)

Readings from the Hebrew Bible, with continued emphasis on vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. Introduces analysis of Hebrew readings to the exegesis of biblical passages. Prerequisite: HEB 152 or equivalent competency.

 ITAL 251 Second-Year Italian I (4)

Emphasizes language production skills and interactive language use with a concentration on conversation. This course also develops reading strategies and examines complex grammar structures. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- before they can advance to subsequent courses. Prerequisite: ITAL 152 or equivalent competency.

 JAPN 251 Second-Year Japanese I (4)

This course emphasizes language production skills and interactive language use with a concentration on conversation. The course also develops reading strategies and examines complex grammar structures. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- before they can advance to subsequent courses. Prerequisite: JAPN 152 or equivalent competency.

 SPAN 251 Second-Year Spanish I (4)

This course emphasizes language production skills and interactive language use with a concentration on conversation. The course also develops reading strategies and examines complex grammar structures. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- before they can advance to subsequent courses. Prerequisite: SPAN 152 or equivalent competency.

 SPAN 282 Intensive Spanish II (5)

SPAN 182/282 is a two-course sequence designed to cover the material from standard second-, third-, and fourth-semester Spanish courses. Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires, and thus being exposed to the language on a daily basis, enables the serious student to progress faster than would be possible in a classroom situation in the United States. In addition to language acquisition, class time will also be spent exploring various aspects of Argentine culture, particularly the relation of the language to the traditions and history of Latin America. Taught only in Buenos Aires during the regular academic year. A student cannot receive credit for the SPAN 152, 251, 252 sequence and SPAN 182/282. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- before they can advance to subsequent courses. Prerequisite: SPAN 182. Open only to students participating in a full academic year-long international program.