Languages and Culture BA Minor

  • Program Length
    4 Years
  • Credential
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options
    Minor
  • Fully Available at
    Nanaimo
  • Partially Available at
    Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

As technology brings our world closer together, the ability to effectively communicate with people of different languages and cultures is an extremely employable asset in almost every industry. A minor in Languages and Culture at VIU will elevate your Bachelor of Arts degree by providing a valuable in-depth study of the French or Spanish language and culture. Students gain a deeper understanding of French and Spanish culture by studying both the language and important literary works.

Whether you are a future teacher, government worker, tourism executive, entrepreneur or even simply a world traveler, a minor in French or Spanish in this roman languages program will benefit both your work and personal life. Adding “proficiency in French or Spanish” is a favourable addition to your resume.

Program Overview

The B.A. - Minor in Languages and Culture (Romance Languages) is designed to serve a variety of students whose overall program or career plans require or benefit from a strong grounding in another language or culture: not only B.Ed students, but also History, Anthropology, Global Studies, Liberal Studies, Business, Recreation and Tourism, etc. There is an identified need for people with second language skills in a wide variety of employment areas such as primary and secondary education, research, business, tourism, fisheries, forestry and other federal government services.

Students may choose to do concentrations in French or Spanish, and in either concentration may also choose any of the following cultural related courses: LANG 417, 470, and 471. The program's strong interdisciplinary framework allows students to not only work in both French and Spanish, but also to include work from other departments. Students may also apply upper-level field school or exchange program credits to their minor, something that is often limited to language majors. The program is distinct (no other comparable Romance Languages Minor in BC), yet consistent with VIU's overall emphasis on global perspectives and multidisciplinary programs.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

French Concentration

Years 1 and 2: A minimum 'C+' average in 15 credits of first and second year French, or equivalent. Completion of French Immersion 12 allows students to start at FRCH 221, and take 9 rather than 15 credits - FRCH 221, FRCH 222, and FRCH 230 - before moving into upper level courses. Native French speakers should consult with department regarding eligibility.

Years 1 and 2Credits
FRCH 121 - (Intermediate French I)3
FRCH 122 - (Intermediate French II)3
FRCH 221 - (French Oral and Written Practice I)3
FRCH 222 - (French Oral and Written Practice II)3
FRCH 230 - (Introduction to Francophone Culture and Literature)3

Note: Students without French 12 must take FRCH 100 / FRCH 101 and/or FRCH 110 to meet the prerequisite for FRCH 121. (Prerequisite for FRCH 121 is French 12, or a 'B' in FRCH 101 or FRCH 110).

Years 3 and 4: A minimum 18 credits of third and fourth year French, Spanish, or Language courses.

Years 3 and 4Credits
FRCH 300 - (Critical Analysis and Writing Skills)3
FRCH 301 - (Oral Expression and Cultural Exploration in French)3
and four courses from the following:
FRCH 320 - (French Normative Phonetics: Theory and Practice)
FRCH 330 - (Development of the Novel in French)
FRCH 437 - (Special Topics in French Literature)
FRCH 447 - (Special Topics in French Language)
LANG 390 - (Internship)
LANG 417 - (Special Topics in Romance Culture)
LANG 470 - (Translation Theory I) and LANG 471 (Translation Theory II)
SPAN 417 - (Special Topics in Hispanic Culture)		12

Note 1: Students may apply up to 6 credits of upper-level courses outside the Modern Languages department that are clearly relevant to the student's specialization, such as ENGL 405 - Inter-American Studies, LING 350 - Linguistics and the Dimensions, LBST 420 - The Modern Experience & Beyond (counts as 3 credits).

Other courses may also apply; consult with the Minor Program Coordinator for specific course approval. (Students may not count any course for required credit, in more than one program).

Note 2: Students may also apply up to 9 credits from a field school or exchange program with approval from the Department.

Spanish Concentration

Years 1 and 2: A minimum 'C+' average in 15 credits of first and second year Spanish, or equivalent. (Native Spanish speakers should consult with the department regarding eligibility).

Years 1 and 2Credits
SPAN 100 - (Beginning Spanish I)3
SPAN 101 - (Beginning Spanish II)3
SPAN 200 - (Intermediate Spanish I)3
SPAN 201 - (Intermediate Spanish I)3
Select one of the following:
SPAN 210 - (Introduction to Hispanic Culture – Spain)
SPAN 211 - (Introduction to Hispanic Culture – Latin America)
SPAN 230 - (Introduction to Hispanic Literature and Culture)
SPAN 250 - (Introduction to Writing in Spanish)
SPAN 260 - (Evolution of Spanish Cinema - Almodovar and Eighties)		3

Years 3 and 4: A minimum 18 credits of third and fourth year Spanish, or Language courses.

Years 3 and 4Credits
SPAN 300 - (Advanced Spanish I)3
SPAN 301 - (Advanced Spanish II)3
and four courses from the following:
LANG 390 - (Internship)
LANG 417 - (Special Topics in Romance Culture)
LANG 470 - (Translation Theory I) and LANG 471 (Translation Theory II)
SPAN 330 - (Hispanic Literature and Literary Analysis)
SPAN 331 - (Hispanic Poetry and Poetic Analysis)
SPAN 417 - (Special Topics in Hispanic Culture)
SPAN 437 - (Special Topics in Hispanic Literature)		12

Note 1: Students may apply up to 6 credits of upper-level courses outside the Modern Languages department that are clearly relevant to the student's specialization, such as ENGL 405 - Inter-American Studies, LING 350 - Linguistics and the Dimensions, LBST 420 - The Modern Experience & Beyond (counts as 3 credits).

Other courses may also apply; consult with the Minor Program Coordinator for specific course approval. (Students may not count any course for required credit, in more than one program).

Note 2: Students may also apply up to 9 credits from a field school or exchange program with approval from the Department.

 

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit) 4,992.00
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Total 7,333.96
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $799.77 per credit) 23,993.10
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Total 26,335.06
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus