Language and Culture Program
The mission of the Language and Culture Program (LCP) is to foster the development of the linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness that students will require to become well-educated global citizens. The underlying goals of the LCP are to build communicative competence within a structured context; to strive for excellence in instruction through an eclectic yet integrated variety of pedagogical methods, including the innovative use of technology; and to instill a broad cultural awareness that can expand the disciplinary options open to students.
A key task of the LCP is to prepare students academically for their junior-year semester abroad. SUA requires all students to take a minimum of four LCP language courses, one of which must be at the 202 level or above in the target language of the study-abroad destination. Language study begins in the first year, ensuring prolonged and intensive engagement with the languages and cultures studied. Instruction is geared to active student participation.
LCP courses above the 306-level are designed for students returning from Study Abroad as well as those with sufficient background in the target language to be placed into courses at this level. These courses enable students to further develop their cultural understanding and linguistic proficiency, and are especially beneficial for students interested in employment abroad or graduate study.
The student learning outcomes for the Language and Culture program are:
- Upon completion of the required courses in the LCP, students are expected to have the linguistic proficiency to participate in the study abroad semester during their junior year.
- Upon completion of the required courses in the LCP, students are expected to have the cultural awareness to adapt to their study abroad environment.
- Upon completion of the upper-level courses offered in the LCP, students are expected to further advance their linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness in any of the languages offered at Soka University of America.
Classes
CHI 102 : First-year Chinese II
Units
4Prerequisites
CHI 101 or Instructor Consent.
CHI 201 : Second-year Chinese I
Units
4Prerequisites
CHI 102 or Instructor Consent.
CHI 202 : Second-year Chinese II
Units
4Prerequisites
CHI 201 or Instructor Consent.
CHI 306 : Intermediate Chinese Conversation
Units
3Prerequisites
CHI 202 and Pre-study abroad status, or Instructor Consent.
CHI 310 : Advanced Chinese Conversation
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Chinese, any 300-level Chinese courses or Instructor Consent.
CHI 312 : Advanced Reading and Writing in Chinese
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Chinese, any 300-level Chinese courses, or Instructor Consent.
CHI 313 : Classical Chinese Poem and Text Appreciation
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Chinese, any 300-level Chinese courses, or Instructor Consent.
CHI 401 : Cultural History of China
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Chinese or Instructor Consent.
CHI 410 : Chinese Literature & Film
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Chinese or Instructor Consent.
CHI 412 : Classical Chinese Texts
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Chinese, or Instructor Consent.
CHI 415 : Contemporary Issues in China (Modern China)
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Chinese or Instructor Consent.
FRN 101 : First-year French I
Units
4FRN 102 : First-year French II
Units
4Prerequisites
FRN 101 or Instructor Consent.
FRN 201 : Second-year French I
Units
4Prerequisites
FRN 102 or Instructor Consent.
FRN 202 : Second-year French II
Units
4Prerequisites
FRN 201 or Instructor Consent.
FRN 306 : Intermediate French Conversation for Study Abroad
This course is designed for students who are preparing to study abroad. It will enhance students’ oral fluency and comprehension in French while at the same time increase their own intercultural awareness. The target language of their study abroad, French, is used as a vehicle to promote and challenge students’ awareness of key concepts related to sociolinguistic and interculturality (e.g., essentialism, stereotyping, otherising). Each student will be invited to reflect on different types of intercultural encounters and how these encounters shaped or will shape them: real ones (from students’ own experiences meeting new people), mediated (through videos, narratives, readings), and improvised (through roles plays and improvisations).
Units
3Prerequisites
FRN 202 and Pre-study abroad status, or Instructor Consent.
FRN 310 : Advanced French Conversation
Units
3Prerequisites
French 202, or Instructor Consent.
FRN 311 : Advanced French Composition
Designed to bring students to an advanced level of proficiency in grammar and composition, the course puts the emphasis on experiencing and producing the language in context through a multi-media approach. An intensive review of grammar is integrated into the writing practice. A good knowledge of basic French grammar is a prerequisite (French 202 or equivalent is recommended). Conducted entirely in French, the course will study selected grammatical difficulties of the French verbal and nominal systems including colloquial usage. It will also guide the students through the different rhetorical modes of writing in French. Class will be conducted entirely in French.
Units
3Prerequisites
French 202, or Instructor Consent.
FRN 402 : Cultural History of the French-Speaking World
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in French, or Instructor Consent.
FRN 403 : Creative Writing
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in French, or Instructor Consent.
FRN 410 : The Art of Translation
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in French, or Instructor Consent.
FRN 411 : Adaptation: Page, Stage and Screen
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in French, or Instructor Consent.
FRN 412 : Cinema of the French-Speaking World
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in French, or Instructor Consent.
FRN 413 : Introduction to Literature of the French-Speaking World
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in French, or Instructor Consent.
JPN 101 : First-year Japanese I
Introduction to the basic structure and function of the modern Japanese language, covering the basic sound system, grammatical constructions, writing system, and basic vocabulary/expressions. Important cultural aspects of the language are discussed as well.
Units
4JPN 102 : First-year Japanese II
Continuing development of the fundamental aspects of the modern Japanese language as in JPN 101 with more Kanji characters and grammatical constructions.
Units
4Prerequisites
JPN 101 or Instructor Consent.
JPN 201 : Second-year Japanese I
Aims at further developing students’ Japanese language proficiency in the six aspects of listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and cultural understanding.
Units
4Prerequisites
JPN 102 or Instructor Consent.
JPN 202 : Second-year Japanese II
Continuation of JPN 201 while further enhancing students’ proficiency level in listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and cultural understanding. Necessary linguistic, cultural, and mental preparations for Study Abroad studies are included.
Units
4Prerequisites
JPN 201 or Instructor Consent.
JPN 306 : Intermediate Japanese Conversation
This course is geared primarily for students who have completed JPN 202 and are preparing to study abroad in the following semester. Focuses on developing listening and speaking skills for conversations in various situations where the appropriate use of grammatical constructions and knowledge of language functions/sociolinguistics are required.
Units
3Prerequisites
JPN 202 and Pre-study abroad status, or Instructor Consent.
JPN 310 : Advanced Japanese Conversation
Aims at further developing listening and speaking skills while learning more advanced language functions and sociolinguistics.
Units
3Prerequisites
Any 300-level Japanese courses, Completion of a Study Abroad program in Japanese, or Instructor Consent.
JPN 311 : Intermediate Reading and Writing in Japanese
Intends to develop reading and writing skills while strengthening the mastery of vocabulary, expressions, Kanji characters, and grammar. Main reading materials are short essay and expository readings. Writing activities include message, letter, and journal writing.
Units
3Prerequisites
Any 300-level Japanese courses, Completion of a Study Abroad program in Japanese, or Instructor Consent.
JPN 312 : Advanced Reading and Writing in Japanese
Aims at achieving more advanced-level reading and writing skills. Main reading materials are extended discourse of expository, journalistic, and literary readings. Writing focuses on expository and essay writing.
Units
3Prerequisites
Any 300-level Japanese courses, completion of a Study Abroad program in Japanese, or Instructor Consent.
JPN 401 : Cultural History of Japan
Introductory survey of Japanese culture in the ancient, medieval, and (pre-war) modern periods. Significant aspects of each period are discussed while shedding light on its culture (everyday life of the Japanese) and Culture (including thoughts, values, religions, aesthetics, political and economic circumstances). The main medium of instruction is Japanese.
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Japanese, or Instructor Consent.
JPN 410 : Japanese Literature & Film
Exploration of socio-cultural aspects of contemporary Japan through analysis and translation of literature and film. Thematic messages represented in the works are discussed in the scope of their social and cultural significance. The main medium of instruction is Japanese.
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Japanese, or Instructor Consent.
JPN 411 : Introduction to Practical Japanese Linguistics
Introduction to practical aspects of Japanese linguistics, including comparisons to other languages. The main medium of instruction is Japanese.
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Japanese, or Instructor Consent.
JPN 415 : Modern Japanese Culture and Contemporary Issues
Survey of modern Japanese culture and in-depth analysis of crucial issues in contemporary Japanese society and popular culture. The main medium of instruction is Japanese.
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Japanese, or Instructor Consent.
SPA 101 : First-year Spanish I
Units
4SPA 102 : First-year Spanish II
Units
4Prerequisites
SPA 101 or Instructor Consent.
SPA 201 : Second-year Spanish I
Units
4Prerequisites
SPA 102 or Instructor Consent.
SPA 202 : Second-year Spanish II
Units
4Prerequisites
SPA 201 or Instructor Consent.
SPA 306 : Intermediate Spanish Conversation for Study Abroad
Units
3Prerequisites
SPA 202 and Pre-study abroad status, or Instructor Consent.
SPA 310 : Advanced Spanish Conversation
Units
3Prerequisites
Any 300-level Spanish courses, Completion of a Study Abroad program in Spanish, or Instructor Consent.
SPA 311 : Reading and Writing in Spanish
Units
3Prerequisites
Any 300-level Spanish courses, Instructor Consent, or completion of a Study Abroad program in Spanish.
SPA 312 : Advanced Spanish Grammar
Units
3Prerequisites
Any 300-level Spanish courses, Completion of a Study Abroad program in Spanish, or Instructor Consent.
SPA 401 : Cultural History of Spain
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Spanish, or Instructor Consent.
SPA 402 : Cultural History of Latin America
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Spanish, or Instructor Consent.
SPA 410 : Introduction to Literature of the Spanish-Speaking World
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Spanish, or Instructor Consent.
SPA 411 : Variation and Change in Spanish
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Spanish, or Instructor Consent.
SPA 412 : Literature & Film in Spanish
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Spanish, or Instructor Consent.
SPA 415 : Contemporary Issues in Latin American Literary Production
Units
3Prerequisites
Completion of a Study Abroad program in Spanish, or Instructor Consent.