Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A.

Students pursuing the Languages, Literatures and Culture (LLC) major learn to communicate in diverse languages while deepening their appreciation of the history and traditions of a variety of cultures. Students in the major gain the skills necessary to be active, empathetic and engaged citizens in the global economy and world affairs. The B.A. can lead to employment in fields including advertising, diplomacy, journalism, publishing, teaching, translation, tourism and more. 

Students pursuing the LLC degree track will select one of the following major concentrations, based on their academic and career goals. 

  • Ancient Greek 

Students develop fluency in Greek so they may study classical texts in their original language. Classical Greek literature is foundational in the study of history, art history, philosophy, political science, law, religious studies, modern literature, healthcare professions and the sciences. Through the study and interpretation of these works, students acquire a deeper understanding of the linguistic and conceptual roots of their own cultures, preparing them for careers or future studies in a multitude of fields, including journalism, publishing, education or scholarly research. 

  • Chinese studies 

Students in the Chinese studies concentration take courses in Mandarin while examining the social and historical aspects of Chinese culture, literature, politics and religion. Students study topics ranging from Tang Dynasty poetry and Chinese linguistics to Taiwanese pop music and contemporary Chinese cinema. China’s impact on the global economy continues to grow significantly, making Chinese studies an ideal double-major for international business students. 

  • Classical studies 

Classical literature is foundational in the study of history, art history, philosophy, political science, law, religious studies, modern literature, healthcare professions and the sciences. Through the study and interpretation of these works, students acquire a deeper understanding of the linguistic and conceptual roots of their own cultures, preparing them for careers or future studies in a multitude of fields, including journalism, publishing, education or scholarly research. 

  • Comparative Literature  

In the comparative literature concentration, students examine literature from a multitude of different perspectives. Courses foster the program's core values of linguistic competence, theoretical fluency and broad literary culture. Students learn from renowned faculty on topics from Latin lyric poetry and film studies to poststructuralist and postcolonial theory. Students completing the concentration are prepared for graduate study or to transfer their well-honed writing skills to work in fields including journalism, publishing, education or scholarly research. 

  • Francophone studies 

Students take courses in the language, literatures and cultures of France and acquire advanced language skills and cultural knowledge as well as linguistic and cultural proficiency. A background in Francophone studies may benefit those pursuing primary studies or future graduate work in anthropology, art history, law, political science, religious studies and sociology. 
The Francophone Studies Program is an official testing site for the DELF examination, the internationally recognized standard for certifying French language proficiency. Students may prepare and take the exam at the end of their studies. 

  • German 

The German concentration offers courses in the language, literatures and cultures of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Students gain transferable skills such as global awareness, cross-cultural literacy and the ability to work with diverse groups, preparing them for employment in a variety of career fields. Additionally, students read works from some of the world’s great philosophers, poets, composers, political thinkers, scientists and theologians in the original German. A background in German benefits those pursuing primary studies or future graduate work in comparative literature, economics, Germanic studies, international business, international law, linguistics or political science. 

  • Latin 

Students who minor in Latin develop fluency in the language and study classical Roman texts in their original language. Classical literature is foundational in the study of history, art history, philosophy, political science, law, religious studies, modern literature, healthcare professions and the sciences. Through the study and interpretation of these works, students acquire a deeper understanding of the linguistic and conceptual roots of their own cultures, preparing them for careers or future studies in a multitude of fields, including journalism, publishing, education or scholarly research. 

  • Russian 

The Russian concentration offers courses in the language, literatures and cultures of Russia. In addition to acquiring a cultural and historical background, students become proficient in Russian, the seventh most spoken language in the world and one of the official languages of the United Nations. Students gain transferable skills such as global awareness, cross-cultural literacy and the ability to work with diverse groups, which prepare them for employment in a variety of career fields. A background in Russian benefits those pursuing primary studies or graduate work in economics, environmental studies, political science, law, security studies and sociology. 

  • Spanish  

Students develop their Spanish language skills at an advanced level, while deeply engaging with cultural practices of Latin America and Spain. Students gain transferable skills such as global awareness, cross-cultural literacy and the ability to work with diverse groups, which prepare them for employment in a variety of career fields. A background in Spanish benefits those pursuing primary studies or future graduate work in anthropology, Hispanic studies, history, international business, law and political science. 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to demonstrate intermediate to advanced level proficiency in their target language(s). 
  2. Students will be able to evaluate and discuss literary and cultural texts, or linguistic documents, and advance arguments effectively through strong writing and research skills.
  3. Students will be able to recognize and discuss the significance of the socio-political structures, and the intellectual and literary/or artistic contributions in the target culture and language sphere. 
  4. Students will be able to recognize, describe, and reflect on the cultural practices that shape social interactions in the target culture.

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

New freshmen who meet University admissions standards are eligible for admission to degree programs offered by the college. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another college on the Columbia campus must be in good standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another USC campus must fulfill one of the following requirements:

  1. Be in good standing, meet the admission requirements for a baccalaureate degree on the Columbia campus, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
  2. Be in good standing and have completed 30 semester hours with a GPA of 2.00 or higher on a USC campus.

Some programs in the College of Arts and Sciences have special admission requirements established by the department or committee that supervises the specific degree program, for example, Cardiovascular Technology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Economics, Environmental Science, the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. These requirements are listed in the sections of this bulletin that describe department and special degree programs.

Additional Admissions Requirements

Classics- Latin PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration

Application and admission to the professional program in education/internship are required for all majors seeking teacher certification. All teacher education candidates must adhere to all education policies and procedures related to clinical experiences and meet University and S.C. Board of Education requirements in order to be recommended for certification. Information is available from academic advisors or the College of Education, Advising and Student Services office, at 803-777-6732.

French PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration

Application and admission to the professional program in education/internship are required for all majors seeking teacher certification. All teacher education candidates must adhere to all education policies and procedures related to clinical experiences and meet University and S.C. Board of Education requirements in order to be recommended for certification. Information is available from academic advisors or the College of Education, Advising and Student Services office, at 803-777-6732.

German PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration

Application and admission to the professional program in education/internship are required for all majors seeking teacher certification. All teacher education candidates must adhere to all education policies and procedures related to clinical experiences and meet University and S.C. Board of Education requirements in order to be recommended for certification. Information is available from academic advisors or the College of Education, Advising and Student Services office, at 803-777-6732.

Spanish PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration

Application and admission to the professional program in education/internship are required for all majors seeking teacher certification. All teacher education candidates must adhere to all education policies and procedures related to clinical experiences and meet University and S.C. Board of Education requirements in order to be recommended for certification. Information is available from academic advisors or the College of Education, Advising and Student Services office, at 803-777-6732.

Degree Requirements (120 hours)

Program of Study

Requirements Credit Hours
1. Carolina Core 32-44
2. College Requirements 15-18
3. Program Requirements 13-49
4. Major Requirements 24-45

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers.  This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective.  Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

1. Carolina Core Requirements (32-44 hours)

CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (6-8 hours) 

SCI – Scientific Literacy (8 hours)

GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language  (0-6 hours)

Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.

It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.

GHS – ​Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours) 

GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours)

AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)

CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component1 (0-3 hours)

INF – Information Literacy1 (0-3 hours)

VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility1 (0-3 hours)

1

Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.

2. College Requirements (15-18 hours)

Foreign Language (0-3 hours) 

  • only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency

History (3 hours) 

The College of Arts and Sciences requires one additional GHS course beyond the Carolina Core GHS requirement. 

  • If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course.
  • If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a U.S. history course. 

Please select the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement from the approved list of U.S. and non-U.S. history courses.

Social Science and Fine Arts or Humanities (12 hours) 

Note: Students in the Chinese Studies Concentration must take CHIN 240*, and students in the Russian Concentration must take RUSS 280* as one of the Fine Arts or Humanities courses. Students in the Comparative Literature concentration must take CPLT 270* to fulfill 3 hours of the Fine Arts or Humanities requirement.  If RUSS 280* or CPLT 270* are taken to fulfill the Carolina Core AIU, then students may take any Fine Arts or Humanities from the approved list.  Additionally, students may use the 200-level language courses required as major prerequisites to fulfill 6 hours of the Fine Arts or Humanities requirement, as needed. 

CHIN 221 and CHIN 222
FREN 209 and FREN 210
GERM 210 and GERM 211
RUSS 201 and RUSS 202
SPAN 209 and SPAN 210

3. Program Requirements (13-49 hours)

Cognate or Minor (12-20 hours) 

Students must complete a cognate (12 hours) or a minor as part of this program.  In lieu of a cognate or minor, an additional major may be added to a student’s program of study. Additional majors must include all major courses as well as any prescribed courses noted (*) in the bulletin.  Prescribed courses noted in the bulletin may be shared with Carolina Core, College requirements, and Program requirements in the primary program. 

Students completing the PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration for French, Classics-Latin, German, or Spanish must complete a Foreign Language Education Minor. (20 hours)

Cognate (12 hours)

The cognate must consist of twelve (12) hours of courses at the advanced level, outside of but related to the major. The cognate may be taken in one or more departments or programs.

Courses offered by departments and programs that are acceptable for cognate credit are outlined in the section titled Courses Acceptable for Cognate Credit in Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. Some major programs have specific cognate requirements. It should be emphasized that the cognate is not a second set of elective courses to be chosen at random by the student. Students are urged to consult their major advisors for specific requirements in their major.

For Bachelor of Arts degrees, all cognate courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

Minor (18 hours)

In place of the cognate a student in the College of Arts and Sciences may choose a minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of prescribed courses.

The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. It differs from the cognate inasmuch as the courses must follow a structured sequence.

Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University.

A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z.

Electives (0-37 hours)

120 (or 128) degree applicable credits are required to complete any degree at UofSC. After the cognate, minor or second major is complete, any additional credits needed to reach 120 (or 128) total credits can be fulfilled by electives. No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.

4. Major Requirements (24-45 hours)

A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses.

Students in the Languages, Literatures and Cultures major must complete one of the following concentrations.

Chinese Studies Concentration (24 hours)

Note: Students in the Chinese Studies concentration must have taken CHIN 221, CHIN 222 and CHIN 240 (may count for college requirements)

Course Title Credits
CHIN 321Advanced intermediate Mandarin Chinese I3
CHIN 322Advanced Intermediate Mandarin Chinese II3
CHIN 421Advanced Chinese I3
CHIN 422Advanced Chinese II3
Select 12 hours from the following:12
Women in China
Introduction to Premodern Chinese Literature
Modern Chinese Literature
Screening China
Selected Topics (may be repeated)
Advanced Special Topics in Chinese Studies
Total Credit Hours24

Classics- Classical Studies Concentration (24 hours)

Course Title Credits
CLAS 586Classical Mythology3
CPLT 301Great Books of the Western World I3
or CLAS 401 Greek and Latin Literature in Translation
Select 6 hours from the following:6
GREK or LATN 300 or above
Greece and Rome in Film and Popular Culture
Sexuality and Gender in Ancient Greece
Sexuality, Gender, and Power in Ancient Rome
Select 3 hours from the following:3
Greek History and Civilization to 146 B.C.
Roman Republic and Early Empire
Late Antiquity: Imperial Rome to Islam
Select 9 hours of Program Electives:9
History of Roman Art
History of Italian Renaissance Art
Topics in Ancient Art
History of Renaissance Painting
Topics in Renaissance Art
Sport and Combat in the Ancient World
Ancient Philosophy
Greek and Roman Philosophy after Aristotle
Classical Origins of Western Medical Ethics
Between Magic and Method: Ancient Medicine
Greek and Latin Literature in Translation
Classical Drama
Great Books of the Western World I
Greek History and Civilization to 146 B.C.
Roman Republic and Early Empire
Late Antiquity: Imperial Rome to Islam
Byzantine History: 4th to 11th Centuries
Plato
Aristotle
Hellenistic Philosophy
New Testament
Paul and the Philosophers
Gospel Literature and the Formation of Christianity
The Life and Letters of Paul
Early Christianity
Imagining Jesus: Antiquity to Present
Origins of Western Morality
Courses with appropriate content, such as Special Topics courses, may be applied with permission of advisor.
Total Credit Hours24

Classics- Greek Concentration (24 hours)

Course Title Credits
Select 18 hours from GREK 300 or above18
Select 3 hours from LATN 300 or above3
CLAS 586Classical Mythology3
Total Credit Hours24

Classics- Latin Concentration (24 hours)

Course Title Credits
Select 18 hours from LATN 300 or above18
Select 3 hours from GREK 300 or above3
CLAS 586Classical Mythology3
Total Credit Hours24

Classics- Latin PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration (45 hours)

Students in the Latin PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration must complete the Foreign Language Education Minor as part of the program.

Course Title Credits
Select 18 hours of LATN 300 or above18
Select 6 hours of GREK 300 or above6
CLAS 586Classical Mythology3
FORL 448Teaching Internship in Foreign Languages3
FORL 474Directed Teaching in Foreign Languages15
Total Credit Hours45

Comparative Literature Concentration (30-36 hours)

Note: Students in the Comparative Literature concentration must have taken CPLT 270

Course Title Credits
CPLT 300What is Comparative Literature3
Select 2 courses from the following:6
Great Books of the Western World I
Great Books of the Western World II
Great Books of the Eastern World
CPLT 415Topics in Comparative Literary Relations3
Select one of the following:3
Senior Thesis 1
Any literature course from a foreign language 200-level or above - may be in translation
Select one course from CPLT 300 or above3
Select 2 literature courses from a foreign language 300-level or above - may not be in translation.6
Select 1 literature course from a second foreign language 300-level or above - may be in translation3
Students in the Comparative Literature Concentration are required to demonstrate proficiency in a second foreign language. Students must reach proficiency equivalent to the 122 course in the second language, through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score. Students who test out of the 122-level of the second foreign language will be required to take a higher-level course in the language for a minimum of 3 credit hours.3-9
Total Credit Hours30-36
1

Thesis prepared for CPLT 499 can be combined with another research project (such as Honor’s thesis or Magellan Scholar project), if approved by the CPLT Program Director.  While CPLT 499 is optional, this course will also count towards Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Research.

Francophone Studies Concentration (27 hours)

Course Title Credits
FREN 309Reading French Texts3
FREN 310Advanced Oral Communication3
FREN 311French Composition3
Select an additional 18 hours from FREN 300-500 18
Total Credit Hours27

Francophone Studies PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration (45 hours)

Students in the Francophone Studies PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration must complete the Foreign Language Education Minor as part of the program.

Course Title Credits
FREN 309Reading French Texts3
FREN 310Advanced Oral Communication3
FREN 311French Composition3
Select an additional 18 hours from FREN 300-500 18
FORL 448Teaching Internship in Foreign Languages3
FORL 474Directed Teaching in Foreign Languages15
Total Credit Hours45

Students must score at least advanced-low on the Oral Proficiency Interview before their student teaching internship.

German Concentration (27 hours)

Course Title Credits
GERM 340Readings in German Literature3
GERM 410Advanced German Grammar3
GERM 411Advanced German Conversation3
Select one 400-level literature course from the following:3
Medieval German Literature and Culture
The German Enlightenment and its Countercurrents
German Literature and Culture from 1800-1871
German Literature from 1890-1945
Post-War and Contemporary German Literature
Select one GERM course at 220 or above3
Select three GERM courses at the 300-level or above (including GERM 310 and GERM 311, if needed)9
Select one GERM course at the 500-level3
Total Credit Hours27

Note: Only two GERM courses taught in English may apply to the major. German majors taking a course in English must do some of the readings in German. GERM 398 may be repeated as topics vary.

German PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration (45 hours)

Students in the German PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration must complete the Foreign Language Education Minor as part of the program.

Course Title Credits
GERM 340Readings in German Literature3
GERM 410Advanced German Grammar3
GERM 411Advanced German Conversation3
Select one 400-level literature course from the following:3
Medieval German Literature and Culture
The German Enlightenment and its Countercurrents
German Literature and Culture from 1800-1871
German Literature from 1890-1945
Post-War and Contemporary German Literature
Select one GERM course at 220 or above3
Select three GERM courses at the 300-level or above (including GERM 310 and GERM 311, if needed)9
GERM 515Introduction to German Linguistics3
FORL 448Teaching Internship in Foreign Languages3
FORL 474Directed Teaching in Foreign Languages15
Total Credit Hours45

Note: Only two GERM courses taught in English may apply to the major. German majors taking a course in English must do some of the readings in German. GERM 398 may be repeated as topics vary.

Students must score at least advanced-low on the Oral Proficiency Interview before their student teaching internship.

Russian Concentration (24 hours)

Note: Students in the Russian concentration must have taken RUSS 201, RUSS 202 and RUSS 280 (may count for Carolina Core and College requirements)

Course Title Credits
RUSS 301Russian Conversation and Composition I3
RUSS 302Russian Conversation and Composition II3
RUSS 320Twentieth-Century Russian Literature in Translation3
or RUSS 319 Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature in Translation
RUSS 401Advanced Russian I3
RUSS 402Advanced Russian II3
Select three of more courses from the following:9
Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature in Russian
Twentieth-Century Russian Literature in Russian
Selected Topics (may be repeated for major credit under different topics)
Independent Study (may be repeated for major credit under different topics)
Selected Topics in Russian (may be repeated for major credit under different topics)
Total Credit Hours24

Spanish Concentration (27 hours)

All students in the Spanish concentration sit for the STAMP test during SPAN 312. Students not taking SPAN 312 on campus should contact the Spanish Program Director for instructions regarding the test.

Course Title Credits
SPAN 302Advanced Spanish3
SPAN 303Cultural Readings and Advanced Composition3
SPAN 312Introduction to Reading Hispanic Literary Texts3
SPAN 400Spanish Culture3
or SPAN 500 Contemporary Spain
SPAN 401Latin American Culture3
or SPAN 501 Contemporary Latin America
Select one of the following:3
Spanish Literature
Latin American Literature
Advanced Special Topics in Hispanic Literature
Select an additional 9 hours from SPAN 304 and above, only one of which may be taught in English, or PORT 299 or above.9
Total Credit Hours27

Notes: Only SPAN courses taken at a level equal to or above a student’s language placement score will count towards the major, unless otherwise approved by the Spanish Program.

Students who place out of the SPAN 302 requirement should replace it with another SPAN course equal to or above their level of placement.

Spanish PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration (45 hours)

All majors sit for the STAMP test during SPAN 312. Students not taking SPAN 312 on campus should contact the Spanish Program Director for instructions regarding the test.

Students in the Spanish PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration must complete the Foreign Language Education Minor as part of the program.

Course Title Credits
SPAN 302Advanced Spanish3
SPAN 303Cultural Readings and Advanced Composition3
SPAN 312Introduction to Reading Hispanic Literary Texts3
SPAN 400Spanish Culture3
or SPAN 500 Contemporary Spain
SPAN 401Latin American Culture3
or SPAN 501 Contemporary Latin America
Select one of the following:3
Spanish Literature
Latin American Literature
Advanced Special Topics in Hispanic Literature
Select an additional 6 hours from SPAN 304 and above,only one of which may be taught in English, or PORT 299 or above.6
Internships and Student Teaching18
Teaching Internship in Foreign Languages
Directed Teaching in Foreign Languages
Total Credit Hours42

Notes: Only SPAN courses taken at a level equal to or above a student’s language placement score will count towards the major, unless otherwise approved by the Spanish Program Director.

Students who place out of the SPAN 302 requirement should replace it with another SPAN course equal to or above their level of placement.

Students must score at least advanced-low on the Oral Proficiency Interview before their student teaching internship.

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Chinese Studies Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Classics-Classical Studies Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Classics- Greek Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Classics- Latin Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Classics- Latin PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Comparative Literature Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Francophone Studies Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Francophone Studies PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. German Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. German PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Russian Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Spanish Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Spanish PK-12 Teacher Certification Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Linguistics Concentration
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A. Italian Concentration