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Programs
Degree Programs and Minors
For students interested in studying more than one language or culture, or who wish to engage in comparative linguistic and cultural study, the department offers the Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Languages. The department also offers Honours BA programs in two languages and minors in five languages.
Laurier’s Bachelor of Arts in Languages is unique in Canada: students have the opportunity to study two languages (French and Spanish) in depth, and also obtain a basic knowledge of a third language (Arabic, German or Italian).
The French program in Waterloo is a dynamic and innovative program offering a wide variety of courses in language, literature, culture and film. Students gain a mastery of the French language and an in-depth knowledge of intellectual and cultural developments in the French-speaking world while developing a vital set of analytical skills.
The French faculty is composed of teacher-scholars committed to providing a lively and engaging classroom experience and to contributing to scholarly research in such diverse fields as linguistics, language pedagogy, literary criticism, cultural studies and film studies. The program is strong and diversified, with emphasis on immersion of the student in the culture and language of study. All courses are taught in French.
Available Programs
- Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in French
- Honours BA in French in combination with another Honours BA program
- French Option
- Minor in French
As the fourth most spoken language in the world, Spanish is becoming more and more essential to many careers within the areas of arts, education, business, science, social work and more. Students who study Spanish in the Department of Languages and Literatures not only develop vital skills in speaking, writing, reading and listening, but they also acquire an understanding for the language, literary texts and cultures represented throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Moreover, students obtain the breadth of knowledge that is essential when pursuing graduate degrees in related areas (e.g. Latin American or Peninsular Literature, Hispanic Studies, Spanish Linguistics, etc.).
Available Programs
- Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Spanish
- Honours BA in Spanish in combination with another Honours BA program
- Minor in Spanish
Spanish could also be part of the Honours BA in Languages as language I or II.
In today’s multicultural society, knowledge of French opens up a world of possibilities, with opportunities for careers, friends, and travel all over the planet.
At Laurier Brantford, we offer the French minor program on campus, with small classes, effective in-class interaction, dynamic instructors who aim to develop proficiency in both written and oral communication, and also to encourage students’ interdisciplinary skills. Our students explore the Francophone world through a variety of courses in French language and popular culture, civilization, phonetics and conversation.
By participating in an exchange program or the Explore program, our students enjoy the opportunity to become ambassadors of Laurier Brantford, to engage with Francophone culture, and build global connections.
We are proud of our graduates, who embraced bilingualism and reached new horizons. Many of them have already a successful career in the field of education, are pursuing a graduate program or travelling the world.
The Minor in Arabic offers the possibility to obtain a working knowledge of the language while presenting students with a cultural understanding of the regions where Arabic is spoken. Arabic could be used as a component of the Honours BA in Languages as language III, or as part of the Mediterranean Studies program.
The Minor in German offers the possibility to obtain a working knowledge of the language while presenting students with a cultural understanding of the regions where German is spoken. German could be used as a component of the Honours BA in Languages as language III.
The Minor in Italian offers the possibility to obtain a working knowledge of the language while presenting students with a cultural understanding of Italy. Italian could be used as a component of the Honours BA in Languages as language III, or as part of the Mediterranean Studies program.
Teaching and Learning Objectives
We aim to:
- Foster and develop the study of languages, literatures and cultures in an environment which integrates research and teaching;
- Develop a thorough knowledge and application of the target language reaching a high level of achievement both written and spoken upon students’ graduation;
- Help students form critical thinking skills while promoting intellectual curiosity and independent study;
- Encourage and promote an appreciation of the specific subject and its study in an atmosphere conducive to the pursuit of scholarship and to develop further opportunities for inter-departmental, inter-institutional and international links;
- Promote a teaching and learning environment where the exchange of ideas is reciprocal and based on respect and understanding;
- Foster a creative environment where students can explore the various approaches to fulfill the goals set up in each learning experience;
- Develop students’ transferable skills with a view to the future; and
- Promote the possibility to study abroad in third or fourth year in order to enhance the exposure to the target language and culture.
After four years in our department, a student will have:
- A good understanding of the languages and cultures studied at Laurier;
- A high proficiency in both written and oral skills in the target languages;
- Excellent critical thinking skills to pursue their studies or use in their future careers; and
- Had the opportunity to study abroad to refine their language skills and appreciate the culture of the studied languages.