World Languages with Concentrations in American Sign Language, French, German Studies, and Spanish

Request Information
    • /
    • /

    • Undergraduate World Languages with Concentrations in American Sign Languages, French, German Studies, and Spanish

    Ready to take the next step?

    Apply Now
    Request Info
    Visit

    Today, we are living in a world that is highly interconnected via commerce, travel, media and the Internet.

    More than ever, we are exposed to other languages, biographies, customs, histories and cultures. In order to understand world affairs and participate meaningfully in intercultural communication, students will develop an intercultural competence while they learn a foreign language and study its film and literature, philosophical theories, culture and history. Through our interdisciplinary approach, students will expand their cultural horizon, sharpen their linguistic skills, and experience the excitement of intercultural communication.

    CURRICULUM

     

    What You’ll Learn

    With a Bachelor of Arts in World Languages, Literatures and Cultures, you will be able to communicate effectively and understand the cultures that use American Sign Language (ASL), French, German, Spanish and Spanish. You can use these skills for a range of careers in the United States and around the world.

    You can also focus on a career in interpreting for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, teaching Spanish or French with licensure, or you can choose to study English as a Second Language to hone your expertise in the skills and approaches to teach multi-language learners.

    Ready to take the next step?

    Apply Now
    Request Info
    Visit
    Contact Info

    Dr. Bernhard Martin

    Chair, World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Professor of German

    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    [email protected]

    (704) 406-4415

    Campus Box: 7235

    120D Lindsay Hall

    Instagram Instagram Instagram
    Program hours
    1
    Years (avg.)
    1
    Class Type

    Face-to-face

    Total Credit Hours

    120 hours required

    Transfer Credits

    Transfer in up to 60 semester hours

    Accreditation

    Gardner-Webb University is accredited by SACSCOC and CHEA

    Request Information
    Apply Now
    Visit Us

    AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

     

    Bachelor of Arts in World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    In the World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures degree program, students complete 42 semester hours (not including SGLG 101 and 102; FREN 101 and 102; GERM 101 and 102; or SPAN 101 and 102). American Sign Language students also take two three-credit internships.

    The major consists of courses in four (4) tiers:

    1. Foundation courses (9 hours)—an introduction into the relevant fields of your major (linguistics, intercultural communication, literature and film studies).
    2. Language, literature, and culture courses taught in the target language (21 hours)—these courses will be taken by students of a specific concentration.
    3. Comparative courses (9 hours)—these courses will be taken by students of all concentrations.
    4. Capstone (3 hours)—a senior seminar focusing on the exploration, research, development, and presentation of a major research and analytical essay on a subject appropriate to the major (fall semester, senior year). 

    American Sign Language students are required to take 2 internships, 3 credit hours each..

    For a more in-depth look at program requirements, visit our Academic Catalog

    WLLC Minors

    A minor in Interpreting can be earned upon completion of 18 credit hours in courses including English Processing for Interpreters, Fundamentals and Theories of Interpreting, Signs in Application, and Interpreting.

    The Interpreting minor is available only to ASL majors.

    For a more in-depth look at minor requirements, visit our Academic Catalog.

    A minor in American Sign Language can be earned upon completion of 15 hours of Sign Language electives beyond the core requirements. Deaf Culture (SGLG 305) in combination with any other ASL courses at the 200-level or above is required.

    Non-American Sign Language majors can also choose American Sign Language as a minor area of concentration.

    For a more in-depth look at minor requirements, visit our Academic Catalog.

    The minor in Cultural Studies with Concentrations in French, German, and Spanish provides students with an opportunity to gain and demonstrate competence in language studies above and beyond the level specified by the University language requirement. It also provides an opportunity for students to gain a deeper knowledge of the history, culture, and politics of their chosen target culture. The minor will require the completion of 18 credit hours in the selected concentration (French, German, or Spanish)

    A WLLC major and Cultural Studies minor in the same concentration are mutually exclusive. Courses taken in WLLC can only be used for one minor program (Cultural Studies or Language Minor).

    For a more in-depth look at minor requirements, visit our Academic Catalog.

    The Minor in Intercultural Communication consist of 1 200-level language course, 3 WLLC foundation courses and 2 selections from the courses offered in the comparative tier of the WLLC major, for a total of 15 hours. The main goal of the minor is to build the cultural awareness and intercultural competence of students.

    For a more in-depth look at minor requirements, visit our Academic Catalog.

    The Department of World Languages, Literatures, & Culture also offers a Classical Languages Minor consisting of 15 elective hours within the specified program, as well as a Professional Education Minor consisting of 23 hours within the specified program.

    Spanish for Health Care Professionals Certificate Program

    The Gardner-Webb Spanish for Health Care Professionals Certificate is a specialized face-to-face program designed for health care professionals who wish to build and polish their working knowledge of medical Spanish and to improve their cultural awareness to better serve Spanish-speaking patients. The 5-course program is geared toward current and future health professionals and will stress sensitivity and respect for cultural and ethnic diversity in the healthcare setting. The certificate consists of 3 core courses in basic/general Spanish grammar followed by 2 upper-level courses geared toward specific medical vocabulary, real-world situations, and terminology. 

    For a more in-depth look at minor requirements, visit our Academic Catalog.

    Additional opportunities

    Preparing for the Future.

    As a WLLC major, you will have opportunities to complete a coursework, internships, or other activities that will prepare you for your next steps. Graduates of this program have followed careers in which they travel all over the world and utilize their language skills as pathways to success. If you will continue your studies with a graduate or professional program, discuss your goals with your advisor and see what opportunities will best meet those future requirements.

    Internships

    American Sign Language students take two three-credit internships.

    Students seeking teacher licensure take one semester of student teaching.

    Research Projects

    A required capstone (senior seminar) class is taken during the fall semester before graduating. This includes a research paper and presentation. The essay will be presented at a conference in the following spring semester.

    Career Preparation

    We mentor our students at every step of the way, from course selection to applications for internships, study abroad and undergraduate research experiences.

    My professors in WLLC superbly prepared me to be a teacher. They were aware of the latest trends in education. I was inspired by their continued research and professional development. I was challenged but encouraged during my time in the department

    Jason Allen, ‘99

    I graduated with a strong foundation, and practice, in Deaf culture and linguistics, and an understanding of the profession and how to conduct myself as an ethical professional. 

    Stacey Ferguson, ‘04

    I’ve learned vital professional and conversational French to work with/for international companies in the scientific field.

    Virginia Merrill, ’23

    Study Abroad

    Spending time abroad adds dimension to your academic and personal development that can only be described as life-changing. Studying abroad for a term or year at one of our partner universities or participating in a 4-week intensive summer program is strongly encouraged.

    Learn More About Study Abroad

    Related Programs

    • Undergraduate

    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: French

    • Bachelor's, Minor
    • Undergraduate

    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: Spanish

    • Bachelor's, Minor
    • Undergraduate

    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: German

    • Bachelor's, Minor
    • Undergraduate

    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: American Sign Language

    • Bachelor's, Minor
    • Undergraduate

    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: English as a Second Language (ESL) Education

    • Bachelor's, Minor
    • Undergraduate

    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting

    • Bachelor's, Minor

    Why choose World Languages at Gardner-Webb?

    WLLC is one of the largest minor programs on campus; students see the importance of language and intercultural understanding supporting a future career. 

    < 1

    Universities in the U.S. that offers an American Sign Language Program.

    Created with Fabric.js 5.2.4
    1

    Languages taught in the WLLC program.

    Related Clubs & Organizations

    • World Languages, Literature and Culture

    American Sign Language Club (ASL)
    • Performance, World Languages, Literature and Culture

    Joyful Hands Ministry Team
    • World Languages, Literature and Culture

    Mosaic French Club
    • Honorary, World Languages, Literature and Culture

    Pi Delta Phi
    • Honorary, World Languages, Literature and Culture

    Sigma Delta Pi

    outcomes

    What You’ll Do After Graduation

    World Languages are a natural complement to other fields of study, especially through the cultural connections and intercultural competencies. A degree or minor in World Languages will increase a student’s marketability in areas that demand cultural literacy and intercultural communication skills. Additionally, students will develop skills that employers value highly, such as critical thinking, adaptability and self-motivation.

    Depending on additional education and career goals, graduate may pursue professions such as: 

    • Interpreter
    • Translator
    • Education/ Teacher
    • International Business
    • Nursing
    • Politics
    • Public Relations/ Media
    • Mental Health Counselor
    • Journalist
    • Legal Environments
    • Counseling Minority Groups
    • Pastor/ Missionary

    Recent News & Student Stories

    View All Stories

    Admissions & Aid

    Start your college career. Once you’ve found the program that’s right for you, learn how to apply and become one of the approximately 96% of our students that receive financial aid.

    We’re here to help!

    Take the Next Step

    Department of World Languages, Literature, and Cultures

    The Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers an array of ways to learn about and connect with a diverse group of people.

    View Department

    Meet Our Faculty

    College of Arts and Sciences, World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    Jessica Grant

    Asst. Professor of American Sign Language
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-4418

    See More
    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    Dr. Tamara Cox

    Professor of French L2 Ed. Program Coordinator
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-4499

    See More
    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    Russ Gribble

    Instructor of American Sign Language
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-2516 ; 704-313-9430

    See More
    English Language and Literature, World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    Deborah Hill

    Administrative Assistant, English & World Languages
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-4411 ; (704) 406-3035

    See More
    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    Dr. Bernhard Martin

    Chair, World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Professor of German
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-4415

    See More
    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    Robert Moore

    Interim ASL director , Instructor in American Sign Language
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-4472 ; 704-313-0456

    See More
    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    Dr. Charles Moore

    Professor of Spanish
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-4416

    See More
    World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    Dr. Teresa Phillips

    Professor of Spanish
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-3223

    See More