The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures is a multidisciplinary unit that offers students the opportunity to learn languages, develop an understanding of literary and cultural traditions, and pursue studies in the field of Linguistics. The Department offers language courses in Anishinaabemowin, Arabic, Chinese, German, Hebrew, Inuktitut, Italian, Japanese, Mohawk, Portuguese, and Spanish, and Degree Plans in German Studies; Indigenous Studies; Italian; Languages, Literatures and Cultures; Linguistics; Hispanic Studies; Spanish and Latin American Studies; and World Language Studies.
The Department began to offer LLCU courses after its amalgamation in 2011 as a result of changing needs of students across campus and to provide more flexibility when choosing electives. These courses highlight critical thinking and expression about cultural topics in transnational perspective and are often taught concurrently with a target language component. Since the beginning, the courses enjoy popularity and generate a lot of interest among Queen’s students. Some courses are offered on a yearly basis and some change bi-annually.
Learning a language prepares students to travel, live, or work internationally and makes them more linguistically competent in Canada’s multicultural environment. A degree focusing on languages, literatures and cultures, or Linguistics provides students with valuable transferable skills that are increasingly important in our global world. The Department encourages students in all our disciplines to participate in one of the many international study opportunities supported by Queen's.
Top 5 Reasons to study Languages, Literatures and Cultures:
“My favourite aspect about LLCU is the infectious passion of all of the professors.”
-Samantha Ruckenstein, BAH ‘18
Major in Linguistics, Hispanic Studies or Languages, Literatures and Cultures
A major is an intensive course of study in one discipline, with approximately half of your courses within the discipline with room for an optional minor in any other Arts and Science discipline.
Medial in German Studies or Hispanic Studies
A dual course of study combined with any other Arts discipline.
Minor in German Studies, Hispanic Studies, Indigenous Studies, Italian, Linguistics, Spanish and Latin American Studies or World Language Studies
A minor is a less intensive course of study in the discipline that must be combined with a major in another discipline.
Internship option available
Major in Linguistics, Hispanic Studies or Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Medial in German Studies or Hispanic Studies
Minor in German Studies, Hispanic Studies, Indigenous Studies, Italian, Linguistics, Spanish and Latin American Studies or World Language Studies
German Studies, Hispanic Studies, Indigenous Studies, Italian, Linguistics, Spanish and Latin American Studies or World Language Studies
If you took one of the following courses, you could choose one of the following Plans:
ARAB 100/6.0 → LANG, LING
CHIN 100/6.0 → LANG, LING
GRMN 102/3.0 → GMST, LANG, LING
HEBR 190/6.0 → LANG, LING
ITLN 112/3.0 → ITLN, LANG, LING
JAPN 100/6.0 → LANG, LING
LLCU 102/3.0 Mohawk → INDG, LANG, LING
PORT 104/3.0 → LANG, LING, SLAS
LING 100/6.0 → LING
SPAN 112/3.0 → HISP, LANG, LING, SLAS
GMST: German Studies (Medial, Minor)
HISP: Hispanic Studies (Major, Medial, Minor)
INDG: Indigenous Studies (Minor)
ITLN: Italian (Minor)
LANG: World Language Studies (Minor)
LING: Linguistics (Major, Minor)
SLAS: Spanish and Latin American Studies (Minor)
Exchange and Study Abroad Opportunities
Students in any LLCU Plan are encouraged to take advantage of the study abroad opportunities or spend their third year abroad. Those wishing to avail themselves of this opportunity should contact the Undergraduate Chair early in their second year of studies in order to discuss course selection and details of transfer credit arrangement. Resources are available in the Department (pamphlets, travel awards) for students to browse.
Alumni Career Statistics
The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures is a multidisciplinary unit that offers students the opportunity to learn languages, develop an understanding of literary and cultural traditions, and pursue studies in the field of Linguistics. Learning a language prepares students to travel, live, or work internationally and makes them more linguistically competent in Canada’s multicultural environment. A degree focusing on languages, literatures and cultures, or Linguistics provides students with valuable transferable skills that are increasingly important in our global world.
Where could LLCU students go after graduation?
Taking time to explore career options, build experience and network can help you have a smooth transition to the world of work after graduation.Note that some of these careers may require additional training.
Have you ever wondered why certain words mean what they do? ‘Rock’ can mean a type of music or a ‘stone’ and sometimes it’s not so easy to make sense of certain words. This question is at the heart of the Semiotics: Interpreting the World course (LLCU 200). In this course, you will explore how words and other signs (facial expression, body language, and visual cues) make meaning. You will learn how people understand, communicate and transmit signs and why they do it the way they do it! Just one example of unique courses in LLCU.
Students apply to Queen’s Arts (QA) through the OUAC (Ontario Universities' Application Centre) website (ouac.on.ca). Secondary School prerequisites include six 4U and 4M courses, including a minimum of three 4U courses, one of which must be ENG4U. Applicants outside of Ontario may have additional requirements. Language placement tests are available to determine your appropriate starting level in the languages offered. Visit queensu.ca/admission for additional information regarding requirements and admission to Queen's.
Languages, Literatures and Cultures (BAH)
OUAC Code:
QA (Kingston Campus)
QB (Concurrent Education, Kingston Campus)
QIA (The Castle)
QIB (Concurrent Education, The Castle)
See full admission requirements
After first year, in May, students will declare their area of study (major, minor, specialization, e.g.). The thresholds are competitive year to year and do change. The 2017-18 thresholds were:
LLCU: 0.7 Cumulative GPA for PENDING LIST or 1.9 Cumulative GPA for AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE.
LING: 1.7 Cumulative GPA for PENDING LIST or 2.6 Cumulative GPA with minimum B in LING 100 for AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE.
HISP: PENDING LIST is open, AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE requires 1.9 Cumulative GPA.
The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures in partnership with the Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre offers this certificate to current Queen’s students looking to gain a basic understanding of various Indigenous languages and cultures. Students will better understand these languages, through instruction embedded in culturally rich and authentic practice, and be introduced to the many traditions, philosophies, and histories of Indigenous peoples.
Delivery Mode: On-campus
Number of Units: 15 units (5 courses)
Open to:
Students considering adding the Certificate in Geographic Information Science to their degree program should consult as soon as possible with the Department of Geography and Planning.
Simply send an email to the Student Services Team in Arts and Science and they will get it added to your student account.
Simply send an email to the Student Services Team in Arts and Science and they will get it added to your student account.
This certificate is exclusively for Tyendinaga community members seeking to learn Mohawk language through culturally rich learning experiences and the many traditions, histories and worldviews of the Mohawk people.
The Certificate in Mohawk Language and Culture is offered by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures in partnership with Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na (TTO) Language and Cultural Centre in Tyendinaga, Mohawk Territory.
Department Contacts: Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Delivery Mode: Off-campus, delivered in the TTO Language and Cultural Centre in Tyendinaga.
Open to: Residents of the Tyendinaga and / or Mohawk community
The Certificate consists of 12.0 Units to be completed over two years.
The Certificate courses are structured as follows:
Students who complete the Certificate will be able to apply their credits towards a degree at Queen’s, e.g. a B.A. (Gen) or B.A. (Hons).
Admission to the Certificate will be administered by TTO Language and Cultural Centre in partnership with Queen’s Undergraduate Admission.
The deadline to apply is July 30, 2018.
For more information, please contact Callie Hill at TTO Language and Cultural Centre in Tyendinaga at callieh@kenhteke.org or 613-970-3045.
Students who are not registered in one of our Degree Plans but have taken certain courses in the language at Queen’s are eligible for a Certificate of Competence in the language. Note that this is not a Senate-approved Certificate Program and therefore will be noted as an Academic Milestone on the transcript. The Certificate will be issued by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures on behalf of the Faculty of Arts and Science. Applications for the Certificate should be received by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures before the last day of classes. An administrative fee will be charged ($35).
Currently working as a team lead in the UBC Research Commons, Jennifer Abel also prides herself on her editing skills developed while she was a student at Queen’s. She has been the technical reviewer for the 5th, 6th and 7th editions of the textbook Contemporary Linguistic Analysis: An Introduction, edited by William O’Grady and John Archibald, published by Pearson Education Canada, as well as the proofreader for the accompanying study guide.
Certainly it is true that “A” students tend to get scholarships. But it is important to remember that many of our scholarships use grades as just one criterion when assessing you for scholarships: research experience, job experience, and evidence of communication, leadership and interpersonal skills are all important components.
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