Queen's University

Languages, Literatures & Cultures

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. 

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.

See our Major Map to learn more

Location: 
Kingston Hall
Room number: 
416
Telephone: 
(613) 533-2072
Email: 
llcu@queensu.ca
URL: 
http://www.queensu.ca/llcu
Department Head: 
David Pugh (Acting Head)
Undergraduate Chair: 
David Pugh

Degree Options

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - BAH

Major in Linguistics, Hispanic Studies or Lanuages, 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

For a full list of Degree Plans, see the Academic Calendar

Choosing a Plan in LLCU

Degree OPTIONS

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

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

Bachelor of Arts (General)

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)

Check out the LLCU website for more information

Study Abroad Opportunities in LLCU

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.

Job and Career Opportunities for LLCU Grads

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?

  • Art interpretation
  • Auctioneering
  • Banking
  • Civil service
  • Communications
  • Cross-cultural consulting
  • Curriculum development
  • Customs and excise
  • Diplomatic service
  • Editing
  • Education counselling
  • Foreign service
  • Fundraising and event management
  • Hospitality and tourism
  • Human resources
  • Immigration services
  • Insurance
  • Interpretation
  • Journalism
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mediation
  • Museum management
  • Public relations
  • Publishing
  • Re-settlement programs and services
  • Speech and language therapy
  • Teaching
  • Translation

Note that some of these careers may require additional training.

Certificate of Competence - Languages

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).

Alumni Profile

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.

Undergraduate Course Highlights

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. 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.

Undergraduate Admission to 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.