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. 

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:

  1. Courses emphasize critical thinking and expression about cultural topics and the nature of language.
  2. Interact closely with professors in class and during our many events held throughout the year.
  3. An understanding of languages and cultures gives students a multicultural perspective on the world.
  4. Students have the opportunity to go abroad and immerse themselves in foreign languages and cultures.
  5. Students graduate with increased intercultural sensitivity and a palette of relevant skills.

 

“My favourite aspect about LLCU is the infectious passion of all of the professors.”
                                                                                                                      -Samantha Ruckenstein, BAH ‘18

Location: 
Kingston Hall
Room number: 
416
Telephone: 
(613) 533-2072
Email: 
llcu@queensu.ca
URL: 
http://www.queensu.ca/llcu
Department Head: 
Donato Santeramo
Departmental Assistant: 
Laurie Young
Undergraduate Chair: 
David Pugh
Undergraduate Assistant: 
Margaret Maliszewska

Degree Options

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - BAH

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

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

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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

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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.

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Job and Career Opportunities for LLCU Grads

Alumni Career Statistics

  • 5% of alumni work in PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & CONSULTING
  • 8% of alumni work in BANKING & INVESTMENT
  • 10% of alumni work in GOVERNMENT
  • 40% of alumni work in EDUCATION

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
  • Politics
  • Public relations
  • Publishing
  • Re-settlement programs and services
  • Speech and language therapy
  • Teaching
  • Translation

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.

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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 (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.

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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.

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.

Information on Plan selection

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Certificate in Indigenous Languages and Cultures

The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures in partnership with the Four Directions Indigenous 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:

  • Current Arts and Science students (on-campus)
  • Current Engineering, Business, Health Science students
Courses:
  • MOHK 101/3.0
  • MOHK 102/3.0
  • INUK 101/3.0
  • ANSH 101/3.0
  • ANSH 102/3.0
NOTES:
  1. No more than 6.0 units of core and option courses may be counted toward the requirements of both the Certificate and another program.
  2. No more than 6 .0 units of core and option courses may be transfer credits from outside Queen’s University.
 

Apply

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.

Current Arts and Science (on-campus) Students

Simply send an email  to the Student Services Team in Arts and Science and they will get it added to your student account.

Current Engineering, Business, Health Science Students

Simply send an email to the Student Services Team in Arts and Science and they will get it added to your student account.

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Certificate in Mohawk Language and Culture

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.

  • Storytelling
  • Conversations
  • Grammar and Oral Presentation

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

Courses:

The Certificate consists of 12.0 Units to be completed over two years.

The Certificate courses are structured as follows:

  • One week instruction (7 hours/day x 5 days = 35 hours) August 13-17, 2018
  • Two weekend days / month (12 hours/month x 3 months = 36 hours)
  • One evening / week (2.5 hours/week x 12 weeks = 30 hours)
  • Homework, online learning (19 hours).

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).

 

Apply

Admission to the Certificate will be administered by TTO Language and Cultural Centre in partnership with Queen’s Undergraduate Admission.

  • Students will be admitted for Fall Term only, every second year;
  • Applicants will submit a written application to TTO Language and Cultural Centre, that will include a statement of intent.

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.

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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).

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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.

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