Foreign Languages Courses and Curriculum
Guilford’s Quaker heritage has assured a continuing interest in the study of language as an instrument of international understanding. Courses are offered in:
*see course schedule
Majors
All majors are expected to study abroad with an appropriate Guilford program before graduating. Approval of the department is necessary to either waive this requirement or to participate in another program abroad. Guilford currently offers semester programs in Beijing, Guadalajara, Mexico, Madrid, Seville, Alcala de Henares, Brunnenburg, Siena, Munich, Paris, Rennes and Japan, for which the appropriate language is either required or recommended.
Foreign languages majors should choose a related field in order to consolidate and complement their major field of study or to enhance career opportunities. Majors in many other disciplines will find a concentration in a foreign language (four courses at the intermediate level and above) of immense value in the pursuit of a career.
The department offers majors in:
Double majors in either French or Spanish and education studies, as well as K-12 licensure in these languages, are also offered.
Minors
- French Language and Society This minor provides access to French culture as well as insights into our own culture. The program focuses on language-learning as a living, functioning and fun activity, and combines the development of language skills with the discovery of new ways to see and think about different cultures. It fosters international understanding and provides knowledge and skills that are becoming increasingly essential in our evolving global society.
- German Language and Society This minor provides access to German culture as well as insights into our own culture. The program focuses on language-learning as a living, functioning and fun activity, and combines the development of language skills with the discovery of new ways to see and think about different cultures. It fosters international understanding and provides knowledge and skills that are becoming increasingly essential in our evolving global society.
- Japanese Language and Society This minor provides access to Japanese culture as well as insights into our own culture. The program focuses on language learning as a living, functioning and fun activity, and combines the development of language skills with the discovery of new ways to see and think about different cultures. It fosters international understanding and provides knowledge and skills that are becoming increasingly essential in our evolving global society.
- Spanish for the Workplace As the Spanish speaking population in the United States continues to grow and business becomes more global, the ability to communicate in Spanish will remain a necessity for many individuals and a distinct advantage for others. Those working in social services, the court system, law enforcement, health services, and education encounter the need to communicate in Spanish on a daily basis. People working in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors will find it extremely advantageous to be able to communicate with employees in their native language and in today's business environment fluency in Spanish is seen as a significant advantage by employers. The "Spanish for the Workplace" minor should be particularly appealing to students pursuing business management, justice and policy studies, education studies, psychology and health sciences programs at Guilford College. This minor might also be of interest to students in sociology, anthropology and economics.
- Spanish Language and Society This minor provides access to Spanish-speaking cultures as well as insights into our own culture. The program focuses on language-learning as a living, functioning and fun activity, and combines the development of language skills with the discovery of new ways to see and think about different cultures. It fosters international understanding and provides knowledge and skills that are becoming increasingly essential in our evolving global society.
Interdisciplinary Minors
- East Asian Studies This minor offers an interdisciplinary approach to the culture, history and contemporary issues of the area. Acquaintance with a diverse cultural tradition broadens students’ perspectives and helps them appreciate the achievements of societies with different values and behavioral patterns. In so doing, the minor helps students better understand their own culture and fosters a critical understanding of global interdependence in the 21st century.
- Latin American Studies This minor offers an interdisciplinary approach to cultures, history and current issues of the area. An acquaintance with a diverse cultural tradition will broaden students’ perspectives and help them understand and appreciate the achievement of societies with different cultural values and behavioral patterns. In so doing, the program fosters a critical understanding of global interdependence in the 21st century.
Internships, Independent Studies and Student Research Opportunities
Foreign Languages students may choose to enhance their coursework with an internship and/ or independent study to pursue in depth research or further a particular line of inquiry. Students work closely with faculty to plan their study and conduct research. Seniors have the option of writing a Senior Thesis; one semester is devoted to advanced research and the second to writing.
For additional opportunities see the Internships/Opportunities page.
The Greater Greensboro Consortium
Guilford students can supplement their course selections through cross-registration for specialized courses offered at local colleges and universities. The Greater Greensboro Consortium was designed to expand the course options available to students enrolled at Guilford College, Greensboro College, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Elon University, Bennett College, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University, High Point University, and Guilford Technical Community College