Which foreign language should I choose to study?
Choosing your foreign language for the CORE at JCU.

In general , the JCU core requires you to study 2 consecutive semesters of the same foreign language, at the level of placement. In all probability you have studied at least one foreign language in high school or at another educational institution before coming to JCU. Many students - and perhaps you are among them - want to choose to continue the same language to remain in their "comfort zone" - however, there are many excellent reasons for considering a switch to a new language:

Why not consider a new foreign language at JCU?  Here are some examples:

• Get a fresh start!
• All your fellow classmates will be at the same beginning level!
• Exposure to your previous foreign language study makes learning the second foreign language much easier than the first!
• A new  and different language may end up being a more "useful" or "practical " language for you, depending on your future career choices, and where you will choose to live.
• The languages with fewer sections usually have much smaller class sizes.

Here are the languages you can study at JCU. See below for information: Note:  Use your browser's back button to return to this list
Asian Languages:  Chinese Japanese	Classical Languages Greek Latin
Germanic Languages German	Romance Languages French Italian Spanish
Semitic Languages Arabic	Slavic Languages Russian Slovak
IC (International Cultural Studies courses) Literature and Culture of selected foreign countries taught in English

Why Study Chinese? Learning Chinese is not as hard as you think! Communication Mandarin is currently spoken by nearly one-fifth of the world's population. Chinese is the language spoken by the largest population in the world. Mandarin speakers can be found in Mainland China, Taiwan, and diasporic Chinese communities throughout Southeast Asia, North and South America, and Europe. Since China is of one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Chinese is also an "official" UN language (along with English, French, Spanish, and German). Cultural Knowledge Learning Chinese opens up a unique window into one of the world's most ancient civilizations. As soon as you begin studying the Chinese language, you begin learning about Chinese history, cultural values, philosophical and religious beliefs, and aesthetic traditions. And the more proficient you become, the more you will be able to appreciate and understand China's past and present. Career Opportunities The People's Republic of China currently boasts the fastest growing economy in the world and is widely expected to become a major geopolitical force in the new Millennium. Graduates with proficiency in Mandarin will be well- positioned for jobs in government, international relations, finance, tourism, translation, teaching and much, much more. Other Reasons Chinese civilization of 6000 years is one of the oldest and richest in the world. Chinese is one of the few languages which remain pictographic. Chinese calligraphy is a form of art. Chinese is named one of the four "crucial languages" for Americans. With the largest population and the fastest growing economy, China has among the greatest potential as a market for U.S. goods. Taking Chinese not only satisfies a language requirement in the JCU Core Curriculum, but it could be the greatest asset to anyone's career background. Americans and Chinese have many cultural ties! Culturally, politically, and geographically, China serves as a link to other East Asian nations. China sees the U.S. as an emerging and very important political partner. China promotes a strong transpacific communication by sponsoring study exchanges and research visits for Americans each year in many cities. In this era of post-Communist rule, China is attempting to restructure itself politically, economically, and culturally. The U.S. is actively promoting a healthy relationship with China, both politically and academically. But what can I myself do with Chinese? (What's your major?) Chinese is important for art history, business, diplomacy, engineering, humanities, law, philosophy, political science, technology (including computer science), and religious studies majors, as well as for students intending to pursue a graduate degree in one of the natural sciences. A knowledge of Chinese can be extremely useful for future scientists and engineers. Are you considering majoring in Business? Chinese is an excellent choice for Business majors wishing to tap into the as-of-yet unsaturated markets in many Asian countries. There are many marketing and other business exchange opportunities in China and other Asian countries. Many businesses are eager to engage in import/export with the U.S. EXAMPLES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES FOR STUDENTS OF CHINESE: Double Major (2 languages , or 1 language + 1 other discipline) East Asian Studies Educational Certification Humanities Program International Business International Studies, a Program jointly sponsored by the Departments of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures, -- and Economics, History, Political Science, Art History and Humanities, Communications, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Sociology Modern Languages & Cultures & International Economics - CHINESE World Literature The Chinese Section participates in the university CORE curriculum by offering several levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in Chinese culture and literature are occasionally taught in English and may fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. MORE at JCU! For more information, see the JCU Chinese web page. Chinese Faculty	Why Study Japanese? Cultural Knowledge Learning Japanese opens up a unique window into one of the world's ancient civilizations. As soon as you begin studying the Japanese language, you begin learning about Japanese history, cultural values, philosophical and religious beliefs, and aesthetic traditions. The more proficient you become, the more you will be able to appreciate and understand Japan's past and present. Japanese is the language of Mishima, Kawabata, Enji, Endo, Kurosawa, Ozu, Kenzaburo, Oe, Soseki Natsume, and Oogai Mori. Career Opportunities: Japan is ranked as the third economic power of the world, even though the country is smaller than the state of California. With a large population and the fast growing economy, Japan has a great potential as a market for U.S. goods. Japan is widely expected to become a major geopolitical force in the new Millennium. Graduates with proficiency in Japanese will be well-positioned for jobs in government, international relations, finance, tourism, translation, teaching and much, much more. As the World's third richest country (behind Switzerland and Luxembourg), Japan is an economic giant. Just over a decade ago, in 1990, for instance, the US exported $49 billion of products and services to Japan, but imported $90 billion worth of Japanese goods. This produced a trade imbalance of $41 billion, which constitutes almost a quarter of the entire US trade deficit. There are many marketing and other business exchange opportunities in Japan and other Asian countries. Many businesses are eager to engage in import/export with the U.S. Just over a decade ago, in 1992, only 1,225 young Americans were studying in Japan while 42,840 Japanese students came to the USA., indicating that trade surplus and close acquaintance with the other culture indeed do correlate: how can we communicate -- and compete -- with our business and research partners when we don't understand their language and cultural background? The USA. today is actively promoting a healthy relationship with Japan, both politically and academically. In turn, Japan sees the U.S. as a very important political partner. For that reason, it too promotes a strong transpacific communication by sponsoring study exchanges and research visits for Americans each year in many cities. Other reasons: Japanese civilization is one of the oldest and richest in the world. Japanese is one of the few languages which remain pictographic. Japanese calligraphy is a form of art. Are you interested in writing the language of the people who have developed such superb arts as Kabuki, wood block prints, and the tea ceremony, and. . . . . . . . . . . are you interested in speaking the language of the people who make Toyota, Honda, and Mazda? Learning Japanese is not as hard as you think! The CORE language requirement and beyond! The Japanese Section participates in the university CORE curriculum by offering several levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in Japanese culture and literature are occasionally taught in English and may fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. But what can I myself do with Japanese? (What's your major?) Japanese is important for art history, business, diplomacy, engineering, humanities, law, philosophy, political science, technology (including computer science), and religious studies majors, as well as for students intending to pursue a graduate degree in one of the natural sciences. A knowledge of Japanese can be extremely useful for future scientists and engineers. Are you considering majoring in Business? Japanese  is an excellent choice for Business majors wishing to tap into the as-of-yet unsaturated markets in many Asian countries. There are many marketing and other business exchange opportunities in Japan and other Asian countries. Many businesses are eager to engage in import/export with the U.S. EXAMPLES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES FOR STUDENTS OF JAPANESE: Double Major (2 languages , or 1 language + 1 other discipline) East Asian Studies Educational Certification Humanities Program International Business International Studies, a Program jointly sponsored by the Departments of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures, -- and Economics, History, Political Science, Art History and Humanities, Communications, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Sociology Modern Languages & Cultures & International Economics - Japanese World Literature The Japanese Section participates in the university CORE curriculum by offering several levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in Japanese culture and literature are occasionally taught in English and may fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. MORE at JCU! JCU often sponsors study tours to Japan! For more information, see the JCU Japanese web page. Japanese Faculty You can join the JCU Japan Club for exciting extra-curricular activities!
Why Study Greek? Why study Greek and Classics at JCU? Greek is the language of Homer, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Diogenes, Plutarch, and the Bible! (Latin is the language of Plautus, Terence, Cicero, Vergil, Horace, Ovid, St. Augustine, and St . Francis of Assisi! ) Thus, Greek and Latin can be great aids in building vocabulary and language skills in English! But what can I myself do with Greek and Classics? Knowledge of Greek is valuable for pre-med students and those wishing to specialize in the history of classical art, in philosophy, or religious studies. Knowledge of Greek is also important for students who wish to major in biology, English, history, pre-law, philosophy, pre-medicine, and religious studies. Majors in classical languages have gone on to successful careers in such diverse areas as teaching, law, banking, library science, diplomatic service, and business. The CORE language requirement and beyond! The Greek Section participates in the university CORE curriculum by offering all levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in Greek culture and literature and courses in Classics (taught in English) fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. MORE at JCU! You can join the JCU Classics Club for exciting extra-curricular activities! For more information, see the JCU Classics web page. Classics Faculty For one of the most comprehensive guides ever written, consult the web site of the National Committee for the study of Greek! http://www.promotelatin.org/greek.htm When you are finished - there is a good chance you will want to sign right up!	Why Study Latin? Why study Latin and Classics at JCU? Latin is the language of Plautus, Terence, Cicero, Vergil, Horace, Ovid, St. Augustine, and St . Francis of Assisi! After the Roman conquest of Britain under Emporer Claudius, the native Picts' Celtic language first became infused with Latin, then merged with the new invaders' Germanic (Anglo-Saxon) dialects, and finally became English. Thus, Latin can be a great aid in building vocabulary and language skills in English! Until the birth of nation states in the seventeenth century, Latin was used as the lingua franca by intellectuals and scientists, hence its importance today. The CORE language requirement and beyond! The Latin Section participates in the university CORE curriculum by offering all levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in Latin culture and literature as well as courses in Classical Studies (taught in English) fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. But what can I myself do with Latin and Studies in Classics? Knowledge of Latin is valuable for pre-med students and those wishing to specialize in the history of classical art, in philosophy, or religious studies. Latin is also important for students who wish to major in biology, English, history, pre-law, philosophy, pre-medicine, and religious studies. Majors in classical languages have gone on to successful careers in such diverse areas as teaching, law, banking, library science, diplomatic service, and business. MORE at JCU! You can join the JCU Classics Club for exciting extra-curricular activities! For more information, see the JCU Classics web page. Classics Faculty For one of the most comprehensive guides ever written, consult the web site of the National Committee for the Study of Latin! http://www.promotelatin.org/whylatin.htm When you are finished - there is a good chance you will want to sign right up!
Why Study German? German & the European Union 1/4 of the residents in the European Union speak German as their mother tongue 1/3 of European Union citizens say they can converse in German. Thinking of majoring in Business???  Did you know that German and Germany . . . ranks 12th in world in terms of number of people who speak the language ranks third when measured in terms of GNP ($1,090 billion), behind only English & Japanese. has world's third largest economy. produces more than one quarter of the European Union's gross domestic product. world's largest exporter & second largest importer motor vehicles and industrial systems, chemicals and electronic devices rank high products are sold in virtually all of the world's countries. many former Eastern Bloc countries use German to communicate German-speakers & Americans: Creating the right impression: Willy Brandt, former German chancellor, once said: "If I'm selling to you, I speak your language. If I'm buying, dann müssen Sie Deutsch sprechen." German & Job prospects Many American firms have subsidiaries in Europe! Learning German is a smart career move. (German-based firms include: Daimler-Chrysler, BASF, Bayer, Hoechst, BMW, Siemens, Volkswagen, many others) German is the second most used language on the Internet. German & Academic Research the second most commonly used language in which to write a work of scientific research - especially engineering, chemistry & physics more than 40% of American scientists recommend their students should learn German German & Culture Literature (Goethe, Schiller, Thomas Mann, Kafka) Classical music (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart) Art (Kollwitz, Dürer, Klee, Kaninsky) Psychology (Freud, Jung) Philosophy (Kant, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Benjamin, Adorno) Science (Einstein, Kepler, Röntgen, Planck, Virchow) German & Tourism Get to know the people rather than just conversing in English with your tour-guide! The CORE language requirement and beyond! The German Section participates in the University CORE curriculum by offering all levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in German culture and literature fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. EXAMPLES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES FOR GERMAN MAJORS & MINORS: International Business German major or minor combined with Business German International Economics & Modern Language - German International Studies, a Program jointly sponsored by the Departments of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures, -- and Economics, History, Political Science, Art History and Humanities, Communications, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Sociology World Literature Educational Certification - Combine a K-12 Comprehensive Teaching Certificate with a German major! Double major (German+ 1 other language, or German + 1 other discipline of your choice) Humanities Program Be a German minor, in conjunction with any major offered at JCU! Learning German is not as hard as you think! German & English belong to the same West Germanic language family and. . . share thousands of similar words & phrases, particularly in terms of computer, telecommunications & medical vocabulary. MORE at JCU! You can join the JCU German Club and participate in many exciting extra-curricular activities! Advanced students can apply for membership in Delta Phi Alpha, the National German Honor Society. For more information, see the JCU German web page. German Faculty	Why Study French? French is the native language of more than 250 million people, 20 million who live in the Americas (U.S.A., Canada, the Antilles, French Guyana). French has always been one of the major languages of diplomacy. French is the working language or second language of numerous international organizations including the United Nations, the International Red Cross, and the European Union. As one of the most influential languages spoken in the European Union (EU), French retains its importance as a business and diplomatic language Did you know that the EU controls 23% of the global economic performance; that its 15 members together command an economy 10% larger than the US economy and 64% larger than that of even Japan? The 370 million citizens of the EU rely on English and French as their major trade languages. Are you considering majoring in Business? French is the language of many countries engaged in import/export with the U.S.A. Because Canada is the most important trade partner for the U.S.A., French continues to be a valuable language for culture, travel, and commerce. The study of French is particularly helpful for art history, business, humanities, and political science majors. A command of the French language and a knowledge of French culture are increasingly indispensable to those interested in European culture and history; science and technology; literature and the arts; and Middle Eastern, West African, and North American Studies. Why not study the language of Descartes, Voltaire, Sartre, Rimbaud, Albert Schweitzer, and Foucault . . .? . . . and, as the French philosopher Montaigne urges in his Essais, our French program does not merely aim to fill your head chock full of facts and data, but rather to develop further your intelligence, so that you will be even more creative, resourceful, and intellectually refined. You will be well formed yet adaptable, ready to face the vicissitudes, as well as the joys, of the rest of your life as well as your future career. The CORE language requirement and beyond! The French Section participates in the University CORE curriculum by offering all levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in French culture and literature fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. The French section takes a global approach to French, and our curriculum reflects the diversity of the Francophone cultures of  Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, North America, and elsewhere. EXAMPLES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES FOR FRENCH MAJORS & MINORS: International Business French major or minor combined with Business French, including the opportunity to take the "Diplôme" exam offered by the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris. International Economics & Modern Language - French International Studies, a Program jointly sponsored by the Departments of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures, -- and Economics, History, Political Science, Art History and Humanities, Communications, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Sociology World Literature Educational Certification - Combine a K-12 Comprehensive Teaching Certificate with a French major! Double major (French + 1 other language, or French + 1 other discipline of your choice) Humanities Program Be a French minor, in conjunction with any major offered at JCU! MORE at JCU! You can join the JCU French Club for exciting extra-curricular activities! Advanced Students can apply for membership in Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honor Society. For more information, see the JCU French web page. French Faculty FOR MORE REASONS TO STUDY FRENCH, SEE: French:  The Most Practical Foreign Language On the importance of knowing French Why Study French? (Canisus page) Pourquoi étudier le francais? Why Study French (USF page) Why Study French (UMICH page) Why Study French? (Kenyon page)
Why Study Italian? Culture Italian is the language of Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarca, Cellini, Taaso, Verdi, Fellini, Eco, and Moravia! Over the centuries, Italy has produced some of the most remarkable cultural works in the western canon, from the Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri to Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, from The Prince of Niccolo Machiavelli to the neo-realist films of Vittorio De Sica, and from Baldassarre Castiglione's The Courtier to the post-modernist novels of Italo Calvino. Italian Product design is synonymous with artistry, elegance, and functionality, and continues to dominate the fashion, furniture, and luxury car industries with sophistication and style. Italian designers are known for their exquisite taste in fine home furnishing. Italian is the fourth foreign language most spoken in U.S. homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Italian is also spoken in Switzerland, parts of Africa, the Balkans, and the island of Malta. But what can I myself do with Italian? (What's your major?) HUMANITIES: Italian is important for art, history, diplomacy, humanities, law, philosophy, political science, and religious studies majors. Over 60 percent of the world's art treasures are found in Italy, according to UNESCO (the cultural and educational agency of the United Nations). ARE YOU A BUSINESS MAJOR? Italian is an excellent choice for those considering a career in marketing or advertising. Italy is a world leader in the culinary arts, interior design, fashion, graphic design, furniture design, etc. Those planning careers in such fields greatly benefit from knowing Italian and Italy. Italy is an extremely popular tourist destination.  A knowledge of Italian would be very valuable for those planning careers in tourism. Many Italian businesses are eager to engage in import/export with the U.S. The Italian economy is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe, so that learning Italian is not only beneficial for culture and travel, but also for commerce. Close to an estimated 8,000 American companies do business with Italy and more than 1,000 U.S. firms have offices in Italy, including IBM, General Electric, Motorola, Citibank, and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Italy is a world leader in machine tool manufacturing, with advanced technologies in robotics, electromechanical machinery, shipbuilding, space engineering, construction machinery, and transportation equipment. Many of these firms have offices in the United States. Many state-owned companies are becoming privatized, opening up the Italian market to American companies and professions in aerospace, transportation, insurance, finance, shipping, telecommunications, and other commerce. NOT SURE OF YOUR MAJOR? Examples of interdisciplinary studies for students of Italian: International Business International Economics & Modern Language - ITALIAN International Studies, a Program jointly sponsored by the Departments of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures, -- and Economics, History, Political Science, Art History and Humanities, Communications, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Sociology World Literature Humanities Program The CORE language requirement and beyond! The Italian Section participates in the University CORE curriculum by offering all levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in Italian culture and literature fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. Bishop Pilla Program in Italian American Studies Here at JCU, The Bishop Pilla Program in Italian American Studies works to recognize and salute the contributions of Italians and Italian Americans to the history and culture of the United States. MORE ITALIAN AT JCU! You can join the JCU Italian Club and participate in many exciting extra-curricular activities! The Italian section sponsors a Spring Break trip to Italy every year! For more information, see the JCU Italian web page. Italian Faculty Convinced Yet?  Read more! Why Study Italian? (UMICH page)	Why Study Spanish? Spanish is the native language of more than 350 million people, 25 million of whom live in the United States. A working knowledge of Spanish, the world’s fourth most spoken language, is becoming essential for employment in many areas of the country--especially in the Sun Belt states of California, Florida, and Texas. For those students interested in business and trade: Spanish is the language of nineteen countries in Latin America, which are currently the fastest-growing export-import market for U.S. products. The U.S. is now the fifth largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world, after Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Colombia. The Spanish Section participates in the new university core curriculum by offering all levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in Spanish and Latin-American culture and literature fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. Areas where Spanish Studies help majors in the job market as a primary skill are: Teaching, Interpreting, Translating. Where Spanish is often used as a secondary skill: United Nations, UNESCO, foreign embassies, Immigration Service, Banking, Library Science, Federal Government departments and agencies, Business and Finance, Marketing and Distribution, Public and Health Services, Travel and Transportation, Communications, Non-governmental Agencies and Foundations, Publishing and Editing firms, Investment firms, Advertising, Export-Import fields, etc. The Language Department maintains an extensive file of materials, articles, and job descriptions related to career opportunities in Spanish; students are welcome to consult this literature. Students are also advised to consult the office of Student Career Development. Spanish is rapidly becoming the USA's second language Spanish is the second world language (after English) as a vehicle of international communication Spanish is third as an international language of politics, economics and culture About 330 million people in the world speak Spanish as their first language. The demand for Spanish courses has doubled worldwide in ten years. Spanish is the official language in 21 countries. Approximately another 100 million people speak Spanish as a second language. In the United States 13% of the population speak Spanish as their first language. In the United States and Canada, Spanish is the most popular foreign language to learn. The Latin-American countries are experiencing economic growth and are becoming important trading partners for the USA. Spanish culture has made a large contribution to architecture, the arts and to world literature. Wouldn't you like to read Lorca, Vargas Llosa, Cervantes or García Marquez in their own, rich language? Wouldn't Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Goya and Velázquez be much more interesting if you could read about them in Spanish? MORE at JCU! You can join the JCU Spanish Club for exciting extra-curricular activities! Advanced Students can apply for membership in Sigma Delta Pi, the National Spanish Honor Society. For more information, see the JCU Spanish web page. Spanish Faculty Want to know more? Why Study Spanish? (UMICH page)
Why Study Russian? Learning Russian is not as hard as you think! Russian is one of the principal languages of the world. Russian is spoken by over 284 million people! Did you know that Russian is more phonetic than English or even Spanish? The Cyrillic alphabet (named after St. Cyrill who created it) can be learned in just one week. English and Russian are both Indo-European languages, sharing more vocabulary than is generally realized. Can you guess the meanings of the transliterated words, telefon, bank, radio, doktor, biznes, ofis, kompiuter, and even marketing?!? Americans and Russians have many cultural ties! Culturally, politically, and geographically, Russian serves as a link to the recently opened Eastern European nations. Russia sees the U.S. as a very important political partner. For that reason, it promotes a strong transatlantic communication by sponsoring study exchanges and research visits for Americans each year in many cities. In this era of post-Communist rule, Russia is attempting to restructure itself politically, economically, and culturally. The U.S. is actively promoting a healthy relationship with Russia, both politically and academically. For instance, in recent years the Woodrow Wilson International Center awarded nearly half of its prestigious research stipends to Russian scientists wishing to visit the U.S., and to American academics working on Russian topics. Are you interested in great masterpieces of world literature? Russian is the language of Dostoevsky, Turgenev, Gorky, Tolstoy, Gogol, and Solzhenitsyn! The University Core Curriculum and Foreign Language: But what can I myself do with Russian? (What's your major?) Russian is important for art history, business, diplomacy, engineering, humanities, law, philosophy, political science, technology (including computer science), and religious studies majors, as well as for students intending to pursue a graduate degree in one of the natural sciences. A knowledge of Russian is extremely useful for future scientists and engineers. Did you know that nearly a quarter of the world's scientific literature is written is Russian! Are you considering majoring in Business? Russian is an excellent choice for Business majors wishing to tap into the as-of-yet unsaturated markets of the former Soviet Union. There are many marketing and other business exchange opportunities in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union. Many businesses are eager to engage in import/export with the U.S. EXAMPLES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES FOR STUDENTS OF RUSSIAN: International Business International Economics & Modern Language - RUSSIAN International Studies, a Program jointly sponsored by the Departments of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures, -- and Economics, History, Political Science, Art History and Humanities, Communications, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Sociology World Literature Humanities Program The Russian Section participates in the university CORE curriculum by offering several levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in Russian culture and literature are occasionally taught in English and may fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. More at JCU! For more information, see the JCU Russian web page. Russian Faculty	Why Study Slovak? Learning Slovak is not as hard as you think! As the most central of Slavic languages, Slovak is a valuable key to communicating with others in Central and Eastern Europe. English and Slovak are both Indo-European languages, sharing more vocabulary than is generally realized. Americans and Slovaks have many cultural ties! Are you interested in great world literature? Slovak is the language of Holly, Kukucín, Cíger-Hronský, and Hviezdoslav. Although geographically a relatively small country, Slovakia is of interest to North Americans as one of the recently opened Central European nations. Slovakia is adapting politically, economically, and culturally to all of Europe and offers opportunities in these areas. Want to know more about Slovakia? By world standards, Slovakia is a tiny territory, a small and independent country (since January 1, 1993) in the heart of Europe, not only metaphorically but also geographically. Slovak is the official language of the Slovak Republic. It is estimated that over one third of all Slovaks in the world do not live within the borders of the current Slovak Republic. The actual geographical center of Europe is located not far from the historic town of Kremnica. Slovakia is a place where eastern and western cultures mix together, but at the same time its a country that is unexplored and little known, except by those travelers that have ventured east of Vienna or Prague. But what can I myself do with Slovak? (What's your major?) Slovak can be helpful for art history, business, diplomacy, engineering, humanities, law, philosophy, political science, technology (including computer science), religious studies majors, and students of the natural sciences. Are you considering majoring in Business? Slovak is an excellent choice for Business majors wishing to tap into the as-of-yet unsaturated markets of Central and Eastern European countries. There are many marketing and other business exchange opportunities in Slovakia. Many businesses are eager to engage in import/export with the U.S. EXAMPLES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES FOR STUDENTS OF SLOVAK: International Business International Economics & Modern Language - SLOVAK International Studies, a Program jointly sponsored by the Departments of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures, -- and Economics, History, Political Science, Art History and Humanities, Communications, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Sociology World Literature Humanities Program The Slovak Section participates in the university CORE curriculum by offering several levels of language instruction, from elementary through advanced. Courses in Slovak culture and literature are occasionally taught in English and may fulfill the International, the Literature, the Diversity, and the Writing-intensive course requirements. More at JCU! For more information, see the JCU Slovak web page. Slovak  Faculty
Why Study Arabic? Learning Arabic is not as hard as you think! Communication Estimates vary, but it is believed that Arabic is spoken by close to a billion Arabs and Muslims around the world. Arabic is spoken as a native language throughout much of North Africa and the Middle East. Since the Middle Ages, Arabic has left an indelible mark on numerous other languages, related and unrelated — including English. The English language, for example, uses many words borrowed from Arabic: admiral, alcohol, algebra, algorithm, amber, artichoke, assassin. . . and that is just a small sampling of the words beginning with “A”. . . !) Arabic is now the fourth most widely spoken native language in the world after Chinese, Spanish and English (other estimates place it second after Chinese). The Arabic alphabet is the second most widely used alphabet in the world, because it has been adopted by numerous languages such as Persian, Kurdish, Urdu, Malay, Ottoman Turkish and other Turkic languages. It consists of 28 letters and is written from right to left. The writing system also has another 14 extra-alphabetical symbols that designate aspects of pronunciation, grammar, and spelling. A very large number of Arabic words are formed by fusing letters of the alphabet. The shape of most letters slightly changes according to their position in a word. Arabic characters are often the subject of dazzling calligraphy arts, which have a very deep history and continue to flourish today in numerous Arab and Muslim countries. Cultural Knowledge Arabic is a primary language of Islam, a faith with over one billion adherents. In addition to Muslims, Arabic is also spoken by Christians, Jews, and others. Arabic is the language of the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, and is the religious language of Muslims, who belong to many diverse nationalities and ethnic groups. Hundreds of Arabic literary works have been translated into world languages, and the Qur’an is among other things one of the world’s great masterpieces of verbal art. Not all Muslims speak Arabic, but learning Arabic for any Muslim facilitates performance of religious rites such as daily prayers and the reading of the Qur’an. Career Opportunities Though Arabic is certainly a challenging and unconventional language to learn, the cultural and professional benefits it offers are unsurpassed. Proficiency in Arabic is a path to a wide range of professional opportunities. (Arabic speakers are in great demand among international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank, international companies, foreign aid agencies, intelligence agencies, and many other sectors.) Lawyers, doctors, journalists, and other professionals who speak Arabic also enjoy a wide range of exciting career choices. Arabic is also an official language of many international organizations. But what can I myself do with Arabic? (What's your major or your minor?) Knowledge of Arabic is in great demand and has helped recent college graduates get high-paying job opportunities. Learning Arabic can benefit anyone, and especially those majoring or minoring in International Relations, Political Science, Comparative Literature, Islamic Studies, Religion, History, Anthropology, Social Studies, African Studies, Women’s Studies, Linguistics, and many other fields. Also, numerous short and long-term scholarships in Arabic Studies are available through Federal agencies. MORE at JCU! Two semesters of Arabic satisfies the JCU CORE division I foreign language requirement. Want more information? Check out this link for exciting information about Arabic Countries, Art & Museums, Education, Geography & Maps, Food, Government & Embassies, History including Culture & Civilization, Literature, Media, Radio & TV, Music, News including Newspapers & Magazines, Religion, Travel, and Weather. http://www.nvcc.edu/vflc/arabic.htm Arabic language website – for a taste of basic skills http://www.arabic-language.org/ Reading & writing Arabic, hear a few words and phrases spoken http://www.omniglot.com/writing/arabic.htm

Other occasional languages/cultures:
e.g., Croatian Studies, Irish Studies, Hungarian Studies, Polish Studies, Scandinavian Studies, Ukrainian Studies