College: Arts and Sciences
Degree: BA
Specialized Admission: No
Contact: Victoria Morrow
Address: 364 Diffenbaugh Building
Phone: (850) 644-2606
Email: mlladvising@fsu.edu
*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*
The B.A. in Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics offers a uniquely comprehensive preparation for today’s globalized world, simultaneously training students in a specific foreign language of their choice (or a combination of two languages) and providing expertise through general courses on literature, culture, and film in a broader global perspective. In addition to acquiring foreign language skills in reading, writing and speaking, students also have the option to choose course work focused on professional fields (translation, languages for careers, etc.). Students in this degree will be required to (a) take two core courses: LIN 2004 World Languages and FOW 2100 Literature and the World, and (b) select one of the majors offered (French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, German, Russian; Dual Languages, and World Literature and Cultural Studies) and follow the Academic Map for that major. Other languages within the department include Arabic and Hebrew. The B.A. in Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures provides students with marketable skills (language proficiency, global expertise, critical thinking) that help them stand out to potential employers in a wide variety of careers in government, diplomacy, foreign affairs, international relations, language teaching, tourism, hospitality, and international business and entrepreneurship.
Students must complete the following prerequisites required for the bachelor’s degree.
Must demonstrate proficiency in the major language by testing or course completion at the intermediate level. At FSU the intermediate level is X220.
Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review.
Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include:
The College of Arts and Science requires proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (2614 or equivalent) level.
Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major
Students must complete at least 52 hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.00, at least half the required General Education hours, including English composition and mathematics, or an A.A. Degree.
Major Program of Studies at FSU
Japanese Major: (30 hours)
CORE REQUIREMENTS – 6 HOURS
- LIN 2004 World Languages
- FOW 2100 Literature and the World
JAPANESE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: (24 hours)
Students will complete 24 credit hours of coursework numbered beyond JPN2220. A minimum of 3 credit hours must be at the 4000-level. No more than 6 credit hours of translation courses taught in English translation will count towards the Japanese major. A maximum of three credit hours from the following coursework may count toward the twenty-four hour requirement: JPN2501, JPN1112, JPN1301r, JPN1132, JPN1133.
Requirements may include coursework in literature, grammar, composition, and language skills.
This major requires a minimum of 12-15 hours in an approved minor area. Coursework taken to satisfy the Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement may not be applied toward the major or minor. See advisor and http://www.modlang.fsu.edu for details. A grade of C minus or higher must be earned in each course applied toward any major or minor in Modern Languages.
Digital Literacy: (3 hours)
CGS 2060 (3) Computer Fluency or CGS 2100 (3) Microcomputer Applications for Business/Economics will fulfill this requirement for the major.
Oral Communication Competency: (0-3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with a University approved college-level course.
Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 30
Minor Coursework 12-15
Arts and Science Foreign Language requirement 0-12, depending on placement
Digital Literacy 3
Oral Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total hours to 120
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for these majors at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu.
1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. Students who plan to earn the B. A. degree must complete both a foreign language through the intermediate (2200 or equivalent) level and nine additional hours in the fields of history and humanities.
Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Secondary school teacher, Post-secondary foreign language and literature teacher, Translator, Interpreter, Software Developer, Accountants and Auditors, Business Representative, Travel Agent, International Relations Specialist, Intelligence Specialist, Linguist, Customs Official, Librarian, Tour and Travel Guide, International Flight Attendant, Librarian, Media Specialist.
Representative Employers: All economic sectors rely heavily on foreign language skills, including professional and technical services, management occupations, healthcare, the military, and tourism and hospitality. Graduates with foreign language degrees have found occupations in all these sectors. Foreign language training provides highly transferable skills beyond translation and education: Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, State, Defense, State Governments, Colleges and Universities, K-12 schools, Travel Agencies, Airlines, Libraries, Museums, Publishers, United Nations, FBI, CIA, NSA, Peace Corps, Non-governmental organizations with international scope, etc.
International Opportunities: International Study is available for all students and may include opportunities for internships or taking course work towards various majors and minors. International study may have an impact on the MAP; therefore, it is important to consult with the academic advisor before participating. Interested students can find information about international study, research, internships, and service opportunities at: global.fsu.edu/undergraduate-students/going-abroad.
ACADEMIC MAP (Effective Summer 2025 and after)
Effective Summer 2025, newly matriculated students who planned to pursue the B.A. in [Japanese] will be reclassified as pursuing the [Japanese] major under the B.A. in Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
Co-majors will be reclassified as pursuing the Dual Languages major under the B.A. in Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
Students pursing the B.A. in [Japanese with Business] will be reclassified as pursuing the [Japanese] major under the B.A. in Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures and can then choose one of the business minors offered by the College of Business to meet the College of Arts and Sciences minor requirement.
*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*
This map is a term-by-term sample course schedule. The milestones listed to the right of each term are designed to keep you on course to graduate in four years. The Sample Schedule serves as a general guideline to help you build a full schedule each term. The General Education and Elective courses must be selected to satisfy all area and diversity requirements unless your program meets these requirements with major courses.
Milestones are courses and special requirements necessary for timely progress to complete a major. Missing milestones will result in one of two types of map registration stops. The first level (Degree Map Off-track) is placed following grade posting if the student has missed a milestone (course and/or GPA) for the first time in the major. If a student is in non-compliance with milestones for two (2) consecutive semesters (excluding summers), a Major Change Required stop is placed on the student's registration.
Thirty semester hours of coursework including Core requirements of FOW2100 and LIN2004; Japanese majors will complete twenty-four semester hours in Japanese language courses numbered above 2220. A minimum of 3 hours of coursework must be completed at the 4000-level. A maximum of 6 credit hours in Cultural Translation coursework (JPT/IDS) is allowed. A maximum of 3 credit hours from the following courses: JPW2501, JPN1112, JPN3302, JPN3132, JPN3133. Majors must complete 12-15 hours for a minor (more if required by minor department). All courses taken to fulfill the 30 hours of major coursework must be taken for a letter grade. A grade of C minus or better must be earned in each course applied toward any major or minor degree earned in the department.
Placement tests are available through the FSU Assessment & Testing Facility for French, German and Spanish. Students with prior proficiency in languages other than French, German and Spanish must consult an advisor in the Department of Modern Languages & Linguistics for proper course placement. If you are placed above a milestone, it is important that you continue with the next milestone in its place.
Mapping Coordinator: Shellie Camp
Email: scamp@fsu.edu
Sample Schedule and Required Milestones by Term
| Sample Schedule: Term 1 hrs |
| ENC1101 Freshman Composition3 |
| 1st GE Core Mathematics3 |
| GE Core Social Science3 |
| GE Core Humanities/Cultural Practice3 |
| JPN 1120 Elementary Japanese I4 |
| Required Milestones: Term 1 |
| Complete ENC1101 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete JPN 1120, if needed* ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Sample Schedule: Term 2 hrs |
| ENC2135 Research, Genre, and Context 3 |
| 2nd GE Mathematics or Statistics3 |
| GE Natural Science3 |
| GE History3 |
| JPN 1121 Elementary Japanese II4 |
| Required Milestones: Term 2 |
| Complete ENC2135 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete 1st GE Mathematics ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete JPN 1121, if needed* ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Sample Schedule: Term 3 hrs |
| GE Ethics3 |
| GE Natural Science w/Lab4 |
| Digital Literacy course3 |
| JPN 2220 Intermediate Reading and Conversation 4 |
| Required Milestones: Term 3 |
| Complete 2nd GE Mathematics or Statistics course ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete JPN 2220, if needed* ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Sample Schedule: Term 4 hrs |
| GE Social Science3 |
| FSU Ethics3 |
| Oral Communication Competency3 |
| FOW2100 Literature and the World3 |
| JPN 2300 Review Grammar and Syntax 3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 4 |
| No Milestones |
| Sample Schedule: Term 5 hrs |
| JPN/JPW/JPT 3XXX3 |
| JPN/JPW/JPT 3XXX3 |
| LIN2004 World Languages3 |
| Minor course3 |
| Minor course or Elective3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 5 |
| Civic Literacy requirement |
| Sample Schedule: Term 6 hrs |
| JPN/JPW 3XXX/4XXX3 |
| JPN/JPW 3XXX/4XXX3 |
| Minor course3 |
| Elective 3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 6 |
| Complete 6 hours of JPN/JPW/JPT coursework above JPN2220 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete FOW2100 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete LIN2004 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Sample Schedule: Term 7 hrs |
| JPN/JPW 3XXX/4XXX 3 |
| Minor course3 |
| Elective3 |
| Elective3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 7 |
| Complete a Pre-Graduation Check |
| Sample Schedule: Term 8 hrs |
| JPN/JPW 3XXX/4XXX3 |
| JPN/JPW 4XXX3 |
| Minor course3 |
| Elective3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 8 |
| Apply for Graduation in 1st two weeks |