COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts program in World Languages and Literatures at San Jose State University is a 120-unit degree designed to develop strong multilingual communication skills and deep cultural understanding through language study, literature, and humanities coursework. The program includes 25 units of core lower division general education, with some requirements potentially fulfilled through major coursework, along with 6 units of American Institutions coursework, 6 units of upper division general education, a 2-unit physical education requirement, and a writing in the discipline requirement that can be satisfied through FORL 100W. Students also complete a 3-unit lower division Humanities and the Arts requirement, a 2–4 unit upper division Humanities and the Arts requirement, 20 units of major preparation, 34 units of major requirements, and 20–22 units of university electives.Major preparation focuses on building intermediate proficiency in French through courses such as FREN 25A and FREN 25B, which develop reading and writing skills, along with 12 units of a second world language or equivalent study to broaden linguistic competence. The curriculum emphasizes strong foundational language development before advancing to higher-level study. Major requirements then expand students’ abilities through advanced writing workshops, cultural studies, literature, grammar, translation, and communication-focused courses.Students complete core courses such as FORL 100W and FREN 102B, which explore Francophone cultures through literature and cinema, along with a selection of advanced French courses in reading, writing, and oral communication. Additional coursework includes grammar and linguistic analysis, translation and stylistics, and specialized topics related to French for professional contexts. Literature courses cover a wide historical range, from medieval French literature to modern and contemporary works, allowing students to engage with diverse literary traditions. Cultural studies courses further deepen understanding of Francophone societies. Overall, the program integrates language mastery, literary analysis, and cultural exploration to prepare students for global communication, cultural engagement, and careers requiring strong multilingual and intercultural skills.