Religious Studies
Bennion
Center
Capstones
Program
Hinckley
Institute
Courses
Getting Started
- Take PHIL 3640, World Religions, AND RELS 3620, Thinking about Religion
Making Progress
- Take two of the following courses: CLCV 1550, Classical Mythology; HINDI 4610, South Asian Literature & Culture; Special Topics in Jewish Studies; or PERS 4325, Hyphenated Lives: Muslim-Americans in the U.S.
- Run degree audit every semester to track progress
- Meet with an advisor to plan ahead for WLC Practicum Signature Experience
- Balance your major schedule with your Gen Eds and other areas
Finishing Up
- Complete your WLC Practicum Signature Experience
- Meet with an advisor for a smooth graduation experience!
- Apply for graduation by the beginning of the term you plan to graduate
Community
Getting Started
- Join applicable subject-specific clubs through ASUU
- If you can't find a club you like, start one with your classmates!
- Live on campus in a Theme Community: e.g. the Go Global Floor or the O.C. Tanner Humanities House
Making Progress
- Take the WLC Peer Advisor class to help out fellow students
- Become a LEAP Scholar to take courses with a small student cohort and build positive peer relationships
Finishing Up
- Take WLC 3940 to connect with your language community
- Present your volunteer or internship experience at a campus conference
- Tell the WLC department about your plans after graduation
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- After declaring your language major, explore other departments to supplement your language education and focus your long-term goals
- Find tutoring options at the Learning Center
Making Progress
- Complete a local, national, or global language internship through the Hinckley Institute to discover career opportunities and widen your network
- Utilize the Writing Center to improve your written communication skills for jobs
- Participate in Undergraduate Research with a professor and —and get it funded through UROP or the Capstone Program!
Finishing Up
- Write a thesis or complete a Capstone Project that reflects your major's knowledge and skills to show potential employers
- Become a Hinckley student Ambassador
Transformation
Getting Started
- Join the Bennion Center First Year Service Corps for language-related volunteer opportunities
- Apply for language-related scholarships with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
Making Progress
Language students are uniquely positioned to study abroad:- WLC department professors lead groups of only U of U students to Spain, China, Japan, Germany, Egypt, and Italy
- These Faculty-Led Programs cover one year of language classes (6-8 credits) over 1-2 months in the summer
- In addition to classes, you can embark on excursions to important cultural heritage sites
- Scholarships available from the Learning Abroad Office
Finishing Up
- Finish an ePortfolio of your college accomplishments to share with employers
- Submit a speech to deliver at the commencement ceremony
Impact
Getting Started
- Attend a Hinckley Forum to learn about local and global issues
- Find events on the University Calendar related to your interests
- Attend a MUSE Casual Friday
Making Progress
- Register for a service-focused Alternative Break through the Bennion Center
- Become a Bennion Center Student Leader to promote volunteer opportunities in your area of expertise
Finishing Up
- Become an Admissions Office University Ambassador to help prospective students plan and prepare for the U experience
- Complete a Bennion Summer Fellowship
Careers
Getting Started
- Activate and customize your Handshake account to explore jobs, internships, and career events
- Take a Career Course (HUM 3960, CSBS 2700, UGS 1950) to explore career options
Making Progress
- Make an appointment with a Career Coach to help you explore your strengths, values, interests, and personality
- Attend our Career Fairs and Expos (check out employers beforehand in Handshake!)
- Secure a part-time job or internship in an industry of interest through Handshake
- Activate your Forever Utah account to connect with alums and learn about their career paths
Finishing Up
- Stop by the Career Studio to refine your resume and cover letters
- Meet with a Career Coach to practice interviewing and salary negotiations
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
The Department of World Languages and Cultures provides an in-depth look at multiple languages and cultures. If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of the diverse world you inhabit, then one of these 11 majors is a great fit for you! There are 8 majors that focus on language - Chinese, French, French Teaching, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Spanish Teaching - and 3 majors that focus on culture - Classics, Comparative Literacy and Cultural Studies, and Religious Studies. Within any of these majors, you'll further your understanding of other cultures, which in turn refines your critical thinking, writing, and communication skills across any language. You will have the opportunity to engage with literature, film, history, music, various aspects of popular media, and other arts to develop a comparative perspective on your own culture, language, values, history, and traditions. This inter-cultural understanding will help prepare you to engage intelligently and sympathetically with multiple peoples and nations across the world, opening the door to plenty of opportunities across diverse professions. The Department of World Languages and Cultures is committed to preparing you to contribute globally in all areas of social, cultural, business, and political interaction. You will become a more productive and empathetic citizen of Utah, the USA, and the world.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop cultural competency in a culture(s) of your choice.
- Gain broad knowledge and comprehension of the literature, history, geography, art, architecture, philosophy, religions, etc. of the region(s) in which a target language is spoken.
- Learn to apply critical analysis to cultural artifacts, particularly texts, in a chosen culture(s) and across cultures.
- Communicate knowledge effectively both in a chosen language(s) and one's own native language.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.