Undergraduate Programs

To declare, change, add, or remove a Major, Minor, or Certificate, please refer to the College of Arts and Science's webpage on Undergraduate Program Declaration. For general inquires on RALL undergraduate programs, please reach out to RALL's Director of Undergraduate Studies, Juan Godoy Peñas, Ph.D.

The Arab world, made up of 22 countries and the Palestinians, extends from the Arabian/Persian Gulf in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west and has a population of about 300 million, 20 million of whom are Christian Arabs. Arabic is their dominant mode of expression. It is also an important language in other countries. Arabic is the language of Islam, and more than a billion people use it as a vital spiritual component of their daily lives. The United Nations adopted Arabic as one of its six official languages in 1974. Explore Arabic program options in the following links.

Basic Arabic Courses

The College of Arts & Sciences requires students to complete a 10 semester hour credit sequence (one year).  All incoming students should be placed in language courses according to previous language study. Students with fewer than two years of high school language will be placed in the 1001 level. Those who have studied Arabic for two or more years will be placed in the 1002 level. 
 
The Department of Romance and Arabic Languages and Literatures offers only one sequence in basic Literary Arabic: 
 
Basic Arabic 1001-1002: 5 credits each 

Arabic 1001 and 1002 morning sections are hybrid courses. Classes meet 3 days per week MWF. Students are expected to complete the work posted on canvas every Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Arabic 1001 evening section meets twice a week Mondays and Wednesdays. 
Arabic 1002 evening section meets twice a week Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Instruction emphasizes oral and written communication in Arabic through activities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students must participate every day in class, since part of their evaluation is based on how they collaborate in Arabic in small groups. The curriculum includes authentic aural, written and video input. Class is conducted in Arabic. Attendance is required. 
 
Intermediate Literary Arabic 2001-2002: 5 credits each 

Arabic 2001 and 2002 are hybrid courses. Classes meet 3 days per week at MWF. Students are expected to complete the work posted on canvas every Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Curriculum includes vocabulary enrichment, process writing, conversation, grammar review, and reading. Prerequisite: Arabic 1002 (semester) or permission of instructor. Attendance is required. 
 
Closed Classes/Petitioning 
 
Should a basic level class be closed, nothing can be done until the first week of classes. The instructor does not make decisions about petitioning a class. All decisions are made by the coordinator. Students who wish to petition for a closed class must add their names to the waiting list if the class is full.  The system will automatically advise students to register should enrollment open for that specific class.

For more information about the Basic Language Program, please contact the Coordinator of Basic Arabic.

Fluency in a second language is a valuable skill. French is an official language of 28 countries on five continents, including France, Canada, Belgium, Senegal and Vietnam. Learning French will allow you to converse with and better understand people throughout the world. Along with English, French is the world's most important diplomatic language. It is an official language of such organizations as the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO and the international Red Cross. Explore French program options in the following links.

Double Majors are also available for French. Please inquire with the RALL Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Juan Godoy Peñas, Ph.D, for more information.

French Certificate options include Business French and French/English Translation Studies.

Basic French Courses

Contact information: 
Professor Thérèse Migraine-George, Ph.D., Coordinator of Basic French

A&S language requirement and placement

The Department of Romance and Arabic Languages and Literatures offers two sequences in basic French: 
 
FREN 1001-1002 Intensive French: 5 credits each

These classes are offered in two different formats: in a hybrid format, with 2 presential meetings per week, and online asynchronously. Emphasis is on the building of linguistic (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) and cultural competence in French through communication. In addition to language learning, students are introduced to basic aspects of daily life and culture of the French-speaking world. These courses serve as building blocks in the foundation required for further language study. 
 
FREN 1011-1012-1013-1014 Extended French: 3 credits each* 
 
These classes meet synchronously online 3 times per week. This is a four-course sequence of extended basic French language and culture with emphasis on speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural development. In addition to learning through communicative activities in the classroom, students engage in basic conversation. Upon successful completion of the series, students should be able to understand, read, write, and speak French on a basic level in a variety of everyday situations. Students will be introduced to basic aspects of daily life and culture of the French-speaking world.  
 
French Composition and Conversation 2015-2016: 3 credits each 
 
These courses serve as a gateway to the major and minor and are offered both in person (3 times per week) and online asynchronously. In these courses students develop and expand on basic French linguistic forms and functions. They focus on the development of conversation and composition in French in order to further their communicative competence. The cultural component of these courses is treated in an increasingly sophisticated way both in writing and orally. 
 
Closed Classes/Petitioning 
 
Should a basic level class be closed, the instructor does not make decisions about petitioning a class. All decisions are made by the coordinator. Students who wish to petition a closed class must add their names to the class waiting list.  Should enrollment open, students will be notified via an automatic email and will be given the opportunity to register for the course.   
 
*** The material covered in 1011 and 1012 is approximately the same as in 1001; 1013 and 1014 are equivalent to 1002. Please see the coordinators of basic language about the appropriateness of changing sequences.***

The Italian Certificate is an interdisciplinary program that explores the language, cultures, economics, history, geography, and politics of Italy. Students may also study abroad in Italy.

Students of Spanish study the language, culture, and literature of Spain, most of Latin America, and the Spanish-speaking United States. Spanish majors develop linguistic skills and enrich themselves through the study of a variety of cultures. Students with a BA in Spanish often seek teaching careers, either in secondary education or in colleges and universities following completion of graduate studies in the field. Spanish is also a strong liberal arts major that allows students to develop critical thinking, reading and writing skills in addition to knowledge of a foreign language and culture. Our increasingly multilingual society makes this combination of skills highly valued in a wide range of positions in the public and private sectors.

Double Majors are also available for Spanish. Please inquire with the RALL Director of Undergraduate Studies,  Juan Godoy Peñas, Ph.D, for more information.

Spanish Cerificate options include Arts in Spanish, Spanish/English Translation Studies, Business Spanish, Spanish for Service Learning in Social Work and Health Care Services.

Overview

In this section, you will see when the Basic Spanish courses at the University of Cincinnati Clifton Campus are offered and their structures.

Contact Information

Intensive Basic Spanish 1001-1002: 
Professor Leah Adelson, Ph.D. adelsolh@ucmail.uc.edu

Composition and Conversation 2015-2016: 
Professor Danae Orlins, Ph.D. orlinsde@ucmail.uc.edu

Spanish for Healthcare 1021 and 1022: (Equivalent to 1001-1002)
Professor Rosario Drucker Davis, davisrd@ucmail.uc.edu

SPAN 1001 and SPAN 1002 Intensive Spanish (5 credit hours).

These hybrid, flipped courses meet three times per week (55 min) or two times per week (120 min) and are intensive courses. Students are required to watch short tutorials, read and take notes on grammar topics and familiarize themselves with the vocabulary prior to coming to class. During class time, we speak Spanish from day one and focus on using the language to communicate. There are moments in which English is used for administrative purposes or for complex grammar explanations. This learning environment requires a lot of autonomy on the student’s part; however, we also provide support throughout the semester to help students learn how to be successful in this flipped model.

SPAN 2015 and SPAN 2016 (3 credit hours)

These hybrid, flipped courses meet 3x/week (55 min each day). Students are required to watch short tutorials, read and take notes on grammar topics and familiarize themselves with the vocabulary prior to coming to class. During class time, we speak Spanish from day one and focus on using the language. This learning environment requires a lot of autonomy on the student’s part; however, we also provide support throughout the semester to help students learn how to learn in this model. 

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Please note that all the courses in the Spanish language program enable students to grow in their oral production, written production, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and cultural competency. Students use the grammar and vocabulary concepts described above to understand a variety of texts (both written and oral), to create a variety of texts (both oral and written) and to understand cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world.

For further information on the following, click on the category of interest: 

Placement                                                                                                               
Basic Spanish 1001 and 1002       
Spanish for Healthcare 1021 and 1022       
Composition and Conversation 2015 and 2016

French and Spanish Testing

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Basic Spanish 1001 and 1002    

There are some in person sections, where students have live class instruction and activities with an instructor and classmates, along with homework in the online textbook platform and Canvas, in addition to participation in the online textbook at various flexible times throughout the semester. Homework is completed on the online textbook platform, Canvas, and other platforms on occasion. There is work due at least three days a week.                

SPAN 1001 and SPAN 1002 are each worth five credit hours.                         

There are multiple sections of SPAN 1001 and SPAN 1002 offered each semester, including the summer.                 

Successful completion of SPAN 1002 fulfills the foreign language requirement for students in the College of A&S. Students should consult with their advisor for details.

 

The College of Arts & Sciences requires students to complete either a 10 semester hour credit sequence (one year), or a 12 semester hour credit sequence (two years).  
 
The Department of Romance Languages offers only one sequence in basic Portuguese: 
 
Basic Portuguese 1001-1002: 5 credits each 
 
The class is only offered online. Instruction emphasizes oral and written communication in Portuguese through activities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The curriculum includes authentic oral, written, and video input. Class is conducted in Portuguese.

For more information about the Portuguese, please contact the Professor Janiaina Lopez.

RALL offers basic language classes in Portuguese (1001 and 1002), but does not currently offer any major, minor, or certificate programs for this language.

The College of Arts and Sciences highly encourages students to choose more than one area of study (double-majors, dual degree, cross-college majors). There are usually enough elective credit hours in your degree program to accommodate at least one of the following. In fact, many classes count toward multiple programs, allowing you to "double dip" and thereby reduce the number of courses required to complete the program.

RALL has partnered with other Departments to develop the following Double Major Pathways:

Why a Double Major With a Language?

Enhanced Global Career Opportunities and Cultural Competence and Sensitivity
Research indicates that language skills are often in demand for positions in diplomacy, global marketing, multinational corporations, and international organizations, which may offer higher salaries and more opportunities for advancement. This cultural competence is highly valued in global contexts where understanding local customs, practices, and societal structures can provide a significant advantage.

Improved Communication and Interpersonal Skills
These improved communication skills are particularly valuable in professions where interacting with people, understanding diverse cultures, and working across language barriers are essential.

Stronger Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Research shows that learning a second language enhances cognitive abilities, such as memory, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Double-majoring in a language can improve your ability to think analytically and critically.

Increased Employability in Niche Roles and Higher Salaries
A double major with a language can make you uniquely qualified for specialized roles, such as translator, interpreter, or language consultant, especially in fields like healthcare, law, technology, and journalism. Studies indicate that bilingual employees tend to earn higher salaries compared to their monolingual counterparts, particularly when the language skills are paired with technical or business expertise.

Preparation for Graduate Programs and Broader Network and Social Opportunities
A language major combined with another field prepares students for interdisciplinary graduate programs, such as international law, global health, international business, or linguistics. Language majors often have access to a global network of peers, professors, and professionals in various sectors such as diplomacy, journalism, and the arts. This expanded network can be crucial for professional development and career advancement.

Increased Self-Esteem and Personal Fulfillment
Research suggests that mastering a new language is personally fulfilling and boosts confidence, especially when paired with a complementary field. The ability to engage with another culture through language fosters a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

General Education at the University of Cincinnati requires a Capstone Experience by which students demonstrate mastery of the major and of the four Baccalaureate Competencies:

  1. Critical Thinking
  2. Effective Communication
  3. Knowledge Integration
  4. Social Responsibility

It is wise to begin thinking about your Capstone early in your senior year. If you procrastinate, you may find your graduation delayed until you have completed the Capstone Project.

Plan on coming up with your own ideas for a Capstone Project. Although they may provide guidance, faculty are not responsible for suggesting topics or for recommending projects.

TO COMPLETE YOUR CAPSTONE REQUIREMENT YOU MUST:

  1. Link the Capstone to a course with a number above 3002 (302 quarter system) that you have taken or are presently taking. The course must support the kind of project you wish to pursue.
  2. Within the first week of the semester, fill out the Capstone Project Registration Form (FREN & SPAN) and ask the instructor of your course to indicate support for the project by signing the form.
  3. By the end of the first week of the semester submit by email the signed form to the Director of Undergraduate Studies of RALL to discuss and to secure registration block removal for the course Capstone 5001 (FREN or SPAN) for one credit.
  4. Register for the course Capstone 5001 (FREN 5001 or SPAN 5001) for one credit.  Note: The course is blocked for all students; to have the block removed, you must email the completed Capstone Project Registration Form, signed by your Capstone mentoring professor, to the Director of Undergraduate Studies of RALL.
  5. Participate in at least one Capstone Forum while working on the Capstone project. You will present in the target language (French or Spanish). The presentation will be an oral summary of the project. Presented in the target language (French or Spanish). The dates of the Capstone presentations for Fall and Spring semesters are in the registration form.
  6. The Capstone Project must be completed and graded within two semesters of the date on the project form. Your instructor will grade the project and communicate the grade in writing to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The instructor will also submit an evaluation of the Capstone Project.

The final Capstone Project with all revisions will be due the week before final exams of the semester, in which you are graduating.

POSSIBLE FORMATS for the CAPSTONE PROJECTS

 (all to be presented in the target language):

  1. A ten-page research paper developed in a course.
  2. A webpage or Power Point presentation with a five-page description of the creative process and the result.
  3. A ten-page literary work, for example an essay, poem, or group of poems.
  4. A ten-page translation of a literary or cultural work, accompanied by an explanation of issues addressed in the process of translation.
  5. An alternative project - proposed by the student and accepted by the instructor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Arabic
Contact Professor Grace Thome at thomege@ucmail.uc.edu

Italian 
Contact Professor Joyce Miller at mja@ucmail.uc.edu and register an account with Emmersion.

French and Spanish
Please see the dedicated page for French and Spanish language placement.

For other languages please visit Placement Testing.