Print this page. About the Program
The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures offers undergraduate majors in classics, comparative literature, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. We also offer minors in ancient Greek, classical studies, comparative literature, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Minors in foreign languages generally require 18 hours of course work at the 200 level or above. To learn more about specific minors, please visit the academic bulletin.The department also offers language instruction in Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Korean, Portuguese, and Swahili. If you have studied a foreign language during the five years preceding your enrollment at USC, you must take the placement test in that language in order to be considered for advanced standing. Students are not normally permitted to repeat for credits foreign language units previously earned in high school or college. You should consult your academic department for additional information.
Career Opportunities
Students who major in comparative literature can find work in a variety of areas, including:
• communications, international news media
• government agencies, translation
• education
• social and health services
• import and export businesses, international commerce
• immigration services, travel agencies.
The University Career Center is available to assist you in choosing a career direction and in increasing your marketability upon graduation. For additional information on career planning, telephone the center at 803-777-7280. To find more about a particular foreign language major, you may phone the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at 803-777-4881.
Admission/Progression Requirements
To be admitted into the department you must meet all University admissions requirements, including (for freshmen) a completed application, nonrefundable application fee, high-school record complete up to the time of application (including record of at least 20 academic units of study earned as required by the University), and entrance examination scores (either SAT or ACT). Details for all applicant categories can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
Program of Study (120 hours)
The department offers the Bachelor of Arts in Classics, Comparative Literature, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. Each program of study requires 53 to 62 hours of College of Arts and Sciences general education requirements. Your general education requirements will include courses in areas such as English (with an emphasis on fluency in writing), foreign language, history and cultural awareness, mathematics and analytical reasoning, natural sciences, philosophy, the fine arts, literature, and the humanities and social sciences. You will also be required to complete anywhere from 24 to 30 hours of major program requirements. If you major in comparative literature, your 27 hours of major requirements will include courses such as Great Books of the Western World I and II and Great Books of the Eastern World, along with specific comparative literature and foreign-language courses at or above the 300 level. Your program of study will be rounded out by 12 to 18 hours of College of Arts and Sciences cognate or minor courses and six to 22 hours of arts and sciences electives. Your language courses should be selected in consultation with your academic advisor and the appropriate language advisor.
Of Special Interest
The department provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study of a variety of languages. Students have myriad resources and opportunities at the University and are taught by outstanding faculty members from throughout the world, many of whom are native speakers of the language they teach. A study abroad or exchange program can broaden your academic horizons and earn University credit at more than 50 institutions in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East, and South America. In the United States, the National Student Exchange Program offers study at more than 75 American college campuses. Facilities include electronic language laboratories, a foreign language media library, and tutorial centers. The department’s faculty is composed of language and literature specialists from throughout the world and native speakers who teach in virtually every language program. The Ted Mimms Foreign Language Resource Center in the college is a multimedia center with audio, video, and print materials as well as interactive computer programs.