BA - International Languages and Cultures as a major
If you’re fascinated by the history and creative activities of humankind and how this shapes societies and our future, then a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is for you. Our graduates are in demand for their flexible skills, practical outlook and depth of understanding they bring to their roles.
International Languages and Cultures at Waikato offers four specialisations - Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish. With advanced language skills, you'll meet the world's need for multilingual and culturally sensitive speakers, enhancing your business and social skills and preparing you for success in a multicultural work environment.
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Education and Society
- English
- Environmental Planning
- Geography
- History
- Human Development
- Law
- Linguistics
- Music
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Māori Language/Te Reo Māori
- Pacific and Indigenous Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Population Studies
- Psychology
- Screen and Media Studies
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Theatre Studies
- Writing Studies
Apply to enrol
Key information
| Years: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 360 |
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): | $6,591 - $7,608 per year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $28,025 - $35,420 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Career opportunities
- Diplomat
- Hospitality Operator
- International Lawyer
- Tour Guide
- Translator or Interpreter
- Travel Agent
Degree Planner
Degree planner — BA in International Languages and Cultures
For language pathway papers, please see degree planner footnotes.
Year 1
One of
INTLC101, CHINE131, FRNCH131, JAPAN131 or SPNSH131
One from List A
Field of the Degree
Field of the Degree
100 level
Elective
Elective
Year 2
One of
CHINE231, FRNCH231, JAPAN231 or SPNSH231
One of
CHINE232, FRNCH232, JAPAN232 or SPNSH232
LIST B
Recommend INTLC221 or INTLC222
Recommend
SPNSH200 or INTLC225
Elective
Elective
Elective
Year 3
One of
INTLC301, CHINE331, FRNCH331, JAPAN331, SPNSH331 or INTLC380
Any 300 level
paper listed below
Any 300 level
paper listed below
List C
Work Integrated Learning
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
BA Papers
Lists A, B and C
List A: Academic Foundations
- ARTSC103 Rights and Reasons
- ARTSC105 Language in Context
- ENSLA103 Undergraduate Research Writing for ESL Students
- ENSLA202 Oral Skills for Academic English
List B: Cultural Perspectives
Any Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies paper, or- ANTHY101 Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology
- ANTHY102 Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
- ANTHY201 Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
- DSIGN252 Cultural Perspectives for Design
- EDUCA200 Te Hononga Tangata
- ENGLI200 Global Fictions
- GEOGY219 Māori Lands and Communities
- INTLC101 International Languages and Cultures
- INTLC221 Understanding East Asia
- INTLC222 Food Practices & Cultural Journeys
- LINGS203 Language, Society and Culture
- Any MAORI paper
- Any PACIS paper
List C: Work-Integrated Learning
- ALPSS301 Work-integrated learning - Placements
- ARTSW300 Arts and Cultural Festivals
- ARTSW301 Professional Practice in the Arts (prerequisites ARTSC110 - so open to all BA students)
- ARTSW302 Work-Related Project in the Arts (prerequisites ARTSC110 - so open to all BA students)
- LINGS301 Research Apprenticeship
- MEDIA307 Professional Studio Production
- POPST300 Population Studies Work-Related Project
- PSYCH301 Psychology Research Assistantship
- SOCSC301 Work-Integrated Learning - Work-Related Project
- WRITE396 Writing Studies Work Placement
*Please consult our Student Advisors for the correct work-integrated learning paper.
Subject to approval
Papers
Papers available within International Languages and Cultures
International Languages and Cultures provide students with both cultural knowledge and communication skills in Chinese, French, Japanese or Spanish. A Major in this field will combine papers in intercultural communication, language and culture. Students are given the option of developing language skills in one or more languages whilst learning about international cultures across the globe.
International Languages and Cultures is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA). International Languages and Cultures may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled. For students seeking to add a second language alongside their Major language specialisation, Minors in Chinese, French, Japanese or Spanish are also available.
To complete International Languages and Cultures as a single major for the BA students must gain 135 points from papers listed for International Languages and Cultures, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must include INTLC102 and 15 points from the 100 level papers listed, LINGS203 and 30 points from the 200 level papers listed, INTLC304, 15 points from INTLC301, CHINE331, FRNCH331, JAPAN331, SPNSH331 or INTLC380 and 30 points from the 300 level papers listed.
Within the major in International Languages and Cultures, there are four language specialisations:
Chinese French Japanese Spanish
To complete a major in International Languages and Cultures, with a specialisation in either Chinese, French, Japanese or Spanish students must gain at least 60 points from one of the specialisation lists below:
Chinese: CHINE131, CHINE231, CHINE232, CHINE331, CHINE332, INTLC301 or INTLC303.
French: FRNCH131, FRNCH231, FRNCH232, FRNCH331, FRNCH332, INTLC301 or INTLC317.
Japanese: JAPAN131, JAPAN231, JAPAN232, JAPAN331, JAPAN332, INTLC301 or INTLC303.
Spanish: SPNSH131, SPNSH231, SPNSH232, SPNSH331, SPNSH332, INTLC301 or INTLC312.
To complete International Languages and Cultures as part of a double major for the BA or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for International Languages and Cultures, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must include INTLC102 and 15 points from the 100 level papers listed, LINGS203 and 30 points from the 200 level papers listed, INTLC304, 15 points from INTLC301, CHINE331, FRNCH331, JAPAN331, SPNSH331 or INTLC380 and 15 points from the 300 level papers listed.
To complete a minor in International Languages and Cultures, students must complete at least 60 points from the papers listed for International Languages and Cultures, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must complete INTLC101 or INTLC102, INTLC304 and 30 points from CHINE or FRNCH or JAPAN or SPNSH coded papers.
Note: Students with prior knowledge of the language they wish to specialise in must follow recommendations for entry points in the relevant subject or consult the relevant Programme Convenor before enrolling in language acquisition papers.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE131 | Chinese for Beginners | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces you to the Chinese writing system, pinyin, and tones. You will also learn the basics of greetings and self-introductions in Chinese. The paper is for complete beginners only. | |||
| FRNCH131 | French for Beginners | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| Learn the basics of written and spoken French including greetings, family, city life and daily routines. No previous knowledge of French is needed. | |||
| INTLC101 | International Languages and Cultures | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23G (Online) |
| This paper introduces students to major world cultures and their languages in a comparative context. Students will gain a critical understanding of culture and diversity through examining the languages and cultures of China, France, Japan, Korea, Spain and Latin America. | |||
| INTLC102 | Communicating Across Cultures | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces core elements of communication across major world cultures, and enables you to acquire basic language skills for everyday situations in Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. | |||
| JAPAN131 | Japanese for Beginners | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper assumes no previous knowledge of Japanese. It takes an integrated approach to the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. | |||
| KOREA131 | Korean Language for Beginners 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Online) |
| This language acquisition paper is designed for absolute beginners. Students will acquire basic written and spoken communication skills in Korean. | |||
| SPNSH131 | Spanish for Beginners | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| Learn the basics of written and spoken Spanish including greetings, family, city life and daily routines. No previous knowledge of Spanish is needed. | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE231 | Intermediate Chinese 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper will extend students' communication skills in Chinese across a range of everyday situations, including celebrations, seeking medical advice, arranging rental accommodation and shopping as a tourist. | |||
| CHINE232 | Intermediate Chinese 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper will enable you to improve your Chinese communication skills across a range of everyday situations by expanding your understanding of more complex grammatical structures and vocabulary. | |||
| FRNCH231 | Intermediate French 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| Take your written and spoken French to the next level. This paper focuses on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing the French language at an intermediate level. | |||
| FRNCH232 | Intermediate French 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper is the continuation of FRNCH231. | |||
| INTLC200 | Spanish & Latin American Business Culture: Intercultural Competence 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Online) |
| In this intermediate paper, students will acquire knowledge of Spanish in a practical and professional context related to business and tourism. Additionally, students will acquire geographic literacy and cultural understanding of the Spanish-speaking world and basic linguistic competence in Spanish. | |||
| INTLC221 | Understanding East Asia | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper offers a critical examination of historical traditions and contemporary life in East Asia within a global context. This paper is taught in English and is open to all students, including those who have no prior knowledge of Chinese, Japanese or Korean. | |||
| INTLC222 | Food Practices & Cultural Journeys | 15.0 | 23A (Online) |
| Cooking and food is linked intrinsically to history: migration, immigration and colonisation and have all played a part in shaping national and regional identities. Using different media: art, painting, photography and film, we will explore the gastronomical changes and discoveries that have shaped nations. | |||
| JAPAN231 | Basic Japanese 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This language acquisition paper is designed as a continuation from JAPAN131, a paper designed for absolute beginners. Students will acquire further basic written and spoken communication skills in Japanese language. | |||
| JAPAN232 | Basic Japanese 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This language acquisition paper follows JAPAN231, a paper designed for learners with a rudimentary knowledge of Japanese. Students will acquire further basic written and spoken communication skills in Japanese language. | |||
| KOREA231 | Korean Language 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Online) |
| This language acquisition paper is designed as a continuation from KOREA131. Students will acquire further basic written and spoken communication skills in the Korean language. | |||
| KOREA232 | Intermediate Korean Language 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Online) |
| The purpose of this paper is to help students build linguistic skills in Korean at a lower intermediate level and acquire cultural perspectives through their language learning. | |||
| LINGS203 | Language, Society and Culture | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores the relationship between language and culture, particularly in the context of changing Pacific cultures, and relates topics to the main themes of modern linguistics and anthropology. | |||
| SPNSH231 | Intermediate Spanish 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| Extend your previous knowledge of Spanish to express past and future situations. Topics will include shopping, local places of interest, and employment. | |||
| SPNSH232 | Intermediate Spanish 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| Students will extend their language skills, and cover toipcs such as travelling, eating out and wellbeing. | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE306 | Reading and Translation Skills: Chinese | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper is designed primarily for native speakers of Chinese. It is taught bilingually and aims to improve students' bilingual reading skills and develop students' ability to translate from and into Chinese and English. | |||
| CHINE331 | Advanced Chinese 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Intermediate Chinese 2. | |||
| CHINE332 | Advanced Chinese 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Advanced Chinese 1. | |||
| FRNCH331 | Advanced French 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| Use your French in practical contexts. This paper covers work, CV-writing, presentations, travel, accommodation and everyday life in France. | |||
| FRNCH332 | Advanced French 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| Extend your written and spoken French skills through creative writing and discussion of current affairs in France. | |||
| INTLC301 | Research Methods in International Languages and Cultures | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23B (Hamilton) |
| After workshops covering intercultural contexts in research, bibliography, literature reviews, ethics, data collection and report writing, students will prepare a research project involving the Chinese-, French-, Japanese- or Spanish-speaking worlds. | |||
| INTLC303 | Visual Cultures of East Asia | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper critically examines key forms of East Asian visual culture, with a focus on film and art, and within a comparative context. | |||
| INTLC304 | Cultural Identities in the Age of Globalisation | 15.0 | 23A (Online) |
| This paper explores the formation of cultural identities and the challenges they face in the age of globalisation through case studies from the Hispanic, French, Japanese and Chinese speaking worlds. | |||
| INTLC312 | Cultures of Spain: Negotiated Autonomies | 15.0 | 23B (Online) |
| This paper, conducted in English, offers both a historical and a contemporary approach to regional and national identity construction in Spain. The paper aims to provide students with a solid foundation on Spanish, Galician, Catalan, Basque and other regional cultures. Through a selection of cultural readings, students will gain a ... | |||
| INTLC317 | French Culture from Versailles to the Revolution | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| A study of France's literary, social, and historical movements from the Golden Age of Versailles through to the Enlightenment and the Revolution it inspired. | |||
| INTLC380 | Study Abroad 1 | 15.0 | 23G (Block), 23I (Block) & 23X (Block) |
| This paper will enable students to undertake appropriate individual study abroad programmes as part of their undergraduate degree. Each study programme should have a significant component of time spent offshore, with a series of assessments being agreed in advance with the paper convenor. | |||
| JAPAN331 | Advanced Japanese 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on advanced Japanese language learning and is a continuation of JAPAN232. | |||
| JAPAN332 | Advanced Japanese 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper is the continuation of JAPAN331. | |||
| KOREA331 | Intermediate Korean Language 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Online) |
| The purpose of this paper is to help students build linguistic skills in Korean at an upper intermediate level for everyday communication with native Korean speakers. | |||
| SPNSH331 | Advanced Spanish 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper is designed to enhance proficiency in Spanish at an advanced level. It will focus on contemporary cultural issues, and historical themes related to pre-Hispanic indigenous civilizations. | |||
| SPNSH332 | Advanced Spanish 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on advanced Spanish language learning and is a continuation of Advanced Spanish 1. | |||
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Subject links
Subject Requirements
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information.
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone:
Note: Students with prior knowledge of the language they wish to specialise in must consult the Programme Convenor before enrolling in language acquisition papers.
Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.
Contacts
School of Arts
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4932
Email Enquiries: [email protected]