Confused about foreign language requirement

<p>The academic advising page on the WM website says that government majors are required to exceed to foreign language proficiency requirement, the course catalog for 2010-2011 says it is recommended that government majors exceed the requirement, and the government department page says government majors must meet the foreign language requirement. Which one is it? If I've taken four years of a language in high school and major in government, do I need to take more language classes or not? Thanks</p>

<p>There is nothing here: [William</a> & Mary - Completing the Government Major](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/as/government/undergraduate/completingmajor/index.php]William”>http://www.wm.edu/as/government/undergraduate/completingmajor/index.php) or here: <a href=“http://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/documents/catalog/UGCatalog.pdf[/url]”>http://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/documents/catalog/UGCatalog.pdf&lt;/a&gt; (p140 in the pdf, p135 on the document) about needing anything beyond the normal W&M language requirement for government. I see where the course catalog says recommended. Recommended means recommended (aka not required). So I would say the 4 years in HS covers you.</p>

<p>The “Declaring a Government Major” page says, “It is recommended that majors complete Economics 101, 102 and carry their foreign language study beyond the minimum general education requirements.” [William</a> & Mary - Declaring a Government Major](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/as/government/undergraduate/declaring/index.php]William”>http://www.wm.edu/as/government/undergraduate/declaring/index.php)</p>

<p>The Academic Advising page says, “Students intending to major in Government or International Studies/Relations will need to exceed the proficiency level; check the Undergraduate Catalog for language requirements in these majors.” [William</a> & Mary - Selecting First-Semester Courses](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/as/undergraduate/advising/firstsemester/index.php]William”>http://www.wm.edu/as/undergraduate/advising/firstsemester/index.php)</p>

<p>If a student plans in majoring in government or IR especially going beyond the foreign language proficiency is of course recommended as it’s a great skill to have when applying for internships and jobs. The Course Catalog is divided into majors and on the first page of each major’s section, the requirements are listed. If no additional language requirement is mentioned there than there is none</p>

<p>well, the academic advising page refers you to a document that says there is no extra language requirement, and the ‘declaring a government major’ page also says there is no extra language requirement.</p>

<p>there is an additional language requirement for IR</p>

<p>My D was a recent govt. major and took no additional foreign language. She was hired for a position in her field (politics) during spring of her senior year and started immediately after graduation. No additional language was ever required.</p>

<p>Remember that entering students receive an academic advisor who will help guide them during their first two years and will select an advisor in their major during their sophomore year. These faculty members will help you discern all the requirements you need to complete for graduation, for your major, etc.</p>