UVa Foreign Language Requirement

<p>Does UVa offer Urdu? I know there is a Hindu/Urdu class? However, even though the spoken languages are quite similar, the are both written in different alphabets (Urdu being the Arabic letters) so I’m not sure how they could be taught in the same class.</p>

<p>We have an URDU dept. See [Department</a> of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures - University of Virginia](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/mesa/courses_mesalc_spring10.html]Department”>http://www.virginia.edu/mesa/courses_mesalc_spring10.html) It looks like it is Hindi&Urdu for 1-2 semesters then it branches off into the separate depts.</p>

<p>On the SIS it says </p>

<p>“Undergraduate students must earn anywhere from zero to 14 foreign language credits, depending on their foreign language placement examination scores. The requirement should be fulfilled before the seventh semester in the College. [RQ10003]”</p>

<p>Just making sure, it says “zero to 14 foreign language credits”. I am pretty sure this means that I do not have to take foreign language at UVa if I am pursuing a Chemistry major.</p>

<p>Am I right?</p>

<p>No, Chowder.</p>

<p>The “zero” end of that statement applies to students who place out due to AP scores, transfer credits or placement exams.</p>

<p>The rule is you take through the 202 level of a language (101,102,201,202) UNLESS you have test scores, credit, etc. that states you either already posses knowledge through a certain level. If, for example, you place at the 201 level, you take 201 and 202, get the 6 credits and then you are done with the foreign language req., whereas if you are starting a new language, you would need the entire 14 credits to get through the 202 level.</p>

<p>My track was 16 credits. They should really update that listing.</p>

<p>Man… I was really hoping to get off foreign language for good when I was through with highschool…</p>

<p>Bump. I assume the 4 class track adds up to 14 credits? Just wondering since most classes are 3 credits I thought. I’m kind of worried about the requirements that I have to do (transfering in as a junior) --four foreign language classes, two science (I guess biological anth doesn’t count?), and a non-western history class. Doesn’t leave a lot of time for my major.</p>

<p>It usually does add up to 14, usually the 101, 102 (don’t know the current class #, these are from 2 years ago) are 4 credits each and then 201 and 202 are 3 credits each. There are some exceptions where all the language courses (101,102,201,202) are 4 credits each.</p>

<p>Did you take any foreign language at your present school, or in high school? If you have credit from college, that will count towards your requirement. For example- if you took the equivalent of 101 and 102 at your present school, you’d only need to take the 201 and 202 classes to complete the requirement. If you took a language in high school, you may also be able to take a placement test to see what level you may need to start at (again, you may be able to start at a higher level, meaning less credits to finish).</p>

<p>And you might be able to find a science course that may also fulfill the NWP requirement. I think I may have seen something about Archeoastronomy on here…but I’m not certain. Someone more current would know. Good luck!</p>

<p>Do it, take archaeoastronomy – least sciency class ever, also fulfills the NWP requirement. Think history of astronomy such as Mayans (2012!!), Egypt, China, etc. It was very cool and interesting. Lecturer’s dryness offset by awesome pictures and the interestingness of the information itself… Like 1 or 2 hw assignments and a 5 page paper. Easy peasy.</p>

<p>I took two Spanish classes in high school–about 8 years ago–don’t remember much of it heh. </p>

<p>On the one hand, I can’t believe ancient astronomy is a science credit and bio anth is not, on the other, I appreciate the head’s up!</p>

<p>Also, does anyone know if classes from community college can be counted in your major? I’ve taken 3 lit classes and creative writing in addition to the intro english 101, argumentative writing, and intro to lit.</p>

<p>usually only 2 classes transfer can count towards a major but it varies by dept and whether they award you 300-level credit… you would have to check with the transfer credit advisor for english who you can probably find via google</p>

<p>By the way, are you interested in Mandarin or Cantonese? And they are quite distinct. For over 100 years Cantonese was the dominant native Chinese language spoken in America. In recent years Cantonese has diminished while the Mandarin language is rising in U.S. Chinese communities. Typically, it’s only the oldtimers who still speak Cantonese frequently.</p>

<p>^The thread is from a while ago, but I have already picked Japanese due to scheduling conflict.</p>

<p>That said, when the Add/Drop session comes, I’ll probably drop foreign language all together and replace Calculus III for Honors Calculus III, which will take the same amount of workload (12-15 hrs/week, according to the syllabus I acquired).</p>

<p>As for Mandarin vs. Cantonese preference, I think the latter is more funny and personal while the former is more elegant. I know Cantonese class is harder to come by, though, and I would probably go for Mandarin because it is the more dominant language.</p>