Global Language and Culture, Minor

Program Code: GLC_UMNR

Program Description

The minor in Global Language and Culture allows students to create an interdisciplinary program combining language study beyond the 12-credit level, an academic or internship experience abroad, and additional courses chosen to complete a thematic area of concentration. The GLC minor recognizes that students from all degree programs can benefit from developing intercultural competencies. It encourages students to deepen and enhance their understanding of another culture by developing advanced linguistic skills, completing a related experience abroad, and integrating both into an area of concentration of the student's choice. Students may apply toward the minor no more than nine credits from their major requirements.

You Might Like This Program If...

You are interested in a flexible, interdisciplinary minor that enhances intercultural competence and complements a wide array of Penn State programs. You want to develop the skills and gain the experience necessary to work across cultural and linguistic barriers in your chosen profession. You want to continue the study of language and culture beyond the basic level and participate in an academic or internship experience abroad.

Entrance to Minor

Applications to the minor must present a proposed plan of study that includes a clear geographic or thematic focus; this plan must be approved by the adviser for the minor.

Program Requirements

Requirement Credits
Requirements for the Minor 18-20

Requirements for the Minor

At least 6 credits for the minor must be at the 400-level. 400-level courses may be completed either abroad or at Penn State, and may be either in English or in the target language.

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Language Requirement
Language Requirement: Requires a grade of C or better
Select at least 6 credits beyond the 12-credit proficiency level in a single foreign language6
Study Abroad Requirement
Study Abroad Requirement: Requires a grade of C or better
Select one of the following options:6
a) At least 6 credits as participants in a single approved Penn State education abroad program, in a country in which the chosen language is one of the major languages spoken 1
b) At least 6 credits of a single accredited internship abroad, in a country in which the chosen language is one of the major languages spoken 1
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select at least 6 credits, or as many as needed to complete the 18 credits for the minor after the above two requirements have been met 26
1

Courses taken abroad may be taught either in English (for thematically related courses) or in the target language. When taken abroad, language courses below the 12-credit level may be used to fulfill the study abroad requirement, but will not count towards the 18 credits for the minor.

2

Students must select these courses to complete a geographic or thematic concentration. The rationale for the inclusion of these courses must be described in the student's proposed plan of study, and approved by the adviser for the minor. Courses may be chosen from, but are not limited to, the fields of anthropology, art, communications, history, international studies, international business, literature, political science, or a variety of other disciplines related to international culture.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Altoona

Kathryn A. Mussett
Assistant Teaching Professor, Spanish
Hawthorn Building 126
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5211
kam13@psu.edu

Career Paths

In a world in which global competency and intercultural awareness are becoming increasingly important, the Global Language and Culture minor makes students in many fields attractive to employers and enhances any number of majors, from the humanities to the sciences, business, and engineering.

Careers

Career Services supports and serves students and alumni, faculty and staff, families, and employers in all areas related to career development and preparation. We can assist in any of the following: Major and Career Exploration Career Decision-Making Preparation of Employment Documents Internship and Job Search Strategies Interview Preparation Preparing for Graduate School Developing your Professional Online Brand Presentations and Workshops.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN GLOBAL LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Contact

Altoona

DIVISION OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Hawthorn Building 126, 3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5211
kam13@psu.edu

https://altoona.psu.edu/person/kathryn-mussett