The Department of Foreign Languages is committed to helping Bellarmine students gain understanding, acquire knowledge and develop skills for living and communicating in the globally interdependent and culturally diverse world of the 21st century.

Foreign language study not only provides students with valuable insights into other cultures, but it also confronts students with their own language, culture, and values. Knowledge of a foreign language serves as a solid basis for a broad liberal arts education. Proficiency in a foreign language provides the extra edge in the highly competitive world of trade and commerce, international relations, government, and research.

The goals of the department are to teach students to understand, speak, and write a foreign language so that they may:

• develop their intellectual capabilities and study habits through foreign language study.
• increase their understanding of how language functions and, through the study of a foreign language, develop a greater awareness of their own language.
• keep abreast of modern writing, research, and information across national barriers.
• increase their personal awareness of culture through the study of great literature, philosophy, art, and music in the original.
• gain a greater understanding of people across national barriers, by developing sympathetic insights into the ways of thinking of the people whose languages they study.
• be able to reflect on their own heritage and customs.
• enhance their chances in today’s competitive world of global employment for initial recruitment and further advancement.

While many Bellarmine students studying a foreign language have cultural, social, political, and economic interests in order to support and broaden their studies in other fields, Bellarmine’s program was developed to prepare students for graduate school and a global job market, by offering a degree in Foreign Languages and International Studies, as well as minors in French, German, and Spanish.

Major in Foreign Languages and International Studies

Program Content
A degree in Foreign Languages and International Studies (FLIS) is an interdisciplinary major, focusing students’ attention on the international scene, primarily from historical, political, sociocultural, and economic perspectives. The degree, therefore, combines studies in two different cultures and languages with studies in history, political science, business, economics, philosophy, theology, communications, and geography. The program provides preparation for participation in internships and exchange programs abroad and builds a foundation for careers in international relations, international business, marketing, commerce, industry, government, human resources, and for graduate degrees in international law, foreign relations, diplomacy, and foreign language teaching.

FLIS Program Goals
1. To build a foundation for understanding foreign societies and international relations.
2. To be able to communicate adequately in one foreign language.
3. To acquire basic communication skills in a second foreign language.
4. To develop a set of tools for analyzing foreign cultures, languages, history, economics, politics, and religions.
5. To gain insight into the processes and institutions around which global activities are organized.

FLIS Entrance Requirement
201 Proficiency Level in French, German, or Spanish (Language 1). The proficiency level will be determined by means of a placement test. Students with less or no prior experience in the chosen L1, may acquire such at Bellarmine.

Distribution of Credit Hours for Language 1, Language 2 and Cross Disciplinary Requirements :
(21 hours of languages, plus 15 hours of interdisciplinary courses, plus study abroad requirement)
15 hrs in Language 1 at and above 200 level in German, French or Spanish
6 hrs in Language 2 (French, German, Spanish, Russian*, Italian*, Japanese, Chinese) at any level (most likely 101, 102, but excluding French, German, and Spanish 100) *presently available only through Metroversity or study abroad.
6 hrs Political Science (308, 317, 318, 323, 325, 413, 414 et al.)/History (116, 117, 241, 242, 243, 317, 318, 320, 321, 327, 417, 419, 420, 421 et al.)
6 hrs Economics 111, 112, 405 et. al.) or Business Administration (301, 305 et al.) and 3hrs
Philosophy (309, 330, 350, et al.) or Communications (313, et al.) or Theology (307, et al.) or
World Geography (Metroversity) et al.
*additional courses are available at our foreign study sites.
36 hrs Total

International Study Requirement (6–30 hrs, but not more than 12 hrs in Language 1 or Language 2)

At least one international summer, semester, or year study experience in a Bellarmine approved program abroad, representing Language L1as the native tongue. While abroad, a student should focus on language study, but is encouraged to also use Language 1 as a vehicle for study of electives or interdisciplinary requirements.

A student is asked to carefully review all foreign study with the International Programs Office, and all on campus interdisciplinary courses with his/her advisor, assuring a close link between his/her primary and secondary languages and focus areas.

Electives should be chosen from the following special focus areas:

• Economics/Business Administration
• History/Diplomacy International Relations and
• Human and Social Services
• Foreign Language Education
• Translation and Interpretation

Minors in Foreign Languages
The Department offers minors in French, German, and Spanish. A minor requires 18 hours beyond 102 or 111. A minor in a foreign language enhances any major and increases career opportunities.

Available Languages

Program of Studies in Foreign Languages and Cultures

The introductory 100-level courses introduce the student to the role of language in general, while giving valuable insights into the function of English, developing basic communication skills in the target language, as well as an appreciation of the history and cultures studied.

The intermediate 200-level courses continue the emphasis on developing all four skills through guided readings in literature and culture and through conversation and composition courses dealing with contemporary issues and their critical analysis, employing video, audio, satellite, and computer-assisted instruction outside the classroom.

The advanced 300- and 400-level courses refine the four skill areas while placing special emphasis on the study of civilizations in their historical, political, literary, and contemporary context. Students become thoroughly familiar with critical analysis and cultural values through systematic survey and special topics courses.

Placement Testing
Any student with previous foreign language experience must take the university’s computerized placement test via the ARC (Academic Resource Center), located on Level A of the W. L. Lyons Brown Library. For appointments call 502.452.8071. A student will receive credit for previous experience, if the student passes the next highest Bellarmine class with a grade of C+ or above.

Maximum credit awarded is six hours. For further information, please consult with the department chair. AP, ACCESS, and IB credits are accepted up to 6 hours at any level.


Heritage and Native speakers must consult with the department chair regarding placement. Native speakers are only permitted to enroll into courses at the 300 level and above.