Bachelor of ArtsForeign Languages and International Studies

The program provides preparation for internships and exchange programs here and abroad while building a foundation for careers in international relations, industry, government, and human resources, and for graduate degrees in international law, foreign relations, diplomacy, and foreign language teaching.

FLIS majors have received major scholarships (including the Fulbright) and acquired coveted graduate placements at such renowned schools and programs as Trinity College Dublin, the Monterrey Language Institute, the University of Marburg, the Patterson School of Foreign Service, law schools around the country, and the Peace Corps. Bellarmine FLIS students have also found job and internship placements with the Humana, PNC Bank, CNN, Kentucky World Trade Center, French Embassy, FBI, ATF, various international organizations in Washington, D.C., World Bank, and many others. Many graduates have chosen to begin their careers by teaching or volunteering overseas with the embassies of Spain, France, and Germany.

The Chinese Club promotes everything Chinese and the Mandarin language but also does service learning within the local community. It is open to all students who are willing to learn about Chinese language, its culture, and its people.

FLIS students can become members of the nationally recognized Foreign Language Association, Alpha Mu Gamma. It is a language association devoted to recognizing the talents and academics of first- and second-year students who study foreign language. Bellarmine University is charter Epsilon Iota. The requirements are very rigorous but rewarding. The association is open to all students who are pursuing languages and fulfill the criteria.

Students pursuing a Spanish major or a minor can become members of Sigma Delta Pi, the only honor society devoted exclusively to students of Spanish in four-year colleges and universities and the largest foreign-language honor society in existence.

The Bellarmine International Club (BIC) promotes student, faculty, and community interest in customs, food, music, language, general knowledge, and understanding of different cultures, and raises awareness while assisting in the support and guidance of new and returning international students. BIC is for FLIS majors, international and exchange students, and other students interested in world cultures. Some activities of the group include international potluck lunches, presentations by international students about their home countries, and field trips to various tourist spots in the region.

Spanish majors and minors are encouraged to join the Spanish Club, which promotes Hispanic/Latino diversity, education, and awareness of diversity in our community and beyond. This organization will establish a network for students interested in multicultural diversity in Spanish. The club is open to all students regardless of their knowledge of Spanish.

What courses are required to complete the program?

Foreign Language and International Studies (FLIS) Major:
The FLIS major consists of 18 hours of a language, 18 hours from courses in international studies, and an international immersion experience as outlined below:

• 18 hours in the same language at and above the 200-level in French, German, or Spanish;
• 18 hours of international studies as follows:
• 9 hours of: ANTH 111, COMM 313, and GEOG 175;
• 6 hours chosen from: PS 308, PS 323, PS 325;
• 3 hours chosen from: HIST 320, HIST 327, THEO 307;
• FLIS 490 (3 hours);
• FLIS Major Study Abroad Requirement: At least one international study experience in a Bellarmine approved program abroad, representing the language being studied as the native tongue. This can be a semester, a year, or an 8-week summer experience.
• FLIS 201 is required for all Bellarmine students studying abroad for a semester or a year. It must be taken the semester before departure for study abroad.

Spanish Major:

• 200-level (12 credits): SPAN 201 Exploration of Topics in Spanish I; SPAN 202 Exploration of Topics in Spanish II; SPAN 211 Spanish Conversation and Composition; SPAN 212 Spanish Conversation and Composition.
• 300-level (12 credits): SPAN 312 Advanced Spanish Composition (an equivalent level course may be substituted); SPAN 315 Introduction to 20th century Hispanic Literature; SPAN 320 Hispanic Culture and Civilization; SPAN 350 Practical Translation.
• 400-level (12 credits): SPAN 490, plus nine additional SPAN credits at the 400-level (to be chosen in consultation with advisor to form a major focus area).
• Required Spanish Major Immersion Experience: Students majoring in Spanish with sufficient skills must do one of the following options approved by the GLC department chair in consultation with the Spanish Language advisor:
• Internship for at least eight weeks in a Spanish-speaking environment.
• Service learning for at least eight weeks in a Spanish-speaking environment.
• Participate in a Bellarmine University Study Abroad program for at least one summer term.

Must I study abroad to earn this degree?

Yes. Each degree candidate must have at least one international study experience in a Bellarmine-approved program abroad, representing the language being studied as the native tongue. This can be a semester, a year, or a summer experience. While abroad, a student should focus on language study, but is also encouraged to use this opportunity for study of electives or interdisciplinary requirements.

Do you provide job or internship placement?

Yes. Bellarmine guarantees every student the opportunity to have an internship, develop a career plan and build a professional network. Bellarmine FLIS students have found internship and job placements with the TFA, EON, Humana, PNC Bank, CNN, Kentucky World Trade Center, French Embassy, FBI, ATF, various international organizations in Washington, D.C., World Bank, and many others.

How many hours can I expect to spend studying outside of class time?

It is expected that students will complete a minimum of 9 hours of out-of-classroom activity per week in addition to their 3 hours in class in a normal 15-week semester.

Students in the Foreign Languages and International Studies (FLIS) major will:

1. Demonstrate professional written and verbal language competencies in a world language.
2. Demonstrate a capacity to deploy multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to understand issues of international, comparative, and/or global significance through a major capstone project and an international experience.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural, ethical, and disciplinary aspects of recent international issues in public policy, social science, or humanities.