Dec 03, 2024  
Catalog 2024-25 
    
Catalog 2024-25

World Culture & Language


Knowledge of world cultures and the ability to use a language other than English to communicate, interpret, and present information is essential for success in the 21st century. It demonstrates that you can be flexible in difficult situations and adaptable in new environments. It also shows that you have the capacity to see the world through multiple perspectives.

For Majors Leading to a BS Degree


If you are in the following major programs, please read on to learn how to satisfy the World Culture & Language University Requirement:

  • Agricultural Plant and Soil Sciences, BS
  • Biology, BS
  • Business Administration, BS
  • Collaborative Health and Human Services, BS
  • Communication Design, BS
  • Computer Science, BS
  • Environmental Science, Technology, and Policy, BS
  • Human Development and Family Science, BS
  • Kinesiology, BS
  • Liberal Studies, BA
  • Marine Science, BS
  • Mathematics, BS
  • Mechatronics Engineering, BS
  • Nursing, BSN
  • Statistics, BS
  • Sustainable Hospitality Management, BS

How to Fulfill the Requirement


Advanced Placement (AP) Language Proficiency for BS Students


Students who score a 3 or higher on the following AP Exams have satisfied the World Culture and Language Requirement:

  • Chinese Language & Culture
  • French Language & Culture
  • German Language & Culture
  • Italian Language & Culture
  • Japanese Language & Culture
  • Latin
  • Spanish Language & Culture
  • Spanish Literature & Culture

International Baccalaureate (IB) HL Exam for BS Students


Students who score a 4 or higher on the IB Language A Literature HL or the IB Langauge A Language & Literature HL exam (or the IB Language A1 or A2 HL taken prior to Fall 2013) in a language other than English have satisfied the World Culture and Language Requirement.

Note: the following exams to not meet the requirement:  Language B HL or any standard level (SL) exam.

College Level Entrance Program (CLEP) Test Scores for BS Students


Students who score a 59 or above on the CLEP Level II in French, 60 in Level II German, or 63 in Level II Spanish have satisfied the World Culture and Language Requirement.

Students who score below the indicated levels on the AP, IB, and/or CLEP exams should determine appropriate placement in order to complete the requirement.

Take a Class


Students may fulfill the World Culture & Language University Requirement in any of the following ways:

  • Successfully completing one lower division GE C2 area language course; or
  • Successfully completing one upper division GE C area World Culture/Language course with no pre-requisite; or
  • Successfully completing one upper division GE C area course with a language pre-requisite; or
  • Successfully completing a study abroad course in a language other than English, approved to meet this requirement.

For Majors Leading to a BA Degree


If you are in the following major programs, please read on to learn how to satisfy the World Culture & Language University Requirement:

  • Cinematic Arts & Technology, BA
  • Environmental Studies, BA
  • Ethnic & Gender Studies, BA
  • Global Studies, BA
  • Humanities & Communication, BA
  • Japanese Language & Culture, BA
  • Music, BA
  • Psychology, BA
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences, BA
  • Sociology, BA
  • Spanish Language & Hispanic Cultures, BA
  • Visual & Public Art, BA

To fulfill the World Culture and Language Requirement, students must demonstrate second language proficiency through the 201 or equivalent level.

How to Fulfill the Requirement


For students in pursuit of a BA degree, the World Culture and Language University Requirement can be satisfied in a number of ways.

Advanced Placement (AP) Language Proficiency for BA Students


Students who score at 4 or 5 on the following AP Exams have satisfied the World Culture and Language Requirement:

  • Chinese Language & Culture
  • French Language & Culture
  • German Language & Culture
  • Italian Language & Culture
  • Japanese Language & Culture
  • Latin
  • Spanish Language & Culture
  • Spanish Literature & Culture

International Baccalaureate (IB) HL Exam for BA Students


Students who score a 6 or 7 on the IB Language A Literature HL or the IB Language A Language & Literature HL (or IB Language A1 or A2 HL taken prior to Fall 2013) exam in a language other than English have satisfied the World Culture and Language Requirement.

Note: the following exams do not meet the requirement: Language B HL, any standard level (SL) exam.

College Level Entrance Program (CLEP) Test Scores for BA Students


Students who score a 59 or above on the CLEP Level II in French, 60 in Level II German, 63 in Level II Spanish, or 65 in Level II Spanish with Writing have satisfied the World Culture and Language Requirement.

Students who score below the indicated levels on the AP, IB, or CLEP exams should determine appropriate placement in order to complete the requirement.

 

Take a Class


For most students, the traditional pathway toward fulfilling the World Culture and Language University Requirement includes:

  • Successfully completing a course at the 201 level at CSUMB, which may require additional pre-requisites
  • Successfully completing a course at the 201, or equivalent level, at another college
  • Participants of CSU-IP and other study abroad programs with pre-approved appropriate course alignment meets campus language proficiency.
  • An alternative pathway may be available for students with verified learning disability; more information is provided on the Student Disability and Accessibility Center website (see: Course Substitutions)
  • Students with intermediate language proficiency in their native/target/heritage language may elect to take one of the following courses:
    •  (4 units)
    •  (4 units)
    •  (3 units)*
    •  (4 units)
    •  (3 units)*

Students with heritage proficiency in the following languages may elect to take  (3 units)*:

  • American Sign Language
  • Arabic
  • Cantonese
  • Farsi
  • French
  • German
  • Hebrew
  • Hindi
  • Italian
  • Korean
  • Mandarin
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Punjabi
  • Russian
  • Swedish
  • Tagalog
  • Thai
  • Turkish
  • Vietnamese

* Students should be advised that registration in these courses requires permission numbers; contact wlc@csumb.edu or (831) 582-3863 for more information. 

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