Mar 19, 2024  
Catalog 2020-2021 
    
Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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 Plan and Soil Sciences, BS
  • Biology, BS
  • Business Administration, 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
  • Nursing, BSN
  • Statistics, BS
  • Sustainable Hospitality Management, BS

How to Fulfill 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, approved to meet this requirement.

Advanced Placement (AP) Language Proficiency


Students who score a 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


Students who score a 6 or 7 on the Foreign Language (HL) A1, A2, or B exam have satisfied the World Culture and Language Requirement. Note: the SL Exam does not meet the requirement.

College Level Entrance Program (CLEP) Test Scores


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 these levels on the CLEP should determine appropriate placement in order to complete the 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
  • Collaborative Health & Human Services, BA
  • Environmental Studies, BA
  • Global Studies, BA
  • Humanities & Communication, BA
  • Japanese Language & Culture, BA
  • Music, BA
  • Psychology, BA
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences, 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.

Take a Class


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

Students with heritage proficiency in the following languages may elect to take WLC 212 - Language and Culture for Heritage Speakers  (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.  

If you need a permission number to register for a course, email wlc@csumb.edu with the course and section number (e.g., SPAN 212-01 or SPAN 102-06) to receive further instructions.  Permission numbers will be given to students who meet enrollment requirements.  Contact wlc@csumb.edu or (831) 582-3863 for more information.


 

Placement


If you have previous education in a language and plan on continuing to study that language at CSUMB, the School of World Languages and Cultures encourages you to enroll in an appropriate level of study based on your experience. Here is some information to help you find the appropriate level:

Online Spanish Placement Exam


Take the WebCAPE Online Spanish Placement Exam at http://bit.ly/2LrmTeE

  1. Create an account and complete the Spanish placement exam, which usually takes about 20-30 minutes. 
  2. Your recommended level will be provided when you complete the exam. 

For technical support, email gleonard@csumb.edu

High School Students


One year of high school language study is typically considered equivalent to one semester of college language study.

Therefore, students with two years of high school language study should enroll at the 102 level of the language previously studied. Students with three years of high school study should start at 201.

High School Students that have scored a 3 on the Japanese or Spanish AP exams identified above should enroll at the 201 level to complete the Language Proficiency Requirement.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Students


IB Students who score 5 or below on the IB should consult WLC faculty to determine appropriate placement; suggested placement is 101 for a score of 4 or below; 102 for a score of 5.

Transfer Students


Transfer Students may look at Assist.org to find the relationship and articulation agreement between your school and CSUMB.

Contact


The Faculty members from the School of World Languages & Cultures are able to assist you with correct placement in language courses at CSUMB.

For American Sign Language: Darby Campbell at dcampbell@csumb.edu.

For Italian Language: WLC Department Chair at wlc@csumb.edu

For Japanese Language: Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott at ysaito-abbott@csumb.edu OR Dr. Shigeko Sekine at ssekine@csumb.edu

For Spanish Language:

  • Students with last names that start with A-G should contact Dr. Christine Fernandez at chrfernandez@csumb.edu regarding placement and advising.
  • Students with last names that start with H-M should contact Dr. Carolyn Gonzalez at cargonzalez@csumb.edu regarding placement and advising.
  • Students with last names that start with N-Z should contact Dr. Rebecca Pozzi at rpozzi@csumb.edu regarding placement and advising.

 

Note: Most faculty are not regularly available during the summer; please be sure to allow enough time before registration if you have questions or concerns about placement.