Languages, Literatures and Linguistics

The Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics offers courses leading to Honours BA and BA degree programs in German Studies, Italian, Linguistics, Russian, Russian Studies and Spanish. The department also offers Certificates of Language Proficiency in Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, as well as an Advanced Certificate in Hebrew and Judaic Studies and a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Courses in Language, Literature and Culture

General Regulations

1. Entry to Language Courses

Any student may enrol in a language course at any level, subject to the conditions enumerated below.

a) Admission to a student's first course in a language at York is by placement questionnaire and/or interview, or departmental authorization slip.

b) In most cases, students who have completed a 1000-level language course with a grade of at least C are automatically admissible to a course at the next level in the same language, but may be pre-tested for purposes of course or section placement.

c) Registration in any language course may be limited at the discretion of the department.

d) Students intending to major or minor in German Studies, Italian, Russian, Russian Studies or Spanish are encouraged to begin study of the relevant language in their first year.

2. Credit for Language Courses

A language course may be taken for credit in any year of any undergraduate program. Credit is given for a course if a grade of D or better is achieved. However, to advance from one level to another level, a student must achieve at least a grade of C.

3. Entry to departmental literature and culture courses, and to courses in classical Greek or Latin literature

a) In literature and culture courses of the department, instruction is normally given in the relevant language, and entry to courses and programs depends upon the student's ability to function in that language. The department may require a student to demonstrate language competence before granting admission to a course. For details, please consult the department's supplemental calendar.

For regulations concerning entry to courses in classical Greek or Latin literature, please consult a member of the Program in Classical Studies.

Not all of the courses will necessarily be offered in any given year. For details of courses to be offered, please consult the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics supplemental calendar.