Student Resources

KU: Language Across the Curriculum

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Begun in fall of 1993, KULAC is a group of courses and special discussion sections in history, the social sciences, the professions (business, journalism, engineering and architecture) and other areas that are taught in a foreign language. Students in these courses study subjects that interest them while sharpening their foreign language skills. Course offerings are varied and change every semester.

Class Format

The classes are like any others except that lectures, classroom discussions, oral assignments (and generally speaking, assigned readings and written assignments) are conducted in a foreign language. While most classes are independent three-credit courses, some are one-credit discussion sections attached to a "parent" class that is taught in English.

Languages

Courses are currently taught in Spanish, French, German and Russian. Other languages may be added in the future.

Applied Language Skills

Too often students labor in high school and college to aquire basic foreign-language skills only to see those skills evaporate after a language requirement is met. KULAC helps prevent this by supplementing formal language training with courses that don't require travel. And as you practice your language skills, you can make progress on your major or university distribution requirements.

Specialized Language Competency

In KULAC courses you hone and refine your foreign language competency by learning specialized vocabulary used by professionals in your career field. This language experience will help you master a second language and at the same time make progress toward a degree in your major.

Personal Development and Enrichment

A firm grasp of a second language not only positions you to compete in an increasingly international marketplace, it also broadens your intellectual and cultural horizons -- language comprehension is the key that opens the door to foreign cultures.

Practical Skills for Your Future

Ultimately, the KULAC initiative aims to produce KU graduates who can use their language skill to interact meaningfully in the "real world" of the global village. By more closely linking language study to the pursuit of careers, KULAC makes it possible for you to develop a level of fluency in a foreign language that will allow you to communicate with your foreign counterparts in areas such as business, education, government and academia.

Requirements

You must have a least moderate oral skills and reading proficiency, which usually means you've completed at least two years -- and probably three -- in the foreign language spoken in the KULAC course you plan to take. Exceptions may be made if you have lived in another country or cultural setting long enough to develop language skills that will allow you to participate in both the oral and written aspects of the course.

Registration

Registration information can be found in the schedule of classes (time table) under the subject of the course -- not under the language spoken in the course.