Languages

College of Arts & Sciences

The Geddes Language Center includes a language laboratory equipped with specialized software and hardware, multimedia classrooms, two video viewing rooms, audio and video studios, and extensive digital media production and processing facilities. The center is located on the fifth floor at 685 Commonwealth Avenue. Orientation to Language Center operations and procedures is given during the first week of classes. For hours and additional information, see the Geddes website.

Chinese

  • First-Semester Chinese

    CAS LC 111

    Online offering. Essentials of structure, oral practice, introduction to the writing system. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

    Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

    BU Financial Aid: Summer Term HUB Courses

    Financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for certain HUB courses in summer 2025, including this one. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. Check out Summer 2025 HUB Course Scholarship eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

    This course is designed for zero beginners. Please note that if you or your family speaks Cantonese or Mandarin, you are not permitted to enroll in CAS LC 111 Online. If you have taken Chinese courses elsewhere, please first take the placement test to figure out your level. To schedule a placement test, please find the information on this: www.bu.edu/wll/undergraduate/placement-tests-transfer-credit-ap/.
    For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/online-learning/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information.

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  • Second Semester Chinese

    CAS LC 112

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CAS LC 111) or equivalent. Online offering. Essentials of structure, oral practice, introduction to the writing system. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

    Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

    Please note that CAS LC 112 is a continuation of CAS LC 111 and is not designed for students who have native or near-native proficiency. If this is the first time you are taking a Chinese course at BU, please complete the placement test and forward your scores to the instructor for permission. Information about the placement test is available here: www.bu.edu/wll/undergraduate/placement-tests-transfer-credit-ap/.
    BU Financial Aid: Summer Term HUB Courses

    Financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for certain HUB courses in summer 2025, including this one. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. Check out Summer 2025 HUB Course Scholarship eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

    For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/online-learning/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information.

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  • French

    • Third-Semester French

      CAS LF 211

      Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLF112) or placement test results. - Advances proficiency in speaking, writing, reading, and listening in a communicative classroom setting. Grammar is studied in context, through thematic discussions on topics such as daily life and Francophone culture, through short readings, and through diverse written tasks. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

      Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

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    • Fourth-Semester French

      CAS LF 212

      Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLF211) or placement test results. - Advances proficiency in French in a communicative setting through thematic discussions on diverse, contemporary topics and media, short readings, and written tasks. Fulfills CAS second language requirement; prepares for Level 1 Advanced Courses (CAS LF 307 through LF 311). Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

      Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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    • Italian

      • Second-Semester Italian

        CAS LI 112

        Prerequisites: (CAS LI 111) or placement test results. Continues study of basic grammatical structures used in written assignments. Emphasis on speaking, aural comprehension, and pronunciation. Readings on¿¿ contemporary Italian culture. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

        Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

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      • Third-Semester Italian

        CAS LI 211

        Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLI112) or placement test results. - Intended for students with a satisfactory background in elementary Italian who wish to continue study of grammatical structures. Emphasis on speaking, pronunciation, and aural comprehension. Reading about Italian culture and contemporary short stories. Compositions and oral assessments including interviews and/or presentations. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

        Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

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      • Japanese

        • First-Semester Japanese

          CAS LJ 111

          Introduction to spoken and written Japanese and to fundamentals of Japanese grammar with oral drills and written exercises. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

          Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

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        • Second-Semester Japanese

          CAS LJ 112

          Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLJ111) - Prereq: (CAS LJ 111) or equivalent. Introduction to spoken and written Japanese and to fundamentals of Japanese grammar with oral drills and written exercises. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

          Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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        • Third-Semester Japanese

          CAS LJ 211

          Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLJ112) or equivalent. - Elaboration and refinement of the fundamental skills introduced in CAS LJ 111 and CAS LJ 112 with an introduction to reading and composition. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

          Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

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        • Korean

          • First-Semester Korean

            CAS LK 111

            Undergraduate Prerequisites: Placement examination, or for those who have never studied Korean. - For beginners or according to placement exam. Elementary grammar, conversation, reading, writing. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

            Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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          • Spanish

            • A placement test is required of every student whose most recent course in Spanish was taken in high school or at a college other than Boston University. Information about the online placement test is available at bu.edu/rs/academics/undergraduate/placement-tests/. The test can be taken at any time, but can only be taken once in a 12-month period.

              First-Semester Spanish

              CAS LS 111

              For students who have never studied Spanish, or by placement test results. Introduction to grammatical structures. Emphasis on aural comprehension, speaking, and pronunciation. Introduction to Hispanic culture. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

              Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

              Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

              BU Financial Aid: Summer Term HUB Courses

              Financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for certain HUB courses in summer 2025, including this one. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. Check out Summer 2025 HUB Course Scholarship eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

              For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/online-learning/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information.

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            • Second-Semester Spanish

              CAS LS 112

              Completes study of basic grammatical structures. Emphasis on speaking and aural comprehension. Readings on contemporary Hispanic culture. Writing assignments. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

              Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

              Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

              BU Financial Aid: Summer Term HUB Courses

              Financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for certain HUB courses in summer 2025, including this one. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. Check out Summer 2025 HUB Course Scholarship eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

              For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/online-learning/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information.

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            • Third-Semester Spanish

              CAS LS 211

              Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLS112) or placement test results. - Completes study of grammatical structures of Spanish. Use of spoken language in conversation. Readings on Hispanic civilization and contemporary short stories. Writing exercises involving more complex grammatical and syntactical patterns. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

              Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

              Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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            • Fourth-Semester Spanish

              CAS LS 212

              Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLS211) or placement test results. - Review of the structures of Spanish. Intensive practice of spoken language. More advanced readings from Hispanic culture. Frequent compositions. Satisfactory completion of CAS LS 212 fulfills the CAS language requirement. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

              Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

              Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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            • Comparative Literature

              • Russian Culture: Literature, Film, and Arts (in English translation)

                CAS LR 289

                Introduction to the history of Russian culture from its beginnings to the 21st century. This course surveys main works of literature, painting, architecture, and film chronologically. It keeps relevant historical developments in sight, and investigates cause-effect links between history and culture. Effective Spring 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

                Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

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              • Arab Cultures Through Film (in English translation)

                CAS LY 283

                Explores Arab cultures with a focus on key historical and social issues through the lens of Arabic films, both as historical artifacts and artworks. Diverse cinematic works from Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and beyond are discussed and analyzed. No prior knowledge of the Arab world or Arabic is required. Effective Spring 2023 this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Historical Consciousness, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

                Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

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              • Tradition and Modernity in Iranian Film and Literature

                CAS LZ 315

                Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120). - This course examines how competing notions of tradition and modernity are presented in Iranian cinema by drawing on both classical and modern Persian literary works to draw out underlying connections between the readings and the films. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

                Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

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