MLLI Fact Sheet for New and Prospective Students

Modern Languages, Linguistics and Intercultural Communication (MLLI)

MLLI offers an innovative, multi-disciplinary program with a focus on language, literature, society and culture.

Majors, Minors, and Certificates

MLLI Major – 4 Options:

  • One-language track in French, German, Russian or Spanish
  • Two-language track (first language: any of the above; second language: any of the above, plus Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean)
  • Language and Cultural Studies (focusing on any of the above languages as part of a program designed in consultation witha departmental advisor)
  • Applied Linguistics

MLLI Minor – 2 Options:

  • Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish)
  • Applied Linguistics

Certificates:

  • Language Studies: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Spanish (for non-MLLI majors/minors only)
  • Intercultural Communication (combined with advanced study of a language)

Hindi and Wolof are offered through the 202-level.

Majors in MLLI share a common interdisciplinary core of courses taught in English—MLL 190, MLL 230, MLL 301—which provide a grounding in essential issues of human communication and social context.

Another core course, MLL 191, is recommended for MLLI majors and required for students following the Language and Cultural Studies track. These courses should be taken within the first four semesters. MLL 190, 191, and 230 can be taken in any order. Students who have declared an MLLI major may be given permission to enter MLL 190 even if it is closed. They should attend the first day of class and identify themselves to the instructor.

There is no department-level placement test for languages. Placement in language courses is generally determined by previous language study in high school. See the Orientation Advisement Guide for details. Students who have taken AP French in high school should register for FREN 301. Heritage students and students who otherwise have previous experience in a language should contact the area coordinator regarding placement.

Students planning to major in a language should take a language course at their appropriate placement level immediately in the first semester and should continue with the sequence with as few interruptions as possible. See the MLLI Advisement Pathways for four-year course selection at the MLLI website: http://mlli.umbc.edu/mlli-advisement-pathways/).

Transfer Students

Transfer students should meet as quickly as possible with the coordinator of the area in which their interests lie to plan an efficient program of study.

Study Abroad

All MLLI students are encouraged to spend a semester or at least a summer studying at an approved university program in a country where the language is spoken. Students work with MLLI advisors and UMBC’s Study Abroad office on their choice of program and are assisted in course selection and credit transfer. Students should discuss study abroad options with their advisor early in their studies.

More detailed information on requirements for the various major tracks, minors, and certificates is available from the MLLI office (Fine Arts 463) or the Advisement Coordinator (see the MLLI website: www.mlli.umbc.edu).

Typical Schedule for a New Student in MLLI:

Fall Credits
MLL 190 The World of Language I 3
Language (at appropriate placement level) 3 or 4
Second language (if planning to follow two-language track) 3 or 4
LING 290 Intro to Applied Linguistics (if planning an applied linguistics major) 3
ENGL 100 Composition or equivalent based on placement test 3
General education requirement 3 or 4
General education requirement 3 or 4
Spring Credits
MLL 191 The World of Language II (recommended, required for students following the language and culture track) 3
Language (at appropriate placement level) 3 or 4
Second language (if planning to follow two-language track) 3 or 4
LING 210 Intro to Language Structures (if planning an applied linguistics major) 3
General education requirement 3 or 4
General education requirement 3 or 4

MLLI Advising Coordinator: Dr. Erin Hogan                                                          Revised 3/25/2019