2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

foreign language minor
You may study Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish—eight of the most important
languages in the world. Within each language there is a broad spectrum of courses. The 100-200 level courses For Lang 321
and For Lang 322 are primarily skills development courses. The remaining courses are regarded as enhancement courses and
are designed to develop a broader based appreciation of a particular culture, history, and literature. These courses also provide
additional opportunities to develop and refine your language skills.
Students majoring in any academic division or discipline may earn a Foreign Language minor provided they complete
four language courses beyond the 100-level, in residence, in the same language with a grade of ‘C’ or better, complete the
requirements for their major, and take the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) no later than two months prior to
graduation. ForArStu 400 also fills a course requirement for the minor
Beyond helping to understand culture and broadening your worldview, studying a foreign language can influence your military
career. Our ever-expanding global Air Force mission not only demands increasing foreign language capability to support
national security strategies, but also provides challenging assignment opportunities for those looking for experience and
diversification. Moreover, someday you may want to return to the Academy as a language instructor, a position that is both
rewarding and career enhancing while providing the opportunity to influence other cadets toward becoming language-qualified
Air Force officers. By speaking a foreign language, you become an “ambassador” helping to shape the opinions that others will
have of our country and its armed forces... a crucial role in our increasingly interdependent world.
Learning a foreign language opens up an entirely new world. The study of languages helps further our understanding of other
peoples, ourselves, and of our own culture. This understanding is of even greater importance for the military leader than for
the public at large.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES (For Lang)
Offered by the Department of Foreign Languages.
For Lang 131-132. Basic Sequence. Basic foreign language study. Introduction to the Language, Culture, and Civilization.
Language Learning Center (LLC) supplements classroom instruction. Students are placed in the course on the basis of no prior
language background or low placement examination scores. Must be taken sequentially. Students successfully completing For
Lang 132 will enroll next in For Lang 221. (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish)
For Lang 141-142. Accelerated Basic Sequence. Accelerated basic foreign language study. Foundational Language,
Culture, and Civilization. LLC supplements classroom instruction. Students are placed in the course on the basis of placement
examination scores. Must be taken sequentially. Students successfully completing For Lang 142 will enroll next in For Lang 221.
(Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish)
For Lang 221. Refinement of Communication in The Target Language. Intensification of aural and reading
comprehension. Student presentations and classroom discussions based on selected readings/topics in culture and civilization
of language studied. LLC may supplement classroom instruction. (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese,
Russian, and Spanish)
For Lang 222. Continued refinement of target language. Emphasis on conversational practice and aural comprehension
of contemporary spoken language. Student presentations and classroom discussions based on culture and civilization
readings/topics in target language. LLC may supplement classroom instruction. (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese,
Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish)
For Lang 321. A capstone communication course. Designed to enhance the student’s ability in the language and culture.
(Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish)
For Lang 322. A follow-on capstone communication course to For Lang 321. Designed to further hone the students’ ability in
the language and culture. (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish)
For Lang 365. Oral discussion of civilization, culture, and contemporary issues (military, political, economic) of the country or
countries concerned. Discussion is in the target language and is based on selected readings in that language. (Arabic, Chinese,
French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish)
United States Air Force Academy Catalog 99