Bachelor in Foreign Languages and Cultures: Francophone Studies, Italian Studies and Romance Languages, German Language and Communication Vytautas Magnus University

Graduates will receive a Bachelor's degree in Humanities. The diploma will specify which specialization a student has obtained: Francophone Studies, Italian Studies, Romance Languages, or German Language and Communication.

The aim of the specialization Francophone Studies is to train well-qualified bachelors in the Humanities with a broad range of knowledge and competencies, who have a good knowledge of French (C1 level) and another foreign language (B2 level); who are familiar with the culture, history, politics, and economics of Francophone countries, and can analyze the linguistic and cultural phenomena of the Francophone countries in the European and global context.

The aim of the specialization Italian Studies and Romance Languages is to train well-qualified bachelors in the Humanities with a broad range of knowledge and competencies, who are fluent in Italian (C1 level) and another foreign language (B2 level); who have good knowledge of the culture, history, political and economic peculiarities of Italy and other Mediterranean countries, and can analyze Italian and other Mediterranean cultural phenomena in the European and global context; who can develop relations between Italy, other Mediterranean countries, and their home country, and apply the acquired communicative, cultural, social, and other skills in professional and academic activities.

The aim of the specialization in German Language and Communication is to prepare qualified bachelors in the Humanities with a broad range of knowledge and competencies, who have a good command of German (C1 level) and another foreign language (B2 level) and can use German in the professional field of their choice (business, law, technology, etc.). Graduates are able to translate German business texts, have good knowledge of German culture, history, politics, and economics, and are able to analyze social and cultural phenomena of German-speaking countries in the context of Europe and the world, to develop relations between German-speaking countries and their home country, and to apply the acquired communicative, cultural, social, and other skills in professional and academic activities.

Why Foreign Languages and Cultures program?

• Specialization: By choosing a specialization, students gain extensive skills in particular fields according to the language they learn (area studies, intercultural communication, business, etc.).
• Multilingualism: All students shall learn one more foreign language (or multiple, if desired) in addition to the specialization language.
• International Experience: The program offers opportunities to study or do a traineeship abroad and several possibilities to participate in short international exchange programs.
• Location: Students will spend their study period in an authentic city full of culture, opportunities, and adventures, and hence, will be able to experience the European lifestyle first-hand.
• Cozy Study Atmosphere: The limited number of students in the classroom will allow each student to feel comfortable while learning in an inclusive academic environment.

Francophone Studies

You will be able to:

• Understand and describe language as a phenomenon, define and use basic linguistic terms, describe the main trends and methods of linguistics, explain the peculiarities of the French language system, the geolinguistic variations of French, the socio-cultural context, and identify and describe the different varieties of spoken and written language (styles, genres, and registers).
• Describe the links between French and Latin as well as the principles and methods of Romance linguistics.
• Describe literature as a phenomenon, define and use the basic terms of literary studies, identify, and describe the main trends and methods of literary studies, the manifestations of intermediality in literature, as well as the prominent authors and their works, and explain the particularities of the literature and culture of the Francophone countries.
• Understand and analyze the main translation theories and their methodologies, recognize, and explain problematic phenomena in the translation of artistic and disciplinary texts at different levels and make decisions based on the knowledge of translation studies, intercultural communication, linguistics, and literary studies, and use the most up-to-date translation technologies.
• Describe the historical facts, political and economic peculiarities of the Francophone countries as well as the main features of French as a business and diplomatic language.

Italian Studies and Romance Languages

You will be able to:

• Understand and describe language as a phenomenon, define and use basic linguistic terms, describe the main trends and methods of linguistics, explain the peculiarities of the Italian and French / Spanish language systems, and their sociocultural context, and identify and describe the different varieties of spoken and written language (styles, genres, and registers).
• Describe the links between Italian, French, Spanish, and Latin and the principles and methods of Romance linguistics.
• Describe literature as a phenomenon, define and use the basic terms of literary studies, identify, and describe the main trends and methods of literary studies as well as the prominent authors and their works, and explain the particularities of Italian literature and culture.
• Understand and analyze the main translation theories and their methodologies, recognize, and explain problematic phenomena in the translation of artistic and disciplinary texts at different levels and make decisions based on the knowledge of translation studies, intercultural communication, linguistics, and literary studies, and use the most up-to-date translation technologies.
• Understand and analyze the main historical facts as well as cultural and social features of and artistic trends in Italian and other Mediterranean societies.

German Language and Communication

You will be able to:

• Understand and describe language as a phenomenon, define and use basic linguistic terms, describe the main trends and methods of linguistics, explain the peculiarities of the German language system, and its socio-cultural context, and identify and describe the different varieties of spoken and written language (styles, genres, and registers).
• Identify and describe the main characteristics of business language and professional communication.
• Describe literature as a phenomenon, define and use the basic terms of literary studies, identify, and describe the main trends and methods of literary studies, and the prominent authors and their works, and explain the particularities of literature and culture in German-speaking countries.
• Understand and analyze the main translation theories and their methodologies, recognize, and explain problematic phenomena in the translation of artistic and specialized texts at different levels and make decisions based on the knowledge of translation studies, intercultural communication, linguistics, and literary studies, and use the most up-to-date translation technologies.
• Describe historical facts and socio-political and economic peculiarities of the German-speaking countries.

Graduates of this program will be specialists capable of working in a variety of fields. With the economic, social, and cultural cooperation between the EU countries constantly increasing, international cooperation is expanding, and new multinational businesses are being established; therefore, there is a growing demand for communication specialists with excellent command of foreign languages. Graduates of foreign language philology programs are well suited for jobs in this field.

• Graduates of the Francophone Studies specialization can work as specialists in the French language; they can be consultants, and translators in various science, culture, business, and education or tourism companies, as well as work as researchers in intercultural projects relating to the French language and Francophone They can also work as translators and experts of the culture of French-speaking countries in state or European institution as well as non-governmental institutions.
• Graduates of the German Language and Communication specialization can work as specialists in the German language and politics in German-speaking countries; they can work as experts in economy and society in state institutions of EU and other countries as well as in private companies as they are capable of working in international business, or in the field of journalism, marketing, cultural and other projects. They can also work as culture, education, science, and public communication experts of German-speaking countries in public companies or cultural centers; they can teach the German language in informal language schools or work as translators or specialists in tourism companies.
• Graduates of Italian Studies and Romance Languages specialization can work as experts in either Italian, Spanish or French languages; they can be consultants, and translators in various educational institutions, translation offices, cultural centers, and publishers. Graduates can work as society experts in Italy and other Mediterranean countries in travel agencies, state, and EU institutions as well as private companies whose activities are associated with Italy and other Mediterranean countries. They can work in branches of those companies located in Lithuania or abroad as well as teach the language in informal language teaching schools.
• In addition to the main course modules, if a student completes a pedagogy module, he/ she can get a teacher qualification and can work as a teacher.
• Graduates can also continue their studies in the field of linguistics, translation, literature studies, journalism, education, political sciences, law, and other second-cycle study programs in Lithuania or abroad.