Program Overview
Learning a language like Latin, Greek, or Hebrew is challenging yet deeply rewarding. And with a concentration in Biblical Languages, you will encounter God’s Word in fresh and dynamic ways as the message of the Old and New Testaments comes alive when read in the original languages. If you choose to pursue Classical Languages or Latin concentrations, you will have the opportunity to spend time with some of the great minds who shaped our literary, philosophical, scientific, and theological heritage.
It is not unusual for an ancient language student like yourself to spend a semester abroad studying at Oxford University or in Rome to become immersed in language and culture. You may decide to attend the monthly “convivia,” or “social gatherings” that have provided an outlet for students to enjoy and think about ancient languages in some very creative ways, as well as promoted and fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and community with one another and with faculty. While the Ancient Languages major is not designed for a particular career path or specific profession (aside from teaching), the soft skill set that you develop, including the ability to think more critically and to communicate more clearly, is applicable and transferable to any number of vocational endeavors.
You get to customize your study of ancient and modern languages at Asbury. We know that language study introduces you to new realms of ideas, customs, habits, and values. We want you to be ready, both professionally and personally, for the demands of the twenty-first century. You also gain exposure to other literatures, cultures, and world views that can only be enjoyed with the knowledge of another language. Our commitment to the benefits of learning a foreign language is so strong that foreign language study forms part of our core curriculum.
Students are advised to take a foreign language in high school. New students are expected to take the college administered language placement test during Welcome Week. Students completing two years of a high school foreign language with a grade of ‘C’ generally place into 102. Students completing three years of a high school foreign language with a grade of ‘C’ generally place into 201.
As followers of Christ, God calls us to interact with the world in a manner that demonstrates our appreciation for and love of others. A study abroad experience facilitates this divinely inspired cultural exchange by creating opportunities for students to engage and interact with people around the globe. This cultural contact fosters our embrace of all God’s creation and people as well as an appreciation of various cultures and traditions.
Asbury has cooperative programs in Seville, Spain, with Trinity College; in San José, Costa Rica in a consortium sponsored by the Council on Christian Colleges and Universities; in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, at the Universidad Evangelica Boliviana; and in Franceville, France, with Chez Vous.
Of course, our students may go on programs sponsored by other colleges and universities and then have the credit hours transferred to Asbury. One strong advantage of our cooperative programs is that grants and scholarships awarded through Asbury apply to the costs of our study-abroad programs.
Graduates of Asbury’s Ancient Languages program are well equipped to enter any arena because they have learned that it takes hard work and self-discipline for them to succeed in a major that is not for the faint of heart. Whatever their vocational aspirations, our graduates possess the personal qualities and professional preparation necessary to thrive in the next phase of their lives.
Our graduates have:
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