Languages & Cultural Studies

The School of Professional & Continuing Studies offers classes and programs focused on the study of languages and cultures.

Our classes and programs cover American and non-American languages, histories, politics, society and cultures. We generally offer classes in the following categories.

  • Languages: American Sign Language (ASL), English (for Non-Native Speakers), French, Italian, Spanish
  • Cultural Enrichment: Classes designed especially for international au pairs
  • Politics and Government: Programs in Campaign Management and Grassroots Lobbying & Advocacy

Our Languages & Cultural Studies classes and programs seek to extend the values and resources of a liberal arts education into studying domestic and international cultural norms, politics, influence, values and languages.

The selections listed in the tabs below represent a portion of what we have to offer. Additional listings are available and include a wide range of classes.

Registration

In the tabs below, classes and programs include a registration link. For specific information on how to register for online classes, review the information in the Registering through Online Partners tab below. Procedures differ slightly by partner, but may all be completed online.

Programming Levels

In our Professional Education & Enrichment areas of study, we seek to provide a selection of coursework and programs that meet different enrichment and workforce levels of study. Each is described below:

  • Career-curious and enrichment: Designed to explore a career or expand an interest
  • Career-level: Designed to build skills or shift to a new career
Expand All
  • Career-Curious & Enrichment Programs

    Language

    Beginning Conversational French

    Online: Prepare for your next trip to France by mastering the basics of conversational French. This course will provide you with proper pronunciation of French words that you’ll use in your travels as well as cultural tips including appropriate gestures and body language. Instructor-led (start dates vary) or self-paced (three months access) through ed2go.

    Conversational Japanese

    Online: Prepare for your next trip to Japan by mastering the basics of conversational Japanese. This course, taught by a native Japanese instructor, will provide you with useful words phrases for conversing with easy and unique cultural insights from a native Japanese instructor. Instructor-led (start dates vary) or self-paced (three months access) through ed2go.

    Discover Sign Language

    Online: Gain confidence in your ability to sign with the Deaf community. This course immerses you in silence to help you gain an understanding of the perspective of the hearing impaired and uses videos to demonstrate not only how to make signs, but how to communicate with facial expression. Instructor-led (start dates vary) or self-paced (three months access) through ed2go.

    Cultural Studies & Enrichment

    Au Pair Education Program

    Online: UR Au Pair at the University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies (SPCS) is a program designed to help international au pairs fulfill their required annual educational credits while immersing themselves in the rich cultural traditions of Richmond, Virginia. Instructor-led (start dates vary) through SPCS. Look for one, two and three au pair credits options for Cultural Perspectives.

  • Career-Level Programs
    Grassroots Lobbying & Advocacy Professional Certificate

    Online: Certificate earners will study the history of lobbying and examine how the legislative process works, key tactics used by groups in order to promote different issues, building coalitions, relationship building and ethical concerns. Certificate holders will leave the program with the skills needed to step into grassroots lobbying or professional advocacy roles in most any field as well as the knowledge to support personal causes through grassroots lobbying or advocacy. Instructional team-led (start dates vary) through SPCS.

    Political Campaign Management Professional Certificate

    Online: Certificate earners will gain the expertise and knowledge fundamental to campaign management, from conducting oppositions research, to building political coalitions, to creating a relevant policy platform that resonates with voters. Certificate holders will leave the program with the skills needed to step into professional campaign staff roles, in any discipline. Instructional team-led (start dates vary) through SPCS.