Minors and Diplomas

Renison offers multiple academic plans focused on learning new languages or associated cultural experiences.

Minors and diplomas are not required to graduate with any degree, but are exciting opportunities for students to gain academic credit acknowledging exposure to new perspectives and skills, while enhancing their transcript and resume competitiveness for future work or education. 

Students cannot complete both diploma 1 and 2, or a diploma and minor, within applicable disciplines. See invalid credit combinations.

MINORS DIPLOMAS
  • 8 minimum courses
  • 65% minimum average 
  • Open to degree students
  • HOW TO DECLARE: request on a plan modification form once at least one course is complete with the minimum grade 
  • 4-6 minimum courses
  • 65% minimum average 
  • Open to degree, non-degree, and post-degree students
  • HOW TO DECLARE: submit in one's final term within the application to graduate form

Not all CLS courses and disciplines contribute to these academic plans, but can be taken for interest or towards other degree requirements. For the full scope of these options, see our Courses and Disciplines page.

Minor and Diploma information below is effective as of 2026-2027 academic calendar requirements.

MINORS

EASIA (East Asian Studies)

The EASIA minor offers students opportunity to better understand a variety of related cultural experiences and languages, opening doors for careers in foreign services, working with diverse clients or travel/study abroad (check out RIO's options!)

  • 8 courses
    • EASIA 100R: Introduction to East Asia
    • 2 courses in CHINA, JAPAN, or KOREA
    • 2 courses in EASIA
    • 3 courses from an approved list

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar 

SI (Studies in Islam and Arab Cultures)

The SI minor is designed to challenge students to see their own disciplines through the lens of Islamic civilization, by exploring the mosaic of Muslim cultures, civilizations, Islam history, and cultural contributions towards a global heritage.  

  • 8 courses
    • SI121R: Islam in the World
    • SI131R: Arab Culture
    • 2 courses in ARABIC 
    • 2 courses in SI 
    • 2 courses from an approved list

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar 

DIPLOMAS

ARABIC (Arabic Language)

Arabic Language 1

  • ARABIC 101R: Introduction to Arabic 1 
  • ARABIC 102R: Introduction to Arabic 2 
  • ARABIC 201R: Intermediate Arabic 1 
  • ARABIC 202R: Intermediate Arabic 2  

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar 

Arabic Language 2

  • ARABIC 202R: Intermediate Arabic 2 
  • ARABIC 301R: Advanced Arabic 1 
  • ARABIC 302R: Advanced Arabic 2 
  • One of:
    • ARABIC 120R: Literary Arabic for Heritage Speakers
    • ARABIC 201R: Intermediate Arabic 1 

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar 

CHINA (Chinese Language)

Chinese Language 1

  • 4 from:
    • CHINA 101R: Elementary Chinese 1 
    • CHINA 102R: Elementary Chinese 2 or CHINA120R: Chinese for Heritage Language Learners 
    • CHINA 180R: Conversational Chinese
    • CHINA 201R: Intermediate Chinese 1 
    • CHINA 202R: Intermediate Chinese 2 
      • Max 3 courses at 100-level 

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar 

Chinese Language 2

  • 4 from:
    • CHINA 201R: Intermediate Chinese 1 
    • CHINA 202R: Intermediate Chinese 2 
    • CHINA 301R: Advanced Chinese 1 
    • CHINA 302R: Advanced Chinese 2 
    • CHINA 310R: Chinese for Business Settings 
    • CHINA 320R: Chinese in Mass Media 
    • CHINA 390R: Introduction to Professional Translation (Chinese to English) 
    • CHINA 391R: Special Topics 
    • CHINA 401R: Introduction to Classical Chinese 1 
    • CHINA 402R: Introduction to Classical Chinese 2 

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar 

EASIA (East Asian Studies)

  • EASIA 100R: Introduction to East Asia 
  • 2 courses from EASIA
  • 1 course from an approved list
  • 1 course from CHINA, EASIA, JAPAN, or KOREA

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar

KOREA (Korean Language)

Korean Language 1

  • KOREA 101R: Elementary Korean 1 
  • KOREA 102R: Elementary Korean 2 
  • KOREA 201R: Intermediate Korean 1 
  • KOREA 202R: Intermediate Korean 2 

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar 

Korean Language 2

  • 4 from:
    • KOREA 201R: Intermediate Korean 1 
    • KOREA 202R: Intermediate Korean 2 
    • KOREA 301R: Advanced Korean 1 
    • KOREA 302R: Advanced Korean 2 
    • KOREA 391R: Special Topics 

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar 

JAPAN (Japanese Language)

Japanese Language 1

  • 4 from:
    • JAPAN 101R: Elementary Japanese 1 
    • JAPAN 102R: Elementary Japanese 2 
    • JAPAN 111R: Japanese for Business 1 
    • JAPAN 112R: Japanese for Business 2 
    • JAPAN 201R: Intermediate Japanese 1 
    • JAPAN 202R: Intermediate Japanese 2 
      • No more than 2 courses at 100level 

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar 

Japanese Language 2

  • 4 from:
    • JAPAN 201R: Intermediate Japanese 1 
    • JAPAN 202R: Intermediate Japanese 2 
    • JAPAN 301R: Advanced Japanese 1 
    • JAPAN 302R: Advanced Japanese 2 
    • JAPAN 391R: Special Topics 

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar 

SI (Studies in Islam and Arabic Cultures)

  • SI 121R: Islam in the World 
  • SI 131R: Arab Culture 
  • 2 courses from SI 

See full plan requirements in the academic calendar