Asian studies, European studies and German might all be phased out from 2025 amid declining demand from students to learn international languages at university, and to rein in costs.
The 2023 university calendar lists 78 papers offered within the languages and cultures programme at the undergraduate level in the School of Arts, though not all are provided every year.
The changes, if approved, would result in a net reduction of 45 papers.
Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish would continue to be offered.
Asian and European studies had largely been overtaken by the introduction of a global studies major in 2019, humanities division pro-vice-chancellor Prof Jessica Palmer said.
Her proposal, if confirmed, might save the university almost $1.2 million against the 2023 budget, according to a consultation document obtained by the Otago Daily Times.
It could be considered by the university council in May.
Commentary in the document includes noting less uptake of the study of foreign languages at high school, providing a diminished pipeline for tertiary study, and the increased availability of online tools.
"Whatever the causes, we cannot ignore what the data continues to tell us — student needs and interest appear to have changed substantially."
The proposed curriculum would place emphasis on language proficiency, rather than fluency, combined with increasing skills development in learning languages more generally, Prof Palmer said.
The curriculum would continue to place emphasis on cultural studies, she said.
All current students would be able to complete their degrees and the existing curriculum would no longer be taught from 2027.
The consultation document highlighted modern foreign languages had declined in student numbers, including nationally, for some time.
Russian and Portuguese were withdrawn at Otago in the early 2000s and an attempt to introduce Arabic failed to produce enough enrolments.
Asked if it might be distressing that the proposal emerged about the same time as spending on the university’s logo, Prof Palmer said they were separate and planning for each had been going on for some time.
"For most of our divisions, schools and programmes, viability depends largely on successful teaching programmes that attract good student numbers."
