Academics
The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures' mission is to transform the way students view and interact with the world. Our programs teach students to speak, read, and write in other languages, and to think critically about culture through its many linguistic manifestations. Undergraduate students can expect to have small classes in languages, cultural history, linguistics, and literature.
In our introductory courses, students learn the basics of the language and culture. Students in our minors sharpen their communication skills and deepen their cultural knowledge, and students in our majors go on to take seminar-style courses in linguistic, literary, and cultural studies. Our award-winning and nationally accredited K-12 Teacher Education program offers opportunities for global and civic engagement. Our students study abroad in locations all around the world.
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Chinese
- Italian
- Japanese
- Latin
- Portuguese
Major
Our French major offers a dynamic interdisciplinary lens for exploring the diverse cultural productions of the Francophone world: language, literature, the arts, politics, philosophy, and other fields of human inquiry and creative expression.
Teacher Education
Our award-winning and nationally accredited French Teacher Education major prepares graduates for K-12 teaching. Students engage closely with faculty and regularly study abroad.
Minor
Studying French opens doors to careers in government, public service, tourism, hospitality, health services, business, law, technology, fashion, communication, and education.
Graduate Students
Earn your Master of Arts (M.A.) with a concentration in French. Students take classes from experts in the fields of pedagogy, linguistics, culture, and literature.
Major
The major offers courses in literature, culture, and language within a setting that stresses frequent and informal interaction of students with faculty and with visiting German students on campus.
Teacher Education
Our award-winning and nationally accredited Teacher Education major prepares graduates for K-12 teaching while offering a dynamic interdisciplinary approach for exploring the German-speaking world.
Minor
Explore new career opportunities with a German minor. Learning German provides access to many fields of study and activity.
Major
The Spanish program takes pride in offering small classes where students receive individualized attention. Add to your experience by studying abroad and getting involved with student organizations.
Teacher Education
Our award-winning and nationally recognized Teacher Education major prepares graduates for K-12 teaching, while offering a dynamic interdisciplinary approach for exploring the diverse Spanish-speaking world.
Minor
Everyone is speaking Spanish, across the country and around the world. Improve your marketability in the workforce by adding a Spanish minor.
Graduate Students
Earn your Master of Arts (M.A.) with a concentration in Spanish. Students take classes from experts in the fields of pedagogy, linguistics, culture, and literature.
Minor in East Asian Studies
The Minor in East Asian Studies provides an interdisciplinary approach to exploring the languages, politics, society, and cultures of countries in East Asia.
Minor in Italian Studies
Students take courses that combine the study of language and culture with the goal of developing advanced language proficiency and a familiarity with contemporary Italian society.
Minor in East Asian Studies
The East Asian Studies minor provides an interdisciplinary approach to exploring the languages, politics, society, and cultures of countries in East Asia.
Minor in Classical Studies
The Classical Studies minor offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Classical Antiquity. Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad where they may earn credit for several of these courses.
This is a newer program. While we do not currently offer a major or minor, through coursework students can satisfy their language requirement in Portuguese. Independent studies are sometimes available for further study.
Interdisciplinary programs
In addition to the department's minors in various languages, our students can also participate in the following interdisciplinary programs: