Modern Languages and Literatures
Faculty
Chair and Associate Professor Espericueta; Associate Professors J. Eidt, Lewallen, Muñoz-Solano, Nussmeier and Pérez-Bernardo; Assistant Professors Borja and Ivers; Affiliate Assistant Professors L. Eidt and Forte; Affiliate Instructor Rodriguez; Professors Emeriti Cazorla, Maddux and Wilhelmsen
About Modern Languages and Literatures
The university offers the study of four modern languages (French, German, Italian and Spanish) as well as a major in Comparative Literary Traditions. One-semester courses in other languages are occasionally available.
Learning a second language provides not only a practical skill in communicating with others but also a viewpoint from which to observe the phenomenon of language itself. At the same time, it gives one access to the mental and psychological dimensions of cultural traditions and peoples other than one’s own. Exploring how others express themselves yields insights into patterns of thinking and behaving. Now that communication worldwide has become almost instantaneous, the ability to understand these dimensions and patterns is more important than ever before.
Modern Languages in the Core
The Modern Languages Department contributes to the Core curriculum by providing language instruction for all students on the first- and second-year levels. Courses on the first-year level are offered to accommodate those students who have pursued no second-language studies previously or who wish to fulfill the language requirement by learning a language different from the one studied before coming to the university. The Core requirement may be fulfilled by a passing grade at the Second-Year II level or higher.
In the first semester of the second-year level, students continue developing skills begun at the first-year stage (listening, speaking, reading and writing), while studying more difficult grammar concepts and extending vocabulary. In the second semester, they gain insights into the world view of the culture whose language they are learning. This introduction to the heritage of another country is achieved through the study of literature, history, art and music.
While credit in courses beyond Second-Year II is not required of non-language majors, advanced courses on the third level are excellent elective choices for students desiring to expand their cultural and historical understanding as well as continue to develop their linguistic abilities at a more sophisticated level or higher.
International Study Opportunities
The university's Rome semester during the sophomore year and/or a special term in Latin America or Spain offer unique opportunities for the student to develop a working proficiency in a modern language.
Degrees in Modern Languages
Bachelor of Arts in French
Bachelor of Arts in German
Bachelor of Arts in Italian
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
(See also: Comparative Literary Traditions)
Course Information
Courses in Modern Languages