The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers diverse programs of language, cultural studies, linguistics, literature, and teacher education aimed at meeting the varying needs of today's students.

In our rapidly evolving world, we must lower barriers to understanding. Communicating effectively in a foreign language is not simply an exercise in the acquisition of linguistic skills. In learning another language, we also gain insight into the thinking of another culture (often very different from our own); insights which afford us the perspective necessary to examine critically our own cultural values. In our department, we view language, culture, linguistics and literature as integrally related facets of the complex phenomenon of human communication which help us better understand ourselves, each other, our values, and our roles in a changing multicultural world.

Students interested in developing language and cultural competence find a variety of programs in Modern Languages and Literatures. Programs are designed for those who wish to pursue more advanced studies of language and literatures, as well as for the growing number of people who will find ability to communicate in other languages and sensitivity to other cultures important components in career preparation in the United States and abroad. Our programs are designed for those planning careers in education, government, social services, translation services, assessment, literature and the expanding areas of international business.

Our goal is to assist students in developing competence in other languages by teaching the most of our courses in the target language. We strive to deepen students' knowledge about language and the humanities through various means—reading representative authors in the language in which they wrote, familiarizing students with the cultural traditions of the peoples whose language they study, and expanding students' knowledge of linguistics and socio-cultural context. As a department engaged in service learning, many of our majors apply their growing knowledge of languages and cultures to real community contexts.