What is the Department of Classical and Modern Languages?

The Department of Classical and Modern Languages is home to several language disciplines: Arabic, American Sign Language, Chinese, Classics (Latin and Greek), French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.  We have baccalaureate programs in French, Spanish and American Sign Language.  Our minor programs include American Sign Language, Chinese, Classics,  French, Italian, Spanish, Russian Studies, and Foreign Language Literature. 

Our faculty is committed to excellence in teaching, and we hope you will enjoy taking courses in our department. Learning a foreign language is an important part of basic education. In our classes, we will help you learn to speak and read a foreign language, and also teach you something about life and culture in foreign countries. As an added benefit, you will gain a better understanding of your own language and culture. You will even find language useful in your career. The connection between foreign languages and jobs is becoming increasingly important. Today's job market is difficult, but if you have a skill - plus a foreign language - your chances of finding an interesting job are often better than those of someone who has no language skills at all. With greater involvement in international business by U.S. companies, a language background is a vital and valuable preparation for a rewarding career. In addition, language brings the world closer; travel becomes more pleasurable, literature and art more meaningful. By learning a foreign language, you make a sound investment in yourself and in your life.

And a Career?

The need for people with knowledge of a foreign language is constantly increasing. Training in Classical and Modern Languages prepares students to enter most professional schools, including law, business, and medicine, with proper advising. Many students go into teaching. However, there are many other career options where knowledge of a foreign language and literature is a plus, including government work, law enforcement, travel and tourism, business, and communications.

Faculty

The faculty of the Department of Classical and Modern Languages consists of  twenty eight full-time faculty.  There are twelve professors of Spanish, six professors of French, two professors of German,  two of Classics (Latin and Greek), two of Chinese, one of Italian, one of Russian, one of Portuguese, and one of American Sign Language.  These faculty are assisted in their teaching by well-qualified part-time faculty and graduate students.  The full-time faculty are all committed teachers and scholars, whose research interests are as varied as they are.

Special Features

The Department of Classical and Modern Languages has at its disposal several endowed scholarships whose funds are used to assist students who want to travel to foreign countries for the purpose of increasing their language abilities. These funds are available only to students (majors and minors) of the department. Additionally, there are endowed scholarships in French and Spanish which provide tuition assistance for majors in those languages.