About the Department

The Department of World Languages and Literatures offers quality undergraduate education in language studies with emphasis on demonstrated proficiency in the four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and equally a demonstrated proficiency in global awareness, cultural heritage, and world connections. Under the guidance of our capable faculty, students learn the language, literature, history, and culture of other countries to prepare them for professions and for life in a multilingual and multicultural world.

Cultural diversity is central to who we are as a department. This is reflected through the course materials we use and topics we address in our classes, by our faculty who are from different countries and cultures from around the world or who have lived, studied, or worked abroad, and by the events that we host for our students, the campus community and local community. See the “News and Events” area of our website for information on upcoming events offered by the department.

Teacher certification is available in French, German and Spanish in conjunction with the College of Education. Knowing a second language can also help you acquire jobs in other professions, such as international business, government, law, science, nursing, social work, and tourism. To prepare students to apply their language skills in their careers, we offer professions-oriented courses that include Business language courses, Introduction to Translation courses, topic-specific courses that include Medical Spanish, Legal Spanish, German for Engineers, as well as internship and co-op opportunities. See our alumni profiles (link to profiles) for details on the careers our graduates have pursued in which they apply the knowledge and skills gained through their language majors and minors in professional settings.