Department of Foreign Literature and Languages

Foreign Literature and Languages Homepage

Study Abroad options

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Carlos Benavides Spanish language and literature, linguistics

Michelle Cheyne nineteenth-century French literature and culture, translation, colonial studies

Christina Makara-Biron (Chairperson) Spanish literature and language, foreign language education

Giulio Massano Spanish and Italian literature of the Middle Ages, and Renaissance and Baroque Periods

Stephanie O’Hara French language and literature

John H. Twomey (chairperson) twentieth-century Spanish and Latin American literature

Language Lab Director:

Suzanne J. Pelletier French, Spanish, Quebec studies

Faculty Emeriti:

Joseph A Bronstad twentieth-century German literature and culture

Lewis Kamm nineteenth and twentieth-century French literature

Mel B Yoken nineteenth and twentieith-century French literature, Quebec literature

In order to meet the two-year foreign-language requirement for many degrees, the Department of Foreign Literature and Languages offers four-semester basic language courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin and Spanish.The Department also offers more advanced courses in foreign-language teacher preparation, linguistics, translation and a variety of other specialty areas.The department offers a Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish, and a Master of Arts in Teaching. Students who have demonstrated interest, aptitude, and performance in languages may also elect to pursue a minor in French, German or Spanish. Students of all levels are encouraged to use the services of the Foreign-Language Lab and Media Center, which not only offers foreign-language tutoring, conversation groups, and a variety of media; but also offers space for research, study and group meetings.

In conjunction with the Charlton College of Business and the German universities in the States of Hessen and Baden-Württemberg, the department participates in the Certificate in International Business, featuring overseas experiences in Germany. The department also cooperates with the College of Engineering to provide international studies experiences in Hessen and Baden-Württemberg.

Learning Outcomes

The BA and MA in French and Spanish provide the opportunity for students to prepare for life beyond the university through growth of knowledge and personal development. The aims and objectives of the program enable students to:

Develop communicative ability in French and Spanish.
Comprehend the relationship between literary creations and the values and perspectives of non-English speaking societies.
Understand the relationship between cultural practices and the values and perspectives of French and Hispanic societies.
Develop an awareness of political, historical, business, artistic, religious and ecological environments in French and Hispanic societies.
Compare and contrast U.S. and French and Hispanic creations, practices and values.
Participate in community service programs related to French and Hispanic speaking people.
Explore higher levels of intellectual interest related to French and Hispanic societies.
Meet local, regional and/or national needs.