Department of Global Languages and Cultures

Global Languages and Cultures Homepage

Study Abroad options

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Carlos Benavides (Chairperson) Spanish language and literature, linguistics

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

Marta Del Pozo Contemporary Spanish literature and cultural studies, visual studies, ecocriticism

Stephanie O’Hara French language and literature

Tania Pérez Cano Latin American and Peninsular literature

Director of the Language Learning and Multimedia Center (LLMC):

Sandra Rivera Spanish language, educational leadership

Global Languages and Cultures 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 or Spanish. Additionally, all students are encouraged to use the services of the Language Learning and Multimedia Center, which not only offers global-language tutoring, conversation groups, and a variety of media; but also offers space for research, study and group meetings.

In order to meet the language requirement for the B.A. degree, the Department offers language course sequences in Arabic, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. The department also offers more advanced courses in French and Spanish, language pedagogy, linguistics, translation, business, and health-related topics.

The department recommends that all students specializing in global literature and languages, especially those planning to teach or pursue a higher degree, take at least 18 hours in a second global language.

The Department of Global Languages and Cultures strongly supports study abroad in the major language, as well as service learning and internship opportunities.

In conjunction with the Charlton College of Business, the department participates in the Certificate in International Business.

Teacher Preparation Program Option:

Enrollment in the 4+1 (BA/BS-MAT) Teacher Preparation program allows undergraduate students to explore teaching as a profession through completion of graduate-level education coursework and field experiences within local public school settings. Students pursing teacher preparation at UMass Dartmouth graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in their chosen major, a Master’s degree in Teaching, and a Sheltered English Immersion endorsement. In order to develop a plan towards a license to teach, students should indicate their interest to both their French or Spanish major advisor and the Coordinator of Teacher Preparation Programs. Students may enroll in the 4+1 program once they have earned 30 credits with a 3.0 GPA or above.

Learning Outcomes

The BA and MA in French and Spanish provide an opportunity for students to prepare for life after 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.