the department of modern languages and literatures offers a full range of courses for students interested in language, culture, and literature. the study of foreign cultures, languages, and literatures is an integral part of a basic education and an essential component of one's university training. it provides students with the knowledge to better understand their own language and culture and to function intelligently as members of a multicultural society.

the major in modern language & literatures offers options in french, german, spanish, asian studies, and latin american & latino studies. in our language programs, lower division courses are designed to help students acquire a strong intermediate level of proficiency. upper-division courses strengthen intermediate level skills and develop advanced level functions through the study of culture (literature, history, art, etc.). for students interested in teaching, k-12 teaching options are offered in french, german, and spanish. students without prior language study who are interested in the literature and culture of chinese, french-, german-, japanese-, and spanish-speaking peoples may choose elective credits from a variety of courses taught in english. 

the major options and minors in asian studies and latin american & latino studies include both a language component and a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum. asian studies also offers more focused minors in japan studies and china studies.