In today’s interconnected world, understanding how language, culture, and storytelling shape human experience is more important than ever. The World Languages and Cultures major invites students to engage deeply with global perspectives, examining how ideas, texts, and artistic traditions move across borders and influence societies in meaningful ways.

This major provides students with a structured, in-depth course of study focused on global literatures, cultural analysis, and cross-cultural understanding. Through a combination of core coursework, electives, and advanced study, the major develops students’ ability to engage critically with cultural texts and to interpret the movement of ideas across linguistic, historical, and geographic boundaries.

The curriculum emphasizes:

• Advanced language study and proficiency
• Comparative and global perspectives on literature and culture
• Interdisciplinary approaches to language, media, and artistic expression
• Critical analysis of cultural production in historical and social context

Major Structure and Requirements

Track One: Two-Language Option

• 30 credits in courses numbered 201 and above
• Coursework in two languages selected from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish

Track Two: One-Language Focus

• 27 credits in a single language (French or Italian) at the 201 level and above
• Plus one additional course in linguistics or world literatures in translation (such as LIN 201, LIN 202, or a LIT course)
• Total of 30 credits

Language Study and Global Experience

Language acquisition is central to the major. Students build advanced proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in one or more world languages.

Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a semester or year in a country where their chosen language is spoken, allowing them to deepen linguistic ability and cultural understanding through immersion.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program demonstrate:

• Speaking: Ability to communicate effectively on practical and complex topics in one or more languages
• Reading: Comprehension of complex texts in languages other than English
• Listening: Understanding of spoken language across a range of contexts
• Writing: Ability to compose clear, structured texts expressing ideas and arguments
• Cultural and Literary Competence: Capacity to analyze and compare the literatures and cultures associated with their language(s) of study

Skills and Preparation

The major develops advanced skills in:

• Multilingual communication
• Cross-cultural analysis and interpretation
• Critical reading and writing
• Comparative and interdisciplinary thinking

Graduates are well prepared for careers in fields such as international relations, business, media and communications, education, translation, and cultural institutions, as well as for graduate study in the humanities and social sciences.