About World Languages and Literatures

Our mission is to promote the diversity of world cultures by offering an educational experience that gives graduate and undergraduate students not just a window to the world, but a passkey to understanding and communicating with its peoples in meaningful and useful ways.  

Our curriculum ensures students are exposed to international perspectives that build global and intercultural competence through all of our minor and major programs. Because proficiency in a second language and deep knowledge about another culture are valuable not only in and of themselves but also as useful complements to almost any other discipline, our French and Spanish baccalaureate programs support students who pursue dual majors and degrees. Our department consistently boasts more on-time graduating dual-major and dual-degree students than any other program on campus.

Additionally, our contribution to the College’s Applied Liberal Arts Initiative ensures opportunities for students to succeed in the global workforce. Our programs are thoroughly involved in the University’s study abroad program, where students sharpen their language and cultural skills in a variety of host countries.