Modern Languages
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers programs of study in a variety of languages, literatures, and cultures. Its foundational courses teach students to comprehend, read, write, and speak effectively in another language, and its advanced courses help students begin to think across cultures and critically analyze major literary texts and other cultural productions. The Department also provides students with a greater awareness and appreciation of diverse peoples and cultures, as well as a greater sensitivity towards the problems and issues facing the world today.
Students may pursue a BA in French Studies; a BA in Italian and Italian Diaspora Studies; or a BA in Spanish. We offer minors in French, Italian, Spanish, Latin American Studies, and Philippine Studies. Additionally, the University offers many languages as part of the consortium with Lehman College, including Arabic, Chinese, Irish, Japanese, Latin, and Russian. Select advanced courses in French, Italian, and Spanish not offered at Mount Saint Vincent may also been taken through the consortium.
Modern language degrees offer many advantages to a wide range of careers including teaching, publishing, translating and interpreting, international business and marketing, medicine and healthcare, law and criminal justice. A background in modern languages also serves those seeking employment in a variety of non-profit organizations, the United States government, and the United Nations. Modern language degrees better prepare students for advanced study in the fields of education, literature, linguistics, cultural studies, international relations, peace studies, and conflict resolution, as well as graduate research in the social sciences and the humanities.
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures encourages all students to study abroad. We regularly run faculty-led programs, and we also collaborate with the University’s Study Abroad Office to help students explore the many other semester and summer study abroad opportunities that are available to them.
Departmental Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Comprehend and read proficiently in the language of study at a complex level.
- Speak the language effectively before a group.
- Write critical, well-researched, well-developed, and convincing essays in the language of study.
- Demonstrate a knowledge and appreciation of the history and cultural traditions of the regions in which the language is spoken.
- Employ the techniques of modern analysis and criticism to major literary texts, thereby demonstrating the ability to think critically and logically.
- Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze non-literary cultural productions in the language of study (i.e., film, music, visual and performing arts).
Contact
(718) 405-3305
[email protected]
Founders Hall A303