Modern and Classical Languages
Modern and Classical Languages (M&CL) offers courses in: Ancient Greek, Arabic, Armenian, French, German, Latin, Spanish, and International Studies.
Modern and Classical Languages (M&CL) offers courses in: Arabic, French, German, Latin, Spanish, and International Studies.
Majors are available in French and Spanish.
Minors are available in Arabic, French, and Spanish.
M&CL also offers a major in International Studies, combining coursework in Arabic, French, German, or Spanish with a concentration in one of the following professional areas: Art Administration, Business and Management, Communications, Computer and Information Science, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Natural Sciences, or Political Science (International Affairs). These programs are designed to enable concentrators to take practical advantage of the study of a language.
The Modern and Classical Languages Discipline values:
- Diversity
- Mutual respect and tolerance
- Intellectual curiosity
As part of its educational mission, it promotes:
- Global citizenship
- An understanding of complex issues and challenges facing the world in the 21st century
- Critical thinking based on facts and evidence-based inquiry
In an inclusive classroom, the discipline members create opportunities for respectful exchanges and cooperative endeavors among students from different backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientations.
The 5 skills you need to be successful
The soft skills valued by employers are byproducts of foreign language acquisition.
Communicating and listening well: Here’s an obvious one—bilinguals are better communicators. When learning another language, understanding others and making yourself understood is always front of mind.
Possessing different values and points of view: You may have heard that learning a new language provides a new perspective on the world; that statement isn’t just a feel-good catchphrase. Studies out of Chicago show that even young children exposed to multiple languages are better at understanding other people’s perspectives.
Having empathy toward others: A 2015 study from the University of Chicago indicated bilingual children are more likely to be empathetic. Struggling your way through a second language can be humbling, making it much easier to put yourself in others’ shoes and understand those who are different or whose beliefs differ from yours.
Being a good critical thinker: Studies from the University of Chicago show that bilinguals are better able to pick up on nuances and subtleties. This leads to more informed decision making, rather than emotional decision making.
Making connections across complex ideas: Bilinguals possess many cognitive skills that heighten awareness of complexities in a given situation. Studies show bilinguals have more control over their attention, make more rational decisions, and are more perceptive and observant.