The Department of Modern and Classical Languages seeks to immerse students in the study of a second language and its literatures and cultures in an endeavor to achieve proficiency in languages other than English, as well as an appreciation of our multicultural world.
By mastering a second language, our students deepen their understanding of cultural differences and similarities, exercise their responsibilities as citizens of the world and promote meaningful cross-cultural exchange.
We offer majors and minors in French and Spanish along with courses in Italian, Portuguese and Latin. We also offer a double major in French or Spanish and secondary education, which leads to Rhode Island teacher certification in grades 7-12.
Modern and classical language courses are taught by skilled, accessible faculty members with experience living and studying in countries around the globe.
To further expand our students’ worldview, we offer a variety of cross-cultural opportunities beyond the University campus. We strongly encourage participation in short- or long-term study abroad programs in such locations as France, Spain, Italy and Latin America. We support student internships abroad wherever possible and promote volunteer outreach in the Newport community, where students tutor English as a second language.
Whether they pursue postgraduate studies or enter the workforce in such fields as business, international relations, medicine, law, teaching or government service, our graduates possess the oral and written communication skills needed for success in whatever path they choose, along with the flexibility to adapt to cultural differences in an ever-changing world.