Language in Local and Global Cultures
Mission and Educational Philosophy
Given the critical importance of bi- or multi-lingualism in an increasingly complex global community, the mission of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures is to help students attain the goal of fluency in one or more foreign languages. We believe that true proficiency in a foreign language is not only a matter of acquiring a range of language skills but also the acquisition of a deep knowledge of the relationships between a language and the cultures within which it is spoken. While we recognize that nothing replaces excellent teaching in the classroom, many of our courses feature technological enhancements to course content, such a “Blackboard” and satellite reception of foreign television programs that may be broadcast directly into the classroom.
Our Programs and Our Place within the University
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers majors in Spanish, French, Comparative Literature and Ancient Civilization. In addition, we offer language study in Chinese, Classical Greek, German, Hebrew, Japanese and Latin. We occupy a central place within Clark’s “International Profile,” maintaining close ties with Clark’s International Studies Stream, its program in International Development and the major in International Relations.
Our Department is interdisciplinary in scope. In addition to our courses in literature, we offer a range of courses combining study in language and film, theater, urban history and international relations. Because of our interdisciplinary nature, an increasing number of our undergraduates choose to double major in languages and such fields as history, government and international relations, and visual and performing arts.
We try to establish a friendly atmosphere here in Foreign Languages and Literatures. Students get to know their professors quite well and have what we call "quality time" with them. Naturally, that is easier in a school of this size, but, in addition, it is important to us. Various language groups have regular get-togethers, such as the Spanish tertulia and the table française, for food and conversation in the target language.
Read what current students and alumni have to say about our Department.
Our Core Course
“The National Imagination,” the Department’s core course required of our majors, is also popular with many students from other disciplines. It gives a good idea of our approaches to fundamental questions of language and national cultures. Follow this link for an extensive description of this course.
Our Study Abroad Programs
Our many study abroad programs, where students can earn four units of credit towards a foreign language major, makes majoring or double majoring more than feasible, provided that first and second year students start their planning and study of a foreign language early. Thanks to the possibility of spending a semester or even a year abroad, Clark students may reach the goal of graduating with proficiency in a second language. We believe this should be the goal of any student serious about study in an international field.
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In Foreign Languages we enjoy gatherings that bring together students, faculty, and staff for a more informal setting.
Sometimes the professors bring food that is representative of a country or region where their language is spoken, like a tortilla de gambas from Spain or a plateful of French crèpes. |
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