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Mission Statement & Learning Outcomes

We, as a dedicated team of international faculty, strive to educate students in cultural differences and sensitivity. We seek to provide students with the language skills, cross-cultural experiences, and literary and cultural understandings to allow them to navigate effectively within other cultures. Through this process, students are empowered to understand linguistic and cultural differences within their own society. Because we know our students well, we are able to guide them as they discern career opportunities and vocational calling. As a result of this range of learning experiences, our graduates are ready to become citizens of the world.

The learning outcomes of this major prepare the student to obtain the following:

• Language skills that allow students to communicate on a wide range of topics in the target language
• Knowledge of a range of literatures and cultures
• Appreciation for cultural differences
• Experience with living in another culture
• Understanding of differences within each student's own culture
• Discernment of career and vocation

ALL 400-level courses are taught in the target language (French, German, Spanish). Students majoring in French or Spanish are required to study abroad in a French or Spanish-speaking country to gain further proficiency in the French/Spanish language and a keen understanding and appreciation of French/Hispanic culture. The France Study Program, offered every third year, provides 15 credits of 300-level French, communication, and art. The Central America Program, offered every third year, goes to four different regions and has a service-learning emphasis. There are also many Spanish, French and German programs in overseas location, either as semester- or year-abroad programs or as shorter programs during Jan Term, such as Mexico, Germany, and Guadeloupe (French West Indies).