The International Languages and Cultures (ILC) major and minor currently offer studies in Chinese, French, German, Latin American Studies and Spanish. Students majoring in ILC are required to produce an independently designed and closely mentored 8-credit St. Mary’s Project in their senior year.
As human beings we are increasingly confronted with the need to live in a globalized context. One of the major challenges facing our society is to understand and learn how to work collaboratively with other societies in search of common interests. We are increasingly in need of professionals who have both linguistic and cultural literacy that extends beyond the English-speaking world. The ILC curriculum is designed to provide our students with a unique and adaptable set of skills across languages and cultures: critical thinking, an ability to negotiate ambiguity and difference, strong communication skills, facility with metaphor, and global awareness.
The major incorporates an elective 8-credit intra or cross-disciplinary field of focus in language, literary or cultural studies beyond the core courses in the area of concentration. 12 credits in the case of Chinese, and up to 28 credits in the case of Latin American Studies. This integrated elective field of focus enables students to combine their area concentration with study in other fields, either within or outside the department.
Students preparing to pursue postgraduate studies in their area of concentration, or planning a career in teaching or translation, are advised to take their elective credits within that area and language. Students who wish to pursue a double major or who seek careers in international fields such as business, diplomacy, law, or are interested in social service careers, are encouraged to take their elective credits in an appropriate cross-disciplinary area.
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Latin American Studies
- Spanish
Chinese
The Chinese concentration offers courses that cover culture, literature and films from the Chinese language-speaking world, and oversea Chinese experiences (Chinese Diaspora and Chinese American studies). As a Chinese major, students will acquire both linguistic and cultural competency. They are expected to examine the concept of being “Chinese” from synchronic/diachronic, linguistic, and cultural perspectives (Asian Studies, Asian American Studies, and Chinese Diaspora), as well as look into the relationships between China and other countries. Students have the option to spend a semester or a year at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.
The Chinese concentration includes the following areas of study:
- Language & Culture (Films and Culture Studies)
- Literature & Translation
- Chinese Diaspora & Chinese American Literature
- Asian Studies
French
The French concentration provides coverage of both Metropolitan France, as well as the broader field of Francophone cultures in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. In your studies, you’ll also be required to take a language course in a language other than French, in order to further be exposed to the structures of languages, and to increase your global perspective.
The French concentration includes the following areas of study:
- Language
- Literature
- Culture and Civilization
- Translation
- Special Topics
You’ll be encouraged to increase your global perspective, and language and cultural fluency. Throughout your studies, you’ll increase your knowledge of the French language and culture, and have the chance to study abroad to related countries.
German
The German concentration explores the following areas of study:
- Language- Conversation and Composition
- Culture/History- including everyday life in the 20th century
- Civilization/History
- Grammar and Translation
- Literature
- Special Topics
In addition to your German culture, literature, and language studies, you’ll be required to take a class in a language other than German in order to increase your awareness of linguistic structures, and to broaden your global awareness. The German study focuses in language, history, culture, and literature.
Latin American Studies
Students in the Latin American Studies program examine North, Central and South America and the Caribbean through a variety of disciplinary lenses. You will take courses in Spanish language and Latin American cultural expression, History, Art History, Political Science and Economics with experts from departments across campus to achieve a broad and nuanced understanding of the region.
The Latin American Studies concentration includes the following areas of study:
- Language
- Literature
- Film
- Culture and Civilization
- Translation
- History
- Art History
- Political Science
- Economics
You’ll be encouraged to increase your linguistic and intercultural proficiency as you learn about Spanish and Latin American societies. You’ll also have the opportunity to study abroad in regions you study.
Spanish
The Spanish program offers a wide range of classes that explore language alongside the intertwined legacies and varied cultural expression of Spain, the twenty Latin American countries in which Spanish is an official language, and the US, home to one of the largest Spanish-speaking populations in the world. During your studies, you’ll also be required to take a language course in a language other than Spanish, in order to expand your understanding of language structures and your global perspective.
The Spanish concentration includes the following areas of study:
- Language
- Literature
- Culture and Civilization
- Translation
- Special Topics
You’ll be encouraged to increase your linguistic and intercultural proficiency. Your courses will increase your knowledge of Spanish and Latin American societies, and you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad in regions you study.