About the Department

About the Department

The department offers students the opportunity of acquiring or advancing communication skills in the French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Russian, and Spanish languages. Also, Arabic and Chinese are currently being offered as special topics. Degree programs focusing on foreign literatures, cultures, and societies through the medium of their own language are available in French, German, and Spanish. Students of German may also select the interdisciplinary German Studies (q.v.) option. A concentration in Russian is provided through the Russian Studies program (q.v.). All courses and programs contribute to the students’ general liberal education by giving it a broader, as well as an international dimension. In addition, the department's LC Commons, a state-of-the-art technological facility, provides computer based, multi-media instructional material as well as short-wave, cable and satellite reception for student use in support of these programs.

The department strongly encourages students to participate in a study abroad experience. The College, through the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC), offers summer programs abroad in Germany, Spain and Italy, as well as a semester program in Bonn, Germany. Qualified students desiring to spend a Junior Year Abroad may enroll in approved accredited programs sponsored by other colleges and universities. For further details students should consult with the head of the department, their major advisor, as well as with the Director of International Programs. Applications for approval of study abroad must usually be filed with the Director of International Programs no later than the beginning of the spring semester of the preceding academic year.

The Dept. of Languages, Literatures & Cultures is located on the 1st floor of Ettinger along with the Language & Culture (LC) Commons and two faculty suites.