Cultural Awareness and Diversified Thought

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures advances the study of languages and cultures in order to prepare students to live and work in a competitive interdependent world. In addition to fostering a climate of critical thinking and intellectual growth, the Department helps students enhance their listening, reading, speaking and writing skills and augments their appreciation of varied literatures and civilizations.

In small classes with individualized attention, students learn to respect the diversity of cultural backgrounds and the dignity of all women and men. Some programs include a community engagement approach to learning, providing students with the opportunity to work and interact with diverse populations. In these ways, the curriculum and programs of the department contribute to building moral character through facilitating encounters with different cultures, traditions, values, virtues, and norms. The department offers study abroad opportunities through residence programs in Rome, Italy; Salamanca, Spain; and San Juan, Costa Rica.

The Department fully supports the Standards for Foreign Language Learning developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), and the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP), and subscribed to by the AATI, ACL/APA, ACTR, CLASS/CLTA and NCSTJ/ATJ.

Program Tracks

Scholarships & Grants

Criteria:

  • Undergraduate or graduate student; enrolled in Spanish language courses, and have demonstrated need.
  • Preference will be given to those with a 3.5 GPA or higher
  • The student can be any SO, JR, SR, or GR with a GPA over 3.5
  • Applications are not required (as long as the student completes a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the University Financial Aid Application.
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Eligibility:

  • Pursue a degree or studies in: foreign language
  • Applicant must have studied a foreign language for at least two years and have graduated from a high school in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
  • Complete an application.
  • Have a declared major in a foreign language.
  • Maintain a GPA of: 3.00
  • Write and submit an essay: One-page essay explaining student's interest in pursuing a major in a foreign language(s).

How to apply:

  • Provide a high school transcript.
  • Provide a college transcript.
  • Provide a copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR).
  • Provide one letter of reference.
  • Write and submit an essay: One-page essay explaining student's interest in pursuing a major in a foreign language(s).
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In addition, small grants to faculty and students are available to support research involving undergraduate students. Contact

Student Opportunities

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures supports a number of organizations, projects and activities that offer students opportunities to broaden their appreciation of foreign languages and cultures outside the classroom.

Student Language Organizations

  • Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honor Society
  • Society of Modern Language Scholars Departmental Student Organization
  • Sigma Delta Pi International Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society

Study Abroad

Thinking about studying a foreign language in another part of the world? The Department currently offers two supervised study abroad programs in Europe, directed by department faculty members.

  • Salamanca, Spain
  • Villa Nazareth in Rome, Italy 

Additional study abroad programs are available through the University's Center for Global Engagement.

Meet Our Faculty

Dr. Mark Frisch

Dr. Mark Frisch

Chair & Associate Professor, Modern Languages & Literatures

Dr. Lucia Osa-Melero

Dr. Lucia Osa-Melero

Associate Professor, Modern Languages & Literatures

Dr. Eduardo Ruiz

Dr. Eduardo Ruiz

Teaching Assistant Professor, Spanish

Dr. Carla Lucente

Dr. Carla Lucente

Professor, Modern Languages & Literatures

Contact for more info

Dr. Mark Frisch

Department Chair