Mission
The Department of Modern Languages (MODL) prepares students for success—global competence—in an increasingly interconnected world. Global competence is a critical component of 21st-century education; it encompasses skills such as:
- Proficiency in a foreign language
- The ability to learn and work with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds
- Knowledge and understanding of other peoples and their cultures
Since global competence is a national imperative, this skillset has a meaningful impact at the local, national, and international levels and informs matters of national security, cultural diplomacy, public health, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
See full mission statementWe welcome you to our website and invite you to explore our diverse offerings in eight world languages: American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Russian, and Spanish. Our expert faculty prepare 21st-century global citizens in language, culture, linguistics, literature, interpreting, and localization and translation. Undergraduate students can participate in the MODL Advantage, which offers opportunities in Career Preparedness, Community Engagement, Global Connections, Leadership, and Research. Graduate students in French or Spanish can build on their previous experiences through an enriching pursuit of knowledge related to language, culture, and literature.