The Academic Program Furman offers majors in French, German and Spanish. In addition, courses in Chinese and Japanese are offered through the intermediate level and are required for Asian studies major. All language majors take at least eight courses beyond the basic language requirement. While most major courses focus on language and literature, they also examine history, society and culture to provide a complete and thorough understanding of a country and its people. The heart of the educational experience in languages at Furman is close student-faculty relationships.
Classes are interactive and involve everyone in the language experience.
The department sponsors a number of social occasions throughout the year, and students are often invited into faculty homes for international cuisine, films and informal get-togethers. The university also has chapters of several honorary language societies. Language majors are encouraged to take related courses in history, the social sciences and the fine arts. Many students combine a language major with another major, such as history, political science, economics or chemistry. Students may also design a major on an international or interdisciplinary theme through the Individualized Curriculum Program.