Since language is the distinguishing trait of human beings, it can be said that the more languages we learn, the more human we become. The learning of other languages enhances linguistic competence and cultural sensitivity of one's own. It is through the languages and familiarity with other cultures that we best learn to appreciate and understand our national linguistic and cultural heritage, to grasp and tolerate differences of outlook and thereby achieve our full potential as citizens of an increasingly interdependent world. The Department of Languages offers Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Russian and Spanish from beginning to various levels of proficiency. The skills of reading and listening, speaking and writing are the foundations of the language learning process.
Students build the basics in the first year.
In subsequent years they learn grammatical structures, composition and conversation. In the fourth year they engage in the study and interpretation of more complex subjects such as culture and literary texts. In order to receive credit the student must complete the appropriate form in Enrollment Services and pay an administrative fee. A comprehensive examination attesting to the student's oral and written proficiency in the language is required.