The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in French, Greek, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, and Spanish. The wide range of courses taught encompasses the wealth and diversity of the cultural history around the globe where these languages have been spoken.

Many courses cross disciplinary boundaries to examine topics in philosophy, comparative literature, religion, political theory, and also cultural, gender and diaspora studies.

In addition to regular course offerings, the department also provides a number of opportunities for immersion through our study-abroad programs.

Students with previous foreign language experience must take a placement test to continue study in that language at the appropriate level.

Vision Statement

As part of its vision, Romance and Classical Studies aims to become recognized as a national leader in innovative research and teaching while preserving the values of the core curriculum. To this end, we will:

• Advance and disseminate linguistic, literary, and cultural research on Ancient Greece and Rome and the Romance world, their complex legacies and transnational ramifications. The range of this research addresses the diversity of human experience by considering the individual and social issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, and geopolitical identity, as expressed in language and culture.

• Form engaged citizens who participate critically in local and global communities and who navigate the world's ever-changing dynamics by furthering students' cultural understanding through broad and rigorous curricular initiatives.

• Create collaborative initiatives that not only generate digital cultural products but also critically examine such products.

• Strengthen pedagogical and research connections between our undergraduate and graduate programs within and across disciplines.