Foreign Languages and Literatures
Language is the Doorway to the World
Knowing more than one language opens doors to new people, countries, cultures, stories and global opinions. It allows you to move more freely around the world and explore your curiosity. Whitman's Foreign Language and Literatures programs empowers students to become competent in another language through classes, coursework, peer discussions, and exploring classic literature in its original language. It also improves first-language writing and reading skills. Studying foreign languages at Whitman provides endless opportunities for the future.
Each Foreign Language and Literature program offers unique opportunities to connect your language to a myriad of courses and experiences.
Students of Chinese are encouraged to take additional courses in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and World Literature. They also experience classical Chinese drama and opera, immerse themselves in modern Chinese literature, and study Chinese poetry.
Students of Japanese are also encouraged to take additional courses in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and World Literature. Students are also introduced to traditional Japanese art and aesthetics and studio art classes in calligraphy and tea ceremony.
Students of German expand their cultural knowledge through courses offered in world literature, history, philosophy, music, religion, and politics. Explore Germany's relationships with itself, other countries, and position on the world stage through a new lens.
Students of French take courses in French and Francophone literature, film and culture. Other seminars span historical periods, geographic areas, and topics, from gender in medieval and Renaissance literature to French New Wave cinema, national identity in Québec, and contemporary West African and Caribbean aesthetics.
Have questions? Read below for some answers.
Some Off-Campus Studies programs do require language classes before participation and some do not. But learning a language is a great way to build confidence if you plan to travel to a foreign country. While traveling, your knowledge will expose you to new authors, movies, artists, and many other activities you wouldn't be able to enjoy unless you knew the language. You will always have more options when you speak more languages.
Language is your primary tool for communication with any major or future career. You will only benefit if you choose to add another language to your toolset. Language skills are important in a globalized world and economy. More and more, business will be conducted in multiple languages and in partnership with other countries. It's also beneficial to learn from a multilingual professor because of their unique perspective and comprehension of language.
Yes. Although Spanish is not offered in Foreign Language and Literatures, it is offered through the Hispanic Studies program.
A classroom setting and regular discussion is incomparable to exercises provided by an app. Your professors and classmates provide a language community and system of support that requires you to work hard and succeed. The rigor of college-level education cannot be contained in an app. However, using an app is a great way to enhance learning another language.