D E PA RT M E N T O F
World Languages and Literatures Inspiring and equipping graduates to think differently as they examine, evolve and communicate with our modern world
Why study world languages and literatures?
Because no matter your destination — classroom, boardroom or digital room that reaches around the world — proficiency in multiple languages is in demand. That’s why Skidmore’s liberal arts curriculum requires students to complete at least one foreign language course. Whether you come to us for one course, a minor or a major, we promise you’ll not only gain competitive skills, but also critical cultural awareness. Plus, we do it with a dash of creativity. Here, you’re empowered to major, dual major, minor, or pave an altogether different path. Combine chemistry with Chinese, studio art with Spanish or even geosciences with German. You’ll graduate as a compassionate global citizen - inspired and equipped to think differently as you evolve and communicate within an increasingly diverse world.
Juan Felipe Herrera, the first Mexican American to be appointed U.S. Poet Laureate, visits with students after a public reading on campus.
Majors: SPANISH, FRENCH, GERMAN At the end of your time here as a language major, you will be fluent in one or more of the modern languages above, understand the civilization and culture that the/each language expresses and be able to interpret texts linguistically, stylistically and historically in your chosen language(s). INTERDEPARTMENTAL MAJORS: Thanks to a tight-knit curriculum community, we also offer majors in Business-French, Business-German, Business-Spanish, Political Science-French, Political Science-German and Political Science-Spanish. Each major is also available as a minor. Right: There are more than 100 student-run clubs at Skidmore and many offer opportunities for multicultural learning and connection.
SPANISH
Students majoring in Spanish complete a minimum of nine courses totaling at least 30 credit hours in the discipline. Students must complete the following core courses: WLS 208 WLS 221 WLS 211 WLS 212 WLS 376
Writing in Spanish OR Writing for Heritage Speakers Survey of Spanish Literature Spanish-American Literature and Culture Senior Seminar
They must also complete three language-study courses above WLS 203 (Intensive Intermediate Spanish) and one 300-level Spanish literature and culture elective and one 300-level Spanish-American culture elective. Examples include: WLS 271 WLS 301 WLS 313 WLS 324 WLS 331
Spanish Language and Literature Discussion Business Spanish Literature of the Golden Age Spanish in the Media Tales of the Wondrous Lands: The Hispanic Transatlantic World
SPANISH MINOR Students minoring in Spanish complete WLS 208, WLS 211, and WLS 212 for a minimum of five total courses (above WLS 203), totaling at least 18 credit hours.
FRENCH
Students majoring in French complete a minimum of nine courses totaling at least 30 credit hours in the discipline. Students must complete the following core courses: WLF 208 Writing in French WLF 210 Reading in French WLF 376 Senior Seminar They must also complete four language-study courses above WLF 203 (Intensive Intermediate French) and two French electives at the 300 level. Examples include: WLF 206 WLF 316 WLF 325 WLF 329
French Cultural Conversations French Poetry The Making of Modern France Current Events: Contemporary Spoken French via the Web
FRENCH MINOR Students minoring in French complete WLF 208, WLF 210, one 300-level course and two upper-level electives for a minimum of five total courses (above WLF 203), totaling at least 18 credit hours.
GERMAN
Students majoring in German complete a minimum of 30 credit hours above Elementary German II (WLG 102). One course on a topic related to German culture, taken in English, may also count toward the major with chair’s approval. Students must complete the following core courses: WLG 203 WLG 208 WLG 215 WLG 376
Intermediate German Writing in German Introduction to German Literature Senior Seminar
Elective examples include: WLG 111 WLG 281 WLG 341 WLG 356
Beginning Business German Creative Writing in German The Age of Goethe Theater in the German Speaking World
GERMAN MINOR Students minoring in German complete WLG 208, WLS 215 and three other courses beyond WLG 102 in German language, literature or civilization for a total of at least 18 credit hours.
Minors: CHINESE, ITALIAN, JAPANESE Connecting different ideas, fields and ways of thinking is a signature Skidmore experience. Many students minor in a foreign language, immersing themselves in the intersections of culture, science and artistic disciplines. Students can also add minors to interdisciplinary programs including: Asian Studies, International Affairs, Latin American and Latinx Studies, Gender Studies and Intergroup Relations. Other combinations include Management and Business, Education Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology and Social Work. Right: Teaching Professor Cathy Silber makes dumplings with students in her Chinese language course.
CHINESE
The Chinese program at Skidmore offers language classes from beginning to advanced levels, as well as courses in Chinese literature and culture. Students minoring in Chinese complete a minimum of five courses totaling at least 18 credit hours in the discipline. Students must complete the following core courses: WLC 208 Intermediate Chinese (or permission of the department) WLC 210 Introduction to Chinese Culture and Literature WLC 300 300-level course of your choosing Students can then choose from various other Chinese courses offered each semester. Examples include: WLC 204 WLC 208 WLC 206 WLC 302 WLC 363 WLC 371
Business Chinese Advanced Chinese Conversation and Composition Chinese Language and Culture Modern China Special Studies in Chinese: The Personal and the Political in 20th Century China Independent Study
Asian Studies majors must also take at least four semesters of one Asian language. Up to eight credit hours of Asian language study can also count toward an Asian Studies minor.
ITALIAN
A variety of options are available to explore the Italian language and culture. Courses in beginning, intermediate, and advanced Italian are complemented by courses on Italian film, literature, culture, and the study of fascism and the Holocaust.
Students minoring in Italian complete a minimum of five courses totaling at least 18 credit hours in the discipline. Students must complete the following core courses: WLI 203 Intermediate Italian (or permission of the department) WLI 208 Italian Conversation and Composition WLI 310 Il Rinascimento Italiano Students can then choose from various other Italian courses offered each semester. Examples include: WLI 206 WLI 208 WLI 263 WLI 301 WLI 315 WLI 371
Italian Language and Culture Italian Conversation and Composition Special Topics in Italian Business Italian Italy and Music Independent Study
JAPANESE
In addition to a four-year language curriculum, the Japanese program offers a variety of courses on Japanese literature, culture, and film, many of which fulfill both the Non-Western Culture and Humanities requirements.
Students minoring in Japanese complete a minimum of five courses above Elementary Japanese totaling at least 18 credit hours in the discipline. Students must complete the following core courses: WLJ 208 Intermediate Japanese (or permission of the department) WLJ 210 Introduction to Japanese Culture and Literature WLJ 300 300-level course of your choosing Students can then choose from various other Japanese courses offered each semester. Examples include: WLJ 206 WLJ 271 WLJ 311 WLJ 363 WLJ 371
Japanese Language and Culture Japanese Language and Literature Discussion Contemporary Japan Special Studies in Japanese: Japanese TV Drama Independent Study
Asian Studies majors must also take at least four semesters of one Asian language. Up to eight credit hours of Asian language study can also count toward an Asian Studies minor.
SELF-INSTRUCTION COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGES ACROSS THE CURRICULUM
Arabic, Hebrew, Korean, Portuguese and Russian Available as self-instruction language courses
WLX 100-level Self Instructional Basic Study WLX 200-level Language Across the Curriculum WLX 300-level Advanced Language across the Curriculum WLX 371 Independent Study
Courses taught in English WLL 231 WLL 243 WLL 248 WLL 249 WLL 273 WLL 305 WLL 371 WLL 399
Mystery Fiction Around the World The World of Japanese Animation Muslims in New Europe Image of the Enemy in German Film 1919-1945 Dante’s Divine Comedy East Asian Cinema: History, Genres and Waves Independent Study Professional Internship in World Languages
Languages across the curriculum A 1- or 2-credit course offered to expand your learning of another discipline by studying it in multiple languages. For a full listing of department courses, visit https://www.skidmore.edu/wll/courses
“View your studies as an adventure, an exploration. Or as the French call it, formation —a training of the mind.” — Joseph Kaifala ’08
French and international affairs major
Joseph founded the Jeneba Project while he was a Skidmore student. This nonprofit works to provide and promote educational opportunities for students in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, and to defend and foster fundamental human rights.
“I began learning German at Skidmore at an elementary level and became fluent while studying abroad in Berlin. This fluency led to an amazing internship with the German government supporting international cooperation, sustainable development and education.” — Megan Pini ’14
Political science major (government) and German and ceramics minors
Megan won a Fulbright grant to teach English in Hettstedt, Saxon-Anhalt, Germany and has worked with social and political advocacy groups in Berlin.
“Studying Spanish at Skidmore was one of the wisest decisions I have ever made. I’m amazed how this language has enhanced both my professional and social lives. Whether I’m helping my students’ families interpret information or conversing with native speakers, I’m proud to be bilingual.” — Eric Moretti ’13
Spanish and sociology double major and intergroup relations minor
Eric recently completed his masters at the University of Granada Spain and is now a Spanish teacher at a top public charter school in New York State.
Change your view of the world ... and let it change you. Skidmore pushes you to follow that sense of personal and academic adventure and exploration. Everything you learn abroad helps shape your ability to reason with, relate to and perceive things differently. It’s about building cross-cultural competencies and connections, something that goes a long way, no matter what you’re studying.
Off-Campus Study and Exchanges https://www.skidmore.edu/ocse/
60%
of students study abroad
118
programs
45
countries
A few of the places our students have gone: • Paris, France
• Tokyo, Japan
• Freiburg, Germany
• Beijing, China
• Berlin, Germany
• Shanghai, China
• Arezzo, Italy
• Hanoi, Vietnam
• Florence, Italy
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Athens, Greece
• Quito, Ecuador
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Barcelona, Spain
• Santiago, Chile
• Madrid, Spain
Ranked Among the Nation’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges Best Colleges, U.S. News & World Report, Niche.com
A Best Study Abroad Program Best Colleges
Named a Best Value College Time Money, Kiplinger, Forbes
For more information, visit https://www.skidmore.edu/wll