Modern Languages & Classics

 

Welcome to the Department of Modern Languages and Classics! Our department offers language courses in Chinese, French, German, Classical Greek, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish, as well as courses on the cultures of Germany, the Francophone world, Latin America, and Classical Antiquity. Since the study of languages and classical civilizations is interdisciplinary by nature, many of ourcourses are cross-listed with other departments and programs, including Linguistics, Latin American Studies, Asian Studies, Political Science, History, and Women’s Studies. In this way, students can expand their academic studies and easily set up double major programs or major-minor combinations that correspond to their interests.

Our Department also has a long history of preparing French majors for French language instruction and a large number of our graduates have gone on to teach French at schools throughout Canada. Similarly, many Commerce, International Development Studies, History, and Political Science majors have enrolled in our courses us over the years to receive essential training in languages to enhance their chances of employment or acceptance to graduate studies programs.

 

The Department also offers many Study Abroad opportunities around the world, including in Angers, Mexico City, Kassel, Freiburg, Giessen, Italy, and at many universities in Japan and China. These programs and field schools present students with an invaluable opportunity to intensively engage in language acquisition while living among native speakers and to experience international cultures firsthand, and to engage in hands-on, living learning.

 

The Department’s faculty members have expertise in the study of Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Hispanic, culture, and pedagogy, as well as the study of Classical art, archaeology, and social history.  Current faculty research includes dystopian literature, French nouveau roman, popular Quebec literature, travel literature, Roman archaeology, French pedagogy, linguistics, and Greek art. In addition, members of our faculty have received research funding for their research from SSHRC and the Atlantic Metropolis Centre. Many faculty members also pride themselves on their pedagogical ability and several have won or been nominated for important teaching awards here at Saint Mary’s and at other post-secondary institutions, including the Father William A. Stewart S.J. Medal for Teaching, the SMUSA Teaching Award, and the STLHE - 3M Teaching Fellowship Program. 

 

Why study languages and classics?

We live in a global world, one in which effective communication in more than one language provides a distinct advantage with respect to career and further educational opportunities, particularly for those interested in international business, governmental employment, or graduate studies in the humanities. As well, research has shown that studying another language enhances problem-solving abilities and improves cognitive skills. In other words, learning languages and civilizations opens the world and expands the mind!  The study of Classical civilizations and languages is at the core of the concept of western culture and society, so a grounding in Classical history, art, literature, and philosophy is of great utility for students who seek to better understand the roots of the west in the modern world.   

 

Here are our programmes and fields:

Classics: concentration, minor and major

Chinese: concentration

French: concentration, certificate of proficiency, minor, major, honours

German: certificate, minor

Japanese: concentration

Spanish: concentration, minor, major, and minor in Latin American Studies

Arabic: introductory level

 

  

 

This page last modified Monday, 23-Jan-2012 11:05:48 AST