The mission of the Department of Modern Languages is to impart to students the skills, knowledge, and qualities necessary to communicate and interact in culturally appropriate ways with speakers of languages other than their own. We accomplish this through immersion of our students in the languages, cultures, and products of different peoples.
Faculty and students in the Department of Modern Languages strive for a deeper understanding of the values implied in the products, practices, and perspectives of diverse cultures. At all levels of instruction we seek to integrate linguistic and socio-linguistic skills with critical reading and interpretation of texts. A fundamentally interdisciplinary department by virtue of its diverse language programs and areas of study, the department seeks to integrate its insights and experiences into the broader fabric of the College community. In fulfilling its mission within the context of the College community, the Department has established educational outcomes and pedagogical goals consistent with the National Standards of Foreign Language Learning:
-
COMMUNICATION: Students completing a course of study will have sufficient competency to communicate in culturally appropriate ways.
-
CULTURE: Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the ways of life and world views of foreign cultures.
-
CONNECTIONS: Students who have developed competence in a foreign language will be able to make connections with other disciplines and recognize distinctive viewpoints available only through the target language and its various cultures.
-
COMPARISONS: Students will develop insights into the nature of language and culture and will demonstrate their understanding of the target language and its cultures by comparison with their own.
-
COMMUNITIES: Students will seek opportunities to participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world and will show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.
The Department of Modern Languages believes that students who have completed a course of study consistent with the goals stated above, and articulated within the general mission of the department, will be better able to participate actively and meaningfully in an increasingly interdependent world.
Areas of Study
Interdisciplinary Programs
Affiliated Programs
Contact: Sharon Taylor, Ph.D., staylor@washjeff.edu
Department Chair
Give to the Modern Languages Department by designating your gift in the online form!
