Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Telephone: (302) 831-2591
Department Website: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/languages-literatures-cultures/
Faculty Listing: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/languages-literatures-cultures/our-people/

The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures helps students build language fluency, cultural insight, and international experience-skills that open doors in today’s global job market. Our graduates thrive in fields like education, business, travel, fashion, policy, and media. Check out our student outcomes here.

CAS Second Language Requirement

The College of Arts and Sciences Second Language requirement is fulfilled by completion of Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Spanish 107, OR Ancient Greek or Latin 200.

Language and Culture

We offer BA programs in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Spanish with Intensive Portuguese, Three Languages, and World Languages Education. Minors are available in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish, along with several interdisciplinary options.

Students can also take introductory and intermediate courses in Korean, Hebrew, Brazilian Portuguese, and American Sign Language.

Our 100- and 200-level courses focus on reading, writing, grammar, and conversation, with study abroad options for early learners. Advanced (300- and 400-level) courses support analysis, interpretation, and presentation through literature, media, and cultural texts.

Three Languages: A Major for Global Communicators

Exclusive to UD, the Three Languages major is a 49-credit program for students eager to engage with multiple languages and cultures. Students work closely with the program advisor-ideally in their first semester (or second for World Scholars)-to map out language coursework and study abroad plans. The major is flexible, allowing students to focus on areas like Critical Languages, Asian Languages, Latin American Languages, or other tailored combinations.

Language Teacher Education

The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures administers the BA program in Language Education leading to certification for teaching Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin (including a concentration in Classics), and Spanish for grades K-12. There is currently a critical need for language teachers in Delaware and across the country. For more information, contact the program coordinator and advisor.

Game Studies

The major and minor in Game Studies prepare students for careers in the video game industry and related fields. Today’s video game developers and publishers are not just looking for qualified programmers and designers, they need well-balanced experts in cultural awareness, marketing, management, education, communication, and law. Meanwhile, the surging popularity of Esports, live streaming, and indie game development shows how global game culture continues to grow and diversify in the 21st century.

Placement and Duplicate Credit

Students with up to two years of high school foreign language or the equivalent will be placed at the 105 level, students with three years will be placed at the 106 level, and students with four or more years will be placed at the 107 level. Exceptions to this rule can be made only upon the recommendation of the Language Placement Advisor. Click here for detailed information on placement, transfer credit, and AP/IB credit. We also accept the Global Seal of Biliteracy and Delaware Certificate of Multiliteracy.

Study Abroad

We offer winter and summer programs for beginning language students in Spain, Latin America, France, Martinique, Germany, Italy, Morocco, and other sites. Intermediate language students can participate in winter and/or summer session programs in Argentina, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Martinique, Spain, Latvia, or Morocco. For advanced language students, we offer semester programs in Aix, Granada, Rome, and Akita, Japan. Please consult the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures Study Abroad or the Center for Global Programs and Services for program details.

Language Certificate Program

Language Certificates: Global Skills for Any Major

The Language Certificate Program gives non-majors the chance to develop meaningful language and cultural skills through focused study and immersion. Students complete two courses abroad through DLLC study abroad programs and two on campus in the target language. Certificates are not available in a language a student is already majoring or minoring in.

We also offer a specialized German for Engineering Certificate, designed exclusively for students in the College of Engineering.

Certificate in Applied AI for Arts, Media & Society

This hands-on certificate trains students to use mainstream AI tools to create and analyze text, images, and video across diverse cultural and social contexts. Students explore how generative AI can support research, creativity, analysis and communication, while developing critical awareness of its ethical impacts.

Global and Area Studies

Language majors and minors combine well with majors and minors in global and area studies, including African Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, Global Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, and Latin American & Iberian Studies. Area and global studies programs combined with language expertise, provide students with skills for working in international settings, research organizations, government, and NGOs.

Interdisciplinary Joint Majors

We offer interdisciplinary Art History and Language majors in:

Art History/Ancient Greek and Roman Studies
Art History/Chinese Studies
Art History/French Studies
Art History/German Studies
Art History/Italian Studies
Art History/Japanese Studies
Art History/Russian Studies
Art History/ Spanish Studies
Art History/Three Languages

Comparative Literature Program

The BA in comparative Literature explores literary themes, forms, and their connections to other disciplines. With guidance from the program coordinator, students design an individualized course of study. The program requires advanced work in at least one foreign language and includes courses offered jointly with Art History, English, Philosophy, Anthropology, and more.

Programs

Major

Minor

Honors Degree

4+1

Italian Studies 4+1 (BA/MA)

Certificate