Our Vision

The Department of Modern Languages & Cultural Studies plays an integral role in promoting multilingual proficiency and intercultural understanding to prepare students for life and work as professionals in a global environment and as citizens in a multicultural society.

The Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies is committed to providing vibrant graduate education for our students. As part of our continuing efforts to provide quality graduate programs that attract quality students, we are discussing changes to the current programs. At the Department Council meeting of April 17, 2013, the Department voted overwhelming to approve a motion:

1. to shorten normal time to completion of the PhD to five years total,
2. to replace existing nine subspecializations by four, to be called Applied Linguistics, Literary Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Translation Studies, and
3. to institute portfolio-based requirements.

The passing of this motion now gives the department and its members a directive to discuss and determine the details of the transformations through further consulation processes and committee work.

The transformation of our graduate programs is an ongoing process and we will continue to discuss the best ways to strengthen our programs over the coming months.