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Undergraduate Catalog

Language and Literature

Faculty

 
Ann Cerminaro-Costanzi, Ph.D., Spanish and Italian
Helen Bittel, Ph.D., English
Sara Jane Monahan, Ph.D., English

Goals

Read on. Write on. Speak up. Because words have power.

This motto reflects our conviction that words and narratives can shape thinking, inspire action, and evoke emotion. Those who are most engaged with words can harness this power to make a positive difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. More than ever, students who are able to communicate effectively—especially in multiple languages—are well prepared to succeed in the careers of their choosing. Through such coursework, students think critically, improve written and oral communication, and develop an increased historical and cultural awareness that fosters understanding and social concern, all of which enhances their ability to achieve both civic and professional goals.

Program Learning Outcomes:

The learning outcomes of this program are to enable students to:

  1. Appropriately identifies rhetorical and literary techniques using specific and accurate vocabulary
  2. Develops and supports claims about how a text “works” using specific examples of textual evidence
  3. Articulates the ways that literary texts illuminate human experiences
  4. Situates a work within its socio-historical and/or cultural contexts
  5. Uses genres, forms, and their conventions in ways that are attentive to a range of rhetorical situations
  6. Produces writing that is governed by a controlling idea and supported with organized, unified, well-developed paragraphs
  7. Provides clear and specific reasoning that connects claims, textual evidence and, where applicable, interpretation and secondary sources.
  8. Uses language in ways that increase clarity, observe conventions of standard written English, and contribute to the text’s effectiveness
  9. Integrates relevant and appropriate secondary source materials purposefully, effectively, and with appropriate documentation.

General Program Overview

We therefore offer a variety of programs of study, including majors in:

  • English/Literature
  • English/Secondary Education
  • English/Writing
  • Spanish (Traditional)
  • Spanish (Applied)
  • Spanish/Secondary Education

We also partner with the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics to offer an 18-credit Spanish track for Nutrition majors and with the School of Business and Global Innovation to offer the 21 credits in language needed for the International Business major.

For all students, we offer minors in:

  • Caribbean, Latinx, and Latin American Studies
  • English Literature
  • Spanish for Professionals
  • Writing