The study of Foreign Languages is becoming increasingly important in today’s world. Proficiency in another language allows students to better appreciate both other cultures and their own, and is the cornerstone of a liberal arts education. It also provides a competitive edge when seeking employment after graduation, since more and more businesses and professions seek personnel with knowledge of a second language. If applying for graduate school, you will probably need a minimum level of proficiency in at least one language.

Our program in Foreign Languages thus reflects the faculty’s commitment to serve two different but complementary needs. It prepares those who choose to study foreign languages and literatures as their primary field, as well as those who wish to use a foreign language as a skill to be applied in another area such as education, economics, business, international studies, or history. The Department offers advanced courses which meet the needs of both groups. The Department has had an outstanding record of graduate school placement; graduates have gone on to some of the best programs available both as majors in a language field and in other fields where a second language is a necessity. McDaniel students have won Fulbrights, national competitive awards such as that of the Alliance Française, and have gone abroad to serve in the Peace Corps, studied in France, Germany, Latin America, and Spain, and found jobs in a variety of different contexts.

Recognizing that the study of language is essential to liberal arts education, the Department is committed to the goal of providing a sequence of courses leading to competence in a foreign language. Specialization in a language may take the form of a major, thus preparing a student for graduate work in the field, or it may be combined with Education courses for secondary school teaching (middle/high school). Competence in a foreign language is increasingly important in other fields as well and provides a desirable dual major in combination with areas such as Economics/Business Administration, Communication, Sociology, History, and Political Science.

Several opportunities to enrich the academic program are provided both on and off campus. Students are encouraged to explore the opportunities for the language houses in the affinity housing program, to participate in language clubs, and to take advantage of the many special events such as film series and social activities which focus on foreign cultures. The Department requires students majoring in Foreign Languages either to live in language housing on campus for one year or to live abroad for one semester. January Term trips provide short-term study tours of major French-, Spanish-, or German-speaking countries. The College also grants full academic credit for a number of programs that sponsor a summer, a semester, or a year abroad. Information on such programs is available from the Study Abroad Director at the International Programs Office.