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Why study another language?
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Did you know that?
Language is the key to the world! When you learn to communicate with other people in their own language and culture, you immediately open up access to new opportunities and horizons. Learning languages is one of the most practical ways you can prepare for life and work in today’s globalized world. The booming communications industry today crosses linguistic and cultural lines around the planet and touches every sphere of activity. Graduates from our program have gone on to careers in teaching (at all levels), translation and interpretation, international law, diplomacy, commerce and marketing, as well as art, fashion, and design. Others have used their language skills to enhance their careers in nursing, engineering and missionary work. With another language, your world suddenly gets a lot bigger. You have acquired a new resource for making your life a success and building the kind of world you want to live in.
MODERN LANGUAGES & LITERATURES
¡benvenuto! bienvenido! willkommen!
In the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, we teach students to speak, understand, read and write three different languages: Spanish, Italian, and German. When you learn another language, you are also learning a whole new culture – another way of thinking, seeing, and being in the world. That’s why we offer not only courses in language and linguistics, but also a wide array of courses in cultural studies. Through literature, film, theatre, music, and the popular arts, we become familiar with exciting new cultural worlds and learn how to get around in them.
Come and discover Don Quixote and Cantinflas, Michelangelo and Fellini, Goethe and Fassbinder, and much more at the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. The world awaits you!
When you choose courses in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures you will:
- Learn to speak German, Italian and/or Spanish
- Learn about the culture of Germany, Italy and the Spanish-speaking countries
- Study German, Italian and Spanish cinema
- Learn about the literature in the German, Italian and Hispanic traditions
- Take courses such as “Don Juan: The Original Latin Lover”; “The Age of Goethe and Schiller”; Italian Images in North American Film and Television” and many more.
OPPORTUNITIES AT LAURENTIAN
If you want to be truly immersed in the world of another language, the best thing to do is go and live where they speak that language. That’s why students of Modern Languages and Literatures are encouraged to take advantage of Laurentian’s exchange programs with universities abroad. Instead of taking all your courses here at home, you can do a semester or your entire third or fourth year in Italy, Spain, Mexico, Germany or Switzerland.
Italian: Laurentian students of Italian may spend an academic year at the University of Udine in Italy, with whom Laurentian has an exchange program.
Spanish: Laurentian students of Spanish may spend an academic year with the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Ciudad Real, Spain. Students may also take summer courses or semester programs for credit at the Centre for Foreign Students in Taxco, affiliated with the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
German: Students of German can go to the Zürich University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland, or participate in the general exchange agreement between Ontario and Baden-Württemberg in Germany.
Learning another language is an adventure! Studying abroad is fun, practical and a great way to beat the Canadian winter!
Program of Study
Students of Modern Languages and Literatures may specialize in Spanish or Italian, or even both, as their first-language option. Second- and third-language options include not only Spanish, Italian and German, but also Cree and Ojibwe (taught by the Department of Native Studies), as well as Greek, Latin and Hebrew (offered by the Department of Classical Studies).
In addition, students may combine their specialization in Modern Languages with other disciplines, such as English, French, History, Music, or any of the sciences or social sciences.
In recognition of the varied educational background and experience of some persons, the Department of Modern Languages has developed a challenge examination process in some courses. A challenge examination is a test of the individual’s level of knowledge and functioning in relation to the course objectives. A challenge examination is not a course given through independent study, but an opportunity for the student to demonstrate previous mastery of course material.
What do you want to be?
Graduates of Laurentian’s Modern Languages program have gone on to careers in teaching (at all levels), translation and interpretation, international law, diplomacy, commerce and marketing, as well as art, fashion and design. Others have used their language skills to enhance their careers in nursing, engineering and missionary work, for example.
Laurentian offers an Interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Humanities: Interpretation and Values for students who wish to continue their studies at the graduate level. The MA responds to the need for interdisciplinary inquiry on the part of students and faculty from a number of humanities disciplines: English, Modern Languages, Music, Native Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies.
ITALIAN…
The discipline of Italian is concerned with the study of the language, culture, society, literature, music and art of Italy. Italy has played a foundational role in the construction of a Western cultural identity, and so the study of Italian is also the study of origins and development of Western civilization. The research expertise of the Italian faculty members includes language pedagogy, linguistics and the major areas of Italian literature and thought, as well as Italian-Canadian Studies. The Italian studies programme at Laurentian offers language courses at all levels, literature courses from the origins to the present, as well as culture courses on the Italian city, Italian music, Italian society, and Italian critical theory. Each year a course is offered on the various aspects of the Italian-Canadian experience. Students majoring in Italian at Laurentian receive the same type of academic preparation as those who study the discipline in much bigger North American universities. Students who study Italian at Laurentian enjoy a number of different opportunities. Qualified upper-year students have the possibility of being teaching assistants or research assistants. Le Maschere Laurenziane (Laurentian Masks) is the Italian Studies theatre troupe, made up mostly of students, which organizes an Italian language play every year. Incontri, the Italian students' club, organizes many socio-cultural activities, the most important one being the annual opera trip to Toronto. Graduates of Italian Studies at Laurentian are gainfully employed in a number of different sectors; including, fashion industry, elementary, secondary and post-secondary education, art and design, marketing, law and many other fields.
SPANISH…
Spanish begins with the study of a language spoken by more than 400 million people world wide, including 35 million Spanish speakers in the US and Canada alone. Thus it is the key not only to an incredibly rich diversity of culture, but also to one of the planet's largest and fastest-growing demographic groups, starting right here at home.
In the Hispanic Studies Program at Laurentian, we offer a series of core courses in Spanish language from the first- to the fourth-year level. Besides upper-level courses in Spanish linguistics, the program offers a range of courses in culture that includes film, theatre, literature, and popular culture from both sides of the Atlantic. We have both three-year and four-year programs. A specialization in Spanish can be combined with a specialization in another language or even another discipline. In all cases, students are assured of individualized attention and wide open doors to all activities. For example, upper-year students may teach tutorials, work as research assistants, or participate in Laurentian's Peer Tutoring program. During our annual Modern Languages Week, students of all levels can take part in the variety show La Noche Hispana, watch movies in Spanish, and listen to guest speakers.
Graduates with a degree in Spanish have gone on to pursue graduate degrees, as well as a wide range of careers such as teaching, translating and interpreting, communications, diplomacy, law, commerce, marketing, and the hospitality industry . Others have used their knowledge of Spanish to enhance their careers in nursing, engineering, and missionary work. Professionals and business people who are fluent in Spanish have an edge when it comes to getting the best jobs or the biggest market share.
Some of our Alumni . . . What do they say? What are they doing?
"Whenever someone asks me about my experience at university, I can never stress enough how important my time at Laurentian was. After four years studying Spanish, Italian and German, not only do I have a degree and proficiency in three foreign languages, but also a better understanding of the world around me, who I am and what I want to do with my life. Studying at Laurentian opened so many doors for me; whether it was studying in Italy for a year, going to see a German opera, flamenco dancing, or making friends with exchange students from all over the world. The department’s professors are not only great guides through the maze of complex foreign grammar, but also genuinely great people who not only teach a language, but the essence of a culture and a way of life. All the faculty was always ready to help, whether it was with questions about homework or doubts about my future. My professors projected their passion for languages, and if there is one thing that I learned at Laurentian it is that I love languages and want to spend the rest of my life learning!"
Matthew Cecchetto,
Honours B.A., Modern Languages (2007)
(Spanish/Italian)
"The four years I spent in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures are among some of the most memorable of my academic career. It was there I was challenged not only to nurture an intimate relationship with the pages of great books, but perhaps more importantly, to step outside and really experience the wonder of language and culture manifested in my day-to-day life. Even today at the University of Notre Dame, as I continue to delve into areas of language and literature previously unknown to me, I recognize how lucky I am to have had an undergraduate experience that allowed me to develop not only intellectually, but personally as well. And, I know I am extremely privileged to count my professors
there among some of the most inspirational people in my life. "
Vanessa Natale-Rukholm
Honours B.A., Modern Languages (2002)
(Italian/Spanish)
The Professors of the Modern Language Department are phenomenal. They not only share their knowledge of culture and language but their love of learning is infective. At the time that I was there, staff were understanding and concerned with the needs of students. Graduating from this program opened up so many interesting doors it was hard to decide which path to follow. Dr. Carol Stos was an integral part of the path that I decided to choose and had many positive influences that still affect my life today."
Cynthia Bisset-Natvik
Honours B.A., Modern Languages (1998)
Spanish/Italian
"My 4 years in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Laurentian University were by far the most memorable and happiest times of my academic career, the highlight of which was my experience with "Le Maschere laurenziane", the Italian theatre troupe. I am grateful to the professors in Modern Languages for the foundation they provided as it has opened a world of opportunity for me."
Lucia Galluzzo,
Hons. B.A., Modern Languages (1997)
(Italian)
Some interesting tidbits . . .
Every year in February we present Modern Languages Week: there are skits by the students of Spanish and Italian; films and guest lecturers; a variety night by the students of Spanish; tasty tidbits to savour--and 2010 is our twentieth year!
Aaron Marsaw, Laurentian's first Rhodes Scholar (planning a career in International Law) got his start in Spanish-language studies in ESPA 1005!
Professor Diana luele's research interests prompted a book on a part of our own community : I friulani di Sudbury.
In November 2000, Professor Diana luele, published another book on the Italian Community of Sudbury: Italian Faces: Images of the Italian Community of Sudbury.
Le Maschere Laurenziane, the Italian students' theatre troupe, under the direction of Professors Colilli, and Sansalone present a play every February, with several performances for the community. This is their 16th year!
Incontri, and El Club Hispano, our two very active student clubs in Italian and Spanish plan an exciting variety of monthly cultural events: movie nights, bocce tournaments, dancing lessons, pub nights, home-made pizza, fashion shows, cooking lessons, parties...
Diane McLean, a sessional instructor in the Spanish Studies program walked the 800 kilometer "Camino de Santiago" (The Way of St. James) medieval pilgrimage route across Spain during May and June 2000.
Dr. Carol Stos' Medieval Spanish Literature class went on a "field trip" to the Art Gallery of Sudbury in January, 2000 for a private tour by Toronto artist Lupe Rodriguez of her exhibit "El Camino" of paintings based on her pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Each year see trips to the opera in Toronto organized for students in Italian.
We offer first-year courses in ITAL and ESPA for Francophones.
The Value Of Learning Another Language
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Second-language students perform better in English than non-second language students.
A second language helps students gain greater insight into their own culture.
The self-concept of second-language students is significantly higher than that of non-second language students.
Studies have shown positive correlation between the study of a second language and the creative functioning of learners.
A working knowledge of other languages is important for research.
Reading skills are shown to be transferable from one language to another.
Second-language learners have a larger vocabulary.
Today's students are career-oriented, and they must not overlook jobs that require second languages. The knowledge of a second or third language increases employment opportunities.
The knowledge of the language of the region or country being visited, makes travelling more fun and more enjoyable.
Reference: Anthony Mollica, "Language Learning: The Key to Understanding and Harmony," Teaching and Learning Languages. Wellan, ON: editions Soleil publishing inc., 1998.
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Contact us!
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
(705) 675-1151 ext. 4336
www.laurentian.ca
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