Ancient & Modern Languages
Departments
Career Opportunities
In an increasingly interdependent world, knowledge of other cultures and languages is no longer a luxury. Students whose communication skills include reading and writing a foreign language and understanding foreign cultures have a distinct edge in today's job market. Career opportunities exist in numerous fields, including tourism, airlines, business, foreign service, government, and teaching. Our graduates have received Fulbright and Rotary Scholarships and an award from the National French Honor Society for study at Laral University in Quebec. The latter award was one of only seven given in the nation.
The Faculty
The men and women of the Foreign Languages faculty are all bilingual and have considerable bicultural experience. Most in the department have published at least one book and have authored numerous professional research papers, presentations, and other publications. All faculty members have traveled and studied extensively in countries where their specific languages are spoken.
About the Majors
Foreign language classes are small and the program is organized to meet individual needs. Students majoring in a foreign language are strongly encouraged to spend at least one semester studying abroad to provide another avenue for mastery of the language and a greater understanding of the culture. In all foreign language classes, teachers and students speak the language being studied in order to reinforce their skills.
French
Majoring in French entails both mastery of the language and knowledge of the history, culture, and literature of France. In the first years of study, students participate in several conversational labs as well as introductory language courses. Upper-level courses reinforce verbal and written skills in French and introduce students to traditional and contemporary French literature. Since Louisiana is the only official bilingual state in the country (English and French), it is the perfect setting for students to study and participate in active learning through visits to other cultural settings. Our French program produces such outstanding graduates that every student who applies for a scholarship to travel abroad from the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana has received one so far.
German Studies
German at Centenary is proficiency-oriented. Students learn how to read, write, speak, and understand the German language and appreciate German culture. Along with the conversational German courses, majors also study the poetry, literature, and history of Germany.
Opportunities to study abroad in Germany are available through an exchange program with the Fachhochschule Dresden. In addition, a three-week intercultural May Module to Germany provides students with intensive exposure to German language, culture, and everyday life. Participation in organizations such as the German Club gives students an opportunity to speak the language with their peers in a non-classroom setting. German majors have won prestigious and lucrative scholarships to graduate schools and for study abroad.
Latin
A major and minor in Latin are available. While the program in ancient languages prepares students to pursue advanced degrees in Greek and Latin, it also provides a challenging curriculum in the tradition of the liberal arts. By exploring the ideas and languages that continue to enrich and invigorate Western culture, participants in the program develop skills of analysis, reasoning, and communication that will benefit them in their personal and professional lives.
The program in classical languages offers a supportive environment characterized by close attention to the academic interests and needs of individual students. Work with faculty in other disciplines, such as religious studies, history, art history, French, English, and communication, often enhances intellectual focuses in Latin and Greek courses. Moreover, faculty and students of the classical curriculum at Centenary participate in Sunoikisis, the Virtual Classics Department of the Associated Colleges of the South (ACS). The goals of this initiative include building a technological infrastructure that supports collaborative efforts among the 16 institutions of the ACS.
Opportunities for study abroad are available through the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, of which Centenary College is a member institution; the Associated Colleges of the South's Archaeology Program, and May Modules to Italy and Greece led by Centenary faculty.
Spanish
As a Spanish major, a student gains a practical tool for personal pleasure and professional advancement both at home and abroad. First- and second-year language courses create an environment in which students acquire the fundamentals of communicating in Spanish. These courses also introduce students to the varied cultures of the Spanish world. In upper-level courses, students refine their speaking, reading, and writing abilities as they begin to study written and visual texts in depth.
Many students choose to combine a minor in Spanish with a major in another discipline. For example, Centenary's business/Spanish program is designed for those who want to complement their business studies with a strong foundation in Spanish. Centenary students have the option of studying Spanish in Mexico, taking 30 hours of the language while living there. They are also invited to participate in the College's intensive three-week May Module study trips. In the past, modules have taken students to Ecuador, Mexico, and Spain. Closer to home, students can explore language and culture by participating in Spanish language tables as well as attending weekly Latin dance classes offered by Centenary students and faculty. They may also become involved in a Spanish language theatre project.
Foreign Languages
For those students interested in a more broad-based curriculum covering French, Spanish, Latin, and German, the foreign languages major may be the right choice. Students study two or three languages in depth, taking 12 hours of advanced-level courses in one language and eight hours in the other. The foreign languages major does not require the same level of intensive study as a major in a specific language (French, German, and Spanish majors must take 22 hours of upper-level language courses), but it does provide students extensive knowledge of multiple languages and cultures.
Other Languages
In addition to these major programs in ancient and modern languages, from time to time the College provides classes in Italian and Biblical Hebrew.
