The Catholic University of America

Modern Languages-Chinese Class

Welcome to the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

There are many reasons to study other languages and cultures. By studying literary and cultural values, both past and present, we gain important insights into ourselves and others that enable us to confront the intellectual, social, and political challenges of the future. From a purely practical standpoint, knowledge of languages and cultures will provide a competitive edge in the increasingly globalized and complex workplace of the 21st century.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at CUA is a dynamic community of teacher-scholars with widely varying backgrounds (Arabic, Chinese, Italian, German, Spanish, French, American, Latin-American, etc.), interests, and theoretical approaches. While remaining grounded in a broadly humanistic tradition of intellectual inquiry and scholarship, we are committed to opening a dialogue with other disciplines--including CUA programs such as Philosophy, Media Studies, History, Comparative Literature, Semitic Languages and Literatures, Classics, and Medieval Studies--and with the consortium and intellectual community at large. In our classrooms and research, we thus seek to combine a solid foundation in national literatures with the interdisciplinary pursuit of new fields of investigation.

 

QUICK LINKS

 Interdisciplinary Minor with a Focus on Asian Studies

 European Studies

  Islamic World Studies 

 Spanish  for Health Care Certificate Program

 

FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

AWARDS:

Professor Damiani Joins Royal Order

Prof. Grimbert has been named "Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques". 

PUBLICATIONS: 

  • Prof. Juanita Aristizábal: “El pecado del escándalo: Dandismo y modernidad en Fernando Vallejo.” Revista de Estudios Hispánicos 47 (2013).
  • Prof. Joan Tasker Grimbert: Trans. "Thomas of Britain, Romance of Tristran. Tristran's 'Marriage Soliloquy' and 'The Ending.'" The Romance of Arthur, An Anthology of Medieval Texts in Translation, ed. Norris J. Lacy and James J. Wilhelm, 3rd ed. (London: Routledge, 2013). Pp. 282-93.
  • Prof. Joan Tasker Grimbert: “The Art of ‘Transmutation’ in the Burgundian Prose Cligés (1454): Bringing the Siege of Windsor Castle to Life for the Court of Philip the Good.” In Shaping Courtliness in Medieval France: Essays in Honor of Matilda Tomaryn Bruckner. Ed. Daniel E. O'Sullivan and Laurie Shepard. 95-106. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer, 2013.
  • Prof. Joan Tasker Grimbert: Audience Expectations and Unexpected Developments in Marie de France’s Le Laüstic.” In "Moult a sans et vallour": Studies in Medieval French Literature in Honor of William W. Kibler, ed. Monica L. Wright, Norris J. Lacy, and Rupert T. Pickens. 145-55. Amsterdam: Rodopi, 2012.

 INVITED LECTURES:

  • Prof.  Margaret Ann Kassen: Writing Together with Wikis, presented at World Languages Experience, Arlington, VA, Feb. 10, 2012 and Tampa, FL, Feb. 17, 2012
  • Prof. Margaret Ann Kassen: Transitioning to Hybrid Language Instruction, presented at the University of Delaware, Newark, Del, Mar. 6. 2012
  •  Prof. Stefania Lucamante: “Post-Unification Politics and the Politics of Food.” Princeton University, Department of French and Italian, December 6, 2011.

PAPER PRESENTED:

  • Prof. Juanita Aristizábal: “Through Routes and Ruins: Manaus’ Fleeting Modernity”. Panel: Crisis in the Amazon. The American Comparative Literature Association’s 2012 Annual Meeting, Brown University, Providence, RI.
  • Prof. Margaret Ann Kassen: “Transitioning to Hybrid Language Instruction.” University of Delaware, Newark, Del, March 6, 2012.

All Highlights

 

 

 

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Information for incoming students: The global village 
Professor Damiani Joins Royal Order
Community Service at CUA Video
Mr. Camilo Villarino, political counselor at the Embassy of Spain will give a lecture to cua students and faculty on Wednesday April 3, 5-7pm. The event is part of the European Studies Lectures Series and is co-organized in conjunction with the Spanish Club. 
Tuesday, March 26th at 5pm, Tour of the Irish Embassy
CUA at National Press Club with the Irish Ambassador
The Davy Carozza International Conference Elsa Morante and the Italian Arts, 25-27 October 2012
Beginning Language Courses (101s) for Spring 2013
CUA World Cup: Congratulations to our Arabic Team

Hispanic Literature Conference

Spanish-English Legal Translation Internship Course

Going Global: Launching an International Career Here or Abroad, includes a good list of items for prospective college students to consider when choosing a college and its foreign language program.

Surfing Venice and Its Splendors: Spring Break 2013
Morante and the Italian Arts Conference: opening of the Year of the Italian Culture in the USA”- See the video with Ambassador Bisogniero
Two language minors receive Fulbrights to Austria and Turkey
European Studies Certificate Attracts Students with Global Focus
CUA Enjoys Sights and Tastes of University’s Global Cultures
Thinking in a Foreign Language
The Bilingual Brain is Sharper and More Focused
The 364th chapter of the Pi Delta Phi National French Honor Society
German in a Multicultural World
German minor awarded Fulbright Grant to Salzburg, Austria
Prof. Grimbert Receives French Academic Honor
The Washington Post:  A modest revival for the Irish language by Prof. Ronan Connolly
Kojo Nnamdi show: Irish Language and Culture Class at Catholic University
Boston Globe:  Interest grows in reviving Ireland’s native tongue @ CUA
BBC : Irish language gains popularity among US students
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program Summer & Fall 2012 Online Application Open