A Letter from the Chair of Modern Languages & Literature

Welcome to the Department of Modern Languages and Literature at JCU. The study of foreign languages is an integral part of a liberal arts education. Due to our Roman location, the emphasis in JCU's Department of Modern Languages is on Italian language, literature, and culture.

The Italian language program at JCU offers students from all disciplines a wide range of opportunities for intellectual and personal growth. Our Italian language courses range from introductory to advanced levels, our literature courses cover the whole Italian literary tradition from Dante to contemporary writers, and our cultural studies courses aim at providing a window on contemporary Italian culture in all its complexity and diversity. Our language instructors hold a Laurea (Italian University degree) or higher and are trained and experienced in the teaching of Italian as a foreign language. Our literature professors hold PhDs from prestigious institutions in the US and Europe and are active scholars in their fields. We sponsor several events in collaboration with local and national institutions, we promote language and culture exchanges with Roman high schools, and we organize visits to famous sights as well as to the many unknown treasures of Rome and Italy. With the whole JCU community, we strive to give degree-seeking and visiting students a unique chance to understand Italy in all its facets, and in doing so, provide them with a firm foundation for lifelong learning.

The Modern Languages and Literature Department has recently expanded its offerings to include Introductory through advanced French and Spanish courses. This addition has enriched the intercultural curriculum of the Department and offers JCU students a further opportunity to expand their knowledge of foreign languages and cultures.

Isabella Clough Marinaro
[email protected]
Chair, Department of Modern Languages and Literature