The study of languages, literatures and cultures is an essential and intrinsic component of the mission of Villanova University and of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, committed to the Augustinian and Catholic values of diversity, liberal and international education.
In addition to gaining skills in critical and creative thinking, students are able to communicate with people from other parts of the world, and gain self-confidence, professionalism and a new perspective on themselves and the world through the understanding of other cultural practices. Students are aware of the many benefits and opportunities that knowing a foreign language and culture offers them, particularly in a global environment such as ours. These tools are critical in a variety of career paths, including but not limited to medicine, business, education, law, and the arts.
Brief History of the Department
The Department was established at Villanova University in 1960, with Dr. Stack being its first Chair. French, Italian and Spanish are the languages that currently offer majors and minors in the Department. Portuguese was introduced in fall 2010 and we hope that the study of Portuguese and its lliteratures and cultures become solidly established in the department so that we can offer a major and a minor in the near future. The Department also prides itself in its excellent Graduate Program in Hispanic Studies at the MA level, geared to prepare students to become first-rate scholars and teachers.
