GUIDING PRINCIPLES

PROGRAM MISSION

A more peaceful and just world is possible when people understand the languages, cultures, and values of the world’s citizens. Our program promotes Villanova’s commitment to the Augustinian values of diversity, holistic education, and the pursuit of justice.

In addition to gaining skills in critical and creative thinking, our students interact with a diverse set of individuals from other parts of the world, which fosters self-awareness and professionalism. By experiencing cultural practices that may differ from their own, they develop a more nuanced perspective of themselves and global issues. Students also discover the many opportunities that multilingualism and intercultural competence offer in today’s global economy. Students develop skills that are critical to success in most professional career paths, including medicine, business, education, law, technology, and the arts.

LEARNING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Career Readiness: Find rewarding employment and service opportunities that engage linguistic and cultural knowledge and enable graduates to address issues of injustice and inequality in society
Linguistic Competence: Clearly and concisely articulate, debate, and defend one’s viewpoints; develop an advanced level of proficiency in a foreign
Critical Thinking: Integrate knowledge from various disciplines to develop a comprehensive view of language, culture, and society—then express this interrelationship succinctly and effectively through the lenses of several approaches
Content Mastery: Develop breadth and depth of knowledge on multiple literary genres, historical trends, theoretical frameworks, and linguistic features of Romance languages
Cultural Fluency: Recognize and critically address issues of cultural diversity by reviewing key debates/movements and conducting community-centered research

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Diversity is at the heart of our community. It informs our teaching, research, and service. Our culturally diverse faculty advance a commitment to understanding differences throughout the Italian-speaking worlds.

We articulate the value of listening to a plurality of perspectives in both contemporary and historical contexts. Our classes acknowledge the range of disparities present around us, giving students the tools to address inequality. Our graduates carry this knowledge and these skills into the wider world, contributing to a better-connected, more tolerant and just society.