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Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures

Welcome

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures is part of the College of Liberal Arts and shares its vision for equipping well-rounded students for entry into the global community. Communication skills, linguistic dexterity, critical thinking and cultural awareness provide learners with the practical tools they will need in today’s competitive, multilingual marketplace; of equal importance is the broader understanding of society the student acquires through cultural exchange in the target language.

Our diverse course offerings range from basic-intermediate-advanced language studies and traditional linguistics and literature courses to topic-driven courses in film, cultural identity, and foreign language business. Students also can benefit from interdisciplinary “Languages Across the Curriculum” and “Service Learning” outreach courses that extend the classroom beyond the traditional campus. Students pursuing foreign language majors and minors and graduate degrees enjoy myriad careers in the fields of business, communications, education and government; many cite their foreign language skills as the foundation for their continued studies in medicine, law, business, and academia.

Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education: to educate is to lead out of confinement and narrowness and darkness.

25 Reasons to Study Foreign Languages

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  1. Foreign Language study creates more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different.
  2. Analytical skills improve when students study a foreign language.
  3. Business skills plus foreign language skills make an employee more valuable in the marketplace.
  4. Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.
  5. Creativity is increased with the study of foreign languages.
  6. Graduates often cite foreign language courses as some of the most valuable courses in college because of the communication skills developed in the process.
  7. International travel is made easier and more pleasant through knowing a foreign language.
  8. Skills like problem solving, dealing with abstract concepts, are increased when you study a foreign language.
  9. Foreign language study enhances one’s opportunities in government, business, medicine, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, etc.
  10. A second language improves your skills and grades in math and English and on the SAT and GRE.
  11. Four out of five new jobs in the US are created as a result of foreign trade.
  12. Foreign languages provide a competitive edge in career choices: one is able to communicate in a second language.
  13. Foreign language study enhances listening skills and memory.
  14. One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world if one knows another language.
  15. Your marketable skills in the global economy are improved if you master another language.
  16. Foreign language study offers a sense of the past: culturally and linguistically.
  17. The study of a foreign tongue improves the knowledge of one’s own language: English vocabulary skills increase.
  18. The study of foreign languages teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature.
  19. Foreign languages expand one’s view of the world, liberalize one’s experiences, and make one more flexible and tolerant.
  20. Foreign languages expand one’s world view and limit the barriers between people: barriers cause distrust and fear.
  21. Foreign language study leads to an appreciation of cultural diversity.
  22. As immigration increases we need to prepare for changes in the American society.
  23. One is at a distinct advantage in the global market if one is as bilingual as possible.
  24. Foreign languages open the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, science…
  25. Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education: to “educate” is to lead out, to lead out of confinement and narrowness and darkness.

Scholarships

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Scholarships

 

Non-Departmental Scholarships

National Italian American Foundation Scholarship Program

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Confucius Institute at ECNU - Chinese government followship for one year of study at ECNU

 

Departmental Scholarships

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures invites qualified students to apply for the following scholarship opportunities which reward student excellence within our department and encourage incoming freshman to continue studying foreign languages:

Castanoli Young Scholars in Foreign Language

Two awards in the amount of $2000.00 given annually to reward high-achieving and motivated freshmen who are enrolled in Auburn University Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures courses.

  • The student must be a Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures Major or Minor
  • GPA based, 3.5 minimum GPA
  • Deadline: March 1st of each academic year

Instructions for Castanoli Young Scholars in Foreign Language
Application for Castanoli Young Scholars in Foreign Language

Wiatt Achievement Award

Thirty awards in the amount of $100.00 given annually to high-achieving students of any foreign language taught by the Auburn University Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures who meet the following criteria:

  • FL Majors, Minors qualify only for those languages without a Major (Italian, Russian, Chinese, Classics)
  • At least one awardee per language
  • Must have Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing
  • GPA based, 3.5 minimum GPA
  • Deadline: March 1st of each academic year

Instructions for Wiatt Achievement Award
Application for Wiatt Achievement Award

Castanoli Abroad Award

Ten awards in the amount of $1000.00 given annually to help foreign language students defray the cost of their participation in Auburn University Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures Study Abroad Programs or in external study abroad programs with a foreign language component.

  • FL Majors, Minors qualify only for those languages without a Major (Italian, Russian, Chinese, Classics)
  • At least one awardee per language
  • Must have Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing
  • GPA based, 3.5 minimum GPA
  • Deadlines: March 1st for Summer Study Abroad; November 15th for Spring semester Study Abroad (of each academic year)

Instructions for Castanoli Abroad Award
Application for Castanoli Abroad Award

For more information, please contact:

Iulia Pittman - Committee Chair
Phone: (334) 844-6373; Fax: (334) 844-6378
E-mail: pittman@auburn.edu

Lourdes Betanzos
Phone: (334) 844-6350; Fax: (334) 844-6378
E-mail: betanlo@auburn.edu

Pedro Cebollero
Phone: (334) 844-6657; Fax: (334) 844-6378
E-mail: pzc0001@auburn.edu

Makiko Mori
Phone: (334) 844-6376; Fax: (334) 844-6378
E-mail: mmori@auburn.edu

Traci O'Brien
Phone: (334) 844-6367; Fax: (334) 844-6378
E-mail: tso0001@auburn.edu

Pam Paine
Phone: (334) 844-6298; Fax: (334) 844-6378
E-mail: painepf@auburn.edu

Books by our Faculty

Events Calendar

02/15/12 Study Abroad Fair

9:00 AM at Haley Center Lobby
If you are interested in studying abroad, be sure to attend the Study Abroad Fair.
Contact janskma@auburn.edu for more information.
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02/15/12 Italian Film Series: Respiro

7:00 PM at Haley Center 3195

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02/16/12 French Film Series: L’Arnacoeur

6:30 PM at Haley Center 3195

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02/20/12 Research Culture Lecture by Kristina Straub

4:30 PM at Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center Auditorium
Kristina Straub, Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies, will give the Research Culture Lecture, at 4:30 p.m. at the Hotel and Conference Center.
Contact cks0005@auburn.edu for more information.
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02/20/12 German Film Series: ADVERTISING RULES

7:00 PM at Haley Center 3195

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Department News

FLL and CLA celebrate 2011 National Italian American Heritage Month

FLL participates in nationwide do Deutsch campaign

Campaign hosted by the German Embassy at over 50 universities in the US
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Canadian Senator to speak on gender equality and U.S./ Canada relations

FLL and CLA receive Tournées Festival Grant

Grant funds Francophone Film Fest
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FLL Student Achievements Spring 2011

Foreign Language students awarded international honors and departmental scholarships
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Greetings from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures!

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Greetings from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures! We welcome all prospective students, our faithful Alumni, as well as members of the faculty/staff and community. We hope you can join us for some of our events throughout the year. We would like to thank all of you for your generous support, on which the success of our faculty and students depends. Your donations make it possible for us to offer our students instruction of the highest quality, opportunities to study abroad, state-of-the-art technology, and experiences that make a real difference in our students' personal and professional lives. Please continue your support through donations to the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and do not hesitate to visit us when you are in town.

Phone: (334) 844-4345
forlang@auburn.edu

Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures Home Page Auburn University Home Page