Students

MLCL was created in Spring 2007 as one of two successor departments (along with Romance Studies) to the former Department of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures. Students in MLCL pursue the study of nine world languages, literatures and cultures and of Comparative Literature (the study of literature across linguistic boundaries). MLCL is unique in BU’s College of Arts and Sciences in that its teaching and advising are oriented entirely to undergraduates (although graduate students from other programs are always welcome in our classes). Our courses enroll about 2500 students per year. Students major in German, Japanese and Russian (many students pursue double majors) and minor in Chinese, German, Hebrew, Japanese, and Russian. We have about 110 majors and minors at a recent count and are growing by leaps and bounds. By 2008-09, several new degree programs should be available: a major and minor in Comparative Literature; a minor in Muslim Cultures building on the study of Arabic, Persian, or Turkish; and soon to follow, a major in Chinese.

Every declared major and minor student in MLCL is assigned to an academic advisor; all faculty whose official title includes the word “Professor” may act as advisors. If you wish to change your advisor, please contact department staff.

MLCL presents awards at Commencement to the outstanding graduating senior and the outstanding junior concentrator in each language, and one MLCL senior each year may be recommended for the College Prize.