• Course Offerings
  • French
  • Italian
  • Linguistics
  • Spanish
• Majors and Minors in French, Spanish, Italian and Linguistics
• Graduate Programs
• CAS Language Requirements
• Placement Test Information
• Study Abroad
• Other Language-Related Departments and Programs

Undergraduate Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Major and minor concentrations are offered in

• French
• Italian
• Spanish
• Linguistics

See the CAS Bulletin for more information.

Why Major or Minor in French, Spanish, or Linguistics

The major in French gives students intimate knowledge of a language spoken by an estimated 200 million people, with significant populations in 54 countries. As with Spanish, the study of French language, literature and culture, acquaints students with one of the world's great literary and cultural traditions, and introduces them to the encounter between European cultures and those of other parts of the world.

Majors and minors in Italian Studies acquire deep knowledge of one of Europe's oldest and richest cultural traditions, extending from Dante to the present. Given the greatness of Italy's artistic traditions, the study of Italian combines usefully with that of music and the fine arts, and gives students insight into a major component of modern North American culture.

Spanish majors explore the literature, culture, film and language spoken by an estimated 322 to 400 million people worldwide. A knowledge of Spanish — and of the cultures of Spain and Latin America — is of great importance in the U.S., where over 28 million people report speaking Spanish as a native language in their homes. With its origins in the multicultural Spain of the Middle Ages, literature written in Spanish is one of the world's greatest traditions.

Majors and minors in Spanish, French, or Italian can be combined with the study of Linguistics and of a wide range of subjects, from Art History to the Sciences. Consult with the RS faculty or with our Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Linguistics majors study the nature, structure, and function of language, "both as a fundamental human faculty and as a changing social institution" (Linguistic Society of America). An undergraduate major in Linguistics is excellent preparation for a wide variety of jobs and for continued study in many related disciplines. You'll find more information on the Linguistics website.

The Linguistics Program is located at 621 Commonwealth Avenue.

See the CAS Bulletin for further information.

Declaring a Major or Minor

• To declare or change your major or minor, this is the form that CAS students need to submit to CAS (B-3)*** (Students in other colleges should follow the instructions from their own colleges for declaring or changing a minor.)
• Once you have declared a major or a minor with CAS, please go to this Web page, and we will get you set up very quickly with an advisor. (Students from other colleges should also go to this Web page so that an advisor can be assigned.  However, if an advisor's signature is required to declare a minor in another college, students should register at this web site before declaring their minor officially with their own college.)

***You will need to include the code for your Romance Studies major or minor:

Majors

• French Language and Literature: 1132
• Hispanic Language and Literature: 1135
• Italian Studies: 1131
• Linguistics: 1505

Minors

• French: 1102
• Italian: 1104
• Linguistics: 1505
• Spanish: 1105

Advisor Assignment

If you need to request a change in your advisor assignment at any time, please go to this Web page.