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Classical & Modern Languages & Cultures (CMLC)

Professors: K. M. Gatto, S. Casciani, G. Compton-Engle, J. Karolle-Berg (Chair); Associate Professors: L. Ferri, K. A. Ehrhardt, M. L. Thornton; Assistant Professor: K. Nakano

Language study helps students become more competent global citizens. Language courses at John Carroll University put students in direct interaction with authentic cultural materials created in other languages and increase their capacity to understand the perspectives of other people and cultures. When students communicate in another language, even at a novice level, they experience new modes of listening, speaking, and interpreting the expressions of others. Language study has always been part of Jesuit education, but increased global connectedness reinforces the imperative that graduates be able to communicate in languages other than English.

Consistent with the University’s mission, the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures contributes to the development of students into responsible citizens of the world who excel in learning, leadership, and service. The department especially seeks to meet John Carroll’s Academic Learning Goal #5, to graduate students who “act competently in a global and diverse world.” The Department contributes to this academic learning goal through its own learning goals. Consistent with best practices of second language acquisition, these three goals are sought at all levels of instruction:

  • Students communicate skillfully and effectively in a language other than English, at a level commensurate with the language and program;

  • Students demonstrate foundational cultural and linguistic knowledge of a target-language area;

  • Students demonstrate emerging intercultural competence.

Courses in language study actively involve the four skills of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Courses also introduce students to cultural materials relevant to the area of language study.

The department offers majors and minors in Classical Languages (Latin, Ancient Greek), Classical Studies, Italian Studies, and Spanish and Hispanic Studies, and minors in French and Francophone Studies and German Studies.

Program Requirements

All programs have individual sections in the Bulletin. Courses in languages and cultures also play an integral role in the major in International Business with Language and Culture (IBLC); more information on program options is provided there.

Major in Classics: 36 credit hours.

Major in Italian Studies: 33 credit hours.

Major in Spanish and Hispanic Studies: 34 credit hours.

Minors in Classical Studies, French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies or Spanish and Hispanic Studies: 15-18 hours; see individual language sections.

Classical Studies (CL) courses are taught in English. Courses are also available in Japanese and International Cultures (IC). International Cultures courses are taught in English translation. IC courses in particular seek to provide cross-cultural approaches to understanding today’s multicultural world. They involve art, film, popular culture, historical perspectives, and literature. Many courses offered in CMLC fulfill requirements in the Integrative Core Curriculum.

Integrative Core Courses and the Language Requirement

Students who choose to continue in the language that they took in high school will be required to complete through the third semester (the 1030 course) in that language, beginning at their level of placement. This establishes the basic threshold of competency at approximately the intermediate-mid level. If students place above the 1030 level, this Core requirement will be waived. Students who choose to begin a new language will be required to take two semesters of that language (the 1010-1020 courses). Certain upper-division courses taught in the foreign language, as well as courses in CL (Classics, taught in English) and IC (International Cultures, taught in English) may also count toward other components of the Integrative Core.

Study Abroad

Interested students should consult with their language program advisor or the language section coordinator, as well as the Center for Global Education, and check the Global Education website for information on new and existing programs. Currently, the department participates in the following semester or year-long programs abroad:

  • French: Institut Catholique d’Etudes Supérieures (ICES), La Roche sur Yon France; NEOMA Business School, Rouen, France

  • German: Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany; WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, Vallendar, Germany

  • Italian: Rome (John Carroll program; fall semester); Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cruore, Milan

  • Japanese: Sophia University (Tokyo); Nanzan University (Nagoya); Kansai Gaidai University (Osaka)

  • Spanish: Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid; Universidad del Pacífico, Lima, Perú

Arrangements are made individually with the student’s advisor and the Center for Global Education. Students studying abroad are normally sophomores or juniors with at least a 2.5 GPA. Early consultation is advised.

The following short programs are also sponsored by the department, usually during the spring semester or early summer:

  • Classics: Greece

  • French: France

  • Italian: Italy

Teacher Licensure

Individuals interested in teaching classical and modern languages may seek an Alternative Resident Educator License for World Languages (grades P-12) through the Ohio Department of Education. Interested students should contact the Ohio Department of Education or consult the chair of the education department for details.