World Languages and Literatures - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Home / Academics / World Languages and Literatures World Languages and Literatures The study of languages other than English enhances the quality of your liberal arts education and broadens your opportunities, both professionally and personally. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Degree in World Languages? We know that in an increasingly competitive job market, the mastery of a second (or third or fourth) language can be a key advantage. It opens your mind, broadens your sense of culture and history, and, in an increasingly global society, gives you a postgraduate edge in a wide array of professional fields. In the process of earning a bachelor of arts degree in world languages, you will undertake coursework in two languages—choosing from Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish—and you will discover how your language studies can be applied in careers such as international business, politics, translation, foreign correspondence, medicine, social work, and teaching. Apply Visit What You’ll Study In addition to robust course offerings in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish, Lewis & Clark also provides language courses in Arabic, ancient Greek, and Latin. Nearly all of our students earn course credit on overseas programs . In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, there are programs designed specifically for language study or with a language component in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, ancient Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Swahili. Recognizing the importance of learning the language in an environment where it is spoken, the department requires overseas study of all its majors. Outside the classroom, the Keck Interactive Learning Center is a language center and community area that is packed with linguistic and cultural resources. The Global Languages and Cultures Living-Learning Community is a unique on-campus housing option with an immersive language-based focus. Our students are supported each year with a visiting international Language Assistant who teaches our conversation courses and offers tutoring support for each of our language sections. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading...
Favorite Class
Introduction to International Affairs with Professor Kyle Lascurettes
This class not only introduced me to global studies, but carved out the career path I am on today. As our world becomes more interconnected, I think any student would benefit from understanding the global system and America’s role within it.
Major: International Affairs and World Languages/Japanese and Spanish (double)
Favorite Class
Soviet Science Fiction with Assistant Professor of Russian Maria Hristova
It was taught in English so anyone can take it. We learned about, and got to watch, soviet science-fiction movies. I really enjoy learning about the Soviet Union, so this class was awesome!
She is an amazing teacher that is knowledgeable about her subject and makes all the course material accessible for students that may have a more difficult time grasping it.
Major: World Languages (Chinese and Japanese) and International Affairs (double)
Favorite Class
Intermediate Spanish With Instructor Megan McDonald
Megan is AMAZING! I also took Beginning Spanish with her; her teaching style is the best. The class is fun and engaging, and we have fun activities and discussions.
Major: International Affairs and World Languages (double)
Minor: Middle East and North African Studies
Favorite Class
Fairy Tales Across Cultures with Professor Catherine Sprecher Loverti
We delved deeply into comparing fairy tales from different cultures, exploring how similar narratives take on unique characteristics depending on their origin. This approach opened my eyes to the incredible ways fairy tales can reflect cultural identity, values, fears, and historical periods.
Understanding How We Understand the Maya with Assistant Professor David Galaty
Professor Galaty’s passion for his subject was exceptionally clear. While we looked at an ancient society that has persisted to this day, we never exhausted the multitude of modern issues they’ve faced like indigenous rights, the roles of Indigenous societies in the world of expanding liberal economies, gentrification, piety, and so on. What made this course special was its focus on a forgotten people and the passion with which the subject was taught.
Introduction to Linguistics with Professor of Chinese Keith Dede
I consider myself a total language nerd. I love languages, and this class expanded my knowledge even more about how a language works. I love that I am learning what linguists use to analyze languages. One day I hope to be able to do it myself and help with the preservation of languages.
Communication vs Creation (FREN 330) with Issabelle DeMarte
The class was about epistolary novels in French and only had 10 students. Being able to have that small of a group made it easier to be able to share my thoughts on the novels we read and to put a lot more effort into my own project.
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors The most popular minors for our world languages majors are history , political science , and religious studies . What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark Introduction to Linguistics expanded my knowledge about how a language works, and I love learning how linguists analyze languages. One day I hope to do it myself! Juan Martín López Meléndez BA ’23 World Languages | Theatre | La Piedad, Michoacán, México/Fresno, California/Las Vegas, New Mexico More about Juan Martín Don’t pick your school based on a figure from some website; pick your school off of where you think you’ll be happiest and where you want to plant the seeds to start a professional career. Cody Bowen-Crosby BA ’22 Biology and World Languages (double) | Kalispell, Montana More about Cody I love how I have the special opportunity to learn multiple languages at the same time, as a world languages major. It brings me to make connections with people that I otherwise would not have the chance to interact with, and I feel like I grow as a person when exposed to their different global perspectives. Tanner Lee BA ’27 World Languages (Chinese and Japanese) and International Affairs (double) | Taipei, Taiwan More about Tanner What Can You Do With a Degree in World Languages? Our alumni use their BA in world languages in many endeavors. In addition to receiving Fulbrights and other grants to teach English or do research in countries where they have studied abroad, our students go on to thrive in a wide variety of careers and higher educational paths in education, translation, global relations, and law, among others. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Our faculty’s research interests range widely, from German eco fiction to 21st-century French literature, contemporary Latin American social movements to religious iconography in Soviet Russia. Meet the Professors The liberal arts take students (and professors) outside their academic comfort zones and encourage them to engage the world from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Professor With Term of Classics and Chair of the Classics Program Gordon Kelly More about Gordon Strong faculty support and rigorous academic expectations for second (and third) language acquisition help students achieve whatever they set their minds to do. Assistant Professor of Russian; Russian Section Head Maria (Masha) Hristova More about Maria (Masha) Although we also strive to give direction and a future career to our students, our main goal is to create better human beings who, instead of compartmentalizing the world into fields of study, understand that each field is a door to see better, connect the dots of knowledge, and understand the world as a whole. Professor of Hispanic Studies Juan Carlos Toledano Redondo More about Juan Carlos 96% Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Class of 2024 was already changing the world through employment (71%), continuing studies (22%), and service work (3%), like the Peace Corps. U.S. News Lewis & Clark is on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” list . Top For the seventh time in 11 years, Lewis & Clark has been named a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for 2023–24. 12% of our students are from countries other than the U.S. Top Lewis & Clark earned a spot on Princeton Review’s 2026 “Best Colleges” list . Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think . Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate in four years with their bachelor of arts degree that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition . Find Your People Student-led clubs in each of the languages that we offer organize a wide variety of activities, including conversation groups, movies, karaoke, performances, and game nights. One of the oldest journals at L&C, Polyglot gives the opportunity to students of all levels to publish their work in the language they are studying. Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You L&C taught me the skills to think critically, which will help me throughout my life Marcella Chavez BA ’21 World Languages (Spanish and Russian) | Worthington, Ohio More about Marcella I started working as a translator at various tech companies. More recently, I’ve developed new skills in public relations and marketing to round out my communications knowledge. Jayana Alvarez BA ’19 World Languages | San Francisco, California More about Jayana L&C’s international affairs program not only provided an incredible foundation for understanding modern international relations, but it also allows you to truly expand your global perspective. The professors challenge you to think critically about our world and the various forces driving global actors, skills and theory that can apply to any career in international affairs, no matter the area. Isabel Zangoglia BA ’22 International Affairs and World Languages/Japanese and Spanish (double) | Old Tappan, New Jersey More about Isabel Featured News Bringing Latinx Culture to Portland’s Coffee Scene Carlos Sanchez Huizar BA ’18, MA ’20 has turned his love of coffee and his experience at Lewis & Clark into Kilo D’ Cofi, a Latinx-owned café and community space in downtown Portland. Read the story More News and Events → Therese Augst Chair, World Languages and Literatures and Associate Professor of German Studies taugst@lclark.edu 503-768-7423 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
