About Our Programs
The Department of Modern Languages & Literatures’ rigorous, high-quality programs deeply rooted in our Jesuit values and in the principles of the liberal arts experience, offer students unique learning experiences both in and out of the classroom, which enrich their personal lives, help them discern a future career path, and prepare them to compete locally and globally for a wide variety of careers. Our faculty of professional language educators and scholars integrates the teaching of language and culture throughout our curricula in order to enable students to communicate effectively across cultures, appreciate cultural diversity, and to identify and analyze problems across cultural and national boundaries.
Students can major or minor in French and Francophone studies, Italian studies, and Spanish studies or minor in Japanese studies. Interdisciplinary minors blend language studies, especially Arabic, Chinese, or German, with other areas. (e.g. Arabic, Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, Asian Studies, International Business minor) or an Individual Studies Major allows students to design their own path.
Start your journey into the world of languages now with the language placement process.
Faculty & Staff
Associate Professor
Modern Languages and Literatures Faculty and a Rising Field in the Environmental Humanities
Beyond the Classroom
What students have to say
“Learning the Arabic language and culture has allowed me to connect with my roots and has given me meaningful opportunities that I would not otherwise have if it wasn’t for studying Arabic at SCU."
—Elena Shaheen ‘22 (Arabic)
What students have to say
“Learning the Arabic language and culture has allowed me to connect with my roots and has given me meaningful opportunities that I would not otherwise have if it wasn’t for studying Arabic at SCU."
—Elena Shaheen ‘22 (Arabic)
“I was sent to Morocco as a Global Fellow and ….was pleasantly surprised to find that most people there spoke French fluently in addition to Arabic and Berber. I imagine the experience would have been a lot less productive had I not been well-versed in the French language.”
—Maria Khouri-Haddad (French)
"Declaring a Spanish Major is the best decision I could have made...The Modern Languages Department has made me feel at home while at SCU, a place where my identity as a First-Generation Mexican-American College student was finally valued and appreciated."
—Gloria Sevilla ‘20 (Spanish)
"[Professor Hellebrandt’s] courses on German Conversation and Media, combined with my summer study abroad trip to Freiburg in 2015, made my German language experience at Santa Clara one that I will always treasure."
—Francesca Hellebrandt '18 (German)
"After joining the SCU community, I found myself longing for a new skill to add to my new journey at the Leavey School of Business. Instead of looking at Chinese as another class, I took it as not only a career opportunity, but as a life opportunity."
—Max Zhang '24 (Chinese)
"Learning Italian at SCU has truly helped me further my understanding of my heritage and has immensely developed my communication skills. I am so excited to continue learning Italian with this inclusive program."
—Francesca D’Urzo '24 (Italian)
“In the future, I'd like to use my Japanese skills both in the workplace and in my everyday life whether it's for communicating with overseas clients or simply having a chat with my Japanese-speaking friends. I've grown to love learning Japanese and I can't wait to continue my language journey."
—Stephanie Chung '23 (Japanese)
News & Events
Coming Events
Life After SCU
Sarah took Spanish, French, and Italian classes at SCU.
Robby Brock ‘22 graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Biology and Neuroscience, and a minor in Spanish Studies. He shares his thoughts on using Spanish after graduation.
French studies alumni share their stories from the TAPIF program
