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Faculty

View the Modern Languages and Literatures Faculty. 

The Program

The proficiency requirements and placement policies for foreign languages are indicated under the Requirements for Degrees section of the catalog.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers instruction in eight languages/cultures (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish). In addition to beginning, intermediate and advanced language courses, MDLL also offers instruction in the analysis of literature, film and culture taught both in the foreign languages and in English. In collaboration with the Global Education office in the Reves Center, MDLL sponsors summer, semester and yearlong study abroad programs in more than ten countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. On campus, interested students may choose to live in one of eight Language Houses, where native speaker Resident Tutors provide an opportunity for informal language learning, organize an active schedule of cultural events conducted in the target language and serve as a source of information on their native countries.

While the study of modern languages, literatures and cultures has always been a cornerstone of the liberal arts experience, the mission of MDLL at William and Mary includes preparing students for graduate and professional training in a wide range of disciplines, among which are foreign and comparative literature, cultural studies, language teaching, international studies and relations, business, law and government service. Many of our students combine the study of one or more modern languages with majors such as Art History, Biology, Government, Global Studies, History, International Relations, Linguistics or Business.

Interdisciplinary Programs

MDLL plays a central role in numerous interdisciplinary and international programs at the University, among which are Africana Studies, Asian and Middle-Eastern Studies, European Studies, Film and Media Studies and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, Latin American Studies, and Russian and Post-Soviet Studies.  For further information about these programs, see the appropriate sections of this catalog  .

Programs and Course Descriptions

For courses in individual languages and literature, please visit the links to those programs. 

• Arabic Studies  
• Chinese Studies  
• French and Francophone Studies  
• German Studies  
• Hispanic Studies  
• Italian Studies  
• Japanese Studies  
• Russian Studies  

Courses

• MDLL 100 - Big Ideas in Modern Languages
• MDLL 110 - Modern Languages in Global Education Programs
• MDLL 150 - First Year Seminar
• MDLL 300 - Living Language and Culture

• MDLL 498 - Washington Program Internship

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