Modern Languages and Literature Program

Explore the world through language and literature

The department of Modern Languages and Literature offers majors and minors in Spanish, French, Chinese, and Japanese, and additional language courses in German. About 60 to 70 percent of our students are double majors. Our classes are small and you have the opportunity to get to know your classmates and professor, always using the target language. Our professors are highly experienced in their fields and have traveled widely.

Why study a second language?

Learning another language is the key that opens the door to new cultures, perspectives and opportunities. It eases and enhances our ability to communicate with each other, and makes it possible to become a more fully-informed citizen of the world. In today's global society, mastery of language is a critical skill for personal and professional fulfillment.

Three-year degree option

You have the option to earn your bachelor’s degree in three years. Do your part to stay on track, and you could shave a year off your undergraduate work. That means significant savings on tuition and you get a jumpstart on your career.

Experiential Learning

Podcast explores pandemic through literature

Pacific French students Jamie Chesbrough and Natali Hoeg created a podcast to explore Albert Camus' "The Plague" and how it resonates during our COVID-19 pandemic.

Pacific alumni Jamie Lee Curtis and Jorge Ramirez-Martinez

Success After Pacific

Spanish grad steps up as writer for “Selena: The Series” on Netflix

Jorge Ramirez-Martinez has been beating the odds his entire life. He is a first-generation college student whose family lived across from campus on Pacific Avenue. A triple major at Pacific—English, Spanish and film—Ramirez-Martinez is now a writer on the popular Netflix show "Selena: The Series."

Learn more about Jorge

Our students enjoy each other's company inside and outside of the classroom. With clubs and organizations dedicated to helping students explore their love of language, our students have created a vibrant community that amplifies their educational experience at Pacific.

Honors Societies

The University has chapters of two national honor societies for outstanding work in a language, literature and culture: Pi Delta Phi for French and Sigma Delta Pi for Spanish. The Jan Good Award is presented to winners of an annually posted essay contest in French or Spanish. The MLL Annual Awards night celebrates achievement in all of the above languages.

French Club

Revived in Fall of 2014, Pacific's French Club celebrates la vie française through film screenings, cultural events, field trips, and other social activities. Recent activities included a screening La Belle et La Bete (2014), with a costume parade and authentic French desserts, and a screening of Joyeux Noël, in memory of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One. For more information on the French Club and its activities, please contact Dr. Cosana Eram at ceram@pacific.edu.

Languages and Career Pathways

French, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and German each offer unique pathways to prestigious careers in global industries, cultural exchange, and research, aligning directly with students' professional and personal ambitions.

Diplomacy and International Relations:

French is the working language of international organizations like the United Nations, NATO, and the International Red Cross.
Example: A political science graduate fluent in French could work as a policy advisor at UNESCO, managing global education initiatives.

Luxury and Fashion Industries:

France is a global hub for luxury brands. Proficiency in French is advantageous for careers in fashion, marketing, and brand management.
Example: A marketing student fluent in French could work with Chanel or Louis Vuitton on international campaigns.

Education and Research:

French is vital for scholars in philosophy, history, and literature.
Example: A history student could conduct research in French archives about the Enlightenment era.

Opera and Classical Music:

Many operas, such as those by Debussy or Bizet, are performed in French. Knowing French enables students to master diction and cultural nuances.
Example: A vocal performance student fluent in French could work with the Paris Opera or participate in international competitions like the Concours Long-Thibaud.

Cultural Management:

Proficiency in French supports careers in managing cultural institutions, especially in francophone countries.
Example: A music management graduate fluent in French could work for the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, managing programs for international artists.

Healthcare and Public Services:

Spanish is essential for providing care in communities with large Spanish-speaking populations.
Example: A nursing graduate fluent in Spanish could work in U.S. hospitals serving Hispanic communities, reducing language barriers for patients.

Education and Advocacy:

Spanish is critical in teaching and advocating for immigrant rights.
Example: A social worker fluent in Spanish could support migrant families in accessing education and legal resources.

International Business in Latin America:

Proficiency in Spanish enables careers in business development across Latin America.
Example: A marketing graduate fluent in Spanish could manage branding strategies for Coca-Cola in Mexico and Central America.

Chinese (Mandarin)

Global Trade and Business:

China is one of the largest economies in the world, and Mandarin is key to navigating its business landscape.
Example: A business graduate fluent in Mandarin might lead import-export negotiations for a U.S.-China trade partnership.

Diplomacy and Intelligence:

Understanding Mandarin is critical for government positions focused on East Asia.
Example: A graduate working in foreign policy could serve as an analyst specializing in U.S.-China relations.

Cultural Preservation and Tourism:

Careers in cultural preservation often require Mandarin to interact with Chinese institutions.
Example: A museum curator fluent in Mandarin could collaborate with Chinese museums on artifact exchanges.

Japanese

Technology and Innovation:

Japan is a leader in robotics, electronics, and automotive industries. Knowing Japanese is essential for collaboration with Japanese companies.
Example: A computer science graduate fluent in Japanese could work with Toyota on AI-powered vehicle projects.

Entertainment and Media:

Japanese language skills are valuable in anime production, video game localization, and film translation.
Example: A media studies student proficient in Japanese might work as a localization specialist for Studio Ghibli or Nintendo.

Cultural Exchange Programs:

Programs like the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program prioritize candidates with Japanese skills.
Example: An English major could teach in Japan while improving their language proficiency.

Engineering and Manufacturing:

Germany is a global leader in engineering, automotive, and renewable energy.
Example: A mechanical engineering student fluent in German might work with Siemens on clean energy projects.

Scientific Research:

German is crucial for careers in research-intensive fields like chemistry and physics.
Example: A physics PhD student fluent in German could collaborate with the Max Planck Society.

Cultural and Historical Studies:

Germany’s rich history makes German essential for careers in historical research or museum work.
Example: A historian fluent in German could work in Berlin’s archives studying World War II-era documents.

Whatever profession you enter, learning another language opens the door to a new culture, and new way of seeing the world. In our increasingly global society, the value of being able to communicate with people from different cultures and nations cannot be overestimated.

Success After Pacific

Emma Tully

Emma majored in Spanish and international studies, and she's taking what she has learned to help immigrants as an interpreter in a law firm.

"I did a combination of majors within the Spanish department and the School of International Studies as well as anthropology. I knew at a very young age that I wanted to learn more about the world and globalization, language and how it works. I felt like the School of International Studies would provide that."

Which Language Should You Choose?

The Department of Modern Language and Literature offers language, literature and cultural history courses in Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish. Programs are offered leading to a major or minor in Asian Studies, Chinese, French, Japanese or Spanish. Double majors across disciplines are encouraged. Some literature, civilization, film and interdisciplinary courses are taught in English translation.

The curriculum in Spanish includes beginning, intermediate, and advanced level classes for both native and nonnative speakers of Spanish. Spanish linguistics, Hispanic literature, cimena and civilization courses are complemented by experiential learning opportunities. All courses are taught entirely in Spanish.

The curriculum in French Studies includes beginning multi-media based language classes, intermediate courses that focus on culture and language, advanced language and composition courses, surveys of literature and civilization, theme-based advanced courses that cover French and Francophone literature and cinema, and other cross-listed courses such as the History of French Cinema. All courses are in French unless otherwise specified.

This major allows students to develop their language skills in Chinese or Japanese while simultaneously gaining significant knowledge about the Asian context. Students share a strong interdisciplinary curriculum and choose to concentrate their language study in Chinese or Japanese. The non-language curriculum will be taught in English and includes film, literature, history, politics and religion. The major requires one semester of study abroad in China/Taiwan or Japan. The minimum number of units for the major is 34.