The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (MLLC) is a new department that combines the former Departments of French, Spanish, German, and Russian, and oversees the delivery of a broader range of language courses in Irish, Italian, and Japanese. The Department offers various courses in other modern languages on an occasional basis.

Mission Statement

Rooted in the traditions of major European and world languages and in Canada’s own French language and culture, the Department’s mission is to advance the linguistic and cultural competencies of students in one or more modern languages.  This mission is based on the notion that language, literature, and culture are deeply intertwined, and that the study of other cultures through language offers a student new perspectives.

Mastering another language not only includes speaking and writing proficiency but also increases one’s appreciation and critical analysis of the literatures and cultures that share that language.  By stressing the interconnectedness of language, literature, and culture, as well as the critical skills to assess them, the Department prepares students to succeed in further study. Graduates gain an important advantage as they pursue their careers in the multicultural Canadian landscape as well as the increasingly competitive international and global environment.

Undergraduate Programs

At the undergraduate level, the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures offers the following programs:

• French Major
• French Minor
• French Honours / Joint Honours
• Modern Language Studies Major
• Spanish Minor

The Department also oversees the delivery of the following language courses:

• German
• Irish (Gaelic)
• Italian
• Japanese
• Russian

Graduate Programs

At the graduate level, Department offers a Master of Arts in French Studies and a joint Master of Arts in French and Education (MA & Ed).

Field Schools

The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures strongly encourages students in all its disciplines to participate in one of several immersion or international study opportunities that are supported by Memorial University. Students of French have the opportunity to attend the Frecker Program in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, to participate in the Canadian Third Year in Nice program, the Bordeaux exchange, or attend l’Université de Bretagne Sud.