World Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Explore your passion
Our Mission
Through innovative and substantive pedagogies, the Department of World Languages,
Literatures and Cultures seeks to promote communicative and cultural competency and
to cultivate a life-long appreciation and spirit of inquiry for languages and the
cultures they reflect. We believe that all students can learn a new language and that
a global mind-set is a necessity and an asset in today’s democratic society. Courses
in WLLC intrinsically promote issues of diversity and underscore themes of social
justice. Faculty members are committed to providing experiential opportunities that
serve as a bridge to local, regional and international concerns. Interdisciplinary
approaches modeled in the classroom help students develop a comprehensive world view
and acquire both knowledge and empathy toward others. |
Majors and Minors
The WLLC department offers majors in French and Hispanic Studies, and minors in French and Francophone Studies, Hispanic Studies, Italian Studies, and Japanese Studies. Lower-level courses (numbered 100/200) develop an awareness of cultural and linguistic
diversity in the world as they develop all four language skills (speaking, reading,
listening, and writing). Upper-level courses (numbered 300/400) deal with cultural
history, literature, film, popular culture, contemporary social and political issues
as well as the intellectual traditions that have shaped the societies where these
languages are spoken.
For students entering IWU in fall 2021 and beyond, French & Francophone Studies is
no longer available as a major or minor, and Italian Studies is no longer available
as a minor.
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Languages of the Basic Sequence
In today’s global society, knowledge of languages and cultures is increasingly important
in business, industry, and the professions. Courses in World Languages, Literatures,
and Cultures are an integral part of the IWU Liberal Arts experience, and directly
support the University’s mission of preparing students for democratic citizenship
and life in a global society.
The language courses offered in the Basic Sequence and for Shared Curriculum credit
are American Sign Language, French, Japanese, and Spanish.
Courses in Arabic and Chinese, which also provide shared curriculum credit (LA), are
also available to IWU students through a consortium with Bradley University. Please
contact the basic sequence coordinator, Cristina Almeida-Vélez, for more information. |
After Graduation
IWU has compiled over 10,000 of our alumni's career biographies and paired them with
their major (or majors) at Illinois Wesleyan. You may be interested to see that Illinois
Wesleyan alumni work in virtually any career field you can imagine, and that a college
major doesn't always coincide with a specific career. Have fun exploring your many
options at Illinois Wesleyan! Learn More. |
Spanish for Social Justice
Students develop language skills and cultural competency for situations that focus
on social justice. Fieldwork in one of the following areas: immigration, housing,
education, employment and voter rights is a key part of the course. Learn more about
this course.
French for Human Rights
and Social Justice
Students are introduced to the major contributions by the Francophone world to the
development and shaping of the field of human rights and social justice. Course materials
will include philosophical approaches particularly from the Enlightenment, as well
as European Union policy and examples of contemporary issues.
