Languages, Cultures and Literatures

Mission Statement

The Department of Languages, Cultures and Literatures is committed to shaping the next generation of global citizens through the development of students' communicative and linguistic proficiency, intercultural competency, and skills in critical thinking through the study of languages, literatures, and other forms of cultural production.

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Language Gateway

In the News

Japanese Program Students Rachel Valdez, Lauren Suzukawa and Jonathan Munsterteiger Win Speech Contest
// November 16, 2020
The San Diego Regional Japanese Speech Contest convened virtually on October 18, 2020. Three of the eight College Division participants were…
Dr. Julia Medina Invited to Present as Panelist of International Poetry Festival
// November 4, 2020
The Festival Internacional de Poesía de Granada (Nicaragua) held a virtual panel on October 29, 2020 entitled "El autor y su obra con…
German Program Students Learn History from an American Hero
// November 2, 2020
On October 1, 2020, a group of students in the German program "met” a man straight out of the history books. We have Jordan Draw, a st…
Journal Publishes Article by Dr. Leonora Simonovis-Brown
// October 13, 2020
Dr. Leonora Simonovis-Brown's article "Un país en traducción: la escritura desde el destierro en dos novelas de Raquel Rivas R…
Spanish 300 Students Interview Author Mar�a del Carmen P�rez Cuadra and Illustrator �ngel Emilio Delgado P�rez
// October 1, 2020
Thanks to a grant from the Enhanced Student-Faculty Interaction Fund, we were able to bring María del Carmen Pérez Cuadra from…
USD's CAS Presents Fourth Annual San Diego U-T Festival of Books Aug. 29
// August 27, 2020
Book lovers, enthusiasts and many more who have amped up their reading these last few months to pass the time can rejoice.…
Rower Clare Adams is a 2020 NCAA Woman of the Year Award Nominee
// July 15, 2020
University of San Diego student-athlete Clare Adams, a member of the women’s rowing team and a 2020 graduate, has been nominated for t…
In Support of Black Lives
// June 6, 2020
The Department of Languages, Cultures and Literatures at the University of San Diego condemns the culture of police brutality enacted toward…
35th International Expo and Fashion Show on Instagram, April 6-8
// March 31, 2020
The International Expo and Fashion Show is a traditional spring event that brings together the University of San Diego campus community. Thi…
Alumni Spotlight: Maritza Rodriguez
// March 25, 2020
Maritza Rodriguez '14 (BA in Italian studies and international business) visited us at the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester, a few week…
Fulbright Scholarship takes USD College Alumna to Austria
// March 25, 2020
"Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow until you find your dream." – The Sound of Music Samantha Deddeh '18 w…
Watch: A Special Video Tour of the Christ Exhibition
// January 1, 2020
All good things must come to an end. Michelangelo's rare drawing The Three Crosses and over 40 original works from Italian Renaissance arti…
Faith Drives Daniel Rodriguez '20 to Get Involved at USD
// November 5, 2019
Daniel Rodriguez is a graduating senior who is a double major in architecture and Spanish at the University of San Diego. He’s partici…
Renaming Gathering is a Celebration for Kumeyaay Nation
// October 15, 2019
Mata'yuum means “gathering place” in the Kumeyaay Nation language.…
Office Hours: Leonora Simonovis-Brown, PhD, Associate Professor of Spanish
// April 16, 2019
For Leonora Simonovis-Brown, PhD, associate professor of Spanish at the University of San Diego, learning a different language helps you vie…
USD French Professor Shares Perspective on Devastating Notre Dame Cathedral Fire
// April 16, 2019
Monday’s devastating fire that badly damaged the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, left an emotional wound on millions o…
"A Night in Spain" on Sept. 21 Opens Fall Semester of USD Music Concerts
// September 18, 2018
It's a special occasion when one can enjoy a sampling of Spanish culture locally. After all, the University of San Diego draws much of its c…
French Department Founder, Professor Emerita Jeannette Brink Rigsby, Passes Away
// December 21, 2017
Dr. Jeannette Brink Rigsby, Professor Emerita in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Literatures, passed peacefully on December 20.&nb…