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Why Choose Languages, Cultures and Literatures at USD
We are dedicated to excellence in teaching in these areas and producing original scholarly and creative contributions to our disciplines. Our mission speaks directly to the university's commitment to academic excellence, providing students with an enriching liberal arts education and preparing them to engage responsibly in diverse local, national and international realities.
Emphasis on Language and Cultural Studies
Language study is a vital part of an education in the liberal arts and prepare students to participate more fully and actively in the global community. At the lower-division level, the language programs are devised to enable students to acquire the basic structures and vocabulary necessary to communicate effectively in the target language in a variety of settings. Likewise students develop a greater awareness of other cultures, develop skills in intercultural communication and gain direct access to additional bodies of knowledge.
Graduates: Ready for Success
Upper-division courses provide students with a foundation in the cultural history of the languages, peoples and regions studied within their socio-political and economic contexts. Courses help students develop skills in critical thinking, literary and cultural analysis, and clear and effective self expression in both speaking and writing in the target languages. Students enhance their appreciation for and contribution to the level of inclusion and diversity in U.S. and international societies through cultural understanding and linguistic proficiency. Upon completion of the department's majors, students are well prepared to initiate graduate studies in language, literature or other disciplines, or to become successful professionals in a number of different areas including international relations, law, health, business and education, among many others.