Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures

Associate Professor Joshua Davies, Head

Associate Professor Lynn Purkey, Associate Head

The department offers the B.A. degree in Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures with concentrations in French, Greek and Latin, Latin, and Spanish. The department also offers minor programs in Classics, French, German, Greek, Latin, and Spanish. In addition, modern culture, film, and literature courses, taught in English, which focus on foreign literatures and civilizations, afford the non-foreign language student a broader perspective of other peoples and cultures.

All students with prior experience in any of the languages offered at UTC should take an online placement exam (see departmental website for link). A student should begin studying the language in question at the level established by the placement test. Under special circumstances, exceptions may be granted upon appeal to the department head. Students can also take a proctored proficiency test to exempt them from degree requirements in the language laboratory (Brock 101). Students with advanced knowledge of languages not taught in the department may consult with the department head to arrange for other options.

Mission

The Mission of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures is to teach the languages and cultures of both modern and ancient peoples as well as to prepare students to work in a multicultural environment. In the Modern Languages, faculty assist students in mastering advanced proficiency in speaking, writing, listening and reading comprehension. In the Classical Languages, faculty assist students in mastering proficiency in reading, translating, and interpreting original texts and materials from antiquity while also gaining a deeper foundation in the vocabulary of English and other modern languages. In both cases, faculty also focus on teaching students to identify and analyze the culture of the language they study, including major figures, events, movements, artifacts and cultural markers of the society. Students are also encouraged to engage in study abroad programs, including two faculty-led programs.

In addition to being engaged in scholarly endeavors, faculty members in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures participate in a wide range of service activities on campus and in the Chattanooga community. They provide professional skills in service projects, consultation for local schools, the courts, the criminal justice system, regional health providers, local and regional businesses, and other government and private entities.

Program Outcomes

Modern language majors attain advanced proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension of their disciplines. Classical language majors attain proficiency in reading, translating, and interpreting texts belonging to their discipline, while also acquiring a deep understanding of the vocabulary belonging to English and various other European languages. Majors in both the Modern and the Classical languages gain the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to analyze and interpret culture in its broadest sense.