Modern Languages and Cultures
Larbi Oukada, Chair
Professors: Hedwig Fraunhofer and Louis Bourne
Associate Professor: David de Posada
Assistant Professors: Myron Avila, Rebecca Carte, Aurora Castillo, and Margaret Schaller
Instructor: Anisio Martins dos Santos
Lecturers: Marlene Roldan Romero and Juan Alcarria
Full Time Temporary Instructor: Gael Guzman-Medrano
Department Contact Information:
Georgia College
Modern Languages and Cultures
Campus Box 46
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-4415
Department of Modern Languages and Cultures Website
Chair, Larbi Oukada, larbi.oukada@gcsu.edu
Administrative Assistant, Jarris Lanham, jarris.lanham@gcsu.edu
Mission
The department of Modern Languages and Cultures is central to the Liberal Arts mission of Georgia College, encouraging and cultivating linguistic and cultural competence, academic enrichment, and a broader understanding of global issues among our students. The department promotes this mission by offering degrees in French and Spanish; minors in French and Spanish; the USG Certificate program for Latin American Studies, and additional courses in German, Italian, and Arabic. The department is integral to the internationalization of the curriculum at GC, offering instruction in languages, literatures, and cultures in the classroom and beyond. We also offer study abroad programs, a state of the art language lab, conversation tables, community outreach, and honor societies.
Student Success
Earning a college degree is a significant milestone in one's life and requires dedication to one's studies and tremendous effort to succeed. In order to enable you to achieve this goal, we have dedicated ourselves to developing measures that help ensure student success in our department's programs. This process begins with the First-Year Academic Seminar (MFLG 0001), in which you are introduced to the faculty and students who make up the departmental community. You will join with other first-year students to get an overview of the subject matter covered in the major, explore career possibilities, and to develop techniques for getting the most out of your college courses and activities. You will also learn about departmental and University expectations, policies, and resources. Because the college experience at GC is more intense than at many other schools, we have designed each curriculum to help you each step of the way. In addition, we are committed to offering the courses necessary to ensure that students who follow the program of study will graduate in four years. Toward that end, a typical four-year program of study has been developed, which serves as a guide each term for scheduling courses. Required courses are specified and then sequencing of courses is recommended. Students are advised to enroll in an average of 30 semester hours each year.
Career Information
Many of our majors find employment with the various school systems in Georgia. Other than teaching in educational institutions, language specialists also find employment in government or diplomatic service, the travel industry, banking, and international business, just to mention a few areas.
In many professions, knowledge of one or more foreign languages greatly enhances job qualifications. A major or minor in French or Spanish complements a degree in the humanities, health sciences, social sciences, or business.
Minors and Certificate Programs
In addition to the minors offered in Spanish and French, coursework may also be applied toward the completion of one of the many minors or certificate programs with an international focus.
African Studies Minor
European Union Studies Certificate Program
International Studies Minor
International Certificate Programs
Latin American Certificate Program
Miscellaneous
Study Abroad. The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures participates directly in several study-abroad programs both during the summer and the academic year. Information on these programs is available from the International Education Center at Georgia College.
The Department strongly recommends that all majors participate in a study-abroad program. Research has shown that the strongest determining factor in significantly improving foreign language proficiency is a period of study and living in an environment where the language is spoken.
Students contemplating study abroad should start planning for the experience as early as possible, and should speak with their major advisor and the study-abroad advisors at the International Education Center. The most advantageous time to incorporate a study abroad experience into your undergraduate work is during your third year at the University. Certain advanced courses in the undergraduate major must be taken at Georgia College, and therefore a study abroad experience during your last semester as an undergraduate language major will not be approved. French and Spanish majors must meet with their program coordinators and receive approval from the Chairperson of Modern Languages and Cultures before registering for a study abroad program..
MAT French or Spanish/Secondary Education: Students who wish to prepare for teacher certification can continue their studies at Georgia College with the Master of Arts in Teaching. For information, please visit the M.A.T. website.
Honor Societies. Outstanding Spanish majors and minors are invited to become members of Kappa Psi, the local chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. Exceptional French majors and minors are invited to become members of Xi Upsilon, the local chapter of Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honor Society.