The Department of Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures is dedicated to engaging in research that enriches the humanities, second language studies, and our communities - locally and globally. Our classrooms (online & face-to-face) are a place of connection, where faculty personally invest in students' growth. We equip our students to be competitive in the next stage of their career through high-impact education in language and culture. Throughout our campus and community, we foster linguistic and cultural diversity and advocate for multiculturalism. The Department of Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures will promote transdisciplinary cultural and literary studies and second language research. Our faculty and staff will engage in ongoing skill development to train diverse populations of students. We will cultivate a spirit of open dialogue and mentorship that unites faculty, staff, and students. We will set ourselves apart in the provision of experiential learning through accessible study abroad programs and local hands-on learning opportunities. We will build research and teaching partnerships with regional K-12 schools to serve local needs. Our department will lead efforts to recruit, retain, and advocate for Hispanic students to serve the university's mission as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. We will promote interculturality through collaborative partnerships across the university and throughout the community.<br><br>French is a Romance language, one of the modern languages that descended from Latin. Today, about 200 million people speak French as a first or second language, primarily in Europe, Africa, and North America, notably in parts of Louisiana and Maine. French is an official administrative language of many organizations such as the African Union, the International Court of Justice, the International Olympic Committee, and the United Nations. Knowing French will allow you to study and work abroad in Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and in the Indian Ocean area. You'll also establish a shared basis of communication with international teams, even when working from the United States. As political and economic issues become increasingly global, there is a growing need for Americans to know French. Whether you major or a minor in French, it will certainly be an asset to your career in education, business and industry, or in international affairs. You may combine your French major with another major to boost your career path with an international emphasis. Studying French won't only help your career, but you'll also enrich your mind with a wide range of great writers and philosophers, from Voltaire and Rousseau to Camus and Sartre.