Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures (MCLC)

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Professors Jana Brill and Sigrid Suesse;

Associate Professors Adela Borrallo-Solis, Laura Hunt, Michael Rich,

Sara Maria Rivas and Emily Stow (Chair);

Assistant Professors Virginie Cassidy, Adam Glover, and John Henkel;

Visiting Assistant Professor Rebeccah Dawson

Contact the Department

Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures

Georgetown College
400 East College Street
Georgetown, KY 40324

Department Site

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A major in world languages prepares the conscientious student for graduate school, teaching, international business, the travel industry, social work, foreign missions, and work in volunteer agencies such as the Peace Corps and Doctors without Borders. Language majors are encouraged to take advantage of the many study abroad opportunities offered by Georgetown College. A language major or minor is also a valuable complement to other majors such as Political Science, Business, Computer Science, Music, Art, English, History, and Theatre. Majors and minors are offered in French, German, and Spanish. MCLC also offers a German Studies major. Majors, minors, and general education students reach different levels of proficiency; however, in accordance with guidelines from the Common European Framework (CEF), and more specifically with the national guidelines (5Cs) from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), all world language students at Georgetown College will:

  • Communicate in languages other than English;
  • Gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures, including their art, film, literature, history, music, etc.;
  • Connect with other disciplines;
  • Make comparisons to other languages and develop insights into the nature of language and culture;
  • Participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world.

 

For the description of the French major and minor, please see French.

For the description of the German major and minor, please see German.

For the description of the German Studies major, please see German.

For the description of the Greek courses, please see Greek.

For the description of the Japanese courses, please see Japanese.

For the description of the Latin courses, please see Latin.

For the description of the Spanish major and minor, please see Spanish.

 

Additionally, the Modern and Classical Languages Department participates in interdisciplinary minors in the following areas: Asian Studies and Classics.  Also, it offers an interdisciplinary B.A. degree in Commerce, Language, and Culture.

 

309. Culture Shock: Meeting the Challenge of the Other. (3 hours) This course helps students who plan to study or work abroad to handle the challenges they will be facing and to take full advantage of the learning opportunities that such an experience offers.        As Needed

 

360. Internship. (1-3 hours) This course provides supervised practical experience in international business, media, education, or government or other fields. Prerequisites: Junior status, SPA/FRE/GER 230 or LAT/GRK/JPN 202.

As needed

 

370. Topics in Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures.  (3 hours) Study of a special topic announced at advanced registration. No Prerequisite.

As needed

Click to See Career Options
AREAEMPLOYERSSTRATEGIES

GOVERNMENT

  • Translation/Interpretation
  • Journalism/Broadcasting
  • Linguistics
  • Diplomacy
  • Civil Service
  • Foreign Service
  • Immigration/Naturalization
    Customs
  • Intelligence/Law Enforcement
  • Federal government organizations including:
    Overseas aid agencies
    Intelligence and law enforcement agencies: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, Drug Enforcement Administration
    Department of State
  • Immigration and Naturalization Service
  • Customs Service
  • Library of Congress
  • Armed forces
  • Voice of America
Learn federal, state and local job application procedures. Plan to attend a specialized school that teaches foreign languages. Join armed forces as a way to get experience. The government is one of the largest employers of people with foreign language skills.

ARTS, MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT

  • Advertising
  • Translation/Interpretation
  • Journalism/Broadcasting
  • Publishing/Editing
  • Public Relations
  • Museums
  • Foreign news agencies
  • Book publishers
  • TV networks
  • Radio stations
  • Film companies
Learn about the customs and culture of the country in which your language of study is primarily spoken. Spend time studying or working abroad. Read international newspapers to keep up with developments overseas.

INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE

  • Translation/Interpretation
  • Banking/Finance
  • Sales
  • Customer Services
  • Manufacturing
  • Engineering/Technical Research
  • Operations Management
  • Consulting
  • Imports/Exports
  • Administrative Services
  • Banks/Financial institutions
  • Import/Export companies
  • Foreign firms operating in the U.S.
  • American firms operating in foreign countries
  • Manufacturers
  • Retail stores
Supplement coursework with business classes. Gain experience through an internship or work abroad program. Find out which companies do business with the countries in which your language of study is spoken. Be prepared to start in a position in the US working for a firm with an overseas presence. Very few entry-level positions are available in international business.

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

  • Translation/Interpretation
  • Airline Services
  • Management
  • Booking and Reservations
  • Travel Services/Guidance
  • Tour and excursion companies
  • Travel agencies
  • Hotels/Motels
  • Resorts
  • Restaurants
  • Airlines/Airports
  • Cruise lines
  • Railroads
  • Bus lines
  • Convention Centers
Take courses in hotel/restaurant administration. Get a part-time job in a hotel or restaurant to gain experience. Spend some time abroad to learn the traditions of fine dining, wines, etc. Brush up on your knowledge of geography. Plan to attend a travel school. Develop office skills such as typing, organizing, and working with computers. Read international newspapers to keep up with overseas developments.

INTERPRETATION/TRANSLATION

  • Interpretation: Simultaneous , Consecutive, Conference, Escort/Guide, Judiciary
  • Translation: Literary, Localization, Medical
  • Freelance
  • Educational services
  • Business services
  • Government agencies
  • Healthcare organizations
  • International organizations
  • Courts
  • Publishers
Develop a “near perfect” knowledge of a second language. Seek out any opportunity to converse with native speakers to better learn the language. Gain experience through internships or volunteering. Learn a third language for great job opportunities. Develop aptitude with computers and the Internet. Most people who work in this field freelance. Freelancers who have expertise in a particular area such as law or medicine may find more opportunities. Seek certification or accreditation from an interpretation/translation organization.

SERVICE AND EDUCATION

  • Translation/Interpretation
    Teaching
  • Educational Administration
  • Linguistics
  • Civil Service
  • Social Work
  • Mission Work
  • Library Science
  • Health Services
  • Hospitals
  • Religious and volunteer organizations
  • International organizations
  • Law enforcement agencies
  • Social service agencies
  • Universities/Colleges
  • Pre-schools
  • K-12 schools
  • Professional language schools
  • English language institutes
  • Overseas dependents’ schools
Obtain state teacher licensure for K-12 teaching. Develop superior written and oral communication skills in the English language including proper sentence structure and comprehensive vocabulary. Notify local hospitals, schools, and chambers of commerce of your availability to translate or interpret for international visitors. Minor or double major in another subject that you could also teach. Consider teaching English in another country. Service and Education. Obtain a graduate degree for college or university teaching opportunities. Get experience by becoming a teaching assistant or tutor. Be familiar with the cultural base of your language (literature, art, politics, etc.) as well as with cultural traditions. Specialize in an area of research. Plan to take both written and oral examinations to become an interpreter. Get a part-time job teaching English as a second language. Volunteer with government programs such as Peace Corps or VISTA.

General Information About Foreign Language Studies

  • Choose an additional academic area of study to supplement the foreign language, preferably one that requires a high degree of technical skill. Most people with foreign language ability use those skills to assist them in a different career field such as business, education, etc.
  • Related courses to study include geography, history, civilization, foreign relations, international law, and world economics.
    Decide and choose which language is necessary for your career. Decide the level of foreign language ability you will need to acquire for success in your career. Possible languages to study: Spanish, German, French, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Hebrew, Arabic and Portuguese.
  • Plan to attend a private language institute to learn additional languages and cultures.
  • Travel to a foreign country or study abroad in international exchange programs to learn different cultures.
  • Study and practice your foreign language skills by reading foreign newspapers, magazines and books.
  • Watch foreign movies and listen to foreign broadcasts to maintain your fluency.
  • Volunteer your language skills to churches, community organizations and programs that work with people who speak your target language.
  • Participate in summer programs, co-ops, and internships to improve your skills.
  • Pen pal with a correspondent from a foreign country.
  • Contact professional associations and read their publications to learn about job opportunities.
  • Research job postings on the Internet to get an idea of jobs in which knowledge of a foreign language is useful.

Helpful Links

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
(2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer