Mission Statement
As a welcoming community of international scholars, we provide a crucial component of NMU's undergraduate curriculum. Our courses and programs challenge students to cultivate global competencies in languages, literatures, and cultures. The knowledge and skills students gain with us prepare them for a variety of professions, and are complementary and invaluable to the fields and careers students pursue across campus and around the world.
The Department of Languages, Literatures and International Studies offers language courses in Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and American Sign Language (ASL), as well as culture and literature courses in the target languages and in English. The department occasionally offers courses in other languages and helps facilitate university credit for students who study languages abroad.
Language and cultural studies provide an excellent liberal education. Knowledge of languages enhances virtually any career and increases employment opportunities. World language, culture, and literature studies open students to new and exciting horizons, place them in contact with worldwide artistic and intellectual accomplishments, help them to understand other people, and prepare them for success in an increasingly globalized world.
The department offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in French, Spanish, secondary education French, secondary education Spanish, and German Studies. Minors are offered in French, German, Spanish, Deaf Studies, French education, German education, and Spanish education.
Department Head's Message
We, the faculty of the Department of Languages, Literatures and International Studies at Northern Michigan University, know that the study of languages, literatures, and cultures is necessary for learning to identify, respect, and celebrate differences, and is essential for engaging in questions of diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice. Our programs and classes are integral to helping students develop a deeper understanding of cultural, racial, national, and international differences. Our courses serve as bridges to new perspectives and cultures.
We prioritize studying voices and contexts that express cultural, individual, social, class, and political differences so that all viewpoints are heard not only in our nation, but also in our world. As such, we:
Strive for inclusivity in our course offerings and content;
Create learning opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to engage with issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice;
Encourage students to explore our world;
Advocate for initiatives that address issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice
The faculty of the Department of Languages, Literatures and International Studies will continue the hard work of ensuring that our programs and classes are shaped by the principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice and are deliberately supportive of students, faculty, and staff whose voices have been historically marginalized.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rebecca J. Ulland
Department Head | Professor, Spanish
145B Whitman Hall
906-227-1820
rulland@nmu.edu
Accreditation
Northern Michigan University is accredited through December 2031 by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). The program at Northern Michigan University meets all expectations and requirements as an accredited institution.
Giving to the Department
If you're interested in donating to our department, please follow the link below.