Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Degree options:  

• Bachelor of Arts (BA), honours or major

Other degree options you might be interested in:

• French Studies (BA, honours, major, or minor)
• German Studies (any degree, minor)
• Hispanic Studies (BA, major or minor)
• Japanese Studies (any degree, minor)
• Visual Communication and Culture (any degree, minor)

A degree in modern languages, literatures, and cultures at Mount Allison exposes you to the practical study of language within small class sizes to provide an opportunity to acquire many skills that will serve you well in your future endeavours:

• superior communicative competence
• cultural awareness
• aesthetic literacy

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is composed of five areas: French, German, Hispanic studies, Japanese, and linguistics.

Following introductory courses (or intermediate in the case of French)* in your chosen languages in your first year, you will take more advanced language classes and have options to study French, German, and Spanish literature, film, and culture. You will also learn the fundamentals of linguistics.

Fourth year offers the chance to pursue independent studies in French, German, and Spanish.

You are encouraged to take advantage of extracurricular opportunities to enhance your studies, and to participate in international study abroad and exchange programs to gain further exposure to both the language and culture you are studying.

Find a list of courses in modern languages, literatures, and culture in the academic calendar — modern languages and literatures.

*No prior language knowledge is required for German, Spanish, or Japanese. Some knowledge of French is necessary — there is a required placement test to register for French classes.

Not sure about the difference between a major, a minor, and an honours?

Popular career paths for graduates include:

• tourism development officer
• immigration officer
• border services officer
• intelligence officer
• interpreter/translator
• language consultant
• linguist
• immigrant/refugee support
• international student advisor
• exchange program co-ordinator

Alumni spotlight

Laura Marie Wayne ('07)
Bachelor of Arts, modern languages, literatures, and cultures
Filmmaker

Wayne is the first Canadian to graduate from Cuba's renowned International School of Film and Television (EICTV) and is the director of the critically acclaimed documentary Love, Scott (2018).

» Scott Jones ('08) and Laura Marie Wayne ('07), co-recipients of the 2018 Alumni Contemporary Achievement Award

“At first, I had just wanted to learn the language. But as I started taking some literature courses to complete my minor, it heightened my interest in the language. Furthermore, there is a good balance of speaking in classes and labs as well as reading and writing.”
Nicole Mostofa
Math, minors in German studies and psychology (’14)
Saint John, NB/Bangladesh

“Sometimes, the thought of writing a research essay or reading a novel in a second language can seem daunting. Accomplishing these tasks, however, is possible, fun, and rewarding. Many of the novels that intimidated me when I took my first French literature class at Mount A are now featured on my list of favourite books.”

Claire Manning
Double major French and English (’15)
Vancouver, BC

French placement
Before you register for a French course at Mount Allison, you must complete the French Skills Assessment. The assessment will determine the appropriate entry-level course for you.

Study abroad and exchange  
Mount Allison offers study abroad and exchange opportunities in 17 countries, including France, Germany, Spain, and Japan.

Work opportunities
There are opportunities for students to work as lab monitors and research assistants. There are also opportunities to conduct summer research, supported by independent student summer research awards.

Paris/Seville Cultural Studies
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures runs two-week in-country classes in Paris, France and Seville, Spain each spring. The Paris-Seville courses are taught in English, but provide opportunities for students to improve their language skills by immersing themselves in the local community and by participating in cultural experiences.

Certificate of Bilingualism
Mount Allison students who can demonstrate a high level of competence in both of Canada's official languages may qualify for a Certificate of Bilingualism. The formal recognition afforded by the certificate could prove particularly valuable to graduates seeking employment in the many business and government careers where knowledge of both languages is required or an asset.

Any student may apply to be examined for the certificate, whether or not they have taken French or English courses at Mount Allison.

Language lab
Mount Allison's language lab provides students with a safe space to practice their language skills.

Faculty spotlight

Dr. Lauren Beck
Professor, modern languages and literatures

Canada Research Chair in Intercultural Encounter, will establish the Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture at Mount Allison

» Mount Allison professor named Canada Research Chair