World Languages and Cultures

Understanding world cultures and being conversant in another language are fundamental skills for today's global citizens. Graduates with multiple languages go on to find work in fields as diverse as government, politics, international relations, journalism, health and social services, translation services, environmental advocacy, education, and the arts.

World Languages and Cultures offers instruction in nine languages: Ancient Greek, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Other elective coursework includes classical civilization, film, historical perspectives, literature, modern culture, and peace and conflict studies. Students also have a wide range of opportunities for experiential learning via study abroad, international internships, undergraduate research, and other high-engagement activities.

NEWS AND STORIES

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Dr. Edgar Landgraf named BGSU Distinguished Research Professor

On February 24, 2023, the BGSU Board of Trustees "bestowed academic honors on three faculty members for contributions to BGSU, research excellence, and commitment to students."

World Languages & Cultures Department Professor, Dr. Edgar Landgraf was named a Distinguished Research Professor.  He has been with BGSU since 1998.  Dr. Landgraf has an international reputation as one of the leading scholars for the study of Nietzsche and Posthumanism.

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BGSU Students win honors in Ohio Olympiada of Spoken Russian

Students from across the state recently participated in the Ohio Undergraduate Olympiada of Spoken Russian. The event, hosted at BGSU by Russian faculty, was held in February.

The competition consisted of three sections: a poem recitation, an oral interview, and a presentation based on a topic that was chosen by each student. In addition to putting their Russian skills to the test, the competition gave the students a chance to meet and network with other Russian language learners in the state of Ohio.

For the second consecutive year, a BGSU student won FIRST place in the Level I catagory! Congratulations to BGSU Students Cora Mae McLain, 1st place-Level 1 and Skye Bielstein, 3rd place-Level 1.

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Dr. Valeria Grinberg Pla, BGSU professor of Spanish

Dr. Philip Peek honored as Distinguished Teaching Professor

Dr. Philip Peek, World Languages and Cultures Department Chair, was named a Distinguished Teaching Professor by the BGSU Board of Trustees in February 2023.

Professor Peek's textbook, "Ancient Greek I: A 21st-Century Approach," was published as an open-access text. This textbook has had more than 10,000 downloads on six continents, and in more than 35 different countries.

Dr. Peek was also recently honored by his peers as recipient of the Classical Assocition of the Middle West and South (CAMWS) Award for Excellence in College Teaching. Read more about this award.

Updated: 02/15/2024 04:59PM