宾夕法尼亚大学

The Department of Romance Languages at the University of Pennsylvania offers courses in French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan languages, literatures, and cultures at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The undergraduate programs include courses ranging from elementary language to advanced seminars in French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese culture for majors and other interested students. The graduate programs (French, Italian, and Hispanic Studies) address the cultural production of France, Italy, Spain, and Latin America and of other areas in which these countries have had an impact historically. In small seminars, graduate students study these cultural manifestations from a variety of critical perspectives and disciplines, such as cultural studies, postcolonial theory and philosophy. The Department's excellent placement record attests to its commitment to the professional as well as to the intellectual formation of its graduate students.

French & Francophone Studies

The French language and French civilization have long been one of the dominant influences on world culture and France has played a major role in world history. French is spoken not only in Europe (France, Belgium, Switzerland) but in North America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. France exerts a strong cultural influence throughout the world and is a leading trading nation, excelling in such areas as aviation, public transportation, military hardware, food, wine, fashion, to name only the most highly visible. France is also a leader in the fields of science and medicine.

Italian Studies

The major in Italian Studies has two tracks or concentrations: 1) Italian Literature, 2) Italian Culture. The foundation of both is Italian language, which students will have the opportunity to master in all four areas of communication: speaking, listening, reading, writing. Building on that firm linguistic base, students may chose one of two tracks. Each one envisions a mix of courses taught in Italian and English, within Romance Languages and in other departments. The difference between the two concentrations is a matter of weighting.

Hispanic Studies

Majors in Hispanic Studies are overwhelmingly double majors. This means that they bring to their classes a dialogic perspective that engages in the study of Hispanic cultures informed by interest in other fields such as history, government, sociology, economics, medicine, and law. The richness and depth of these interests make for lively and intellectually rewarding classroom discussions.

Portuguese

The Portuguese program at Penn offers a range of courses in Portuguese language and in Brazilian culture, introducing students to the linguistic, historical, and cultural resources that will enable them to mine this rich field of study. The study of Portuguese language and Brazilian culture offers a fascinating route toward cross-cultural competency, preparing students for careers in business and finance, banking, economics, food sciences, biology, foreign affairs, international relations, education, healthcare, social services, agronomy, and technology.