Fostering Knowledge of the Human Experience

We study French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, as well as the cultures throughout the world where they are spoken and written, and the classical languages and cultural heritage of Greece and Rome, enabling us to become proficient in these languages, literatures, and cultures, and to think critically about the world.

We offer

Individualized Attention

Small class sizes from award-winning faculty, staff and advisors

Service Learning & Research

Programs and classes dedicated to service learning and research opportunities

Career Connections

Establishing connections for mentors, guest speakers, and networking events

Program opportunities

Roman coliseum with streaks of car lights driving below

Classics & Mediterranean Studies

A minor in Classical and Mediterranean Studies encourages a greater appreciation of our classical past, and a deeper contemplation of the traditions and ideas that have shaped the world.

paris seine river, with bridge across it

French

Programs are designed for students who want to develop excellent reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the French language and build a strong understanding of the history and cultures of the French-speaking world. RCS offers an undergraduate minor, B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. programs in French.

Canal in Italy with buildings lining the side

Italian

A minor in Italian provides students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of Italian language and cultures with study abroad opportunities. 

Boat on a river in the city Porto

PORTUGUESE

The Portuguese minor creates a more globally aware, internationally focused student with knowledge of the language as well as the cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world.

Street lights and streaking car lights in centre Madrid

SPANISH

The Spanish minor, B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. programs encompass the richness and diversity of language, literature and culture in the Spanish-speaking world. RCS also provides opportunities for immersion in language and culture through study abroad and other experiences.

Program opportunities

Roman coliseum with streaks of car lights driving below

Classics & Mediterranean Studies

A minor in Classical and Mediterranean Studies encourages a greater appreciation of our classical past, and a deeper contemplation of the traditions and ideas that have shaped world.

paris seine river, with bridge across it

French

Designed for students who want to develop excellent reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the French language and build a strong understanding of the history and culture. French offers a minor, B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.

Canal in Italy with buildings lining the side

Italian

A minor in Italian provides students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of Italian language and cultures with study abroad opportunities. 

Street lights and streaking car lights in centre Madrid

Spanish

This program encompasses the richness and diversity within the language, literature and culture. It provides opportunities for immersion in Spanish-speaking cultures through a study abroad. Spanish offers a minor, B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.

Boat on a river in the city Porto

Portuguese

The Portuguese minor creates a more globally-aware, internationally-focused for students with knowledge of the language as well as the Portuguese culture.

Mierda Mexico, street with colorful building on either side

Hispanic studies

The program prepares students in the language, literatures, and cultures of the Hispanic world, with an emphasis on literary, linguistic and cultural studies and scholarly investigation. Hispanic Studies offers a M.A. and Ph.D.

student clubs

The language clubs in RCS offer the opportunity to learn about and share experiences related to diverse cultures, languages, and people.

Classics Society

French Club

Italian Club

Spanish Club

PORTUGUESE Club

featured News

A collage featuring five individuals and the Fulbright Program logo. Surrounding the logo are portraits of five people.
Award

College of Arts & Letters Faculty and Recent Graduates Awarded Fulbright Awards

Three faculty members and two recent graduates of the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University were offered Fulbright awards for the 2025-26 academic year and will reside and work in different countries because of the opportunities made available to them through these awards. Another recent College of Arts & Letters graduate was selected as an alternate and may have the opportunity to study abroad should another finalist decline their offer. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Through various Fulbright programs, students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields have

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July 2, 2025
A man with short gray and dark hair and a beard is pictured outdoors in front of a background of green and yellow foliage. He is wearing a dark suit over a light blue collared shirt and looks directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
News

Board of Trustees Approve Thomas Stubblefield as New Dean of MSU’s College of Arts & Letters

The Michigan State University Board of Trustees voted to approve the recommendation naming Thomas Stubblefield as the next Dean of the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University. On July 1, 2025, Stubblefield will join the university to serve as the 12th Dean of the College of Art & Letters. The Board of Trustees voted on the recommendation at its June 13, 2025, meeting. Dr. Stubblefield comes to Michigan State University from the University of Rhode Island where he has served as Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Interim Director of the Harrington School

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June 13, 2025
A crowd carries rainbow flags in a parade.
Research

Ask the Expert: How Pride Month Has Evolved and What That Means for LGBTQIA+ Representation

The first Pride march was held in New York City June 28, 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. The Stonewall Uprising started with a raid on the gay bar, the Stonewall Inn in New York City and resulted in six days of protests and fighting between police and the LGBTQIA+ community. In 1969, homosexuality was considered a criminal offense and police raids on gay bars and spaces were happening across the U.S. Stonewall was a tipping point that led to the gay liberation movement in the United States. Since then, LGBTQIA+ people and allies have continued

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June 6, 2025
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featured News

Image of paper people of all colors and sizes holding hands

RCS DEI Committee Series Workshop: Inclusive Language in the Classroom

Come join us on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 3-4:30 pm in Wells Hall A334! 

How do we use inclusive language when teaching Romance Languages?

LEARN MORE >

Citizen Scholar Interns in Argentina

Spanish major Carla Simone experienced a different culture while teaching English to students in first through seventh grade at Colegio Norbridge in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as part of a two-month summer internship.

READ MORE >

me-award-ceremony

“Working closely with faculty gives me a different perspective than just a student viewpoint. I get to see how the department and administration works and I know it will help me in the future when I become a Professor.”

Jonathan Montalvo

PhD graduate, Hispanic Cultural Studies Program

Learn More >

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