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

Don Quixote Sits in Movie Theater
Spanish

SPN462: Don Quixote Rides the Silver Screen

Tu & Th 12:40 – 2:00, 3 cr., Wells Hall A124 Join Don Quixote, Sancho Panza and a host of other vivid characters on a wild ride that will take you from a forgettable town in the heartland of 17th-century Spain right up to us here the present, passing through almost every other imaginable place on the way. The object of study of this course is twofold. First, of course, we will examine selections from Miguel de Cervantes’ literary masterpiece, El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, also known as Don Quixote (1605, 1615). The second focus will

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March 17, 2025

Prof. Carmen De Lorenzo Earns Prestigious Appointment  

We’re thrilled to share some incredible news from the Department of Romance and Classical Studies! Prof. Carmen De Lorenzo has been appointed as the Michigan Representative for the Osservatorio della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo—a prestigious recognition from the Italian Consulate honoring her dedication to advancing Italian language education at all levels. As part of this role, Prof. De Lorenzo will collaborate with educators, cultural leaders, and consular officials to strengthen Italian programs and create exciting new opportunities for students and communities across the state. From advising on educational initiatives to spotlighting Italian culture, her work will help shape how

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March 14, 2025
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Who Protects Those Who Heal? An RCS Student Honors Project 

As part of the FRN 440 course on Franco-Arabic Comics, Kriti Shirodkar has undertaken an honors project under the guidance of Professor Valentina Denzel. Her research is dedicated to the life and legacy of Razan al-Najjar, a Palestinian medic whose death in 2018 became a symbol of resilience and injustice. Through a feminist and postcolonial lens, Kriti examines how Razan’s story has been represented in Western and French media, exposing the erasure of Palestinian women’s voices in global discourse.  This project is more than historical documentation as it also reflects an act of remembrance and advocacy. By analyzing media narratives, Kriti explores the intersections of gender, humanitarian work, and

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March 14, 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.

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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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