General Overview

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures within the College of Arts and Sciences offers a thorough program of study oriented to the individual. Active and interested faculty members work closely with students to focus on areas of interest in French, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Faculty members have studied, done research or resided in countries where those languages are spoken.

Students enjoy opportunities to learn through the most modern and effective methods and techniques. Our mediated classrooms allow them to view DVDs and videos with picture and audio that rival a movie theatre experience. Instructors can visit target language websites projected on the big screen to conduct, for example, a virtual tour of an art museum. Language clubs and native speakers who act as conversation partners give students further opportunities for success.

Degree Options

Bachelor of Arts:  Students complete a minimum of 32 hours in one language and 46-54 hours in General Education courses. A minor is required and may be completed in a second language or in some other field (Business Administration, Computer Science, English, History, Technology, etc.).

Bachelor of Science in Education:  This program provides preparation and training for those interested in teaching French or Spanish at the elementary or secondary level. Students complete 32 hours in one language, 46-54 hours in General Education, and 35 hours in Professional Education courses.  A minor is required and may be completed in a second language or in some other field (Biology, Computing, English, History, International Studies, Mathematics, Technology, etc.).

Master of Science in Secondary Teaching: The Department, in cooperation with the College of Education, offers a 15-hour language emphasis for degree candidates.

Career Opportunities

In today's global economy, knowledge of another language is an invaluable asset as a primary or secondary skill in the pursuit of almost any career. People competent in languages are needed in fields such as business, education, government, journalism, law, medicine, the travel industry, education, international commerce, medicine, ministry, state and national government.

Expanded Horizons
• travel
• study abroad
• discover other cultures
• increase employment opportunities

Additional Departmental Activities

Alpha Mu Gamma (the National Foreign Language Honor Society) as well as the French Club, and Spanish Club sponsor internationally-oriented activities including field trips to museums and theatre productions, the presentation of films, guest speakers, and social events to provide experiences with other cultures. Students have opportunities to participate in PSU study abroad programs.

Faculty

Judy Berry-Bravo, Chairperson,
University Professor of Spanish and Portuguese
B.A., Spanish and Linguistics, Wichita State University; M.A., Linguistics, Wichita State University; Ph.D., Romance Languages and Literatures, Washington University-St. Louis. Books: Autobiografía de James ‘Santiago’ Humberstone (Trans.);Literatura chilena en el exilio: Fernando Alegría y David Valjalo; Porque Iquique es Puerto; Rebelión en la pampa salitrera (Trans.); Texts and Contexts of Idea Vilariño’s Poetry; Romelia Alarcón Folgar: Palabra y Poesía de Guatemala; and Idea Vilariño: Poesía y Crítica. Articles in Alba de América, Revista Literaria; Confluencia, Revista Hispánica de Cultura y Literatura; Crítica Hispánica; Hispania; Latin American Theatre Review; Letras Femeninas; Monographic Review/Revista Monográfica; Review of Latin American Studies; Revista Académica y Cultural de la Universidad Arturo Prat; Revista Anda; Revista de la Universidad de San Carlos; Revista La Torre, Universidad de Puerto Rico; Revista de Ciencias Sociales and Reflexiones Educacionales.

Edmée Fernández, Associate Professor of Spanish
B.S.Ed., Modern Languages, Universidad Pedagógica, Bogotá, Colombia; M.S., Higher Education, Universidad Pedagógica, Maracay, Venezuela; Ph.D., Education, University of Kansas. Articles in CLAVE, Venezuelan Literature and Arts Journal; Journal of National Network for Early Language Learning; and Reflexiones Educacionales.

Yang Soo Kim, Graduate Assistant in Korean
B.S., Law, Kyunghee University. He is currently pursuing an M.A. in Human Resource Development.

Ekaterina Kolesnikova, Graduate Assistant in Russian
B.B.A., Finance, Pittsburg State University; B.B.A., Economics and Finance, Voronezh State University, Russia. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration.

Myriam Krepps, Assistant Professor of French
Licence d’anglais, Université de Toulouse le Mirail; M.A., Ph.D., French Literature, Washington University-St. Louis. Article in Lire Rimbaud. Approces critiques. Hommages à James R. Lawler.

Monte McFerron, Instructor of Spanish
B.S.Ed., Spanish, Missouri Southern State University; M.A.E., Teaching English as a Second Language, Oral Roberts University. Taught at Skyline High School, Neosho High School, McDonald County High School, Metro Christian, Monett High School, and Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School.

Julio Noriega, Assistant Professor of Spanish
Licenciatura, Hispanic Literature, Universidad Nacional Mayor, Lima, Peru; M.A., Spanish Literature, University of Pittsburgh; Ph.D., Hispanic Literature, University of Pittsburgh. Books: Five Quechua Poets/Pichka Herarawikuna (Ed.); Buscando una tradición poética quechua en el Perú; Encuentros con el otro: Textos e intertextos (Ed.); Poesía quechua escrita en el Perú. Articles in Constantine; Revista de Crítica Literaria Latinoamericana; Estudios de Lengua y Cultura Amerindies; Revista del Centro de Letras Hispanoamericanas; Bulletin of Societé Suisse de Américanistes; Latin American Indian Literature Journal; Revista Iberoamericana; and Cuadernos Hispanoamericanos.

Bert Patrick, Professor of Spanish
B.S.Ed., Spanish and History, Northeastern Oklahoma State University; M.A., Ph.D., Spanish, University of Missouri at Columbia. Book: Rice Powder (Trans.). Articles in Hispania and The Latin American Theatre Review.

Roberta Shilane, Lecturer of Spanish
B.S.Ed., Spanish, Ohio State University; M.L.S., Librarianship, University of Oregon. Taught at Carl Junction High School and McAuley Regional High School.

Brett A. Smith, Lecturer of Spanish
B.A., Spanish and International Studies, M.A., Communication, Pittsburg State University.

Bruno Wambi, Instructor of French
B.A., M.A., French Literature, University of Brazzaville, Congo; D.E.A. Francophone Literature, University of Bordeaux III, France; M.A., Library Science, Ph.D., Romance Languages, University of Missouri. Article in Chimères: A Journal of French Literature, Language and Culture.