The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures aspires to form global citizens who combine a strong sense of their own cultural and spiritual identity with an understanding of other local and global cultures.

By learning other languages as part of a liberal arts education, students deepen their understanding of language and culture, they develop the skills to express themselves thoughtfully and to appreciate and critically analyze a variety of cultural texts—from canonical works of literature to contemporary media—within their historical and political contexts. These skills enhance students’ understanding of other core disciplines at The Catholic University of America and prepare them for a wide variety of careers from teaching to national and international service. The faculty serve as a model of this cross-cultural inquiry and dialogue not only through their active and wide-ranging research, but also through their cultural diversity and first-hand experience with other cultures.

Being immersed in the ethnic diversity, international character, and wealth of cultural resources in Washington, D.C.. our students have the opportunity to engage in daily contact with other cultures through internships, community service, and visits to embassies and cultural institutions. Through close cooperation with the Center for Global Education, students are able to fully immerse themselves in another culture through a great variety of study abroad programs.

By creating reflective, compassionate global citizens with an informed sense of moral and intellectual responsibility, the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures fully supports the mission of The Catholic University of America. We are especially committed to fostering mutual understanding and communication among members of disparate groups by cultivating both sensitivity to cultural differences and awareness of what binds us together as human beings.