thank you on chalkboard

Modern Languages

Learning a foreign language provides an exercise in cultural and linguistic concepts that open up new vistas on what it can mean to be human.

Hanada Al-Masri

Hanada Al-Masri,Associate Professor, Chair, Department of Modern Languages

Jason Busic

Jason Busic,Associate Professor, Director of Middle East & North African Studies, …

Liz Barringer-Smith

Liz Barringer-Smith,Academic Administrative Assistant

Modern Languages

About
About
An overview and description of the Modern Languages department at Denison University.
- Studying Abroad
- Patty Foresman Fund
Facilities
Faculty & Staff

Get in touch View all contacts

Fellows Hall - 301

740-587-6643

On-campus, you’ll learn from international scholars at the top of their fields. Off-campus, you’ll visit countries and cultural centers across the globe.

Learn more about Modern Languages

Spotlights

Professor Dosinda Alvite leading a class

Learn why Dosinda Alvite is a "master craftsman" of teaching

Students in Professor Dosinda Alvite’s classes learn through community, engagement — and lots of creativity.

Yazmina Ameerah Salahuddin-Robinson ’22

Overcoming doubt

Writing, illustrating, and self-publishing a book involves dozens of opportunities to learn something new.

Japanese City

Making an “Us” out of “Them”

Business culture consultant Laura Kriska ’87 has built a life diving deep into other cultures and bridging the gaps between worlds.

Tejido de Voces rehearsal (photo by Ron Abram)

Building Bridges: Ron Abram, Collaboration and Tejido de Voces

The importance of art - especially in a world divided by COVID, politics, and distance - is a tangible thing.

Tima Kaba ’19

Where We Go

Wide open possibilities

When Tima Kaba ’19 returned from a post-graduate fellowship in Tanzania, she was unemployed and uncertain of the future. Today, she is in her dream job.

Josi Miller enjoying some culinary art.

Where We Go

Catalonia and the Culinary Arts

An internship at the Smithsonian sparked a fascination that took Josi Miller ’20 to Palamós, Spain — and beyond.

Denison students with an Arab-American family

How We Learn

Learning by listening

An Arabic class connects students with a local Arab-American community, providing opportunities to learn language and culture outside the classroom.

Art Steinmetz ’80

Where We Go

From Russian Literature to Wall Street

Art Steinmetz '80 used his liberal arts education to land the top job at OppenheimerFunds

door on tree in forest

How We Learn

Once upon a time

Professor Maria Tatar '67 has built a career on the literature of fairy tales.

Elliot Conti with city in background

Where We Go

How do you say “Mentor” in Japanese?

For Elliot Conti '12, his mentor, "Onshi" Michael Tangeman '91 opened the door to Conti's life in Japan.

Michelle Agunloye on the beach

Where We Go

Unexpected connections in Brazil

For Michelle Agunloye '14, her study of Portuguese led to reconnection with her Nigerian roots within the Brazilian culture.

Keylee Jones with camel

Where We Go

Arabic: The cultural key to the Middle East

Keylee Jones '16 is continuing her study of Arabic after graduation, thanks to a Critical Language Scholarship.

3 students teach in brazil

How We Learn

It’s About the People

Three DU students spend time teaching in Brazil and develop new concepts of education, people, and wealth.

Curtis Plowgian

Where We Go

How do dogs bark in France?

Curtis Plowgian '06 took an unlikely route to a career in veterinary medicine

Isabel Randolph ’16

How We Learn

French connections

Connecting to France, in English.

What's Happening

Faculty

Prof. Kirk Combe launches blog about culture

Professor Emeriti Kirk Combe shares his fun reflections on all kinds of culture in a blog titled “Rant Against the Regime.”

University News

Denison welcomes 2022 newly tenured faculty

Denison University’s Board of Trustees has recently awarded tenure to six members of the faculty.

Conferences & Symposia

Doing Global Philosophy in the 21st Century

Faculty at Ahmedabad University and Denison University will participate in an online philosophy forum April 12th at 8:30 am EST/ 6pm IST.

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