Global Languages
As MIT students pursue an expanding spectrum of international engagements, Global Languages classes and immersive international experiences help prepare them to live and work in the diverse and multilingual context of a globalizing world. Through our curriculum, students develop communicative and intercultural competencies, critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, diversity awareness, and cross-cultural understanding.
MIT’s Global Languages program offers a variety of areas of study in international languages, cultures, and intercultural communication. The curriculum consists of subject sequences in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish studies taught in the target language; a subject sequence in Studies in International Literatures and Cultures (SILC) taught in English; and subjects on the theory of languages taught by Linguistics faculty.
Concentrations are available in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Theory of Language. Students can also fulfill a concentration in Other Languages by taking coursework in Arabic at MIT, or in other languages taken through cross-registration at Harvard or Wellesley. Minors are available in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish; majors are available in French, German, and Spanish.
Undergraduate Study
Bachelor of Science in Global Studies and Languages (Course 21G)
Program I in French Studies, Program II in German Studies, and Program III in Spanish Studies are designed to provide competence in reading, writing, and speaking; general knowledge of French, German, or Spanish culture and literature; and advanced subjects in literature, film, and cultural studies.
For each option, the student designs a program in consultation with an advisor in order to meet individual interests, abilities, and goals. However, all majors reflect a balance of historical, geographical, cultural, and linguistic competence.
Other Degree Programs
Joint degree programs are offered in French, German, and Spanish, and include majors in combination with a field in engineering or science (21E, 21S). See the Department of Humanities section for further information on joint degree programs.
Minor in Chinese
The Minor in Chinese typically consists of six subjects arranged into three levels of study as follows:
| Tier I | ||
| Two language subjects at the intermediate level: | 0-24 | |
| Select one of the following options: | ||
Option 1 (Regular): | ||
| Chinese III (Regular) | ||
| Chinese IV (Regular) | ||
Option 2 (Streamlined): | ||
| Chinese III (Streamlined) | ||
| Chinese IV (Streamlined) | ||
| Tier II | ||
| Select two to four language subjects at the advanced level depending on demonstrated level of entering competence: 1 | 24-48 | |
| Chinese V (Regular): Discovering Chinese Cultures and Societies | ||
| Chinese VI (Regular): Discovering Chinese Cultures and Societies | ||
| Intermediate Chinese in Shenzhen | ||
| Chinese V (Streamlined) | ||
| Advanced Chinese in Shenzhen | ||
| Business Chinese | ||
| Chinese for Professional Communications | ||
| Tier III | ||
| Select two of the following subjects in literature, history, politics,or culture, at least one of which must be a Chinese Language Option subject: | 25-26 | |
| Reading Masterpieces of Classical East Asian Literature and Philosophy | ||
| Foundations of East Asian Literature and Culture: From Confucius to the Beats | ||
| Three Kingdoms: From History to Fiction, Comic, Film, and Game | ||
| From Yellow Peril to Model Minority: Asian American History to 1968 | ||
| Classics of Chinese Literature in Translation | ||
| Modern Chinese Fiction and Cinema | ||
| Global Chinese Food: A Historical Overview | ||
| Global Chinese Migration, 1567-Present | ||
| Dynastic China | ||
| Modern China | ||
| Nature and Environment in China | ||
| China on Stage | ||
Chinese Language Option (CLO) Subjects: 2 | ||
| Three Kingdoms: From History to Fiction, Comic, Film, and Game | ||
| Reading Masterpieces of Classical East Asian Literature and Philosophy | ||
| Foundations of East Asian Literature and Culture: From Confucius to the Beats | ||
| Modern Chinese Fiction and Cinema | ||
| Introduction to East Asian Cultures: From Zen to K-Pop | ||
| Classics of Chinese Literature in Translation | ||
| Global Chinese Migration, 1567-Present | ||
| Total Units | 73 | |
| 1 | A typical minor in Chinese requires four language subjects (Tiers I and II). For advanced students in the Streamlined track, students are required to consult with the minor advisor on alternatives for satisfying the language requirement. In general, no more than one English-taught subject can count towards the minor. |
| 2 | The seven 13-unit Chinese Language Option subjects — 21G.133, 21G.137, 21G.141, 21G.192, 21G.193, 21G.195, and 21G.196 — include some assignments that require reading and writing in Chinese, and they meet with the following 12-unit subjects, respectively: 21G.042[J], 21G.037[J], 21G.041[J], 21G.046, 21G.030[J], 21G.044[J], and 21G.075[J]. |
Minor in French
The Minor in French consists of six subjects typically arranged into three levels of study as follows:
| Tier I | ||
| Two subjects or fewer depending on demonstrated level of entering competence: | 0-24 | |
| French III | ||
| French IV | ||
| Tier II | ||
| Select up to four of the following intermediate level subjects in language, literature, and culture: | 0-48 | |
| Writing (Like the) French | ||
| French Conversation: Intensive Practice | ||
| Introduction to French Culture | ||
| Basic Themes in French Literature and Culture | ||
| Francophone Cultures Through the Arts | ||
| A Window onto Contemporary French Society | ||
| Marseille Unveiled: Digital Stories and Intercultural Encounters | ||
| Tier III | ||
| Select a minimum of two of the following advanced subjects in French literature and culture: | 24-72 | |
| Taught in French | ||
| Introduction to French Literature | ||
| Childhood and Youth in French and Francophone Cultures | ||
| Frenchness in an Era of Globalization | ||
| French Literature and the Goncourt Prize | ||
| New Culture of Gender: Queer France | ||
| Contemporary French Film and Social Issues | ||
| French Pop Music | ||
| Debates and Controversies in French and Francophone Literature and Culture | ||
| French Feminist Literature: Yesterday and Today | ||
| Topics in Modern French Literature and Culture | ||
| Global Paris | ||
| Social and Literary Trends in Contemporary Short French Fiction | ||
| Understanding Contemporary French Politics 2 | ||
| North America Through French Eyes | ||
| Francophone Perspectives on the Mediterranean | ||
| The Invention of French Theory: A History of Transatlantic Intellectual Life since 1945 | ||
| Taught in English 1 | ||
| French Photography (Taught in French) | ||
| Looking East/Looking West | ||
| Film & Existentialism | ||
| French Film Classics | ||
| Understanding Contemporary French Politics 1 | ||
| France and Haiti: Enlightenment, Slavery, and Revolution | ||
| The Making of Modern Europe: 1789-Present 2 | ||
| Literature and Existentialism | ||
| The Invention of French Theory: A History of Transatlantic Intellectual Life since 1945 | ||
| Taught in English with French Language Option | ||
| The Making of Modern Europe: 1789-Present | ||
| Total Units | 72 | |
| 1 | Students are required to consult with the advisor on the limited number of subjects taught in English with or without a language option when preparing a minor course plan. In general, no more than one English-taught subject can count towards the minor. |
Minor in German
The Minor in German consists of six subjects arranged into three levels of study as follows:
| Tier I | ||
| Two subjects or fewer depending on demonstrated level of entering competence: 1 | 0-24 | |
| German III | ||
| German IV | ||
| Tier II | ||
| Select up to four of the following intermediate level subjects in language, literature, and culture: | 0-48 | |
| German Conversation Practice: Online Immersion | ||
| Advanced German: Visual Arts, Media, Creative Expression | ||
| Advanced German: Communication for Professionals | ||
| Conflict, Contest, Controversy: A Literary Investigation of German Politics | ||
| Advanced German: Literature and Culture | ||
| Food and Culture in the German-Speaking World: Language, Identity, and Belonging | ||
| Tier III | ||
| Select a minimum of two of the following advanced subjects in German literature and culture: 1 | 24-72 | |
| Taught in Gernan | ||
| Cultural Geographies of Germany: Nature, Culture, and Politics | ||
| German Cinema | ||
| Franz Kafka: An Author for the 21st Century | ||
| Taught in English 1 | ||
| Media in Weimar and Nazi Germany | ||
| The Making of Modern Europe: 1789-Present | ||
| Gender, Race, and Environmental Justice | ||
| Race and Migration in Europe | ||
| Paradigms of European Thought and Culture | ||
| Modern Germany | ||
| European Politics | ||
| The World of Charlemagne | ||
| Taught in English with German Language Option | ||
| Race and Migration in Europe | ||
| City Living: Ethnographies of Urban Worlds | ||
| Total Units | 72 | |
| 1 | Students are required to consult with the advisor on the number of subjects taught in English with or without a language option when preparing a minor course plan. In general, no more than one English-taught subject can count towards the minor. |
Minor in Japanese
The Minor in Japanese consists of six subjects arranged into three levels of study as follows:
| Tier I | ||
| Two language subjects at the intermediate level: | 0-24 | |
| Japanese III 1 | ||
| Japanese IV 1 | ||
| Tier II 2 | ||
| Select two or three language subjects at the advanced level depending on demonstrated level of entering competence: | 24-36 | |
| Japanese V | ||
| Japanese VI | ||
or 21G.516 | Japanese VI (Hybrid) | |
| Project-based Japanese Learning with Multimedia | ||
| Tier III | ||
| Select two of the following subjects in literature, history, politics, or culture, at least one of which must be a Japanese Language Option subject: | 25-26 | |
| Taught in English | ||
| International Relations of East Asia | ||
| Politics and Policy in Contemporary Japan | ||
| Introduction to East Asian Cultures: From Zen to K-Pop | ||
| Reading Masterpieces of Classical East Asian Literature and Philosophy | ||
| Foundations of East Asian Literature and Culture: From Confucius to the Beats | ||
| Looking East/Looking West | ||
| Gateway to Japanese Literature and Culture | ||
| Introduction to Japanese Culture | ||
| Japanese Media Cultures | ||
| Digital Media in Japan and Korea | ||
| Japanese Cinema | ||
| Cultures of Popular Music in East Asia: Japan, Korea, China | ||
| Inventing the Samurai | ||
| Modern Japan: 1600 to Present | ||
| World War II in Asia | ||
Japanese Language Option subjects: 1 | ||
| Reading Masterpieces of Classical East Asian Literature and Philosophy | ||
| Foundations of East Asian Literature and Culture: From Confucius to the Beats | ||
| Inventing the Samurai | ||
| Modern Japan: 1600 to the Present | ||
| World War II in Asia | ||
| Gateway to Japanese Literature and Culture | ||
| Introduction to Japanese Culture | ||
| Japanese Media Cultures | ||
| Japanese Cinema | ||
| Cultures of Popular Music in East Asia: Japan, Korea, China | ||
| Digital Media in Japan and Korea | ||
| Total Units | 73 | |
| 1 | The hybrid versions of Japanese III and Japanese IV currently offered under the special subject numbers 21G.S53 and 21G.S54 are equivalent to and may be taken in place of the regular versions offered under 21G.504 and 21G.506. |
| 2 | A typical minor in Japanese requires four language subjects (Tiers I and II). For advanced students coming into the minor at or above the Tier II level, they are required to consult with the advisor on alternatives for satisfying the language requirement. In general, no more than one English-taught subject can count towards the minor. |
| 3 | The ten 13-unit Japanese Language Option subjects—21G.537, 21G.541, 21G.554, 21G.555, 21G.556, 21G.562, 21G.592, 21G.593, 21G.594, 21G.595, and 21G.597—include some assignments that require reading and writing in Japanese, and they meet with the following 12-unit subjects, respectively: 21G.037[J], 21G.041[J], 21H.154, 21H.155, 21H.354,21G.062[J], 21G.064, 21G.065[J], 21G.094[J], 21G.095[J], and 21G.067[J]. |
Minor in Spanish
The Minor in Spanish consists of six subjects arranged into three levels of study as follows:
| Tier I | ||
| Two subjects or fewer depending on demonstrated level of entering competence: | 0-24 | |
| Spanish III | ||
| Spanish IV | ||
| Spanish for Medicine and Health | ||
| Tier II | ||
| Select up to four of the following intermediate level subjects in language, literature, and culture: | 0-48 | |
| Graphic Stories: Spanish and Latin American Comics | ||
| Advanced Communication in Spanish: Topics in Language and Culture | ||
| Advanced Spanish Conversation and Composition: Perspectives on Technology and Culture | ||
| Spanish Conversation and Composition | ||
| Spanish through Film: Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Spain | ||
| Spanish for Heritage Learners | ||
| Topics in Medicine and Public Health in the Hispanic World | ||
| Spanish in Context: Social Movements and Cultural Change | ||
| Tier III | ||
| Select a minimum of two of the following advanced subjects in Spanish literature and culture: | 24-72 | |
| Taught in Spanish | ||
| Introduction to Contemporary Hispanic Literature and Film | ||
| Power and Culture: Utopias and Dystopias in Spain and Latin America | ||
| Creation of a Continent: Media Representations of Hispanic America, 1492 to present | ||
| Advanced Topics in Hispanic Literature and Film | ||
| The Short Form: Literature and New Media Cultures in the Hispanic World | ||
| Literature and Social Conflict: Perspectives on Spain | ||
| Globalization and its Discontents: Spanish-speaking Nations | ||
| The New Spain: 1977-Present | ||
| Taught in English 1 | ||
| Latin America and the Global Sixties: Counterculture and Revolution | ||
| The New Latin American Novel | ||
| The Spanish Incubator | ||
| Latin America Through Film | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Studies | ||
| Socialism in Latin America, from Che Guevara to Hugo Chávez | ||
| Latinx in the Age of Empire | ||
| From Coca to Cocaine: Drug Economies in Latin America | ||
| Introduction to European and Latin American Fiction | ||
| Total Units | 72 | |
| 1 | Students are required to consult with the advisor on the limited number of subjects taught in English with or without a language option when preparing a minor course plan. In general, no more than one English-taught subject can count towards the minor. |
Other Minors
Please also refer to the Minor in Applied International Studies and the HASS Minors in Regional Studies, which include African and African Diaspora Studies, Asian and Asian Diaspora Studies, Latin American and Latino/a Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, and Russian and Eurasian Studies.
Inquiries
Information on subjects and programs may be obtained from the Global Languages Section Office, Room 14N-305, 617-253-4771, or via email.
Faculty and Teaching Staff
Per Urlaub, PhD
Professor of the Practice of German and Second Language Studies
Director, Global Languages
Senior Lecturers
Takako Aikawa, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Japanese
Eva Dessein, PhD
Senior Lecturer in French
Liana Ewald, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Spanish
Dagmar Jaeger, PhD
Senior Lecturer in German
Hee-Jeong Jeong, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Korean
Maria Khotimsky, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Russian
Haohsiang Liao, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Chinese
Lecturers
Sofiya Bodnar, PhD
Lecturer in German
Tong Chen, MA
Lecturer in Chinese
Cathy Culot, MA
Lecturer in French
Nilma Dominique, PhD
Lecturer in Portuguese
Panpan Gao, MA
Lecturer in Chinese
Emily Goodling, PhD
Lecturer in German
Masami Ikeda, MA
Lecturer in Japanese
Min-Min Liang, MA
Lecturer in Chinese
Wakana Maekawa, MA
Lecturer in Japanese
Leanna Bridge Rezvani, PhD
Lecturer in French
Mariana San Martín, MA
Lecturer in Spanish
Ayae Uwabo, MA
Lecturer in Japanese
David Yagüe González, PhD
Lecturer in Spanish
Ana Yáñez Rodríguez, MA
Lecturer in Spanish
Kang Zhou, MA
Lecturer in Chinese
Professors Emeriti
Ellen W. Crocker, MA
Senior Lecturer Emerita in German
Isabelle de Courtivron, PhD
Professor Emerita of French Studies
Jane M. Dunphy, MA
Senior Lecturer Emerita in English Language Studies
Gilberte Furstenberg, Agrégation
Senior Lecturer Emerita of French Studies
Elizabeth J. Garrels, PhD
Professor Emerita of Spanish and Latin American Studies
Sabine Levet, MA
Senior Lecturer Emerita in French
Douglas Morgenstern, MA
Senior Lecturer Emeritus in Spanish
Edward Baron Turk, PhD
John E. Burchard Professor Emeritus
Professor Emeritus of French Studies and Film
Julian Wheatley, PhD
Senior Lecturer Emeritus in Chinese