Foreign Languages

At a Glance

I’m interested in this field of study. Can you tell me more about it?

Foreign languages is a field that is served by individual language departments and by the Department of Spanish. It is the only program of its kind at The Claremont Colleges, offering majors and minors from Pitzer (Arabic and Spanish), Claremont McKenna (dual languages such as Korean and Spanish; Spanish and Portuguese; and Spanish and French), and occasionally Pomona and Harvey Mudd. As a Scripps student, you can major or minor in foreign languages using any of these combinations, as well as Russian, German, and Chinese. Any language taught at The Claremont Colleges can be a major or minor.

What are some courses appropriate for first-year students interested in exploring this field of study?

We recommend any introductory course in two or three languages/literatures that interest you (courses at the 44 level and above) and any introductory course in cultural and sociolinguistics. Please consult with an adviser associated with foreign languages to determine the best steps for you.

If I decide to major or minor in this field, are there certain courses that need to be taken in a specific sequence?

Yes. In all languages, you need to place out of or take the corresponding level 44 course before you can declare a major or minor in foreign languages.

Can students who major or minor in this field complete a second major or minor (as a double major or a major/minor combination)? If so, what are some common pairings?

Absolutely. Dual majoring, double majoring, and minoring is possible, just like in most fields. We recommend that you study abroad for a year in both dominant languages. One semester abroad in your first dominant language is a requirement unless you have dispensation from an adviser.

What other useful information should I know about this field of study?

It is a versatile major/minor that can be combined with many other fields of study if you’re passionate about languages and their applications.

Scripps Catalog link to specific requirements for the major/minor:

https://catalog.scrippscollege.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=31&poid=4712

Link to profiles of faculty who teach in this field:

marina perez de mendiola; marino forlini; martin vega.

Course Catalog