Recommended Destinations for Ancient and Modern Languages
Rome, Italy
Aix-en-Provence, France
Tblisi, Georgia
Bath, England
Tunis, Tunisia
Freiburg, Germany
Ancient and Modern Languages
WHERE WORDS OPEN WORLDS
Examine the evolution of cultures and ideas through language, from the ancient world to contemporary global contexts.
The Department of Ancient and Modern Languages brings together five programs focused on the study of language, culture and the human experience across time and place. Whether you are drawn to Francophone Caribbean poetry, the politics of democratic Athens, German cinema, Russian folklore or Italian art, you will find a home here.
Through close faculty mentorship, study abroad on five continents and a tradition of undergraduate research, you will develop the analytical, communication and cross-cultural skills valued by employers and graduate programs.
What You Can Do
With Language Studies
Majoring or minoring in Ancient and Modern Languages signals not just language proficiency, but cultural fluency, analytical thinking and strong communication skills. Possible jobs include:
"Enrolling in GER 101 proved to be an incredibly rewarding decision. The small class size made learning a new language very enjoyable and facilitated a lot of discussion. From day one, Professor Klaus encouraged me to study abroad and apply my German knowledge in the real world." Tarang Malhotra ’26
Stephanie Ryan '26
Funded by the Charles H. Salisbury Summer International Internship Stipend, Ryan' 26 expanded her international teaching experience in Argentina.
Learn More
International & Diplomacy - Foreign Service Officer, Intelligence Analyst, Diplomatic Interpreter/Translator, International Relations Specialist, NGO Program Officer
Business & Global Commerce - International Marketing Manager, Global Supply Chain/Logistics Coordinator, Corporate Communications Specialist, Localization Specialist, Client Relations Manager for multinational firms
Education & Academia - Language Teacher (K–12 or higher ed), Professor or Researcher in languages, literature, or linguistics , Study Abroad Program Director, Academic Advisor for international programs
Media, Writing & Communication - Translator/Interpreter, Journalist or Foreign Correspondent, Editor or Publishing Specialist, Content Strategist for global audiences
Law, Government & Public Policy - Immigration Specialist, International Lawyer (with further study), Policy Analyst
Cultural, Travel & Nonprofit Work - Cultural Affairs Coordinator, Museum or Cultural Institution Staff, International Program Coordinator, Study Abroad Advisor, Humanitarian Field Worker
Emerging & Specialized Paths - AI Language/Linguistic Data Specialist, UX Writer for global products, Cross-cultural consultant, Digital humanities researcher
Ancient and Modern Languages Programs
The Department of Ancient and Modern Languages houses five programs, each with its own curriculum, faculty and identity. Uniting them are a commitment to close faculty mentorship, small discussion-based classes and study abroad experiences that transform the way students see the world. Across these programs, students engage deeply with languages, texts and cultures while developing new ways of thinking and understanding.
French and Francophone Studies
German Area Studies
Greek and Roman Studies
Italian Studies
Russian Area Studies
SAMPLE COURSES ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT
FRN 355 – Francophone Caribbean Identities
Learn the ways in which Francophone Caribbean writers represent their society in a context of deep alienations, and how they try to reinvent themselves and their community through the diversity of their unique culture and humanity.
GERE 214 – Berlin: A Cultural Biography
Explore the streets and spaces of Germany’s capital, the stories it holds and how they came to signify German identity throughout the country’s history.
CLAS 295 – Power, Politics, and Rhetoric in Democratic Athens
Whether it was convincing a state to support a war, mocking leadership or convincing a jury, arguments and public discourse lay at the heart of the ancient Athenian democracy.
RUSE 206 – America Through Russian Eyes
View American culture and identity with a Russian lens by studying readings and films by American and Russian poets, novelists and directors.
LAT 238 – Latin Epic (Vergil or Ovid)
A careful reading in Latin of a significant portion of the Aeneid or the Metamorphoses, with the entire poem read in English, to appreciate the poetry and its presentation of Augustan Rome.
Resources
ADAMS INTERCULTURAL CENTER
Sample German cuisine or practice Russian recipes at the Adams Intercultural Center. Attend screenings of Italian films. Learn to make crepes with Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants. Join the Eastern European Culture Club or compete in the New York State Collegiate Competition of Spoken Russian.
At Hobart and William Smith, learning goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. You’ll gain high-impact practical experience that deepens learning and opens doors.
GUARANTEED INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Through the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education, you’ll explore career paths, receive one-on-one advising and secure a funded internship or research experience. HWS guarantees every student at least one internship or research opportunity and provides the financial support to make it possible. As early as your first semester, you’ll partner with a dedicated career counselor who will help you connect your interests to meaningful opportunities and alumni mentors.
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No Borders:Global Education
Study fine art in France, urban life in Berlin, Roman politics in England or Russian language in Latvia. Students in the Department of Ancient and Modern Languages take full advantage of HWS’s top-ranked global education program, with study abroad options spanning Europe, Africa, North America and beyond.
Wherever you go, you’ll apply classroom knowledge, develop cultural understanding and build global connections that expand your perspective and sense of purpose.
