The Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department helps students select the program and courses that best satisfy their individual needs and interests. Advisement for specific languages is handled by the language section heads as follows:

• Armenian: Vahram Shemmassian, (818) 677-3456
• French: Ahmed Bouguarche, (818) 677-3586
• Italian: Anthony Costantini, (818) 677-7226
• Japanese: Drake Langford, (818) 677-3460
• Spanish: Contact the Department office at (818) 677-3467

Faculty advisors for the Single Subject Credential are Brian Castronovo, (818) 677-5799; Adrian Perez-Boluda, (818) 677-2092; and Elias Ramos, (818) 677-3581.

The College of Humanities (COH) Student Services Center/EOP reviews students’ progress to ensure that the requirements of a major or minor are fulfilled. Call (818) 677-4784 or (818) 677-4767 to schedule an appointment with the COH Student Services Center/EOP.

In today’s global society, knowledge of other languages and cultures will enable you to expand career opportunities. In March 2014, the Latino population surpassed the number of non-white Hispanics living in the Golden State. By 2050, more than half of California’s population will be of Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander descent and a large percentage will speak a language other than English. Jobs in social services, business, communications and the government all need people with intercultural competence given this state’s rich ethnic and racial diversity.

There are many jobs that require proficiency in a second language. These include working in the Foreign Service, serving as a translator and/or interpreter for the government or the private sector, working at international institutions such as the World Bank, United Nations, or UNICEF, teaching foreign languages, literature, and cultures in schools or universities in the United States or abroad, working for transnational business corporations and even for the Olympic games.

Below you will find a list of the kinds of jobs people who major or minor in a second language have chosen:

• Social Services: social worker, occupational health care, probation officer, criminology and law enforcement, nursing, school counselor, drug abuse counselor, community organization worker, clergyman;
• Business and Finance: accountant, administration, human resources director, economist, stockbroker, import-export agent, international banking, international lawyers and patent attorneys;
• Communications: reporter, journalist, foreign news correspondent, publisher, editor, interpreter, tour guide, public relations, film producer or director, translators of books, articles, and reviews, advertising copywriter, book reviewer, columnist/commentator, public relations representative, radio announcer, production manager, technical writer;
• Science and Technology: engineer, chemist physicist, anthropologist, archaeologist, geologist, biologist, oceanographer, hospital management, studying or practicing medicine in the U.S. or overseas;
• Education: library science, elementary-, secondary-, and college-level teaching in the U.S and abroad, exchange program coordinator, international student advisor, teaching English as a second language, bilingual teacher, linguist;
• Government: translator, interpreter, law enforcement, military, foreign service, diplomat, immigration officer, customs inspector, Peace Corps worker, CIA/FBI/NSA agent;
• Travel Industry: hotel and resort staff management, travel agents, airline flight attendants, airport personnel, foreign travel advisor, tour guide.

• Italian Club: La Dolce Vita
• Spanish Club: L.U.C.I.A.

Credit by Challenge Examination

See individual course descriptions to find out which courses may or may not be challenged. For procedures governing the challenging of language classes, please consult with the Department Office.

Cooperative Program in Foreign Languages and Literatures

The Cooperative Program in Foreign Languages and Literatures gives CSUN students the opportunity, without additional fees, to take courses in foreign languages not available on this campus but offered at UCLA. In order to take advantage of this cross-enrollment option, students must be academically qualified and must have valid reasons for wanting to take the courses. Students are strongly advised to enroll in the Fall semester when beginning classes are offered. The enrollment process must be completed prior to September 10. Questions regarding qualifications and enrollment procedures should be referred to the Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures.

International Studies

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures supports the concept of international education and encourages students to investigate opportunities for overseas study. Certain courses taken at CSU International Program Study Centers abroad are equivalent to courses in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures and may be used to fulfill some of the requirements for Degree Options offered by the Department and/or certain General Education requirements. Please see the appropriate language advisor in MCLL prior to traveling abroad to determine these equivalencies. Students also should consult the International Programs Bulletin available in the Office of International and Exchange Programs, or the campus International Programs Advisor for more information.