About Us

• Teach the understanding and appreciation of all cultures, ancient and modern, providing basic knowledge about the literature, culture, and intellectual achievements of the communities involved.
• Expand, through research and publication, current scholarship in the fields of international literatures, cultural studies, second language pedagogy, second language acquisition, and other related fields.
• Teach the methods of understanding and interpreting texts, i.e., the methods of critical thinking that are essential to the education of good citizens.
• Play a leading role in internationalizing the University curriculum, enabling students to develop a global perspective.
• Ensure that graduates of the University have sufficient knowledge of and skills in an ancient or modern foreign language to build fluency in that language.
• Prepare our majors for careers in education, government, international trade, or related fields, or for graduate study leading to advanced degrees.
• Provide opportunities for studying languages and cultures abroad.
• Enhance the education of non majors by providing them with language skills that complement their chosen major.
• Provide opportunities for continuing language and literature study at the graduate level for students as well as for language teachers and other professionals.
• Work with the School of Education to prepare second language teachers for the schools of Delaware and nearby states, and collaborate with the Delaware Department of Education to facilitate articulation between secondary and post secondary second language education in the State.
• Act as a liaison between the University and the various language communities in the State.

The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Delaware unequivocally condemns racism, discrimination and oppression in any form. We stand in solidarity with protestors across the globe in affirming—​in every language—​that Black Lives Matter. As educators and scholars, we commit to taking concrete steps toward eliminating systemic racism and creating an equitable, supportive and welcoming community for all students, faculty members and staff.

We know that words alone are not enough to create change. More information about the concrete steps the DLLC is taking can be found below:

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION INITIATIVE

Steps the DLLC Is Taking

As the foundation for all we do, DLLC commits to creating an inclusive, respectful and supportive environment for all faculty, students and staff members. Racism, discrimination or bullying in any form will not be tolerated.

• DLLC commits to diversifying and decolonizing our curriculum; to implementing antiracist pedagogy; and to making anti-racist texts and supplementary resources available.
• We commit to creating opportunities for and financially supporting antiracist teaching workshops and events for faculty in ways that do not place additional burden on faculty of color.
• We commit to ensuring that DLLC events are welcoming to and inclusive of students from historically marginalized groups and to diversifying our program through actively seeking minority speakers.
• We commit to developing concrete strategies to recruit, retain and support diverse undergraduate and graduate students and faculty at all ranks and ensuring adequate representation within the department on all committees. We affirm our commitment to continued outreach with the Delaware K-12 system.
• We commit to seeking out and establishing scholarship and funding opportunities for minority students for study abroad and other opportunities.
• We commit to establishing a special departmental committee on Antiracism, Equity, and Diversity, to help hold us, as a department, accountable for enacting these steps and to assist us by engaging in dialogue, providing guidance, and serving as an ally and resource for students and faculty of color.
• DLLC commits to participating on the steering committee of the UD Antiracism Initiative​.