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Modern Languages and Cultures
The curriculum in modern languages offers basic and advanced training in the languages, literatures, and cultures of France, Germany, Spain, and Latin America, China, and the Middle East.
The courses are designed to enable students to learn to speak and understand, read, and write a foreign language with an acceptable degree of fluency and correctness. Students are introduced to literary masterpieces, and through these they become familiar with the history, thought, and civilization of the countries where the language is spoken.
Degrees and Programs
Major(s): Modern Languages and Cultures
Degree(s): Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Concentration(s)/Minor(s):
- Arabic
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Spanish
To graduate with honors in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures a cadet must be a modern language major, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in courses taken in the major (exclusive of subjects taken in the 4th Class year), and have permission of the department head.
Cadets must complete ML 498 and ML 499 and produce a thesis which is written in the student's major foreign language, as appropriate.
The thesis must achieve a language ranking of "Advanced-High" and adhere to MLA specifications.
Modern Languages and Cultures in the News
Find out more about the department's cadets and faculty in recent VMI news.
VMI Holds Retrospective of German Program, Celebrates Sunnen’s Retirement
A gathering of department members, both past and present, was held recently to observe the ending of the program and reminisce about the professors who taught German at the Institute since J.T.L. Preston in 1839.
Chinese Language Teachers Gather at VMI
麻豆女演员 Institute hosted the spring 2026 Workshop of the Chinese Language Teachers Association of Virginia (CLTA-VA) April 11.