Programs
Arabic Studies Program
Arabic is spoken in many countries that are at the center of highly critical events and world affairs. As a world leader, the United States of America and the American workforce have been heavily invested in the Middle East in various capacities and at different levels. Knowledge of a critical language such as Arabic and awareness of regional culture are valuable credentials that significantly expand work, research, and service possibilities.
Employment opportunities that require or recommend a level of proficiency in Arabic include the military, the State Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, American embassies and consulates, in addition to a large pool of non-governmental and humanitarian agencies. Additionally, knowledge of a less commonly taught language such as Arabic and familiarity of relevant cultures also enhance opportunities for admission to a number of prestigious and highly-specialized graduate programs. Several national and international scholarships and fellowships as well as a wide range of internship opportunities are geared towards candidates with relevant language skills.
Visit the Arabic Studies Program Website
Asian Studies Minor
The Asian Studies minor at Elon offers students an interdisciplinary program to study the art, history, geography, religion, languages, philosophy, politics, economics and and societies of this vast, diverse continent. Students also acquire a comparative context for their understanding of Asia in its relations with the US and other parts of the world. Asian Studies aims to provide students with a depth of knowledge and multiple critical perspectives with which to understand how these diverse locales have been and continue to be interwoven with the global.
Visit the Asian Studies Website
Chinese Program
The study of Mandarin Chinese is vital to success in a career dealing with Chinese politics, economics, business or culture. The State Department has deemed Mandarin Chinese a critical language to the national well-being of the United States; thus, mastering this complex language is an advantage in almost any field. In addition to scholarship opportunities, Mandarin Chinese skills can be used for Federal government (State Department), intelligence (CIA, FBI), international organizations (WTO, World Bank) and numerous private sector careers.
Visit the Chinese Program Website
Classical Studies Major & Minor
Classical Studies is an interdisciplinary program of studies in the languages, history, culture and heritage of the ancient and early modern world. This program gives students an opportunity for concentrated study of “classical” ideas and practices, which form an important part of Western civilization. In addition, the program examines the ways that these ideas and practices have influenced and been modified by later generations. A minor in Classical Studies can serve as a valuable complement to many fields, providing depth and context for a student’s other courses, encouraging analytical study of primary sources and allowing the pleasure of reading some of Western civilization’s greatest works.
Visit the Classical Studies Website
French Studies Major & Minor
French-speaking peoples span the globe—from North America and the Caribbean to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Spoken on five continents, French is an official language in 25 countries. The Francophone countries have shaped history and continue to play a vital role in the world. At Elon, we emphasize the richness of the language and of Francophone traditions from the Middle Ages to today. Our students gain linguistic and analytical skills to understand French-speaking societies through literature, history, cinema, and the arts, preparing them for contact with the French-speaking world in their studies and career.
Visit the French Studies Website
German & German Studies Major & Minor
Students in Elon’s German program are achieving remarkable things. Internships and careers with Bosch, Adidas, the German Stock Exchange (DAX), Westdeutscher Rundfunk, and MODOMOTO. Journalism fellowships in Berlin. Graduate school admissions in History, German, and International Studies. Participation in the Congress-Bundestag exchange program. Our mission is to help you leverage German to achieve your academic and career goals.
Visit the German Studies Website
Hebrew & Jewish Studies Program
Hebrew is an ancient Semitic language that has become a modern, vibrant language spoken by over 9 million people. Hebrew is the original language in which the Bible was written, and it is noteworthy that all Biblical words can be found in Modern Hebrew. A sampling of Hebrew words that can be found in English today include amen, hallelujah, jubilee, sabbatical, cherub, and many others. Elon University also has a Hebrew name: since the plot of land on which the college was built was filled with oak trees, Elon’s founders chose the Hebrew word for oak tree, “Elon.”
Visit the Hebrew Language Website
Italian Studies Minor
The Italian Studies minor engages students in developing linguistic proficiency, intercultural competence, and critical thinking skills. It consists of courses from a variety of disciplines—in Italian and in English—that focus on what fascinates us about the experiences and cultures of people in Italy and outside of Italy as a part of the Italian Diaspora: language, cuisine, art, literature, history, film, media, business, fashion, and more. Its courses are designed to develop expertise about Italy, its language, peoples and cultures; as well as to kindle passion, curiosity, and concern for other cultures more broadly.
The program is built upon traditional and innovative teaching and learning approaches: from close reading and analysis of literature, works of art, and film; to hands-on culinary classes and language learning through cutting-edge video games. The Italian Studies program engages students to learn to work with others through a variety of mediums in courses and internships on campus, around the US, and abroad in Florence and Sorrento. Thus, the program helps students to become informed global citizens and active producers, not just consumers, of knowledge.
Visit the Italian Studies Website
Latin American Studies Minor
The Latin American Studies minor offers an opportunity to study one of the most diverse and fascinating regions of the world. It enables students to supplement their major with coursework in two or more disciplines that explore the ways in which Latin Americans have expressed their culture and identity through language, literature and the arts.
Visit the Latin American Studies Website
Middle East Studies Minor
With its rich religious, historical and cultural diversity, the Middle East has long captured humanity’s imagination. Today the region’s strategic roles in global politics, conflict and economics command the world’s attention, inviting careful study and research. Elon’s Middle East Studies minor offers students an interdisciplinary program, designed to promote a deeper understanding of regional issues and perspectives.
Visit the Middle East Studies Website
Spanish Major & Minor
The Spanish program at Elon offers many opportunities for students. Besides offering a major and minor, we offer multiple study abroad opportunities, an honor society and a rigorous senior colloquium. A teaching licensure in Spanish is also an option for those interested in entering the education field. In our Living Learning Community (LLC) known as the Polyglot House, students live with others interested in Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures among a variety of other languages and cultures. Prof. Ricardo Mendoza serves as advisor to the Polyglot LLC and provides a link between the social atmosphere of the learning community and the academic content of the department. For more information, please contact Prof. Mendoza or visit the Facebook page for the Polyglot LLC.