Faculty

Chair

Ana Oskoz

Professor

Zakaria Fatih
B.A., Université d’Ibn Zohr (Morocco), 1990; M.A., Leiden Universiteit (The Netherlands), 1994; Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo, 2000

Ana Oskoz
B.A., University of Deusto (Spain), 1992; M.A., University of the Basque Country (Spain), 1993; M.A., The University of Iowa, 1997, Ph.D., 2003

John Stolle-McAllister
B.A., Bates College, 1987; M.A., University of Minnesota, 1991; Ph.D., 2000

Emeritus Professor

Alan S. Bell
A.B., Dartmouth College, 1964; M.A., The Johns Hopkins University, 1967; Ph.D., 1968

Thomas T. Field
B.A., Wheaton College, 1971; M.A., Cornell University, 1975; Ph.D., 1978

Edward Larkey
M.A., Philipps-Universität (Federal Republic of Germany), 1978; Ph.D., Humboldt-Universität-Berlin (Germany), 1986

Angela Moorjani
B.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1963; Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 1969

John H. Sinnigen
A.B., Dartmouth College, 1967; M.A., The Johns Hopkins University, 1968; Ph.D., 1971

Associate Professor

Nicoleta Bazgan
B.A., Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca (Romania), 2000; M.A., Ohio State University, 2003; B.A., 2007; Ph.D., 2008

Irina Golubeva
B.A., M.A., Herzen State Pedagogical University (Russia), 1992; Ph.D., University of Pecs (Hungary), 2009

Erin K. Hogan
B.A., Dartmouth College, 2003; M.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 2007; Ph.D., 2011

Omar Ka
B.A., University of Dakar (Senegal), 1975; M.A., 1976, 1979; Doctorat du Troisième Cycle, 1982; Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1987

Renée Lambert-Brétière
B.A., University of Quebec at Montreal, 1998; M.A., 2000; M.A.S., University of Paris 7, 2001; Ph.D., University of Lyon 2, 2005

Sara Z. Poggio
Licencia en Sociologia, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina), 1973; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1991

Ana María Schwartz Caballero
B.S., Barry University, 1966; M.Ed., Colorado State University, 1979; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1992

Steven Young
B.A., Fordham University, 1973; M.A., The University of Chicago, 1974; Ph.D., 1984

Emeritus Associate Professor

Stanley McCray
B.A., University of Toledo, 1974; M.A., University of Michigan, 1976; Ph.D., 1979

Alan S. Rosenthal
B.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1959; M.A., 1961; Ph.D., Rutgers University, 1970

Elaine Rusinko
B.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1971; M.A., Brown University, 1973; Ph.D., 1976

Judith M. Schneider
B.A., Barnard College, 1963; Ph.D., Duke University, 1969

Robert A. Sloane
A.B., Dartmouth College, 1964; M.A., University of Minnesota, 1967; Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 1972

Assistant Professor

Haniyeh Barahouie 
B.A., University of Tehran (Iran), 2012; M.A., Université Sorbonne (France), 2018; Ph.D., University of Virginia, 2019

David Beard
B.A., California State University San Marcos, 2006; M.A., Middlebury College, 2008; Ph.D., University of California, Davis, 2015

Tania Lizarazo
B.A., Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), 2005; M.A., 2009; Ph.D., University of California, Davis, 2015

Thania Muñoz Davaslioglu
B.A., California State University, Los Angeles, 2007; M.A. University of California, Irvine, 2011; Ph.D., 2015 

Christopher K. Tong
B.S., Stanford University, 2001; M.F.A., San Francisco State University, 2006; Ph.D., University of California, Davis, 2014 

Principal Lecturer

Samir El Omari
B.S., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2003; M.A., 2006; Ph.D., 2014

Susanne S. Sutton
1. Staatsexamen, University of Hannover (Germany), 1992; M.A., Texas State University, 1994; 2. Staatsexamen, District of Lüneburg (Germany), 1996

Senior Lecturer

Elisabeth Arévalo-Guerrero
B.A., University of Malaga, (Spain), 1997; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2003; Ph.D., 2009

William Brown
B.A., The City College of New York, 1971; M.A., University of Oregon, 1973; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1981

Milvia Hernández
B.A., University of the Coast (Colombia), 1994; M.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 2005

Tomoko Hoogenboom
B.A., Tsurumi University (Japan), 1986; M.A., University of Minnesota, 1995; Ph.D., 2007

Maria Manni
B.A., University of Rochester, 2007; M.S., 2009

Kyung-Eun Yoon
B.A., Seoul National University, 1992; M.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1999; Ph.D., 2006

Emeritus Senior Lecturer

Marie de Verneil
B.A., Central Michigan University, 1977; M.A., The Catholic University of America, 1980; Ph.D., 1983; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1999

Brigitte May
Staatsexamen, English, Spanish, Economics, Universitaet Heidelberg (Germany), 1966; Ph.D., Tulane University, 1974 

Lecturer

Sean Carmody
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2009; M.A., 2011

Vira Zhdanovych
B.A., M.A., Kiev University of Dramatic Arts, 1988; B.A., M.A., Kiev Higher Banking School, 1997

Courses in this program are listed under ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GERM, HEBR, HIND, JPNS, KORE, LING, MLL, RUSS, SPAN, and WOL.

In an increasingly interdependent world, the study of languages and cultures, including the heritage languages and cultures of immigrants to the United States, is a fundamental part of every student’s education. Knowledge of at least one foreign language and familiarity with different societies equip university graduates for more intelligent choices as citizens of today’s world and enhance their effectiveness in a range of career fields, including law, journalism, business, education, health care, banking, social work, management, international administration and many others in the public and private sectors. The study of linguistics and human communication provides perspectives and tools of analysis useful in every human endeavor. The Department of Modern Languages, Linguistics & Intercultural Communication (MLLI) offers an innovative, multi-disciplinary program with a triple focus: language, literature, and intercultural communication. Courses are offered in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, linguistics, Russian, Spanish and Wolof, as well as a range of culture and general education courses under the designation MLL (Modern Languages and Linguistics). Majors in the in Modern Languages, Linguistics & Intercultural Communication Department share a common interdisciplinary core of courses (MLL 190 , MLL 230 , and MLL 301 ), which provides a grounding in essential issues of human communication and social context. There are three options for the MLL major:

• (1) One-language option in French, German, Russian or Spanish
• (2) Language and Literary Studies
• (3) Applied Linguistics

The department also offers minors in Applied Linguistics, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Latin American studies; and certificates in Chinese, French, German, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Intercultural Communication. The program in modern languages combines exceptionally well with major programs in many other departments, where knowledge of another language and culture is often a valuable asset.

The courses listed as MLL, taught in English, provide offerings of general interest to both the major and non-major. These courses present a wide international and intercultural perspective on aspects of language, linguistics, world literature, culture and film.

Students may not enroll in language courses below their appropriate placement level without authorization from the MLLI department. Students who are heritage speakers of a language other than English or students who have had education abroad in a language other than English should consult the coordinator of the particular language area about the appropriate language level. For students who have completed level 3 of a language in high school, but who feel unprepared for the 201 course, a 103 review course is available in French and Spanish. Students who have had a three-year hiatus in language study may drop one level from their appropriate placement level. 

Career and Academic Paths

MLL graduates have successfully pursued careers in law, medicine, education, social work, government and international business, human rights organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Within the accelerated B.A./M.A. program offered by the department, qualified students completing an undergraduate major in Modern Languages & Linguistics  may, during their junior or senior year, apply for admission to the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Intercultural Communication. If accepted, they can apply nine credits of approved B.A. course work to their M.A. degree. Such students may be able to complete both degrees in five years. Those interested should contact the director of the INCC graduate program. A description of the M.A. in Intercultural Communication may be found in the Graduate Catalog. Courses frequently taken by undergraduates in the accelerated B.A./M.A. program include:

French track: FREN 610 Studies in French Language and Linguistics; FREN 630 Studies in French Literature; FREN 640: Studies in French-Speaking Culture and Society 

German track: GERM 601: German then and now : Studies in German Language; GERM 621: Intercultural Studies in German Popular Culture; GERM 681: Seminar in Intercultural German Studies 

Spanish track: SPAN 601: Studies in Spanish Language; SPAN 621: Studies in Hispanic Literature; SPAN 672: Topics in Latin-American Society 

For a complete list of courses and their descriptions, please consult the Graduate Catalog.

Study Abroad

Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish students are encouraged to spend a semester or at least a summer working abroad or studying in an approved university program in a country where the language is spoken. Students in these areas are advised by MLLI faculty on their choice of program and assisted in course selection and credit transfer. They are also put in contact with students who have returned from study abroad experiences. The experience of living and studying abroad is an extremely important asset for all language students. Students should discuss study abroad options with their advisor early in their studies. In general, financial aid may be applied to study abroad programs, and credits earned in courses taught in the target language through study abroad may be transferred to UMBC and applied towards the MLL major and minor programs, as approved by the student’s advisor. Students interested in co-ops and internships abroad are encouraged to consult the Shriver Center.

Honors Program

The Honors Program of the Department of Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication provides a small group of majors with additional intellectual experiences, both individually and as a group. The central components of the program are an honors seminar taught in English and the development and writing of an honors project, an experience that provides exceptional preparation for the profession or graduate school. Students who complete the program graduate with departmental honors. Information is available in the department office.

Teacher Certification

There are many openings for teachers of modern languages in public and private schools. Students intending to major in a language and seek elementary or early-childhood certification or seek secondary certification in their major language should consult with the Department of Education as early as possible for a description of the certification requirements and the procedures for admittance into the program.

Academic Advising

The Modern Languages Linguistics and Intercultural Communication department organizes annual information meetings on the major, internships and study abroad. Students with an interest in majoring or minoring in modern languages and linguistics, or pursuing a certificate in language studies or intercultural communication, should contact the department office at 410-455-2109. Majors and minors are assigned to a faculty advisor, but they are free to select a different advisor at any time and are encouraged to do so if their interests and career goals change. Transfer students should meet as quickly as possible with the coordinator in the area in which their main interests lie (Applied Linguistics, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish) to plan an efficient program of study.

Special Opportunities

Intercultural Living Exchange:

The Intercultural Living Exchange is a living learning community of UMBC. Students residing in the intercultural suites interact with international student resident mentors (native speakers of each cluster language: Chinese, French, and Spanish), who organize cultural and social activities for their language clusters as well as for the UMBC community. These activities include participation in UMBC’s International Week, intercultural presentations and workshops, language chat hours, study abroad presentations, international film festivals, field trips, culinary projects, intercultural holiday celebrations, lunches with faculty and excursions to concerts, plays and museum exhibits. Residence in the ILE provides excellent preparation for study abroad, as well as continuity for those who have previously gained language proficiency in a study abroad experience.

Internships

In collaboration with The Shriver Center, the department provides majors with information and support for internships. Internships and community service projects are available for activities ranging from teaching language to children to working with foreign travelers for VISA International. In addition, internships abroad have, in recent years, become a significant way of combining study abroad with work experience. Students interested in earning MLL credit for internships should consult with the department’s internship coordinator.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for majors to participate in study abroad programs. In addition, the German area offers the Knapple and Plogman scholarships for students in the German track.  

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The faculty encourages and supports undergraduate participation in faculty research.

Student Organizations

The department has several language clubs, often organized by native speakers. The German area offers membership in Delta Phi Alpha, the National German Honors Society. The Korean area offers membership in the Korean Student Association and Korean Dance Club. 

Programs

• Modern Languages and Linguistics, B.A.

• Chinese Certificate
• French Certificate
• German Certificate
• Intercultural Communication Certificate
• Korean Certificate
• Russian Certificate
• Spanish Certificate

• Latin American Studies Minor
• Modern Languages and Linguistics Minor

• Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication Departmental Honors

Courses

• LING 230 - World Language Communities (3)
• LING 280 - Studies in General Linguistics (3)
• LING 290 - Introduction to Applied Linguistics (3)
• LING 300 - Special Projects in Linguistics (1-3)
• LING 310 - Phonology and Morphology (3)
• LING 320 - Syntax (3)
• LING 330 - Language in Context (3)
• LING 350 - Historical Linguistics (3)
• LING 360 - Sociolinguistics and Dialectology (3)
• LING 380 - Studies in Linguistics (3)
• LING 390 - Linguistic Typology (3)
• LING 400 - Advanced Special Projects in Linguistics (1-3)
• LING 401 - Pragmatics (3)
• LING 410 - Language Planning (3)
• LING 450 - Workshop in Applied Linguistics (3)
• LING 470 - Language and Cognition (3)
• LING 480 - Advanced Studies in Theoretical Linguistics (3)
• LING 490 - Seminar in Applied Linguistics (3)
• LING 499H - Honors Paper in Linguistics (3)

• MLL 190 - The World of Language: Structural and Biological Aspects (3)
• MLL 190H - The World of Language I-Honors (3)
• MLL 191 - The World of Language: Cultural and Social Aspects (3)
• MLL 205 - Great Books from the French-Speaking World (3)
• MLL 206 - Great Books from the German-Speaking World (3)
• MLL 207 - Great Books from Russia and the Soviet Union (3)
• MLL 208 - Great Books from the Spanish Speaking World (3)
• MLL 209 - Great Books from Italy (3)
• MLL 210 - Africa: Culture and Development (3)
• MLL 211 - Postwar West European Cinema (3)
• MLL 212 - East European Cinema (3)
• MLL 213 - Film and Society in Spain (3)
• MLL 214 - The New German Cinema (3)
• MLL 215 - French Film Classics (3)
• MLL 216 - Classics in German Cinema (3)
• MLL 217 - Classics in Russian Film (3)
• MLL 218 - Film and Society in Latin America (3)
• MLL 219 - Contemporary French Cinema (3)
• MLL 220 - Film and Society in China (3)
• MLL 225 - Iranian Cultures (3)
• MLL 230 - World Language Communities (3)
• MLL 231 - Introduction to World Literature I (3)
• MLL 232 - Introduction to World Literature II (3)
• MLL 234 - Culture and Values through Art I (3)
• MLL 235 - Culture and Values through Art II (3)
• MLL 240 - Project in Cultural Sustainability (3)
• MLL 250 - Introduction to the French-speaking World (3)
• MLL 255 - Intercultural Paris (3)
• MLL 261 - German Ethnic and Cultural Identity (3)
• MLL 270 - Introduction to Russian Culture and Civilization (3)
• MLL 271 - Introduction to Modern Russian Civilization and Culture (3)
• MLL 280 - Introduction to the Spanish-Speaking World (3)
• MLL 288 - Information Technology in Foreign Languages (3)
• MLL 299 - MLLI Experiential Learning (1-2)
• MLL 300 - Selected Topics in Modern Languages and Linguistics (3)
• MLL 301 - Textual Analysis: Words, Images, Music (3)
• MLL 305 - Introduction to Intercultural Communication (3)
• MLL 306 - Intercultural Communication: Issues Confronting Immigrant and Heritage Communities (4)
• MLL 310 - Intercultural Studies of International Film (3)
• MLL 311 - Introduction to Korean Culture (3)
• MLL 313 - Images of Society in Contemporary Spanish Films (3)
• MLL 315 - Images of Society in Contemporary Korean Films (3)
• MLL 316 - Japanese Language in Society (3)
• MLL 317 - Images of Society in Contemporary Japanese Films (3)
• MLL 319 - Images of Society in Contemporary French Films (3)
• MLL 320 - International Feminist Filmmakers (3)
• MLL 321 - Jewish Writing in World Literature (3)
• MLL 322 - Gender, Race, and Media (3)
• MLL 323 - Modern Hebrew Literature (3)
• MLL 324 - World Language Issues (3)
• MLL 325 - Ethnic Minorities (3)
• MLL 326 - Literature and Social Change (3)
• MLL 327 - Modern Japanese Culture (3)
• MLL 328 - Traditional Chinese Fiction and Drama (3)
• MLL 329 - Early and Medieval Chinese Literature (3)
• MLL 330 - Theatre in Modern Languages (3)
• MLL 332 - Topics in German Culture (3)
• MLL 333 - Japanese Food Culture (3)
• MLL 334 - Modern Chinese Poetry and Lyric Culture (3)
• MLL 335 - Modern China: Culture, Society, and Environment (3)
• MLL 340 - Interconnections: Social and Historical Confluences (3)
• MLL 341 - Studies in World Literature (3)
• MLL 342 - Myth and Literature (3)
• MLL 344 - Literature and the Other Arts (3)
• MLL 360 - Topics in Russian Culture (3)
• MLL 370 - 19th Century Russian Literature and Society (3)
• MLL 371 - 20th Century Russian Literature and Politics (3)
• MLL 399H - Introduction to Honors Project (1)
• MLL 400 - Special Projects in Modern Languages and Linguistics (1-3)
• MLL 406 - Theory and History of Intercultural Media (3)
• MLL 410 - I’m a Cyborg But That’s OK (3)
• MLL 413 - Language, Gender & Culture (3)
• MLL 424 - Introduction to Cross Cultural Competency in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) (3)
• MLL 425 - Intercultural and Cross-Cultural Communication (3)
• MLL 430 - Internship in Modern Languages and Linguistics (1-3)
• MLL 460 - Global Stories (3)
• MLL 470 - L2 Acquisition and Learning: Theory to Practice (3)
• MLL 480 - Transcultural Studies in Global Television (3)
• MLL 490 - Seminar in Modern Languages and Linguistics (3)
• MLL 495 - Video Ethnography (3)
• MLL 498H - Senior Honors Seminar (3)
• MLL 499H - Senior Honors Project (3)