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Faculty

Chair

Steven Young

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Emeritus Senior Lecturer

Marie Deverneil
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

Catalina Chacón Shorkey
B.A., University of Maryland, 1995; M.A., 2018

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, 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, 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 Modern Languages, Linguistics & Intercultural Communication Department share a common interdisciplinary core of courses, which provides a grounding in essential issues of human communication and social context. There are four options for the MLLI major:

• (1) One-language concentration in French, German, Russian or Spanish
• (2) Two-language concentration, with French, German, Russian, or Spanish as the primary language
• (3) Language and Cultural Studies concentration (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish)
• (4) Applied Linguistics concentration

The department also offers minors in Applied Linguistics, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Latin American studies and certificates in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, 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: Studies in German Language Seminar; 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 

A complete list of courses and their descriptions in published in 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 Education  Department 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 (ILE) 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 currently include Chinese, French, Japanese, 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. Students participating in the ILE complete one credit per semester of MLL 299  and one credit of MLL 430  community service.

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 and 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.

• Arabic Language and Culture Minor
• Japanese Language and Culture Minor
• Latin American Studies Minor
• Linguistics Minor
• Modern Languages and Linguistics Minor

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

Courses

• ARBC 101 - Elementary Arabic I (4)
• ARBC 102 - Elementary Arabic II (4)
• ARBC 201 - Intermediate Arabic I (4)
• ARBC 202 - Intermediate Arabic II (4)
• ARBC 301 - Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I (3)
• ARBC 302 - Advanced Modern Standard Arabic II (3)
• ARBC 325 - Introduction to Arabic Dialects (3)
• ARBC 333 - Introduction to Arabic Translation (3)
• ARBC 350 - Arabic Media (3)
• ARBC 355 - Introduction to Arabic Culture and Civilization (3)

• CHIN 101 - Elementary Chinese I (4)
• CHIN 102 - Elementary Chinese II (4)
• CHIN 201 - Intermediate Chinese I (4)
• CHIN 202 - Intermediate Chinese II (4)
• CHIN 300 - Special Projects in the Chinese Language and Culture (1-3)
• CHIN 301 - Advanced Chinese I (3)
• CHIN 302 - Advanced Chinese II (3)
• CHIN 309 - Business Chinese (3)
• CHIN 315 - Introduction to Literary Chinese (3)
• CHIN 319 - Chinese Translation (3)

• FREN 101 - Elementary French I (4)
• FREN 102 - Elementary French II (4)
• FREN 103 - Intensive Review of Elementary French (4)
• FREN 201 - Intermediate French I (4)
• FREN 202 - Intermediate French II (4)
• FREN 300 - Special Projects in French Language (1-3)
• FREN 301 - Advanced French I (3)
• FREN 302 - Advanced French II (3)
• FREN 310 - Interconnections: Language (3)
• FREN 315 - French Phonetics (3)
• FREN 319 - French Translation (3)
• FREN 320 - Interconnections: Trade, Technology, and Globalization (3)
• FREN 330 - Interconnections: Ideas, Literature and the Arts (3)
• FREN 339 - Exploration in Ideas, Literature and the Arts (3)
• FREN 340 - Interconnections: Social and Historical Confluences (3)
• FREN 349 - Explorations in History and Society (3)
• FREN 399 - Experiential Learning in French (3)
• FREN 400 - Special Topics in French (1-3)
• FREN 410 - Studies in French Language and Linguistics (3)
• FREN 430 - Studies in French Literature (3)
• FREN 440 - Studies in French Speaking Culture and Society (3)
• FREN 450 - Seminar in French (3)

• GERM 101 - Elementary German I (4)
• GERM 102 - Elementary German II (4)
• GERM 103 - Intensive Review of Elementary German (4)
• GERM 201 - Intermediate German I (4)
• GERM 202 - Gateway to Advanced German Studies (4)
• GERM 300 - Special Projects in German Language (1-3)
• GERM 301 - Advanced German Studies I (3)
• GERM 302 - Advanced German Studies II (3)
• GERM 303 - Topics in German (3)
• GERM 309 - German for Professional Purposes (3)
• GERM 310 - Advanced Grammar and Style in Context (3)
• GERM 311 - Introduction to German Literature and Culture I (3)
• GERM 312 - Introduction to German Literature and Culture II (3)
• GERM 313 - The Contemporary German-Speaking World (3)
• GERM 315 - Experiential Learning in German (1-3)
• GERM 319 - German Translation (3)
• GERM 321 - Studies in German Literature (3)
• GERM 332 - The Structure of German (3)
• GERM 350 - German Complementary Reading (1-3)
• GERM 375 - Germany Then and Now: Explorations of German Cultural and Intellectual History (3)
• GERM 400 - Special Projects in German (1-3)
• GERM 401 - German then and now: Studies in German Language (3)
• GERM 420 - German Culture in Global Context (3)
• GERM 421 - Intercultural Studies in German Popular Culture (3)
• GERM 481 - Seminar in Intercultural German Studies (3)

• HEBR 101 - Elementary Modern Hebrew I (4)
• HEBR 102 - Elementary Modern Hebrew II (4)
• HEBR 201 - Intermediate Modern Hebrew I (4)
• HEBR 202 - Intermediate Modern Hebrew II (4)
• HEBR 301 - Advanced Hebrew I (3)
• HEBR 302 - Advanced Hebrew II (3)
• HEBR 323 - Selected Hebrew Authors (3)

• HIND 101 - Elementary Hindi I (4)
• HIND 102 - Elementary Hindi II (4)
• HIND 201 - Intermediate Hindi I (4)
• HIND 202 - Intermediate Hindi II (4)

• JPNS 101 - Elementary Japanese I (4)
• JPNS 102 - Elementary Japanese II (4)
• JPNS 201 - Intermediate Japanese I (4)
• JPNS 202 - Intermediate Japanese II (4)
• JPNS 300 - Special Projects in the Japanese Language and Culture (1-3)
• JPNS 301 - Advanced Japanese I (3)
• JPNS 302 - Advanced Japanese II (3)
• JPNS 309 - Business Japanese (3)
• JPNS 319 - Japanese Translation (3)

• KORE 101 - Elementary Korean I (4)
• KORE 102 - Elementary Korean II (4)
• KORE 201 - Intermediate Korean I (4)
• KORE 202 - Intermediate Korean II (4)
• KORE 300 - Special Projects in Korean Language (1-3)
• KORE 301 - Advanced Korean I (3)
• KORE 302 - Advanced Korean II (3)
• KORE 309 - Korean for Professional Purposes (3)
• KORE 310 - Korean Language in Social and Cultural Context (3)

• LING 190 - The World of Language: Structural and Biological Aspects (3)
• LING 191 - The World of Language: Cultural and Social Aspects (3)
• LING 210 - Introduction to Language Structures (3)
• LING 220 - Survey of Traditional Grammar (3)
• LING 230 - World Language Communities (3)

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