We study French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, as well as the cultures throughout the world where they are spoken and written, and the classical languages and cultural heritage of Greece and Rome, enabling us to become proficient in these languages, literatures, and cultures, and to think critically about the world.
Small class sizes from award-winning faculty, staff and advisors
Programs and classes dedicated to service learning and research opportunities
A minor in Classical and Mediterranean Studies encourages a greater appreciation of our classical past, and a deeper contemplation of the traditions and ideas that have shaped the world.
Programs are designed for students who want to develop excellent reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the French language and build a strong understanding of the history and cultures of the French-speaking world. RCS offers an undergraduate minor, B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. programs in French.
A minor in Italian provides students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of Italian language and cultures with study abroad opportunities.
The Portuguese minor creates a more globally aware, internationally focused student with knowledge of the language as well as the cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world.
A minor in Classical and Mediterranean Studies encourages a greater appreciation of our classical past, and a deeper contemplation of the traditions and ideas that have shaped world.
Designed for students who want to develop excellent reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the French language and build a strong understanding of the history and culture. French offers a minor, B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.
A minor in Italian provides students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of Italian language and cultures with study abroad opportunities.
This program encompasses the richness and diversity within the language, literature and culture. It provides opportunities for immersion in Spanish-speaking cultures through a study abroad. Spanish offers a minor, B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.
Portuguese
The Portuguese minor creates a more globally-aware, internationally-focused for students with knowledge of the language as well as the Portuguese culture.
The program prepares students in the language, literatures, and cultures of the Hispanic world, with an emphasis on literary, linguistic and cultural studies and scholarly investigation. Hispanic Studies offers a M.A. and Ph.D.
The language clubs in RCS offer the opportunity to learn about and share experiences related to diverse cultures, languages, and people.
Grace Fitzgerald is a fourth-year student at Michigan State University who is triple majoring in International Studies, Economics, and French. During Spring 2025, she interned with the Canadian Consulate as a Junior Trade Commissioner through a partnership program coordinated by the MSU Canadian Studies Center, James Madison College, and the Canadian Consulate.
The College of Arts & Letters is mourning the passing of Dr. Ehsan Ahmed, Emeritus Professor of Renaissance French, who was a faculty member of Michigan State University’s Department of Romance and Classical Studies for 23 years. Ahmed was an extraordinary scholar, teacher, and colleague who was known for his generosity, intellect, and steady presence. The Department of Romance and Classical Studies is planning a celebration of life event on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Wells Hall Room B 342.
Elizabeth Sell is a senior Interdisciplinary Humanities major in the College of Arts & Letters who studied abroad in France over the summer with the French Language, Literature, and Culture in Tours program that has been offered by the Department of Romance and Classical Studies at Michigan State University, in partnership with the Institut de Touraine, for 38 years.
Come join us on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 3-4:30 pm in Wells Hall A334!
How do we use inclusive language when teaching Romance Languages?
Spanish major Carla Simone experienced a different culture while teaching English to students in first through seventh grade at Colegio Norbridge in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as part of a two-month summer internship.
“Working closely with faculty gives me a different perspective than just a student viewpoint. I get to see how the department and administration works and I know it will help me in the future when I become a Professor.”
Jonathan Montalvo
PhD graduate, Hispanic Cultural Studies Program