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Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

College of Arts and Sciences

The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (LLL) offers studies in foreign languages, linguistics, and TESL, and language teaching. Our graduates use their language skills both professionally and, in the classroom, and many have chosen to pair an LLL major or minor with another degree program.

We have dedicated language programs in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Latin, and Linguistics, and are currently offering courses in Arabic and Persian.

INCOMING STUDENTS: Did you take a foreign language in high school or at another college prior to enrolling at ISU? Click here to find out how you can gain credits for your previous coursework and/or get placed into higher-level foreign language courses!

Mission: Programs offered by the department prepare students for active global citizenship by providing them with skills in world languages and the disciplinary tools of linguistic, cultural, and literary analysis. The department’s programs foster the cultural knowledge and sensitivity necessary for effective engagement with diverse populations in Indiana and throughout the world.

Foundational Studies

The Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics offers both lower- and upper-division Foundational Studies courses. Foundational Studies courses offered by LLL include the following:

  • Global Perspectives and Cultural Diversity (GPCD)
  • Literary Studies (LS)
  • Historical Perspectives (HS)
  • Foundational Studies: Upper Division Integrated Elective (UDIE)*

*- Veterans who have served on an overseas deployment are exempt from the FS UDIE

Foreign Language Placement

Students who have satisfied the Foundational Studies non-native language requirement and who wish to take further course work in a language MUST take the Language Placement Examination to determine the level of language course work most appropriate for them. Depending upon the level of placement, students may receive credit for their knowledge of the language, some of which may count toward Foundational Studies Requirements. The test is administered by the University Testing Office.

Eta Sigma Phi is an honorary collegiate society for students of Latin and/or Greek.  Members are elected by local chapters which have been chartered by the society.

HISTORY:  Eta Sigma Phi had its beginning in 1914 when a group of students in the Department of Greek at the University of Chicago organized an undergraduate classical club to which honor students in Greek and Latin were elected to membership.  This organization later united with a similar organization at Northwestern University and became Eta Sigma Phi.  In 1924 the society became national, and chapters were organized at leading colleges and universities.  The society was incorporated in 1927 under the laws of the State of Illinois.

PURPOSE:  The Constitution of Eta Sigma Phi states that the purposes of the society are “to develop and promote interest in classical study among the students of colleges and universities; to promote closer fraternal relationship among students who are interested in classical study, including inter-campus relationship; to engage generally in an effort to stimulate interest in classical study, and in the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome.”

ELIGIBILITY:  Local chapters are chartered at liberal arts colleges and universities which are on the accredited list of the Association of American Universities or the recognized regional accrediting agency.  Normally the institution will offer a major in Classics.

Phi Sigma Iota recognizes outstanding accomplishment in the study or teaching of any of the academic fields related to foreign language, literature, or culture. These fields include modern foreign languages, Classics, Linguistics, Philology, Comparative Literature, Bilingual Education, Second Language Acquisition and other interdisciplinary programs with a significant foreign language component. The Phi Tau chapter at Indiana State University was chartered in 1955, and we are proud to say that Phi Sigma Iota has been a part of the Department for almost 70 years!

Phi Sigma Iota offers a chance to have your work published in The Forum, the society’s newsletter/journal, published every spring. In addition, Phi Sigma Iota also offers a plethora of scholarships that are open for any member of the organization. You can view the applications and eligibility at the website here: https://phisigmaiota.org/scholarships/

Our local chapter, Phi Tau, holds an annual Culture Extravaganza, now in its 3rd year! In addition, there are many leadership opportunities within our chapter. These experiences will lend you important skills in leadership and planning.

Eligibility: At the time of initiation, Collegiate members shall be students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs and pursuing a curriculum with a major/minor in Foreign Languages (including Classics and ESL), Comparative Literature, Foreign Language Education, Linguistics, and Second Language Acquisition.

Other requirements stated by the organization include:

  1. Undergraduate students:
  • Complete one course in a foreign language at the third-year level or having completed 45 credit hours (or equivalent)
  • Must have a minimum of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale

b. Graduate students shall be enrolled in a graduate program in one of the programs, have attained a high degree of competence in at least one foreign language, have completed 12 semester hours of graduate work or equivalent, and have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

If you think you are eligible, be sure to talk to your course instructor for more information regarding membership!

Be sure to explore the organization’s website found here: https://phisigmaiota.org/