Academic Department

Romance Studies

The Department of Romance Studies gives voice to the literatures and cultures of those parts of the world where French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish are or have been spoken. It offers students a broad range of opportunities for language acquisition, as well as the chance to become sophisticated interpreters of the literature, film, philosophy and material culture produced within and influenced by the Romance languages (i.e., those languages ultimately derived from the language spoken by the ancient Romans).

The classes are intimate, idea-driven, and student-centered. The Department of Romance Studies strives to create an atmosphere of intense intellectual engagement across linguistic and textual boundaries, and students are encouraged to take advantage of the wide array of on-campus lectures, events and resources available to them (including the Language House), as well as Cornell's extensive Study Abroad programs. The department is also home to diacritics, a distinguished journal of literary and cultural theory.

Associated Faculty