Student Work
Senior Michelle Weaver has a double major in Spanish and International Studies. Her specific area of interest is cross-cultural communication and indigenous cultural studies.
While studying in Chile, Michelle lived with a host family, taught English as a second language to middle schoolers, and studied the languages and cultures of the region. "I took a great class called Chilean indigenous groups. It was taught by a Mapuche woman who helped write the dictionary for her people's language," Michelle says.
"Being able to communicate with people is so important," Michelle says. By studying another language you learn so much about other cultures and your own culture as well. Plus, it's really fun."
After graduation Michelle would like to travel and work with indigenous people in some capacity. She also loves to teach. "I love Spanish and I'm currently a tutor. I can also see myself being a Spanish teacher down the road."
When Senior Elena Margo came to the UO she decided to major in comparative literature because she was interested in studying texts from the French and Spanish speaking nations of the world. She soon realized her studies would be greatly enriched by studying the languages themselves.
Elena is particularly interested in post-colonial texts that explore a nation's shifting identity after colonizing forces are ousted or leave. After graduation, Elena plans to earn a master's degree in Romance Languages from the UO and eventually teach at the high school or college level.
"All the professors in Romance Languages are so excited and enthusiastic about the work they do. And the faculty is pretty diverse. The professors have connections all over Africa, Chile, Europe…It's neat to get such diverse perspectives in the classroom."
Selected Faculty Work
Romance languages faculty members have areas of expertise that range from medieval studies to contemporary Latin American culture, including French and Italian Renaissance, Spanish Golden Age, and Franco-phone literatures. These scholars from Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the United States give the department a diverse and international profile. The faculty is active in other UO interdisciplinary programs and departments.
Assistant Professor David Castillo teaches courses in the Spanish Golden Age, and cultural studies.
Professor Evlyn Gould’s areas of interest are in nineteenth-century French literature and culture.
Associate Professor Massimo Lollini teaches courses in Baroque and modern Italian literature, and comparative modern literature.
The department regularly invites teachers and writers from other institutions to give lectures, read their work, and teach courses.
Career Prospects
Any of these four majors provides a good foundation for a number of careers. You might become an international journalist or business person. You might decide to go into international affairs or political science. You might even use it in international law. You’ll come out of this program with a strong ability to communicate and express yourself. That’s a skill you can use in any career.