The Department of World Languages and Cultures serves the mission of the College of Letters & Sciences and the University as a whole by encouraging students to develop diverse perspectives, civic responsibility and engagement, and personal and professional integrity while preparing for careers and lifelong learning. Engaging with a world language benefits our students by improving their ability to make connections across the curriculum with other subjects. The Department offers a comprehensive curriculum in <a href="https://www.uww.edu/cls/academics/french" title="French program page">French</a>, <a href="https://www.uww.edu/cls/academics/german" title="German Program Page">German</a>, <a href="https://www.uww.edu/cls/academics/spanish" title="Spanish Program Page">Spanish</a>, and Spanish as a Heritage Language, as well as an array of courses in Arabic, Chinese, and <a href="https://www.uww.edu/cls/academics/japanese-studies" title="Japanese Studies Program Page">Japanese</a>. Undergraduate students may fulfill major, College, and University requirements, as well as acquire language skills for other opportunities. Through our programs, students develop skills in listening comprehension, oral and written communication, and textual literacy, which facilitate awareness and appreciation of the contributions of world cultures to contemporary society. Our courses foster cultural sensitivity and respect through engagement with global languages, ideas, and literatures. Students further develop critical thinking skills through reflecting on the differences and similarities between the target cultures and their own. The World Languages and Cultures Department's expertise in various languages reaches out into and serves the larger community and region. Faculty, academic staff and/or student interns provide valuable professional assistance with translation and interpreting. Service learning components in some courses help students see real-life applications of their world language skills. These activities benefit area institutions and organizations while creating ties between the university and surrounding communities.