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Division of Languages and Literature

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The Division of Languages and Literature offers majors in the areas of literature; written arts; and foreign languages, cultures, and literatures. All students in the division are encouraged to study languages other than English; foreign language instruction currently offered at Bard includes Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and ancient Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit. Interdisciplinary majors are also offered in Asian studies, classical studies, French studies, German studies, Italian studies, Jewish studies, Middle Eastern studies, Russian and Eurasian studies, and Spanish studies (see Interdivisional Programs and Concentrations).
Our Programs
Photo by Sarah Wallock '19

Our Programs

The Division of Languages and Literature includes the following academic programs:

Foreign Languages, Cultures, and Literatures
Literature
Written Arts

Nicole Caso, Division Chair; Associate Professor of Spanish

Coursework and Requirements

Bard students who make the study of literature the central focus of their work explore specific periods (such as medieval or Renaissance Europe), relations among national literatures (in forms such as lyric poetry or the novel), or literature within the context of culture, history, or literary theory. The Literature Program also invites interdisciplinary exploration in contexts such as experimental humanities, gender and sexuality, Victorian studies, or Irish and Celtic studies. Comparative studies of literature, other arts, and theories of literature are a regular part of course offerings.

Students in the Written Arts Program take workshops and tutorials in prose fiction or poetry and study a foreign language, in addition to completing the same course requirements as literature majors. Those who choose foreign languages can explore a range of interests and develop courses of study that bring together work in culture, history, and other fields.

Seniors must summon up imagination, knowledge, discipline, and independence for the Senior Project. Over the years, students have done translations of poetry and fiction; critical studies of traditional and contemporary literary figures and genres; and original work in critical theory. Many Senior Projects break new ground. With faculty permission, Senior Projects may take the form of a novel, poem sequence, play, or collection of short stories.

Discover More

Bard Translation andTranslatability Initiative

Bard Translation and
Translatability Initiative

BTTI encourages curricular initiatives that promote translation, particularly from a multicultural or multidisciplinary perspective, and aims to bring together scholars, teachers, writers, and artists from the United States and other countries. BTTI also works with Bard faculty members to elicit new interdisciplinary insights, develop new curricula, strengthen communication, and stimulate experimentation among the College’s four divisions and across its network of international liberal arts and graduate studies programs. Among other events throughout the academic year, BTTI hosts an annual translation symposium at Bard.

BTTI Website

Featured News

Viveca Lawrie
Sedona, Arizona, native Viveca Lawrie was discovered by a Bard College Conservatory of Music faculty member, who encouraged her to apply to Bard. The opportunity to attain a double degree, a bachelor of music in trumpet performance and a bachelor of arts in French studies, appealed to her.  More >

Recent News

  • It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror, Edited by Joe Vallese ’04 MAT ’05, Receives Starred Review from Publisher’s Weekly
  • Mary Norris on the Late John Bennet and Their Trip to See Antigone at Opus 40, the Senior Project of Francis Karagodins ’22, for the New Yorker
  • Francie Prose on the January 6 Hearings for the Guardian: “We Narrowly Escaped a Far Worse Disaster”
  • Bard College Alumnus Among First Peace Corps Volunteers to Return to Service Overseas
View All News >>

Upcoming Events

  • 8/17
    Wednesday

    Academic Information Session: Languages and Literature Division
View All Events >>
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