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 includes American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Yiddish, and ancient Greek and Latin. Interdisciplinary majors are also offered in Asian studies, classical studies, French studies, German studies, Italian studies, Middle Eastern studies, Russian and Eurasian studies, and Spanish studies (see Interdivisional Programs and Concentrations).
Photo by Karl Rabe
Our Programs
The Division of Languages and Literature includes the following academic programs:
Foreign Languages, Cultures, and Literatures
Literature
Written Arts
Matthew Mutter, Division Chair; Associate Professor of Literature
Foreign Languages, Cultures, and Literatures
Literature
Written Arts
Matthew Mutter, Division Chair; Associate Professor of Literature
Coursework and Requirements
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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.
Languages and Literature News and Events
Featured News
Bard College Student Samantha Barrett ’26 Wins 2025 PEN/Robert J Dau Short Story Prize
This award recognizes 12 emerging writers each year for their debut short story published in a literary magazine, journal, or cultural website, and aims to support the launch of their careers as fiction writers.
Recent News
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Bard College Celebrates Student Achievements at Undergraduate Awards Ceremony
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“Rebuilding the World Through Queer Video Games:” Bo Ruberg ’07 for YES Magazine
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NYT Opinion: “This Is How Universities Can Escape Trump’s Trap, If They Dare,” Writes M. Gessen
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Joseph O’Neill Interviewed by the New York Review of Books on the State of US Democracy
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Writer Rick Moody to Give Reading at Bard College on March 31
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Bard College Appoints Roosevelt Montás to its Faculty as the John and Margaret Bard Professor in Liberal Education and Civic Life