Educational objectives

Foreign Languages and Literatures was established in 1978 as the first Faculty of the University of Udine. Over the years it has enhanced its high quality linguistic, literary and cultural studies programmes in the four main European languages studied and spoken worldwide (English, French, German and Spanish), in the Central-Eastern European languages (Czech, Polish, Rumanian, Serbian-Croatian, Slovene, Russian, and Hungarian) and in local ‘minority’ languages (Friulian, Slovene and German). The excellence of its teaching methodology is also evident in the relationship between student-professor, the ample teaching and self-study spaces, the libraries, the language laboratories, the elevated number of qualified mother tongue language assistants, and in the excellent student orientation services.

For many of the disciplines taught, numerous agreements with other universities in Europe and worldwide have been made, so as to allow our students and those of the partner universities to study abroad and have their exams recognized within a high quality international network of education.

As far as educational objectives are concerned, graduates in Foreign Languages and Literatures will be able to:

- communicate in their language of study at a B2/C1 level (European Framework of Reference), depending on their language options;

- actively participate, in a foreign language, in a literary, social and cultural debate which could eventually lead  to post-graduate studies (Magister degree) and doctoral research;

- relate to others, both in the public or private spheres, with equilibrium, flexibility, cooperation, openness and interdependence;

- carry out and update projects regarding the organization and management of communicative systems in companies, boards, and institutions which work in the specific fields of language and culture;

- mediate  between  diverse linguistic and cultural systems and harmonize interpersonal and intercultural dynamics originating in situations of ethnic, cultural and linguistic “difference”, through activities which underline  the ability to share ideas, projects and actions;

In particular students will be able to:

-acquire competences and knowledge pertaining to the modern languages and literatures studied, and place them in their historical-cultural contexts;

-understand the linguistic, cultural and literary complexity of the local and global world;

- self-consciously face difference with a versatile and interdisciplinary approach;

- communicate their ideas effectively, respecting those of others and dialoguing with them in order to reach shared objectives.

The Course is structured following two diverse phases: the first educational with basic preparation and the other methodological:

a) the first phase consolidates linguistic, historic and literary competences related to the languages and cultures of interest and an introduction to the basics of IT of these specific disciplinary fields;

b) the second phase is a more exhaustive research into the literary and intercultural disciplines seen as privileged vehicles for comparison and mediation between diverse cultures.

Professional opportunities

Graduates in Foreign Languages and Literatures answer a widespread demand for a new professionalism at the level of multilingual and intercultural relationships both in the public sector (local boards, health organizations, civil and social rights associations, education, security and clash prevention etc.) and in the private sector (industry, commerce, production, organization) as a result of economic, cultural and institutional globalization. What has emerged, after consultation with professionals in the various fields, is the need for experts who have solid linguistic and literary skills and are able to operate in a complex civil society open to the relations and innovations of a contemporary world (editors of literary or sectorial works in private or public institutions or publishing firms, conference organizers, political journalists, advertising media experts). Finally, the course also offers the linguistic, cultural and disciplinary foundation needed to continue studies at a post-graduate level (Magister Degree) which will provide a more specific scientific and professional preparation.