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Undergraduate Programs

ROMS Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Romance Studies provides opportunities for studying the languages and cultures throughout the world where Romance languages are spoken.

Studying French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish has become increasingly important because of the economic and political significance of these languages abroad and in our multicultural society in the United States. Language study also offers important support to other majors at UNC-Chapel Hill, such as history, linguistics, political science, economics, Global Studies, Latin American Studies, European Studies, Communications, Media and Journalism, and Business.

The department offers the Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages, with a specialization in French and Francophone Studies, Italian Studies, Portuguese, Hispanic Studies, or Hispanic Linguistics. The department also offers minors in French and Francophone Studies, Italian Studies, Portuguese, Hispanic Studies, Spanish for the Professions, and Spanish Translation and Interpreting. Highly qualified and motivated students are encouraged to pursue the B.A. in Romance Languages with Honors.

Explore

Français

French at UNC-CH gives students the opportunity to acquire a good command of the language (reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension), introducing them to French and Francophone literatures and cultures.

Italiano

UNC has a rich tradition of Italian studies, including courses on language, literature, film, food, politics, history, philosophy, and theater. Students maybe obtain a major or minor in Italian, and many combine Italian with their other areas of specialization.

Português

Portuguese at UNC-CH combines the study of the language, culture, and literatures of Brazil and Portugal. Emphasis is placed on the language as it is currently spoken and its historical development.

Español

Spanish Studies at UNC-CH thrives on innovative literary, linguistic and theoretical approaches to the Spanish-speaking world, and includes the study of indigenous, Afro-descendant, Asian, and other cultures.

ROMS Undergraduate Support Team

Elizabeth Bruno
 
Elizabeth Bruno
Spanish Advisor (Spanish for the Professions Minor)
Spanish
ebruno@email.unc.edu
Amy Chambless
 
Amy Chambless
Director Undergraduate Studies, Undergraduate Advisor of Italian, Director of Italian Language Instruction
Italian
achamble@email.unc.edu
Dorothea Heitsch
 
Dorothea Heitsch
Undergraduate and Study Abroad Advisor for French
French
dheitsch@unc.edu
Gosia Lee
 
Gosia Lee
Undergraduate Advisor of Spanish
Spanish & Italian
gosialee@email.unc.edu
Sheena Melton
 
Sheena Melton
Undergraduate Student Services Specialist
smelton@email.unc.edu
919-962-2062
Martha Ruiz-Garcia
 
Martha Ruiz-Garcia
Spanish Advisor (Hispanic Linguistics Major)
Spanish
ruizgar@email.unc.edu
Loida Slate
 
Loida Slate
Spanish Advisor (Translation & Interpreting Minor)
Spanish
lpereira@unc.edu
Richard Vernon
 
Richard Vernon
Director of Portuguese Language Instruction, Undergraduate and Study Abroad Portuguese Advisor
Portuguese
rmvernon@email.unc.edu

Why choose a ROMS undergraduate program?

Abby Seitz

Italian
Undergraduate Alum

“The Italian Department goes above and beyond in their dedication to teaching and supporting students. Dr. Chambless pours her all into teaching. She brings an unmatched energy, passion, and dedication with her to class every day. Despite struggling at times, I always felt supported and encouraged. When I felt my progress was lagging, she would make time to help me outside of the classroom. This type of support carried on throughout my journey with Italian, as my professors continued to spend hours of their time working with me and supporting me. The dedication and willingness of the Italian professors to help me learn is what motivated me to pursue a major in Italian.“

Aditi Kharod

French
Undergrad Alum

“I had an amazing experience taking French classes in this department. All the faculty are so helpful and kind, while pushing students to measurably improve their language skills. I was successfully able to live and study in Geneva, Switzerland for three months during my junior year with the skills I was taught at UNC from the ROMS faculty, and I’m currently a graduate student who will study at Sciences Po Grenoble for the next two semesters taking advanced courses in both English and French. This would not have been possible without the UNC French department and its incredible faculty, including Dr. Dorothea Heitsch, Dr. Nina Furry, Dr. Jessica Tanner, and especially Dr. Valérie Pruvost.“