About the Department of Languages and Cultures
The Department of Languages and Cultures explores how people use language and other media to connect with each other and tell their stories.
Our Department is part of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
We offer undergraduate majors and postgraduate supervision in Asian studies, classics and ancient history, creative writing, English, languages, linguistics and visual arts.
Our goal is to produce outstanding graduates who contribute to our understanding of cultural expression, identity and cultural diversity.
Our staff are research leaders who produce high impact outcomes. They make a distinctive contribution to disciplinary and interdisciplinary debates and conversations, in Australia and internationally.
We also partner with arts, cultural and community organisations across Victoria on public engagement activities including art exhibitions, public events, school outreach, writing workshops and festivals, performances and academic conferences.
We are a diverse and vibrant Department, and we are strong advocates for the role that Languages and Cultures play in promoting connections between various communities at a local and global level. Whether you are passionate about languages, the ancient world, or literary or visual culture you will find a supportive home in the Department of Languages and Cultures.
Culture and communication
Whether you want to become an artist, an author, or work in cultural, educational or social arenas, a La Trobe degree is the gateway to a rewarding career.
Our students benefit from our flexible approach to teaching that allows them, where possible, to engage in learning at a time and place of their choosing. We offer on-campus, online and hybrid learning opportunities, in semester-long study or shorter, block-mode options.
Our focus on languages allows students to explore another culture and develop their communication skills. Students can learn one of eight languages: Auslan, Chinese, French, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese or Spanish.
Find out more about how to study a language at La Trobe.
Students also have the opportunity to put their theoretical learning into practice, by undertaking an industry placement with an organisation of their choice.
Some of our English students, for example, have undertaken an intensive 22-week internship with a Melbourne-based publisher, giving them in-house publishing experience.
Our Visual Arts students can take ‘Exhibiting Cultures,’ a gallery-based subject in partnership with Bendigo Art Gallery. It deepens learning across a range of arts disciplines and creative practices including art history, archaeology, law, textual studies, education and politics, via the experience of a unique, curated exhibition.
Research with impact
Our research culture is inclusive and dynamic, purpose built for academic and creative endeavours.
Our researchers partner with industry, government and community organisations to explore cultural expression, identity and inclusion and language diversity.
Our Higher Degree Research programs give candidates the opportunity to join a vibrant community of researchers who use robust methods and innovative ideas to explore all aspects of the human social and cultural experience.
We supervise Higher Degree Research students in classics and ancient history, creative writing, English and literary studies, linguistics and the visual arts. We also supervise students researching Chinese, French, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Spanish speaking societies and cultures.
Research centres
Our staff make key contributions to La Trobe University's research centres.
The A.D. Trendall Research Centre for Ancient Mediterranean Studies specialises in Ancient Mediterranean studies, particularly in the archaeology of South Italy and Sicily during the Classical period. It hosts a lively program of conferences, lectures and seminars. It also hosts scholars and graduate students to use its extensive collection of books, periodicals and archival materials relating to Greek and Roman culture, and images of South Italian red-figure vases.