Department of Global Languages, Cultures and Societies

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Learn How to Thrive in Our Interconnected, Global Environment

The Department of Global Languages, Cultures and Societies helps students develop the skills to understand and critically engage with the consequences of complex flows of people, goods, ideas, conflicts and social problems across borders. Students hone critical thinking, language fluency, intercultural competence and holistic knowledge of important global social problems to prepare them for careers in business, economic development, the nonprofit sector, government and international organizations, and cultural industries. For more information about the department, send an email to glcs@webster.edu.

Two students work together on laptops at table

Engage with the World!

Meet the Faculty

Learn more about our experienced faculty and some of their publications.

College Highlights

Read articles on recent updates and news from the College.

Department Headlines

Undergraduate Majors, Minors and Certificates

Le Centre Francophone

Our Webster University community established Le Centre Francophone in 2012 with the goal of promoting French and francophone cultures in and around St. Louis, Missouri — a city with one of the strongest French heritages in the United States.

Transcript

Logo on screen: centre francophone at Webster University

Top of screen: Webster University logo, Centre Francophone at Webster University

[A person sits at a desk working on a laptop with a bookcase and window next to desk.]

Text on screen: Centre Francophone promotes French language and culture in St. Louis … with French Speakers, Writers and Scholars

[Two people talk at the front of a classroom. Then an auditorium is shown with a large crowd watching a film.]

Text on screen: And sponsored events like the STL International Film Festival and the annual French Essay Contest. Also, generous travel scholarships from French majors.

[Photo of the Geneva, Switzerland campus is shown with the city, trees and mountains in the background.]

Text on screen: All made possible by Jane M. and Bruce P. Roberts Endowed Professionals

[Photo of Jane and Bruce Roberts]

Text on screen: Learn more at webster.edu/arts-and-sciences

Logo on screen: Centre Francophone at Webster University

Next Century Leaders Endowed Scholarship Fund Recipient

“I hope to help bridge language gaps, and bring people and their respective cultures closer together. Communication in any relationship is immensely important.”

Jessica Wright

BA in International/Global Studies, ’22

Global Languages, Cultures and Societies Department Academic Resources

The Global Languages, Cultures and Societies Department encourages students to take their learning into the community. Here are examples of community work our students have done:

Internship with the Japanese American Citizens League-St. Louis Chapter to digitize oral histories of Japanese Americans before, during and after the internment camps.
Internship with the Centre Francophone to promote French and francophone culture and awareness in the wider St. Louis community.
Interviewing Asian Americans in St. Louis to capture the diversity of experiences with identity and belonging in the Midwest.
Research assistant for faculty-led project about Black entrepreneurship in St. Louis.

This student club promotes intercultural exchange and dialogue to provide students with a sense of global community. Regular meetings are held once a month, providing students a way to make connections about shared interests in diverse cultures and experiences around the world. Periodically, activities are organized around global exchange such as cooking demonstrations to introduce students to cuisine around the world, career opportunities to teach overseas, and learning about other cultural practices like dating and holidays.

Get Involved with the Global Cultures Club

James R. & Consuelo E. Gallagher Endowed International Languages Scholarship

Consuelo E. Gallagher taught Spanish language and culture at Webster from 1945 until her retirement in 2004. Her dedication, philanthropy and affection are woven into the fabric of Webster University's history. She created this scholarship to support students who study a non-native language.

Rosita Endowed International Languages Scholarship

The Rosita Endowed International Languages Scholarship is established by Consuelo Gallagher, to perpetuate her mother's memory and to promote internationalism through the study of languages and culture. This scholarship was created to support students who study a non-native language.

Marianne and Peter Gleich Endowed Scholarship for the Study of the French Language

The Gleichs established this fund because, "It has long been a goal of ours to help expand the horizons of others through education." They created this scholarship to support students studying the French language.

Jeanelle and Mark Wiley Scholarship

This scholarship supports French study or study abroad to a francophone country.

Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET)

This program gives young professionals the chance to live and work in cities, towns and villages across Japan, acting as a cultural ambassador for the U.S.

Argentina Teaching Exchange

This program allows a Webster University student to teach English in Argentina for one semester. It is an excellent opportunity to live, work and teach in a new cultural environment.

Leader in Global Education

In addition to the main campus in St. Louis, Missouri, Webster's locations extend across the United States and abroad. Our innovative curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty members offer a diverse learning environment and real-world experience for a well-rounded education.

Transcript

[Music fades in with text appearing over a photo of the St. Louis Arch.]

Text on screen: Welcome to Webster University

[Overhead shot of Webster Groves campus with fall leaves and students walking to class.]

Text on screen: and to our Global Campus Network

[A blue and black map of the world.]

Text on screen: Webster University’s Study Abroad Locations

Text on screen: Athens, Greece, Geneva Switzerland, Leiden, the Netherlands, Vienna, Austria

[Various photos of students at a historical site in Athens, aesthetic plants and the beachfront.]

Text on screen: Athens, Greece

[Photos of Geneva campus with mountains in the background, the campus dorms and a group student photo.]

Text on screen: Geneva, Switzerland

[Video of the Webster Leiden campus: multiple white and red buildings, a Webster Leiden flag, and a moving photo of students posing.]

Text on screen: Leiden, the Netherlands

[A photo of the Vienna campus, a large white building. A timelapse of the bustling city and a photo of three diverse students hanging out.

Text on screen: Vienna, Austria

[There is big, bold text in the middle of a photo collage.]

Text on screen: A Leader in GLOBAL EDUCATION

[One of the pieces of the collage mentions Webster’s WINS program and the photos slide out of frame.]

Text on screen: Webster University, WINS (Webster International Network of Schools)

[All text and photos disappeared and is replaced by text sliding into place.]

Text on screen: Webster’s Global Campuses EXPAND STUDY ABROAD for universities & students.

[The text is replaced by a fast-paced photo slideshow. The first photo is five students posing at the Athens campus, sitting on a railing with the sunset behind them. A student takes a photo with their camera phone.]

[A photo of six dance majors posing in the hallway with arms and legs outstretched. A student taking a photo of mountains and water, equipped with camera and hiking gear. A Vienna student bounces a ball on their knee.]

[A brief video of tourists and students at the Acropolis. A photo of a student posing with Greece behind them. A snippet of another video of a windmill in Leiden and cyclists crossing a bridge.]

[The photo slideshow continues. A photo of three students talking with old architecture behind them. A Gorlok poses with a student at an event.]

[Footage of a graduation ceremony at Webster Leiden. Students throw their caps in the air as the video fades to a blue screen.]

Text on screen: Webster University

[Ending video footage of the St. Louis campus.]

STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES