At the CSUB Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, faculty and students engage in a process of unraveling the creative powers of literature, language, and cultures to widen their understanding and appreciation of cultural and literary expressions across the globe and over centuries. A special emphasis is placed on a multidisciplinary study of the diversity of perspectives and points of views embedded in literary and cultural expressions and aesthetics.

In addition to Spanish and French, the department occasionally offers other modern languages such as Chinese, Portuguese, and Basque.