The School of Modern Languages and CulturesLink opens in a new window (SMLC) aligns with Warwick University's strategy, ‘The Way to Sustainable,’ and actively embraces the mission of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the development of its curriculum.

The SMLC also includes the Language Centre which offers academic courses and language learning courses to students, staff and the wider public, fostering relationships with our community and promoting lifelong learning, which is essential to achieving a more sustainable society.

ESD in the language and culture curriculum:

Language and culture modules across the SMLC offer opportunities to engage with issues which are relevant to many of the UN’s sustainable development goals.

Core language modules integrate topics such as climate change, inclusivity, gender and equality, migration and mobility. For example, in the module HP301 Modern Spanish Language IIILink opens in a new window, students discuss topics which include linguistic landscapes, accentism and accent discrimination, historical memory, social and economic inequalities, sustainability and the environment. IT301 Modern Italian Language IIILink opens in a new window has been redeveloped to align the curriculum with the UN’s SDGs and includes topics on mass tourism, responsible consumption and production (food and fashion), migration and sustainable architecture.

In optional culture modules, through the study of cultural products such as literature, film and political propaganda, students consider the power of images and narratives in influencing social imaginaries and shaping political responses to contemporary issues. Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of modules in each section, showcasing the SMLC’s approach to embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the curriculum:

FR121 The Story of Modern FranceLink opens in a new window 

FR335 Gender and Representation in French Media since 1970Link opens in a new window 

FR361 Crises of Identity in the French NovelLink opens in a new window 

GE112 Provincial - Pariah - Powerhouse: Reading German-language Culture in a Global PerspectiveLink opens in a new window

GE338 Gender Trouble in Contemporary German Culture

GE339 Exploring Zeitgeist: Politics, Culture and Society in Germany Today

HP223 Climate Fiction in the Hispanic World

HP307 Knowing Women: Gender, Education, and Power in Hispanic Writing

HP329 Aquatic Latin America

IT316 Present Futures: Questions of Marginality in Contemporary Italy

IT331 Transnational Stories in Italy

IT336 Destination Italy: The Ethics of Travel and Travel Writing

Through their dynamic and innovative teaching, the SMLC is equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and ethical frameworks necessary to contribute to a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient world that not only enhances their academic experience but also prepares students to become informed and active participants in global sustainability efforts. By incorporating international perspectives directly into the curriculum, the SMLC not only broadens students’ horizons but also deeply embeds the principles of sustainability, global awareness, and intercultural competence.

Intercultural Exchanges

All students in the SMLC have the opportunity to gain international experience whether through a study or work placement abroadLink opens in a new window, or via one of our online exchangesLink opens in a new window. These exchanges enable deeper engagement with other cultures and societies, further developing intercultural awareness and understandings of the values and perspectives of others. Furthermore, placements build transferable skills of autonomy, problem-solving and resilience. In recognition of the barriers (financial, personal, medical) that may prevent students from undertaking a placement abroad, the SMLC is the pioneering department at Warwick in embedding Intercultural Online Exchanges in the curriculum, partnering Warwick students and students in other international institutions from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, China and more! The SMLC extends its commitment to ESD through these virtual exchange programs, demonstrating a progressive approach to education that aligns with the needs of a globalised world.

Decolonising the Curriculum

Due to the nature of the programmes and the ethos of the School, The SMLC recognizes the crucial role of decolonising the curriculum within the framework of ESD. Decolonising the curriculum involves critically examining and restructuring the educational content and pedagogical approaches to ensure they represent a diverse range of perspectives and histories, particularly those that have been marginalized or overlooked in traditional academic discourse. Members of the School have led pioneering work in decolonising the curriculum. The School’s Director of Teaching and Learning, Dr Leticia Villamediana Gonzalez, is a member of a group on ‘Decolonising Hispanic Studies in the UK’ in the Association for the Teaching of Spanish in Higher Education in the UKLink opens in a new window and she is leading a group at Warwick designing a guide on how to decolonise the Spanish curriculum.

Not only have several colleagues written papers related to curriculum decolonisation, diversity and inclusion in teaching and learning, the School also worked closely with student advocates who reviewed the curriculum and reading lists in consultation with academics and made recommendations around its development. This includes texts, themes and language use from beyond Europe, with a particular focus on Africa and the Americas. This approach not only enriches the learning experience by incorporating a wider variety of cultural and intellectual traditions but also fosters an environment of inclusivity, equity, and critical thinking. By challenging and expanding conventional narratives, the SMLC aims to equip students with a more comprehensive understanding of global interdependencies, historical injustices, and the cultural competencies required to contribute to a sustainable and just future. In this way, the process of decolonising the curriculum is not only an ethical imperative but a necessary evolution in the pursuit of holistic and transformative ESD.