In the fall of 1949, The Institute of Languages and Linguistics was established as a new department of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. The program of instruction was planned to include intensive and semi-intensive training in languages and a related program in linguistics, cultures and civilizations. The Institute was initially to develop a curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Languages. The plan was to enroll students who had completed two years of liberal arts studies either at Georgetown or at other universities, and who desired to acquire professional competence in languages and a basic orientation in “area” studies.