I find this very sad, but the reality is that no one really cares about the classics anymore, US literary culture peaked in the mid-20th century and film culture in the late 20th century, and doctorate studies are professional training for professors when there aren't enough slots.
Language & culture specialists are still damn well needed for understanding other countries and their histories (and some parts of our own history), and they've been cut off at the knees, too.
Yeah, that is very true. Can't have soft power without multilingualism. If we actually still had an effective state department/CIA, I would say those institutions should teach people language X in exchange for two years of service.