Division of Arts and Letters - Department of Modern Languages and Literature

Division of Arts and Letters

Dr. Laura Veltman
Associate Dean of the Division of Arts and Letters

Ms. Rosemary Welsh
Department Secretary
Phone 951.343.4590
FAX 951.343.4661
rwelsh@calbaptist.edu

The Division of Arts and Letters consists of three departments: Communication Arts, History and Government, and Modern Languages and Literature. While most of our programs are rooted in traditional disciplines that have stood the test of time in academia, we equip our students with the necessary tools for today’s global market while training them in the skills they need to conquer the challenges of tomorrow.

Department of Modern Languages and Literature

Dr. James Lu
Chair

Ms. Rosemary Welsh
Department Secretary
Phone 951.343.4590
FAX 951.343.4661
rwelsh@calbaptist.edu

Faculty Information

The Modern Languages and Literature Department offers a variety of courses in language acquisition, composition, literature, critical theory, cultural studies, linguistics, digital literary studies, and creative writing. The department also presents students with the opportunity to participate in dynamic learning experiences through diverse fields of study. The Modern Languages and Literature Department encompasses degrees in creative writing, English language and literature, Spanish language and literature, as well as liberal arts, liberal studies, and interdisciplinary studies.

The English and Creative Writing programs are dedicated to fostering students’ interests and abilities. English and Creative Writing provide students across disciplines with dynamic General Education opportunities to develop foundations in reading, writing, critical thinking, and interpretation. English and Creative Writing majors are drawn to our undergraduate curriculum because it prepares them for future careers embracing a wide range of professions and ministries: to become teachers in secondary education; to go into journalism, library science, or publishing; to embark on Christian missions; to work in commerce, industry, and government; to succeed as creative writers; or to further education by attending graduate schools of law, medicine, business, literature, etc. As a double-major or minor, English and Creative Writing provides students a valuable means of enriching their future professions. The department also offers a master’s program in English. Students interested in teaching at elementary schools may seek a minor in English, which affords them an area of specialization within the Multiple Subjects credential. Students interested in teaching English at secondary schools or to speakers of other languages are encouraged to contact program instructors or advisors.

The program in Spanish currently serves students seeking a major or minor in Spanish as well as fulfilling General Education requirements. Our primary goal is to enable students, through carefully-designed course sequences, to gain a bilingual proficiency and multicultural adaptability so that they are well-equipped for future professional and ministerial careers where linguistic and cultural knowledge in Spanish is imperative. Lower-division courses train students in basic communication skills. Upper-division classes guide students into areas where special attention goes to interactions between and among language, history, culture, politics, economics, psychology and all other aspects of real life. Students who have taken two or more years of Spanish in high school or college may choose to take a placement test administered by the department in order to be exempt from lower-division requirements. (Note: in this case, however, no credit shall be given for placing out of lower-division courses.) For those who begin the program with a linguistic ability above the intermediate level, it is wise to consult program instructors or advisors for an appropriate, well-constructed academic plan.

The programs in liberal arts, liberal studies, and interdisciplinary studies encourage students to discover the rich synergy of learning across disciplines. Students learn to synthesize their knowledge creatively and critically. Students within these majors are prepared to explore and evaluate a wide range of problems and solutions from multiple perspectives, including a biblical worldview.

Programs

Major

Minor

Certificate