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

Sean Langevin
Administrative Secretary
Phone 951.343.4590
FAX 951.343.4661
slangevin@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. Erika Travis
Chair

Sean Langevin
Administrative Secretary
Phone 951.343.4590
FAX 951.343.4661
slangevin@calbaptist.edu

Faculty Information

The Modern Languages and Literature Department provides 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 offers degrees in creative writing, English language and literature, Spanish language and literature, liberal arts, and interdisciplinary studies. The department also offers a master’s program in English for students desiring advanced study in the discipline, with emphases including digital literary studies, English pedagogy, literature, and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).

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 students are drawn to our undergraduate curriculum because it nourishes their love of reading and writing in English and also prepares them for 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. For students seeking a double major or minor, English and Creative Writing degrees provide students a valuable means of enriching their future professions. 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 to speakers of other languages (TESOL) or at secondary schools are encouraged to contact program instructors or advisors.

The program in Spanish serves students seeking to develop the ability to communicate effectively in one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Students may major or minor in Spanish or take courses to meet General Education requirements. For students seeking a second major or minor, Spanish offers a high degree of compatibility with fields ranging from business to healthcare to journalism to ministry. The Spanish program’s primary goal is give students the bilingual proficiency and multicultural adaptability to succeed in a multilingual global environment. Lower-division courses train students in basic communication skills, while upper-division classes equip students with the linguistic and cultural skills needed for diverse interactions in a variety of career paths. 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 and interdisciplinary studies encourage students to discover the rich synergy of learning across disciplines. Students gain a strong foundation by taking courses across the curriculum while also being able to focus on particular areas of emphasis, giving students the ability to customize their major to a high degree. Students majoring in Liberal Arts or Interdisciplinary Studies learn to synthesize their knowledge creatively and critically, reflected in a cumulative project. Students within these majors are prepared to explore and evaluate a wide range of problems and solutions from multiple perspectives, including a biblical worldview.

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