DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, MODERN LANGUAGES, AND PHILOSOPHY
MISSION STATEMENTS
ENGLISH The Department of English, Modern Languages, and Philosophy serves
all students in the University by providing instruction in writing
and analytical reading for the general education program. The
department seeks to prepare students for graduate studies in the
major or for entering professions that emphasize writing and critical
thinking skills.
The major in English introduces students to their literary and
linguistic heritage and acquaints them with a variety of genres,
periods, themes, critical approaches, and individual writers ranging
from ancient to modern. Courses in creative and expository writing,
composition theory, the history of the language, modern theories
of grammar, and literary criticism are also offered. Students
may pursue the English degree through the Liberal Arts Program,
the Professional Writing Option, or the Teacher Certification
option. Students may also earn either a minor or a collateral
in English. Three writing minors are offered including creative
writing, professional writing, and writing and language.
MODERN LANGUAGES The Department of English, Modern Languages, and Philosophy offers
a major in Modern Languages with tracks in French, German, and
Spanish. Minors and collaterals are also offered in these languages.
The Department provides the resources for students to acquire
proficiency in the four language skills (listening, speaking,
reading, and writing) in French, German, and Spanish and to gain
knowledge of the culture, the literature, and the civilization
of countries where these languages are spoken. Career opportunities
for foreign language majors include 1) teaching, 2) international
business, 3) translation/interpretation, and 4) professions requiring
a University degree with a background in the liberal arts. Modern
language majors also frequently seek graduate degrees in foreign
languages or related fields.
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES The Department of English, Modern Languages and Philosophy offers
undergraduate students an opportunity to take courses in, to minor
in, or to collateral in a field of study that tradition has taken
to be at the core of the humanities. Courses in philosophy and
religious studies offer students a chance to examine the central
issues of value, knowledge, and reality that have preoccupied
human beings since the beginning of history. The aim of the courses
is to provide students with the logical, conceptual, metaphorical,
historical, and religious resources necessary for critically addressing
these issues. The assumptions of this aim are that the possession
of such resources is the hallmark of an educated person and, further,
that the success of a democratic society depends on an educated
citizenry.
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