Modern Languages and Literatures, Department of

Department Chair

James Hussar

Department Office/Website

Humanities 835A
657-278-3534
hss.fullerton.edu/mll

Faculty

Eric Carbajal, Nathan Carr, Fanny Daubigny, Hélène Domon, Reyes Fidalgo, Juan Carlos Gallego, Josefina Hess, James Hussar, Juan Ishikawa, Satoko Kakihara, Jinghui Liu, Celia Martínez-Sáez, Linh Khanh Nguyen, Sandra Pérez, Setsue Shibata, Kazuha Watanabe, André Zampaulo

Introduction

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is a diverse department that offers coursework from a multidisciplinary perspective in the languages, cultures, linguistics and literatures of a wide variety of world groups and populations. Our goal is to provide students with a strong humanistic foundation that will allow them to have successful careers in an ever-changing global community.

In learning other languages, we also gain insights into the thinking of other cultures (often very different from our own) that afford us the perspective necessary to critically examine our own cultural values and to develop the foundations of world citizenship.

Our programs are designed for those who wish to pursue more advanced studies of language and literature, as well as for the growing number of individuals who will find ability to communicate in other languages and sensitivity to other cultures important components in career preparation in the United States and abroad. They are designed for those planning careers in education, government, social services, translation and interpretation services, assessment, literature, the expanding areas of international business, diplomacy, travel, and humanitarian and cultural organizations.

We strive to deepen students’ knowledge about language and the humanities through various means - reading representative authors in their respective literatures, familiarizing students with the cultural traditions of the peoples whose language they study, and expanding students’ knowledge of linguistics and socio-cultural contexts.

In addition to our degree and certificate programs, we offer coursework in Arabic, German, Italian, Korean and Persian.

Degree Descriptions

Students in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures’ Bachelor of Arts in French program learn about linguistics, literature, culture, history, business and society in French-speaking communities in Europe, the Americas, Africa and beyond. The courses not only prepare students to express themselves in spoken and written French in culturally-appropriate ways, but also help to develop their analytical and critical-thinking skills and expand their knowledge of the Francophone world. The program’s graduates have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including business, federal and state government, health care, K-12 and post-secondary education, social work, and translation and interpretation, among others. Students will have access to all of the professions open to a person with a Bachelor of Arts in the Humanities, but with the added benefit of being able to do those same jobs both in English and French. Students will receive personalized attention from dedicated faculty advisers to determine their best paths.

Students in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures’ Bachelor of Arts in Japanese program learn about linguistics, literature, culture, history, business and society in Japanese-speaking communities in Japan, the United States and beyond. The courses not only prepare students to express themselves in spoken and written Japanese in culturally-appropriate ways, but also help to develop their analytical and critical-thinking skills and expand their knowledge of the Japanese-speaking world. The program’s graduates have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including business, K-12 and post-secondary education, and translation and interpretation, among others. Students will have access to all of the professions open to a person with a Bachelor of Arts in the Humanities, but with the added benefit of being able to do those same jobs both in English and Japanese. Students will receive personalized attention from dedicated faculty advisers to determine their best paths.

Students in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures’ Bachelor of Arts in Spanish program learn about linguistics, literature, visual and performing arts, culture, history, business and society in Spanish-speaking communities in Spain, Spanish America, the United States and beyond. The courses not only prepare students to express themselves in spoken and written Spanish in culturally-appropriate ways, but also help to develop their analytical and critical-thinking skills and expand their knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world. The program’s graduates have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including business, federal and state government, broadcasting, health care, K-12 and post-secondary education, social work, and translation and interpretation, among others. Students will have access to all of the professions open to a person with a Bachelor of Arts in the Humanities, but with the added benefit of being able to do those same jobs both in English and Spanish. Students will receive personalized attention from our dedicated faculty advisers to determine their best paths.

The Master of Arts in Spanish program is designed to develop the teacher-scholar and prepare those who plan to pursue more advanced studies in the field, or to use the language and its cultural background in their professions. In addition to providing advanced studies in Hispanic literature and linguistics for K-12 teachers, the program also helps to prepare students who plan careers in fields, such as postsecondary education, international relations, international business and foreign service. Students receive personalized attention from dedicated faculty advisers to determine their best paths.

Students in the Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program learn to teach the English language. The M.S. in TESOL is a multi-disciplinary program involving study in the fields of English, linguistics, education, anthropology, American studies, human communication studies and psychology. The program focuses on the training of English as a Second Language (ESL)/English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers of adult second-language learners of English at adult schools, private and public colleges and universities, and elsewhere. Graduates may pursue doctoral studies or work as instructors in adult and community college ESL programs, such as those in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Some graduates have been hired as resource specialists and program coordinators, while others have taught or trained teachers abroad. Students receive personalized attention from the program’s dedicated faculty advisers to determine their best paths.

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

• Bachelor of Arts in French
• Bachelor of Arts in Japanese
• Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
• Master of Arts in Spanish
• Master of Science in Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Upper-Division Writing Requirement

MLNG 301  satisfies the course portion of the upper-division writing requirement for all Modern Language majors.

Academic Standards Requirement

Each course counted to fulfill requirements for the major or minor must be completed with a “C” (2.0) or better.

Advanced Placement

Students should enroll at the point in the sequence of courses for which their previous study and/or experience has prepared them. Students with no language background should enroll in fundamental 101-level courses. Normally, two years of high school language study are considered to be equivalent to one year of college language. Students just completing two years of high school language should begin at 200-level intermediate courses.

Courses at the 101 level are not open to students who have completed two or more years of high school study or one term of college study in that language unless such study was completed three years or more before entering the class. Courses at the 102 level are not open to students who have completed two or more years of high school study or two terms of college study in that language unless such study was completed two years or more before entering the class. Language courses at the 100 level are not open to native speakers of that language.

Due to the sequential nature of language instruction, consultation with an adviser in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is essential before enrolling in courses.

International Baccalaureate Program

Students entering the university with the International Baccalaureate shall request an oral interview with an adviser of the target language. Subject to their recommendation, the following credit may be awarded:

• Students with the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Language Exam with a grade of four or better will have lower-division requirements waived, and upon recommendation will receive three to 12 units of upper-division language credit
• Students with the International Baccalaureate Subsidiary Level Language B Exam with a grade of four or better will have lower-division requirements waived, and upon recommendation will receive up to six units of upper-division language credit. If no upper-division units are recommended, a minimum of six units of 200-level credit will be awarded

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

• French, B.A.
• Japanese, B.A.
• Spanish, B.A.

• Spanish, M.A.

• Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, M.S.

• Chinese Minor
• French Minor
• Japanese Minor
• Portuguese Minor
• Spanish Minor
• Vietnamese Minor

• Spanish for Hispanic Media Certificate
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate
• Undergraduate TESOL Professional Certificate

Courses

Courses are designated VIET in the class schedule.

• VIET 201 - Vietnamese for Vietnamese Speakers-A (3)
• VIET 202 - Vietnamese for Vietnamese Speakers-B (3)
• VIET 203 - Intermediate Vietnamese-A (3)
• VIET 204 - Intermediate Vietnamese - B (3)
• VIET 214 - Vietnamese Cutural Conversation and Composition (3)
• VIET 299 - Directed Study (1-3)
• VIET 300 - Vietnamese for Health and Human Services (3)
• VIET 305 - Advanced Vietnamese - A (3)
• VIET 310 - Vietnamese for Business (3)
• VIET 311 - Vietnamese for International Business (3)
• VIET 315 - Vietnamese Civilization (3)
• VIET 325 - Vietnamese Culture (3)
• VIET 375 - Introduction to Vietnamese Literature (3)
• VIET 385 - Advanced Vietnamese Cultural Communication (3)
• VIET 390 - Vietnamese Culture through Cinema and Literature (3)
• VIET 395 - Vietnamese Literature and Arts (3)
• VIET 468 - Vietnamese Bilingualism and Language Contact (3)
• VIET 499 - Independent Study (1-3)