English - Modern Language
Professor M. Collier, M. Docter
Associate Professor L. Elías (chair)
Description of the Major. Westmont offers regular modern language courses in French, German Studies, and Spanish. These courses emphasize communication skills at the elementary and intermediate levels. Beyond the classroom, regularly scheduled drill sessions and the use of the language laboratory encourage the development of skills. Students learn about the culture and civilization through reading selected portions of literature as well as through a variety of media. The College offers upper-division courses and majors in French and Spanish. In these programs students study masterpieces of the literature and discuss them in their original languages.
Distinctive Features. Personally acquainted with the culture of the languages they teach, the professors incorporate personal experiences and insights in lectures and discussions. Small class sizes, close student-faculty relationships, a well-equipped language laboratory, and a flexible curriculum all contribute to fulfilling students’ needs and demands in studying modern languages and their literature.
Career Choices. Becoming proficient in a second language and understanding people of another culture are competencies valuable in any profession or career. They can help us live and move in the global community as attractive and articulate witnesses for Christ. In every field, including foreign missions, domestic human services agencies, business, education, government, and the arts, there is a need for people capable of communicating meaningfully with others.
Requirements for a Major: 36 units
ENG 117 Shakespeare (4)
Literature Survey: Two courses selected from one of the following categories (8)
A. British Literature
ENG 46 Survey of British Literature to 1800 (4)
ENG 47 Survey of British Literature 1800-Present (4)
OR
B. American Literature - Two of the following:
ENG 130 Major American Writers to 1865 (4)
ENG 131 Major American Writers 1865-1914 (4)
ENG 132 Major American Writers 1914-1945 (4)
ENG 133 Major American Writers: Special Topics (4)
Two upper-division electives in English Literature (8)
Four upper-division literature courses in a Single Foreign Language (16)
Course Descriptions
French
(see French major)
German Studies
GER 1, 2 Introductory German (4,4) Introduction to various aspects of the German-speaking world and to the German language (pronunciation, conversation, essentials of grammar, and composition). Emphasis on the history of German-speaking countries in their European and global context and their influence on Christianity. This course includes laboratory work and exercises involving the Internet, video and film. Offered fall and spring semesters, respectively.
GER 3, 4 Intermediate German (4,4) Prerequisite: GER 2,3, respectively or Language Placement Test. Continuation of GER 1 & 2 with emphasis on communicative competence and grammar review. Readings and discussions of literary texts from various genres and centuries. Continued study of German history, including events leading up to WWII and its consequences, the resistance movement, the role of the church, etc., and discussion of national and individual German identities. This course includes laboratory work and exercises involving the internet, video and film. Offered fall and spring semesters, respectively.
Spanish
(see Spanish major)