Department of Philosophy and Modern Languages

Jason Winfree, Ph.D., Chair

Office: Science 1 - S103
Phone: (209) 667-3686

Philosophy

Jason Winfree, Ph.D., Chair

Professors: Broin, Tuedio, Young, Winfree
Associate Professor: Kangas
Lecturer: Nagel, Zangeneh

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Minor in Philosophy
Minor in Ethics
Liberal Studies degree concentration in Applied Philosophy

The Philosophy curriculum stresses development of critical reasoning skills at all stages of coursework. The Philosophy program cultivates the skills required to engage in the careful reading and analysis of original philosophical texts, and emphasizes the study of writings that have historical significance (drawing from the ancient Greek and modern European traditions).

The Philosophy curriculum focuses considerable attention on recent developments in Continental Philosophy (including phenomenology, hermeneutics, and postmodern approaches to philosophical genealogy and deconstruction).

Through a discussion of the guiding ideas in these texts, students gain historical perspective on the evolution of our cultural traditions. They also gain critical perspective on the operative assumptions that ground our sense of cultural and personal identity in a rapidly changing world.

Central issues raised in these courses concern the relation of judgment to moral evaluation, subjective perspective to the desire for objective understanding, language-games to discourses of power (including critical perspectives on metaphysical discourses), and critical approaches to the study and assessment of art, literature, and cultural values.

Many of our Philosophy courses focus on challenges and opportunities facing a multicultural society, including issues relating to self-development, cultural diversity, and the impetus to agree on shared principles as a basis for preserving or enhancing a sense of community. Philosophy also discusses the contingencies underwriting judgments that give privilege to some values over others, or serve to legitimize some voices at the expense of others.

Philosophy courses promote careful discussion of the relevance of intellectual ideas and positions. Philosophical study emphasizes the practice of sound reasoning techniques as a basis for discerning and defending philosophical positions. Philosophy also emphasizes reflective analysis of implications that follow from principled commitments.

Studies in Philosophy offer excellent preparation for advanced studies in Philosophy, Law, Literary Criticism, Counseling Practices, and Rhetoric Studies.

Liberal Studies Concentration in Applied Philosophy

Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.

Program Learning Outcomes

Improve logical thinking and argumentation
Improve critical ability to read and interpret primary texts, and to analyze and write effectively about philosophical problems

Modern Languages

Teresa Bargetto, Ph.D., Director

Professors: Bargetto, Andrés,
Associate Professor: Murrieta-Saldivar
Assistant Professor: Alvim
Lecturer: Garcia-Sanborn

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a Minor in Business Administration
Minor in French
Minor in Portuguese
Minor in Spanish
Liberal Studies degree concentration in Spanish

Majors and/or minors in Modern Languages are designed to assist students as they plan careers. Some students anticipate teaching at the elementary or secondary level, while others are training to meet the challenges of advanced studies in language and literature. A growing number will discover that foreign language ability and sensitivity to other cultures are important assets, especially in career choices such as social sciences, the foreign service, international finance and banking, and international business.

As today’s students gain knowledge and understanding of other languages and cultures, they inevitably develop greater appreciation of their own. In the process, they find themselves better equipped to succeed in our modern society where multilingual and multinational interests are becoming swiftly and inexorably part of our daily lives.

Program goals

To assist students in perfecting their foreign language skills (all courses are taught in the target language)
To deepen their knowledge of language and the humanities by introducing them to representative authors and ideas, and
To acquaint them with the culture and traditions of the people whose languages they have chosen to study.

Program Learning Outcomes

In substance, the Department of Modern Languages provides its students the opportunity to achieve, at the very least, the following:

Proficiency in listening and reading (receptive skills) at an “Advanced” level (3) commensurate with the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Proficiency Guidelines.
Proficiency in speaking and writing (productive skills) at an “Intermediate” level (2+) commensurate with the FSI Proficiency Guidelines.
An understanding of the linguistic components of the target lanaguage (i.e., language analysis.)
Fundamental knowledge pertaining to the cultural institutions, patterns of behavior, history and geography of the target culture(s) and how these affect values and traditions.
The ability to adapt both linguistically and culturally to different settings associated with the target language.
Demonstrate respect, understanding and sensitivity for the cultural traits, values, perspectives and contributions of the language’s native speakers.
The ability to understand and critically interpret a variety of works of literature in their specific cultural and historic context.
A general knowledge of the nature of language in general, its acquisition, and its use in human interaction.

Liberal Studies Concentration in Spanish

Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.

Teaching Credentials

Single Subject Matter Preparation Program

Those interested in completing the single subject matter preparation program in Spanish should obtain the up-to-date description of the program currently available in the Department of Philosophy and Modern Languages. Please refer to the Teacher Education section of the Catalog for a description of other requirements to be completed in obtaining a single subject credential.

International Paths to the Spanish Major

Mexico

Students attend the Queretaro campus of the Instituto Technologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), better known as the Tec. Students with proficiency in the language may take most courses offered at the university, while students with as little as one semester of Spanish may take a Learn Spanish program offered through the International Division.

Eligibility:
ITESM Queretaro Program

Enrollment at a CSU campus or eligibility to enter from a California community college
Cumulative GPA of 2.75
Upper division or graduate standing prior to departure
Completion of two years of college-level Spanish

Eligibility:
Learn Spanish Program

Enrollment at a CSU campus or eligibility to enter from a California community college
Cumulative GPA of 2.75
Sophomore or higher standing
Completion of one semester of college-level Spanish

Spain

Students attend the Universidad de Granada or the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, taking courses in Spanish language and literature as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

Eligibility:

Enrollment at a CSU campus or eligibility to enter from a California community college
Cumulative GPA of 2.75
Upper division standing prior to departure
Completion of at least two years of college-level Spanish with a B average