Thursday, April 24, 2003 TODAY
Graduate School news
Graduate School adds Chinese and Spanish studies programs
 |
| Clara M. Jorge Ramirez, PhD (left), associate professor of Spanish, and director, Spanish studies program; and John B. Wong, MD, JD, ThD, PhD, adjunct associate professor, religion and ethics, Faculty of Religion, and director, Chinese studies program, are excited about the new certificate programs. |
Graduates of Loma Linda University have a long history of service domestically
and around the world. In order to enhance this aspect of learning, the Board
of Trustees approved a Chinese studies program and Spanish studies program.
The purpose of these certificates is to provide general education that articulates
with community service, “mission electives,” or short mission trips
in the United States and international settings.
The certificates are consistent with WASC recommendations that baccalaureate
programs “actively foster an understanding of diversity” and “ensure
breadth for all students in the areas of cultural and aesthetic, social, and
political, as well as scientific and technical knowledge expected of educated
persons in this society.”
Coursework in cultural studies enables the student to engage the population served
at a deeper level than possible without skills in language and knowledge of Spanish
or Chinese history, literature, and society. The theoretical, structured course
in service learning provides a philosophical and theological basis for service,
as well as opportunity to reflect on and integrate the various components.
These certificates integrate and promote the three core values of Loma Linda
University—spiritual life and wholeness, diversity, and community service
and global outreach. These three values are essential to the “Loma Linda
University experience.”
Certificate in Spanish studies
 |
| Students will be able to visit Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, for Chinese immersion courses and overseas trips. |
The 21-unit certificate is only available to students who complete a
minimum of 17 of the required 21-quarter units at Loma Linda University.
Faculty and
staff may apply their educational benefits. For undergraduate students, the courses
also contribute to meeting GE requirements.
Courses include language (9 units); literature, history, and social sciences
(2 units); diversity (4 units); and a service learning program required as well
as an international service project with a Spanish-speaking population.
The two bookends of the certificate are the Christian service course units. The
first unit includes a theoretical, theological, and philosophical basis for service
and provides the outline for the portfolio. In the second unit, the student completes
the portfolio that integrates and summarizes the entire experience.
Spanish language proficiency at the intermediate level is required and will be
assessed by examination. All courses except the capstone portfolio course are
currently available on campus. For students concurrently enrolled in an LLU program,
all courses may be transferred in except for Christian service and the 80 clock
hours of service taken for a letter grade, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 for the
certificate.
Service learning courses and clinical practica provide an opportunity for students
to serve in a Spanish speaking community in California, elsewhere in the United
States, or abroad within their major.
“ This certificate is a unique approach and will engage cultural differences,
influences,
and assimilation in the age of globalization,” says, Clara M. Jorge Ramirez,
PhD, associate professor of Spanish and director of the Spanish program. “The
courses will enable the participants who wish to learn to interview the Latino
patient in a cross-cultural perspective, and to communicate orally in the Spanish
language.”
 |
| Madrid, Spain, is just one destination that students will be able to study at while completing the certificate program in Spanish studies. |
For more information about the Spanish studies program, contact Miriam
Kramer by calling (909) 558-4852 or extension 44852. You may also e-mail
her at <mkramer@univ.llu.edu>.
Chinese introductory course
The introductory course to the Chinese studies program will be held the second
five-week summer session, 2003. No knowledge of Chinese is required. The course
will be taught in English with interjection of Chinese in the language component.
Introduction to the important aspects of Chinese civilization includes discussion
of Chinese language literature, history, culture, modern-day politics, economics,
Chinese philosophies, and religions.
A survey of the Mandarin Chinese language focuses on basic pronunciation, grammar,
the traditional and simplified written characters, sentence construction, common
greetings, and communication in modern life situations. Students are encouraged
to acquire common vocabulary used in restaurants, transportation, and health-care
encounters.
This course is intended to give students who have had little or no knowledge
about China some fundamental skills and understanding as a preparation for further
Chinese studies and research. Student participation, role plays, interactive
learning, music, and visits to churches and places with cultural presentations
which would enhance understanding and synthesis of learning and application are
encouraged.
Certificate in Chinese studies
The 20-unit certificate is only available to those who complete a minimum of
16 of the required 20-quarter units at Loma Linda University. For undergraduate
students, the courses also contribute to meeting GE requirements.
Courses include language (10 units); Chinese civilization—
language, literature, history, religion, economics, and social sciences (4 units);
and a service learning course. For the certificate in Chinese studies, an immersion
language and culture program is required as well as an international service
project within a Chinese community.
The Christian service course units are the two bookends of the certificate. The
first unit includes a theoretical, theological, and philosophical basis for service
and provides the outline for the portfolio. In the second unit, the student completes
the portfolio by integrating and summarizing, in writing, the entire experience.
Mandarin language proficiency at the intermediate level is required and will
be assessed by examination upon completion of the language courses. Cantonese
may be substituted for Mandarin under special circumstances, but it is not taught
on the LLU campus. For students concurrently enrolled in an LLU program, all
courses may be transferred in except for Christian service and the 80 clock hours
of service learning. Language, Chinese civilization, literature, and history
must be taken for a letter grade, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 for the certificate.
Service learning courses and clinical practica provide an opportunity for students
to serve with Chinese populations anywhere in the world. Students complete a
capstone portfolio to reflectively integrate the course content of Christian
service with the service learning experience.
“ In a global economy with America’s and China’s geopolitical
importance,” says John B. Wong, MD, JD, PhD, director, Chinese studies
program, “such educational
enrichment is essential for cross-cultural and
scientific-technological exchange.”
For the Chinese immersion course, students may apply for limited grants for transportation
costs to China.
For further information on the Chinese studies program, contact Dr. Wong by
calling (760) 728-4936 or by e-mailing <johnbwong@univ.llu.edu>. You
may also leave a message with Mary Solberg at (909) 558-4748.
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Thursday, April 24, 2003 TODAY
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