Mission

Studying Filipino

Career Opportunities

BA in Philippine Language & Literature

Minor in Filipino Language & Culture

 

Mission

In keeping with the ideals of a diverse and pluralistic American society, the Filipino and Philippine Literature Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the Philippines, its national language and its people among heritage and non-heritage students, train language and literature scholars, researchers and teachers to become competent, literate users of Filipino, and lead the field of teaching Filipino and Philippine literature locally, nationally, and internationally with innovative and state-of-the-aart pedagogical materials and groundbreaking research.

Studying Filipino

Filipino is the Tagalog-based national language of the Philippines and the cultural thread that keeps Filipinos all over the world in touch with thier roots. To promote cross-cultural and trans-national understanding and mutual appreciation, wide access to the Filipino language is essential. For students of Filipino ancestry, an in-depth knowledge of Philippine language, literature and culture is essential to the understanding of their heritage.

Career Opportunities

If you are considering a career in any of the following fields: Education, Language Teaching and Research, Translation and Interpretation, Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling and Family Resources, Communication, Law, Linguistics, Literature, Theater Arts, Visual Arts, Film, Music, Anthropology, History, Sociology, Political Science, Asian Studies or Ethnic Studies, then consider taking a BA in Philippine Language and Literature (with concentration in Filipino) or a Minor in Filipino.

* teach languages like Filipino and ESL in public and private institutions in the US and abroad.
* do translation and interpretation work for government agencies, advertising firms, publishing companies and other businesses in the US adn abroad.
* combined with other majors, teach history, social studies and literature in elementary and high schools nationwide.
* work with intelligence agencies and the military.
* work with the Philippine government and non profit and non-government organizations in the US and abroad.
* communicate better with your clients as a social worker, counselor, nurse, lawyer, paralegal or public relations specialist.
* do research on Philippine languages, literature, arts, music, film, history, politics, economy and environment.
* prepare better for graduate work/advanced research in linguistics, literature, anthropology, history, sociology, political science, and area studies.
* do business with Filipinos in the Philippines and in other parts of the world.

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BA in Philippine Language & Literature

1. Preparation for a career in community service. A Bachelor of Arts in Philippine Language and Literature will complement existing degree programs in education, social work, public health, nursing, psychology, geography, and law. Other career opportunities for recepients of this degree could be jobs in the fields of translation and interpretation, linguistics, language teaching, speech therapy, business (sales, customer relations, marketing and management), missionary work, immigration work, Peace Corps, and military intelligence.

2. Service to students of Filipino ancestry. About 75% of the students in the Philippine language programs are second and third generation Filipinos. This BA program will give this target group a better understanding of Philippine culture as well as a functional proficiency in the language. Professionals trained in the language will fulfill a need in the community where 15% of the State's population are of Filipino ancestry, and Filipino communities being one of the fastest growing in the nation.

3. Preparation for graduate studies and advanced research. The BA program will prepare undergraduates for advanced studies and research in various fields where knowledge of a foreign language and/or culture is important, e.g. MA in Asian Studies, Anthropology, Linguistics, Sociology, etc.

Required Core Courses (27 Credits)

Language Courses (15 Credits)

* Filipino 301-302 Third-level Filipino
* Filipino 401-402 Fourth-level Filipino
* Filipino 451 Structure of Filipino

Literature/Culture Courses (select 12 credits)
* IP 273-E Introduction to Indo-Pacific Language & Culture: Philippine
* IP 363 WI Philippine Literature in English
* IP 396 WI Philippine Literature/Folklore in Translation
* IP 431 WI Rizal's Literary Works in Translation
* Fil 330 Filipino Film: Art and History
* Fil 461 Filipino Contemporary Literature
* Fil 462 Filipino Traditional Literature

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Minor in Philippine Language & Literature

Fifteen credits beyond the 202 level are required for a Minor in Philippine Language and Literature (with focus on Filipino). The courses fulfill elective and/or focus requirements. The same 15 credits can also fulfill requirements for a minor in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students in other colleges may also add a Minor (or a second major for a BA) to their declared program of study in any field.

Native and near-native speakers of Filipino (Tagalog) are encouraged to take a placement test to earn back credits (-applies to new students from SY 2002 only) or waive the required first two years of the language (Filipino 101-202).

Suggested Courses for Minor

Core Courses (select 9 credits)
* Filipino 301-302 Third-level Filipino (3-3)
* Filipino 401-402 Fourth-level Filipino (3-3)
* Filipino 451 Structure of Filipino (3)

Elective Course I (select 3 credits)
* IP 363 Philippine Literature in English (3)
* IP 396 Philippine Literature/Folklore in Translation (taught in English)

Elective Course II (select 3 credits)
* Filipino 461 Filipino Contemporary Literature (3)
* Filipino 462 Filipino Traditional Literature (3)

(see past and current scholarship recipients)

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