Departments

College and Department Mission Statements

The mission of Wilkinson College is to educate the whole person through an integration of disciplines in liberal arts, graduate and professional programs. As teachers and scholars, we prepare students to think critically and creatively; to communicate effectively; to seek personal excellence; to value lifelong learning and service; and to act compassionately and knowledgeably in our diverse world.

 Communication Studies
Dr. Wenshan Jia
e-mail: jia@chapman.edu
(714) 997-6725

The purpose of the Department of Communication Studies is to educate our students to be effective communicators and ethical advocates prepared to address local, national and global issues.

 English
Paul Gulino, Chair
e-mail: gulino@chapman.edu
(714) 628-7284

The mission of the department of English and comparative literature is to exemplify and encourage the ability to think creatively and critically, and to express ideas with clarity and intellectual rigor; to develop a detailed knowledge of several cultural traditions; and to foster the desire to explore related fields of study, such as psychology, history, philosophy, linguistics, sociology, and religious studies.  The department provides Chapman students with innovative and rigorous instruction in critical thinking and writing skills, in-depth knowledge of the world's literary traditions, and a basis for lifelong learning in an interdisciplinary context.

 History
Dr. Jennifer Keene, Chair
e-mail:keene@chapman.edu
(714) 744-7102

Through a study of the past, the History Department prepares students to lead inquiring, ethical, and productive lives as global citizens by developing their skills in researching, writing, and speaking.

 Languages
Dr. Walter Tschacher, Chair
e-mail:tschacher@chapman.edu   
(714) 628-7276

The mission of the Department of Languages is to increase students' linguistic and practical skills and broaden their awareness of the culture they are studying. The department offers the study of modern and classical languages, such as French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish.

 Peace Studies Program
Dr. Donald Will, Chair
e-mail: will@chapman.edu
(714) 997-6620

The mission of the Peace Studies Program is to educate students about the causes of violence and war, to train them in the history and techniques of peacemaking, to encourage them to pursue careers that will promote peace and justice in both the global and local arenas, and to promote discussion in the Chapman curriculum and community about the moral and ethical dimensions of war and peace.

 Philosophy
Dr. Charles Hughes, Chair
e-mail:chughes@chapman.edu
(714) 997-6952

The mission of the Department of Philosophy is to help students to reason logically, state and defend views clearly, analyze and solve problems better, make decisions more effectively, and integrate the personal and professional aspects of life, thus preparing students for work and for a meaningful life. The faculty are committed teacher-scholars who regularly integrate the new knowledge generated by their scholarship into the classroom. The focus of the Philosophy Department is ethics, critical thinking, and a global perspective.

 Political Science
Dr. Don Will, Chair
e-mail: will@chapman.edu
(714) 997-6620

Students in the Political Science Department learn about the discipline of Political Science, the great and enduring ideas of political philosophy, concepts and theories central to an understanding of international relations, and the theory and practice of American politics and government.

To achieve these ends, each Political Science student will become well-grounded in the social sciences, familiar with the philosophy and methodology of inquiry in the discipline, and acquainted with well-known criticisms of approaches to inquiry in Political Science. Students will become familiar with the breadth and diversity of approaches-both theoretical and practical-and intellectual traditions within the student's chosen sub-field concentration.

 Religious Studies
Dr. Charles Hughes, Chair
e-mail:chughes@chapman.edu
(714) 997-6952

The Department of Religious Studies makes particular contributions to the curriculum of Chapman University in the areas of ethics, values, and global citizenship.

 Sociology
Dr. Tekle Woldemikael, Chair
e-mail: woldemik@chapman.edu
(714) 997-7974

The mission of the Sociology Department is to educate students with a practical and theoretical understanding of the structures and institutions of society and their relationship to individuals. We impart a critical perspective for understanding the diversity of human social behavior. We teach the methods for acquiring and communicating knowledge, and we inspire in students respect for all cultures and peoples.