Languages, Philosophy, Religion, and Cultures (LPRC)
The Languages, Philosophy, Religion, and Cultures (LPRC) Department offers coursework that exposes students to cultural, theological, literary, and philosophical inquiry. Students will cultivate their critical thinking and analytical writing skills as they deepen their understanding of the world and its humanistic traditions. We offer courses in languages, linguistics, religious studies, philosophy, classics, culture, and literature, as well as opportunities for internships, community engagement, and study abroad.
The LPRC offers programs in Spanish (major and minor), Philosophy (minor), and Religious Studies (minor), as well as Classics courses for General Education credit. Please select the program you are interested in for more information.
Scholarships and Awards
Classical Languages:
Francis V. Ellis Award in Classics for Exceptional Achievement in Greek or Latin
Granted by Attorney Stephen Ellis in memory of his father, the Francis V. Ellis Award in Classics recognizes excellence in the study of the classical languages (Greek or Latin) and classical civilization.
Modern Languages:
Sally Lo Ware Awards for Distinguished Performance in Modern Language
These awards are to be presented to students who are majoring in one of the languages currently offered by Rockford University.
Philosophy
Walhout Prize in Philosophy
The Walhout Prize in Philosophy was established in honor of Dr. Donald Walhout, Professor Emeritis. This award is given to a student based on academic performance, GPA, and the student must have completed 30 hours in Philosophy.
For more information on scholarships relevant to this department, please visit the Academic Catalog.
Careers and Internships
Modern and Classical Languages
The B.A. program in Spanish, in addition to preparing students for teaching or graduate school, gives students a useful and valuable tool for a large number of careers, especially for those in which contact with Spanish-speaking peoples is likely, such as in education, public and social services, health services, law, recreation programs, the tourist industry, business and banking, government, library work, publishing, etc. As a result, it is an excellent second area of specialization that combines well with many other disciplines; a growing number of students have chosen to major both in Spanish and another area (i.e., history, sociology, business administration, child development, political science, etc.).
Religion
A religious studies minor complements any career choice. It is almost impossible to name a field that does not have a great need for people informed about diverse backgrounds and cultures of those with whom they interact. For example, think of how significant it is to fields such as teaching, nursing, legal studies, business, or the arts to understand and interrelate thoughtfully with people. Because fields such as these seek professionals with not only subject matter knowledge and skills, but also a set of lived values, a minor in religious studies will significantly enhance any career.
Philosophy
Career opportunities for philosophy majors are numerous. Philosophy majors have been successful in business, writing, teaching and editing. As well as training students for graduate studies in philosophy and the humanities, the philosophy major is a popular choice for pre-law students because of the rigorous development of abstract, analytical and argumentative abilities that the study of philosophy makes possible.
Languages, Philosophy, Religion, and Cultures
