Framework

CAL’s research framework is geared toward contributing to existing conversations and also generating new ones in the different research areas of its five departments: Department of Art Studies, Department of English and Comparative Literature, Department of European Languages, Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature, and Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts. CAL encourages its faculty to participate in and build
specialized work in their individual research fields. At the same time, CAL also aims to establish points of connection between these individual research areas and interdisciplinary work beyond the confines of the general arts and humanities fields. These two paths of collaboration will provide members of the College opportunities to converse and work together with practitioners in other disciplines in order to find common ground and generate novel ideas. CAL’s research framework, therefore, is interdisciplinary in orientation even as it continues to strengthen its specialized fields in advancing excellent, relevant, ethical, and innovative academic and creative projects in the university. 

Fields of Study

CAL’s research framework includes the following research fields or areas: 

• history, theory and criticism of various expressions of culture and the arts, broadly
conceived, such as literature, painting, sculpture, film, and music
• museum and curatorial studies
• arts and culture management
• local, regional, national, and world literatures
• creative writing and creative writing studies
• creative works in theatre and other arts
• language theory, language studies, and language teaching in Filipino & Philippine
languages, English, and European Languages
• language planning, language management, and language policy
• discourse studies
• communication theory and communication studies
• translation theory and translation studies
• critical theory and cultural studies
• popular culture studies
• women and gender studies
• speech, theatre and performance studies
• Philippine Studies (Rizal and nationalism, unionism, anti-imperialist and anti
neoliberalist studies, ethnic studies)
• digital humanities
• book history
• oral tradition and folklore studies
• multi/inter/transdisciplinary studies
• instructional communication and speech pedagogy
• art and theater production 

Publication

The Philippine Humanities Review (PHR) is CAL’s official scholarly journal. Managed by the Publications Program of CAL, headed by the Associate Dean for Research, Creative Work, and Publication, the PHR publishes scholarly, critical and analytical works on various aspects of Philippine culture, the arts and letters, as well as creative works in the broad field of the humanities. (Please visit http://journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/phr/issue/archive for access to the journal issues.) 

Dissemination Platform 

BAHAGINAN is CAL’s research dissemination platform. It creates points of connection and conversation between the various research agenda of the College and the different disciplines in the University, ultimately contributing to ongoing work and theorizations in these various fields and to the development of a dynamic and vibrant research culture in CAL and the University. 

BAHAGINAN STRUCTURE

Currently, BAHAGINAN is managed by the CAL Research Committee, headed by the Associate Dean for Research, Creative Work, and Publication. BAHAGINAN has three research components that are geared toward fulfilling different but related aims: 

1. BAHAGINAN RESEARCH FORUM is the core component of BAHAGINAN that was launched on March 28, 2016. It is a transdisciplinal seminar and forum for the various research agenda of the College. The BAHAGINAN is composed of the following types of lectures: 

• an inter-department series in which junior faculty members and those who have received a Research Development Grant (RDG) and/or a Faculty Development Grant (FDG) from the five CAL departments share the presentations that they delivered in international and national conferences with colleagues from CAL and the University; 

• lectures co-organized with groups from within and outside the college. An example of which is a discourse studies series, organized with the UP Diliman Discourse Studies Group, that aims to gather scholars from different units in the university who share an interest in using discourse as a means to discuss and examine pressing socio-political events, emerging social trends and phenomena, and the role of language in the construction of knowledge, society, and culture; and 

• a theme-based series to be delivered by invited or visiting experts on chosen topics.

2. BAHAGINAN READING GROUP is a reading group dedicated to the continuous learning of the graduate students and faculty members of the College. It also allows the participation of undergraduate students who are in the thesis stage provided that they have the support of their thesis advisers. The reading group engages in theme-based and problem-based informal discussions and dialogues where interested scholars are tasked to discuss, reflect on, and critique the prescribed reading materials. The group aims to expand the research literature of the members in their teaching, ongoing faculty research projects, and dissertation- and thesis writing. 

3. BAHAGINAN X is the academic arm of CAL’s extension activities and community service projects. It is envisioned to bridge the gap between the academic concerns of the College and the concerns of people and groups outside of the academic community. It reminds the College and the University of the importance of anchoring academic work on contemporary real-life conditions. 

The first BAHAGINAN X was held on October 17, 2016. As part of the Indigenous People Lakbayan/Kampuhan 2016, the faculty members and students of the College of Arts and Letters organized an exhibit and forum to share their experiences on the Save our School exposure trip to Sitio Malungon, Bukidnon. 

CAL Guidelines for Assigning Research Load Credit (RLC) and Creative Work Load Credit (CWLC) 

Application for Research Load Credit (RLC) or Creative Work Load Credit (CWLC) generally follows the guidelines set by the university as indicated in UP Form 67-C, which states that load credits for research or creative work ordinarily range from 1 to 3 units per semester. RLC/CWLC exceeding 3 units, but not more than 6 units, is allowed only in meritorious cases and is contingent on the evaluation of the College Executive Board or its equivalent body and endorsement by the Dean. 

The CAL guidelines make clear particular items in the university guidelines, such as pro-rated allotment of credits and the role of the Office of the Dean and the Associate Dean for Research, Creative Work, and Publication in assigning RLC and CWLC. Pro-rated Assignment of Credits RLC/CWLC for projects that are carried out within the semester shall be pro-rated, as shown below, according to the amount of time (expressed as number of weeks in a semester of 16 weeks) allotted for the fulfilment of indicated work. Project completion date and time allocation will be based on the description of the work, timetable/duration of the project, and funding information submitted along with the application. 

1 unit: Work requiring up to 5 weeks to complete within the semester
2 units: Work requiring between 5 to 10 weeks to complete within the semester
3 units: Work requiring between 10 to 16 weeks to complete within the semester

The Role of the Dean and Associate Dean for Research, Creative Work, and Publication

1. The Dean and the College Executive Board or equivalent body pre-assign research and creative work load credits based on the capacity and the needs of the college.
2. The Dean and Associate Dean for Research, Creative Work, and Publication are responsible for ensuring that progress reports and final reports in relation to RLC/CWLC are submitted on time.
3. A progress report is required of the faculty at the end of the semester when load credit is claimed, and a final report at the end of the project period as indicated in the timetable.
4. Attached to each report is an evaluation of the research output or creative work by the Associate Dean for Research, Creative Work, and Publication or a College Research Committee. The evaluation also indicates the renewal or non-renewal of the load credit.
5. These documents (progress reports, final report, and evaluation) will be submitted to the OVCRD.