/Institutions/Union-University/json/2023/Academic-Catalogue-Undergraduate-Catalogue-local.json

/Institutions/Union-University/json/2023/Academic-Catalogue-Undergraduate-Catalogue.json

Department of Language

Faculty

Jean Marie Walls (1987). Professor of Language and Department Chair. B.A. and M.A., Mississippi State University; and Ph.D., Louisiana State University. Additional study, Northwestern University.

Julie Glosson (1995). Professor of Language. B.A., Union University; M.A., and Ed.D., University of Memphis.

Victoria Malone (2005). Coordinator of Study Abroad and Assistant Professor of Language. B.A. and M.A., Northern Illinois University

Karen Martin (2003). Professor of Language. B.A., Samford University; B.A., Union University; M.A., The University of Alabama; D.M.L., Middlebury College.

Phillip G. Ryan (1997). Director, Center for Intercultural Engagement, Professor of Language, and Coordinator of ESL Programing. B.A., Union University; M.A., University of Memphis; Ph.D. Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Staff

Lindsey Robinson (2022). Academic Secretary—English/ Languages.

Curriculum

The Department of Language provides a multifaceted, innovative curriculum in language, literature, culture and language acquisition. The Department offers majors in French, Spanish, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and Applied Linguistics with the option of teacher licensure in the first three. The Department's commitment to a strong interdisciplinary approach to the study of language and culture is reflected in the variety and scope of offerings, as well as the opportunities to enhance on-campus study with off-campus international and domestic programs.

The French and Spanish majors offer three tracks. All hours of the major are in one language unless the student has received prior written permission of the Chair. A minimum of 15 hours, including 490, of the major must be earned under the direct supervision of the faculty of Union University.

Students are strongly urged to complete the immersion experience required for the French and Spanish majors prior to the last semester of study at Union and to enroll in at least one language course after the experience. See Department guidelines for details about planning study abroad.

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages major, with its strong emphasis in applied linguistics and with its field experience opportunities, provides a supportive and substantive framework for participants to develop their understanding of language and to explore their own development as language teachers. The program is designed for those seeking employment teaching English as a second or foreign language.

The Applied Linguistics major is designed for students committed to vocational and intellectual pursuits involving human language, including translation, interpretation, cross cultural engagement, and research. The major incorporates a range of current linguistic theory and research, providing students with a framework for understanding the complexities of human language, including its structure, its acquisition, its role in culture and society, its relationship to literacy, and its significance in identity negotiation. The major also includes an innovative 12-hour component in which students—under the direction of the lead faculty—construct an emphasis relevant to linguistics, including but not limited to immersion opportunities in less commonly taught languages.

Applied Linguistics Program Guidelines

• Students majoring in any Applied Linguistics cannot double major/minor with TESOL given the shared coursework approach
• The 12-credit hour external program component for the major will consist of an immersion experience involving intensive language study new to the learner approved by the department.
• The goal of the 12-credit hour external program component is not language proficiency gains as much as it is a self reflexive experiential learning component that complements the broader program of study.
• Students may petition the Language Department to apply the 12-credit hour external program component in a second language as satisfying the University’s BA-level core language requirement
• The external program component has a pre-requisite: ALNG 220, ALNG 325; ICS 245, ICS 320.

Assessment of Majors

All language majors must have oral proficiency in the target language equivalent to an ACTFL rating of “Intermediate High.” This will be determined by the appropriate instructor through an individual interview to be conducted during the second semester of the junior year. Each student is responsible for scheduling the interview during the designated semester. See Department Chair for additional information.

Students presenting transfer or testing credit in language will be evaluated toward placement in the program and in possible application of those credits toward a language major or minor.

• Major in French: Language and Culture Track—37 hours
• Major in French: Literature and Culture Track—37 hours
• Major in French: Educator Preparation Track—36 hours
• Major in Spanish: Language and Culture Track—37 hours
• Major in Spanish: Literature and Culture Track—37 hours
• Major in Spanish: Educator Preparation Track—36 hours
• Major in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages—34 hours
• Major in Applied Linguistics—34 hours
• Teacher Licensure in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• Minor in French Language and Culture Track—21 hours
• Minor in Spanish Language and Culture Track—21 hours
• Minor in French Literature and Culture Track—21 hours
• Minor in Spanish Literature and Culture Track—21 hours
• Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages—21 hours
• Minor in Applied Linguistics—22 hours
• Major in Spanish, French, Applied Linguistics, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages with Discipline-Specific Honors