Saint Louis University
College of Arts & Sciences
Annual Report Template
FY2013 (July 2012-June 2013)
Instructions: Please fill in all of the requested information; boxes will
expand to accommodate your text.
Department Information
MCL (Modern & Classical Languages)
Department
Language Divisions: Arabic, Chinese, Classical
Academic Programs
Degrees
Contact Person
Name
Title
e-mail address
Phone
Humanities, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian,
Latin, Latin American Studies (LAS), Russian, Spanish
MA: French Studies, Spanish Studies
BA: Classical Humanities, French, German, Greek,
Italian, Latin, Latin American Studies (LAS), Russian,
Spanish
Annie K. Smart
Professor of French
langadmin@slu.edu
977-2448
Department Mission Statement and Goals
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages is to
prepare our students to understand and to engage with cultures other than their
own. In the process, students reflect upon themselves, their own language and
culture and the richness of diversity, leading to greater intellectual, scholarly and
spiritual maturity. Through its integration of language, literature and culture, both
in its scholarship and its teaching, the Department is unique among all
components of the University. Intercultural knowledge is of unprecedented value
and is indispensable in today’s increasingly global environment. In carrying out
its mission, the Department contributes to the Jesuit tradition of educating the
whole person for the greater glory of God and for service to others.
Current Goals and Objectives: (goals from previous year)
Department:
 To prepare students for global citizenship and internationally-connected
careers by delivering a comprehensive curriculum in which students can
achieve proficiency in a target language and culture;
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To promote a strong culture of research among faculty members and high
pedagogical standards;
To increase an awareness of other cultures and a cultural sensitivity both in
the classroom and on campus.
Undergraduate Programs:
 To foster students’ intercultural competence and intellectual curiosity by
deepening their understanding of other cultures and how other cultures
relate to their own;
 To develop the skills and knowledge necessary to function meaningfully in an
international context;
 To encourage students to broaden their experience and knowledge of other
cultures through study abroad.
MA Programs:
 To enhance the profile of our two existing programs, through encouraging
student research and recruiting excellent students;
 To explore the possibility of adding an MA in Italian Studies;
 To position our students to be successful in the professional paths that they
may choose after graduating from our programs.
Please specify progress made towards meeting these goals in the last
year:
Department:
 Promoting a culture of research: formation of the MCL research group to
discuss works in progress (1 article discussed has been accepted for
publication; 4 have been submitted); chair also met with faculty in one-onone meetings to encourage research agendas and track progress towards
tenure/promotion
 Preparing students for global citizenship: curriculum of all BA Programs
constantly updated; students encouraged to apply for international
internships and careers (promoting Fulbright Scholarships; applying to
Peace Corps); special focus on developing Latin American Studies Program:
LAS300 taught as Micah House course;
 Increasing cultural awareness: cultural events sponsored at various
venues on campus, especially during Atlas Week; MCL faculty participate in
interdisciplinary research groups (Cross-Cultural Center). Work needs to be
done regarding department’s visibility on campus: for example, our
department is not represented in the new Center for Global Citizenship.
Undergraduate Programs:
 Intercultural competence: curriculum for all programs updated to include
a cultural focus – students given both knowledge of cultures and analytical
tools to examine cultures; students encouraged to participate in various
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cultural events on and off campus (“Happy Chinese” contest, for example)
Developing skills/knowledge within an international context: language
programs work towards proficiency and hone critical thinking skills; faculty
works with students to develop professional skills (presenting at
Spanish/French Student, Senior Legacy Symposia; writing and submitting
articles and abstracts; applying for research grants, scholarships,
fellowships); students encouraged to “internationalize” their career / other
majors
Study abroad: new programs added in Italy; new summer study abroad
program in France; faculty helps students find opportunities and
scholarships for study abroad
MA Programs:
 Enhance profile of MA in French / MA in Spanish: new promotional
material for Spanish; record number of applicants in Spanish; MA Program in
French now offers dual-degree with Université de Poitiers; annual
Symposium being used to market program and recruit students;
 MA in Italian Studies: conversation on this subject has been initiated; we
hope to continue work in this area;
 Professional development of students: MA students successful in finding
employment / pursuing higher degree. We hope to continue work in this
area.
Future Goals and Objectives: (describe goals for the coming year)
Each language division and program has its own set of goals. The chair helps the
various program coordinators achieve their goals, and also sets objectives for the
department. Here are the goals and objectives for the department:
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Foster a culture of research and intellectual exchange in the department;
Promote graduate & undergraduate research;
Update teaching technologies and train GTAs, new adjuncts;
Continue to strengthen our ties to local international communities;
“Grow” the department: initiate faculty retreat + series of conversations on
future directions for department;
Update our approach to promoting the department on campus, with
prospective students, and with alums;
Update vital departmental documents: revise Rank & Tenure guidelines,
assessment tools;
Continue professional development of LLC to better meet needs of MCL
faculty & students;
Special focus on developing 3 language divisions: German, Classics, Chinese
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Student Learning Outcomes
Please list your learning outcomes: Departmental outcomes listed for 210level + BA; outcomes for MA Programs in French / Spanish
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes (210 level, major, MA)
Language divisions have two desired outcomes (with
Outcomes for 210
some variance according to language):
level:
Assessment Method (s)
Data Source
Assessment Results
Actions
Outcomes for the BA:
Assessment Method (s)
1. proficiency (oral, written) according to the
ACTFL scale (usually either Novice-High or
Intermediate-Low)
2. Cultural competence
1. 210 final exam (written) and final oral
interview
2. Portfolios; participation in cultural events and
reflection papers; cultural component to exams
Data is collected at the end of the semester. All
students are tested, and ideally a report is written
compiling the data.
Selected students also complete the SLUPE.
Date for the proficiency goals are regularly compiled;
cultural competence data less so.
All language divisions are engaged in assessing
proficiency and cultural competence.
Articulation of proficiency goals needs to be streamlined (not expressed in terms of 5 dimensions).
Data needs to be collected and stored in a more
systematic way.
Language divisions have many different desired
outcomes, including:
1. proficiency (oral, written) according to the
ACTFL scale (usually either Intermediate-High
or Advanced-Low)
2. Cultural competence
3. Critical thinking skills
4. Solid grasp of a field of knowledge
Methods vary:
Some divisions ask majors to provide a spontaneous
writing sample and an oral interview; others ask
majors to complete a capstone project; Spanish asks
its majors to present a paper at the French-Spanish
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Student Symposium.
The methods above assess proficiency, critical
thinking skills, knowledge of a field, and in some cases
cultural competence.
Data Source
For capstones and the Symposium presentation, all
majors must comply.
For spontaneous writing samples and oral interviews,
these are completed at the end of the student’s career.
Generally 75% of the students participate.
Assessment Results
Actions
Assessment results show that most students gain an
Intermediate-High proficiency level in their career at
SLU. Most students are able to make cogent
arguments in another language, and are able to
express abstract ideas. Students demonstrate an indepth knowledge of a selected topic within the field.
Students demonstrate an ability to understand
cultural differences, and to compare another culture
to their own.
Articulation of proficiency goals needs to be streamlined (not expressed in terms of 5 dimensions).
Data needs to be collected and stored in a more
systematic way.
Outcomes for MA
(Spanish, French):
To prepare students successfully for a career in which
they are engaged in language instruction, or for future
study towards a PhD.
Students therefore must demonstrate an ability to:
1. express themselves cogently in another
language;
2. conduct research and integrate secondary
sources in an original argument
3. discourse in depth on a variety of topics
pertaining to the field (French-/Spanishspeaking worlds)
Assessment Method (s)
Progress is assessed through coursework and final
exams.
Success of desired outcomes of the Programs is
assessed through comprehensive final oral and
written examinations (Spanish); comprehensive final
written examinations or written final project + oral
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examinations (French).
Preparation for a career in the profession is assessed
through TA training & seminars (500 course);
participation in the annual French/Spanish Student
Symposium.
Data Source
Final exam data is collected from all students finishing
the MA, at the end of their career at SLU, and is
discussed both by examination committees.
Professional training: all TAs participate in
Orientation & training sessions; are regularly
observed and mentored by course coordinators.
Assessment Results
All students have achieved desired outcomes.
Professional training outcomes achieved: students
accepted into PhD Programs, students obtain teaching
jobs.
Data needs to be shared in a more consistent fashion.
Actions
Department Accomplishments
Awards or Distinctions: (list major awards or distinctive achievements earned by
the department in the past year)
 New joint Master’s Degree Program (dual degree program) started between
MA in French and Université de Poitiers
 Department hosted renowned French author Pascal Quignard, in partnership
with Webster and Washington Universities (visit organized by Dr. Jean-Louis
Pautrot, who is an expert on Quignard’s work)
 Language Learning Center’s software (SLUPE and Nanovox), developed by
Lab Director Dan Nickolai, is being used by over 100 institutions in countries
around the globe. SLUPE account holders include: Defense Language
Institute, American Councils for International Education, Harvard, MIT,
Northwestern, Carnegie Melon, & Yale; the list of countries for NanoVox is
vast : Denmark, France, Vietnam, Thailand, Brazil, Russia, Japan, Indonesia,
Poland, Switzerland, Greece, Ukraine.
Faculty honors: (list separately distinctive honors or special recognition awarded
to individual faculty)
Publications & Grants:
 Dr. Jean-Louis Pautrot published Pascal Quignard (Gallimard-Grasset, March
2013); this publication is being distributed worldwide through French embassies
and consulates by the French government.
 Fr. Claude Pavur, S.J., published glosses for all the adjectival phrases in
Horace’s Odes (Easy on the Odes, available at the Latin Teaching Materials
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Website and on academia.edu).
Dr. Pascale Perraudin co-edited a guest issue of an important journal in her
field: Postcolonial Text: “Transnational Inquiries: Representing Postcolonial
Violence and Cultures of Struggle.”
Dr. Claudia Karagoz has submitted an NEH grant proposal for a Summer
Institute, in partnership with a colleague at Auburn University
Awards & Honors:
 Dr. Kara McBride (Spanish) received the 2012 James H. Korn Award for
Scholarship on Teaching and Learning.
 Dr. Lili Guo (Chinese) received the SGA Faculty Excellence Award for Arts &
Sciences.
 Dr. Julia Lieberman (Spanish) was awarded the Helen I. Mandeville Award for
Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in the Humanities.
 Dr. Yaoska Tijerino (Spanish) was invited to read her poetry at the International
Festival of Poetry in Granada, Nicaragua. This is one of the most important
festivals of poetry around the globe. Other invited poets in attendance included
Derek Walcott (Nobel Prize) and Robert Pinsky (US Poet Laureate, 1997-2000.)
 Dr. Evelyn Meyer was a guest scholar at University of Bamberg, Germany,
where she participated in research groups and symposia.
Student honors: (list separately distinctive honors or special recognition awarded
to students)
 Around 100 people attended the 2013 French & Spanish Graduate and
Undergraduate Student Symposium. Students presented on topics ranging from
“Literature and Urbanism in 18th-century France” to “The Representation of
Latinos in American Musicals.”
 Two of our Russian double-majors, Michael Meyer (Biology) and Daniel Pike
(Biochemistry) have been awarded a grant to work in a research lab at Moscow
State University this summer.
 Tim Wilhelm (French/International Studies) was awarded a national scholarship,
the Jeanne Marandon Scholarship, for study abroad in Lyon, France.
 Donald Dodsworth, who is studying Chinese, won the Silver Prize (2nd-year
student category) at the US Midwest Chinese “Bridge” Speech Contest organized
by Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, Purdue University, and
the University of Wisconsin.
Community engagement: (describe department involvement in the community)
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A total of 442 hours of volunteer service work were done for Dr. Kara McBride’s
Spring 2013 Spanish 422 Language Acquisition class.
The French Division organizing and hosting the performance of a French Play on
November 5, 2012, in partnership with other local universities and cultural
organizations.
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The Italian Division liaised with the local Italian-American community; this
cooperative relationship has resulted in a $1000 scholarship for 2 undergraduate
students.
The Chinese Division strengthened its ties to the local Chinese community: 2
SLU students in Chinese performed a song at the Chinese New Year Celebration,
sponsored by the St. Louis Chinese Association and the Modern Chinese
Language School (over 900 people attended this event).
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