KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
UNDERGRADUATE PROPOSAL
Change in Degree Requirements/Major Program Requirements
Degree or Major Affected BA in Modern Language & Culture
Responsible Department Foreign Languages
Proposed Effective Date Spring 2007
Submitted by:
Name Anja Bernardy
Date 4-17-2006
___ Approved ___ Not Approved _____________________________________________
Department Curriculum Committee Date
___Approved ___ Not Approved _____________________________________________
General Education Council*
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved _____________________________________________
Professional Teacher Education Unit Program Area* Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved _____________________________________________
Department Chair
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved _____________________________________________
College/School Curriculum Committee AND/OR
Date
Teacher Education Council*
___ Approved ___ Not Approved _____________________________________________
College/School Dean Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved _____________________________________________
Undergraduate Policies & Curriculum Committee Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved _____________________________________________
Vice President for Academic Affairs Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved _____________________________________________
President Date
* For curriculum proposals involving General Education courses, there should be collaboration by the Department
Curriculum Committee and the General Education Council. For Teacher Preparation proposals, there should be
collaboration by the Department Curriculum Committee, the Professional Teacher Education Unit [PTEU] Program
Area Committee, the Teacher Education Council, and the College/School Curriculum Committee.
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KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM PROPOSAL
Change in Degree Requirements/Major Program Requirements
Major or Degree Affected BA in Modern Language & Culture
Please provide a brief summary of the changes proposed.
(E.g., increase in the number of hours of major field requirements, elimination of a track.)
Proposed change: Require an official Oral Proficiency Interview for all majors.
I. Current Information
Page Number in Current Catalog:
Current Degree/Major Program Requirements (photocopy preferable):
2005/2006 undergraduate catalog: edited text for online catalog
Speaking a second language and understanding other cultures are of strategic importance in a
world in which international collaboration is not only necessary for political survival, but also
indispensable for economic success. The B.A. in Modern Language and Culture prepares
graduates who are able to communicate effectively in one or more foreign languages and have a
keen understanding of how humans interact across world cultures. Graduates will be familiar
with current global issues and possess the knowledge, skills, and versatility needed to succeed
academically and professionally in an ever-changing society.
The B.A. in Modern Language and Culture is designed to develop students’ communication
skills and understanding of other cultures and to foster respect for difference and diversity in a
global society. Students choose one of two primary languages—French or Spanish—in which
they develop and refine language proficiency as well as cross-cultural competence. In the course
of their studies, Modern Language and Culture majors acquire and practice the communication
skills and cultural competence necessary to function effectively in a global society. The
curriculum prepares degree candidates for future academic programs and professional careers in
which foreign language proficiency and cultural knowledge are desirable and/or required.
The B.A. in Modern Language and Culture is fully accredited by NCATE (National Council for
Accreditation of Teacher Education) and nationally recognized by ACTFL (American Council
on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).
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II. Proposed Information
Include an outline of the entire program. (Please underline or otherwise indicate changes.)
Major in Modern Language & Culture--B.A.
Speaking a second language and understanding other cultures are of strategic importance in a
world in which international collaboration is not only necessary for political survival, but also
indispensable for economic success. The B.A. in Modern Language and Culture prepares
graduates who are able to communicate effectively in one or more foreign languages and have a
keen understanding of how humans interact across world cultures. Graduates will be familiar
with current global issues and possess the knowledge, skills, and versatility needed to succeed
academically and professionally in an ever-changing society.
The B.A. in Modern Language and Culture is designed to develop students’ communication
skills and understanding of other cultures and to foster respect for difference and diversity in a
global society. Students choose one of two primary languages—French or Spanish—in which
they develop and refine language proficiency as well as cross-cultural competence. In the course
of their studies, Modern Language and Culture majors acquire and practice the communication
skills and cultural competence necessary to function effectively in a global society. The
curriculum prepares degree candidates for future academic programs and professional careers in
which foreign language proficiency and cultural knowledge are desirable and/or required.
The B.A. in Modern Language and Culture is fully accredited by NCATE (National Council for
Accreditation of Teacher Education) and nationally recognized by ACTFL (American Council
on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).
All majors must take an official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI). In addition, majors choosing
the “Teacher Certification in a Foreign Language” concentration must receive a rating of
“Advanced Low” to graduate and to receive a recommendation for certification. For information
about the OPI, see http://www.actfl.org.
III. Justification for Change
The national organization that sets standards for foreign language study is the American Council
on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). On October 19, 2002, the Specialty Areas
Studies Board of the national Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
approved the Program Standards for the Preparation of Foreign Language Teachers. Since all
education programs at KSU are NCATE-accredited, the Department of Foreign Languages must
adhere to these standards. As part of the requirements to meet Standard 1.a. (Demonstrating
Language Proficiency), candidates must take an official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).
According to the Program Reviewer Rubrics for Review of Evidence from Program Report
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(p.151 of the Program Standards) the program “meets expectations” for the foreign language
proficiency component if
1) “Program develops foreign language proficiency in all areas of communication, with
special emphasis on oral proficiency.”
2) “The majority of upper-level courses are taught in the foreign language.”
3) “Candidates are required to take the OPI, SOPI, or TOPI or there is an immediate
plan for the program to require this testing.”
The OPI is already required for teacher candidates to complete student teaching successfully.
However, since the major in Modern Language & Culture is based on the ACTFL standards, and
standards 1 and 2 apply to all majors, regardless of concentration, the department has decided to
use the OPI as an external proficiency measure to have the same data for all majors. The OPI
will also be one of eight major assessments to be included in the Assurance of Learning (AOL)
report for the department.
Supporting Analyses of the Program –
When degree and/or major program requirements are being revised, it is an opportunity to reconsider the relevance,
effectiveness and efficiency of the entire structure of the program. Following are some questions designed to
provoke thoughtful evaluation of a program.
If a program is being substantially revised, written responses to each of these items should be included as part of the
proposal for the UPCC. If a minor change is being made to a program, writing out responses to all items is not
necessary. However, UPCC members may ask about these issues during their evaluation of any proposal.
1. What are the primary learning outcomes of the program?
2. What assessment findings have led to the proposed change(s)?
3. Evaluate the prerequisites.
Why are the specified courses needed as prerequisites?
Why are there no prerequisites for some courses?
What is the desired sequence of prerequisites?
How often are the prerequisites offered?
4. Where within the program is an introductory overview of the major?
5. What are the capstone experiences of the program?
6. Where within the program are there application activities and what are the activities?
(E.g., field experiences, practicums, applied projects, undergraduate research, service learning,
co-ops, internships, studio work, practical problem solving.)
7. Where and how do the following occur in the program?
Writing, reading, critical thinking, presenting
Participative and collaborative learning
Use of information technology
Global and multicultural perspectives
8. What are the required courses that contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of the program?
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