(Proposed) Study Abroad Recognition Certificate Program
In Progress:
A Status Report on a Feasibility Study
May 16, 2005
In the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures Annual Report covering
AY 2003-2004, Dr. Ross included a recommendation* calling for the
establishment of a certificate program to recognize student participation in the
study of a foreign language combined with time spent studying abroad in the
country where the language is spoken. The goal is to encourage students to study
one foreign language through at least the fourth semester, and to then study abroad
using and perfecting knowledge and expertise in the language and culture.
At the request of Dr. Berta Gonzalez, Dean, Associate Vice president for
Continuing and Global Education, Dr. Ross undertook a feasibility study to gauge
to what degree students might be interested in such a program, and to interview
faculty and key administrators to ascertain their interest in the proposed program.
Dr. Ross prepared a survey instrument and it was administered to the campus
UHS students and to the students in the Honors College last Fall Semester. Early
in the current Spring Semester, Miguel Perez also administered the survey to
students enrolled in his classes.
Results of student survey: there is interest in the certificate program among
students.
Result of interviews with faculty and key administrators: there is interest (Drs.
Welty, Echeverria, Samiian, Birch) in the establishment of a Study Abroad
Recognition Certificate Program as briefly described in the first paragraph above.
What are the next steps? Establish a committee. Determine what steps (who,
what, when, where, why) are required to develop a formal proposal and
implement the program. Establish a timeline.
Please note: According to Dr. Ahmed Bouguarche at CSUN, the Department of
Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures (MCLL) has proposed just such
a certificate program on their campus following the suggestion Dr. Ross had
included
in a program review document resulting from a review of the MCLL in April
2004.
* Extract from DFLL Annual Report, June 2004
Provide Leadership in the Preparation of CSUF Students to Study Abroad:
Although many CSUF students do participate in the CSU International Programs, CSUF
does not seem to support foreign language study as a means to truly internationalize the
curriculum, and as a necessary, prerequisite preparation for study abroad. Are the CSUF
administration and faculty truly committed to global awareness education that is surely
available through learning a foreign language and study abroad? Does the entire
university community really understand the vital importance that the study of a foreign
language and its culture-- together with study abroad-- make toward the education of
today’s individual who must be well prepared to work in and contribute to an ever
changing, increasingly internationalized, world society realistically, at least four
semesters of foreign language learning and the concomitant study of the culture belonging
to that language are prerequisite to a student’s participation as a junior in a year of study
abroad, a life changing experience, one that broadens a participant’s horizons, one that
adds much substance to the education of those who participate.
Create a Prestigious Foreign Language and Study Abroad Certificate Program:
One that highlights and recognizes a student’s accomplishments in the area of foreign
language fluency, and time spent studying or working in programs approved by the
university. Participating departments (political science, history, business, health and
social work, art, etc.) through advisement make this certificate program available to
qualifying students who complete at least four semesters of one modern foreign language
and culture study followed by one year of study or work abroad in an approved program,
usually in the junior year. This is a certificate program that requires the cooperation of
colleagues in many departments, as well as the enthusiastic, the vigorous and highly
visible endorsement and encouragement of the administration and majority of faculty,
beginning with the authority of the CSUF president, the Dean of Extended and Global
Education, and the Dean of Arts and Humanities.