From: Steinberger, Deborah B. [mailto:steind@art-sci.udel.edu]
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2014 8:53 PM
To: Hastings, Steven E
Subject: RE: New Majors Proposals

Dear Steve,

Thanks very much for your response.

Regarding question one, we are following the practice for undergrad majors in our department: regardless of language, they earn the BAFLL (BA in Foreign Languages and Literatures) with what’s called a subplan: Spanish Studies, French Studies, etc. It’s the same thing (and this is probably even more pertinent) with our existing MA programs: the students earn the MAFLL or MAFLP, and the language/lit/culture they study is not even mentioned in the degree title. Since we plan to add other languages, it would be much more sensible, efficient, and consistent with current naming practice, to keep the name MA in Early Childhood FL Education.

Regarding your second point, the minimum foreign language proficiency requirement for entry in the MA program is clearly stated in the admission requirements: “Intermediate-Mid on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) OR 43 points on the Versant oral proficiency test.”   Because aptitude and achievement vary widely from student to student, we will evaluate proficiency via the tests we have mentioned, instead of by counting courses. Our proposed 4+1s are designed to accommodate students who have had some high school Spanish, and who, like most, begin their Spanish studies at UD with SPAN 107 (Novice-High) or SPAN 200 (Intermediate-Low) depending on the number of courses they have completed in high school. Completion of a couple of additional courses (such as SPAN205 and SPAN305), or participation in study abroad program during winter or summer sessions, will help them reach the required entry-level proficiency.

I will consult with my colleagues in HDFS and EDUC and come up with a sample curriculum for each, to demonstrate that students will be able to reach the required proficiency level by the time they enter the MA program. In the meantime, please let me know if you have any further questions. Regarding your final point, yes, there are 6 grad credits taken by 4+1 participants when they are still undergrads, that “double count.” This is a frequent feature of UD’s 4+1 MA programs.

Best regards,

Deborah Steinberger

From: Hastings, Steven E [mailto:hastings@udel.edu]
Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 11:38 AM
To: Steinberger, Deborah B
Cc: Helsel, Karren Ann; Swanik, Charles B
Subject: New Majors Proposals

Deborah – UGS recently reviewed the following proposals:

– MA in Childhood Foreign Language Education, 4+1 option: BS in Early Childhood Education/MA in Childhood Foreign Language Education (attachment)  (attachment) (attachment) (attachment budget statement)

– MA in Childhood Foreign Language Education, 4+1 option: BSEd in Elementary Teacher Education/MA in Childhood Foreign Language Education (attachment) (attachment) (attachment)

We have the following concerns that need to be addressed before we approve them:

1) The majors are only for Spanish at the current time. This should be indicated in the name of the majors. Future major name can include German, Italian, etc.

2) We do not see where the “language competency” to proceed to grad level Spanish courses is earned – are these majors only for individual fluent in Spanish? If so, this need to be clearly indicated.

3) Please provide a sample 5-year curricula plan for each of these majors – to indicate that they are really feasible.

4) Our Committee found 6 credits that “double count” is that correct?

We will reconsider your proposal when we receive your revisions.

Thanks – Steve Hastings

Steven E. Hastings, Ph.D.
Professor and Associate Chair

Chair, UD Undergraduate Studies Committee
Applied Economics and Statistics
University of Delaware
209 Townsend Hall
Newark, DE 19716
Email: hastings@udel.edu
Office: 302-831-1318
Fax: 302-831-1665
Web Page: http://ag.udel.edu/frec/faculty/hastings.htm