Languages and Literatures
Department of Languages and Literatures
The College of Arts and Sciences
Chair
Hilary Donatini, Associate Professor of English
Assistant Chair
Richard Gray, Associate Professor of Foreign Languages
Faculty
Deborah Fleming, Professor of English
Naomi Saslaw, Professor of English
Russell Weaver, Professor of English
Maura Grady, Associate Professor of English, Director of Composition
Sharleen Mondal, Associate Professor of English
Jayne Waterman, Associate Professor of English
Kelly Sundberg, Assistant Professor of English
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science in Education
Mission Statement for the English Area of The Department of Languages and Literatures
The English Area of The Department of Languages and Literatures prepares students to read and think carefully as well as to write clearly, logically, and creatively. It values intellectual rigor and contextual understanding. In the spirit of the Ashland University Mission Statement, our programs prepare students to “work, serve, and lead with integrity in their local, national, and global communities.” Our programs achieve this goal by broadening and deepening the minds of its students through reading and critical exploration of texts. Students respond to these texts through analytical and creative writing with academic and professional applications.
Student Learning Outcomes
The English, Creative Writing, or Integrated Language Arts major should be able to read well, write clearly, and demonstrate an understanding of the complexity and range of literature. Specifically, students should be able to perform the following tasks:
Analyze texts through close reading, using conventions of analysis appropriate to different genres and periods.
Evaluate literary works with regard to social power and in relation to historical or critical contexts.
Edit critical and expository prose according to the conventions of standard academic English, including appropriate citation format.
Student Honor Society
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who achieve at least a
3.00 GPA in their English courses may apply to join Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society.
Statement on Foreign Language
All students majoring in Creative Writing, English, or Integrated Language Arts are encouraged to study a foreign language as part of the Critical Cultural Inquiry requirement.
English Courses and Descriptions
See Course Description section of catalog.
Mission Statement for the Foreign Languages Area of The Department of Languages and Literatures
The Foreign Languages Area of the Department of Languages and Literatures provides educational opportunities that nurture the development of proficiency in a foreign language and knowledge of other cultures. All foreign language courses are taught in the target language, in context, and make use of authentic materials.
The learning experience is enhanced by the use of state-of- the-art technology, meaningful learning activities and assessment within a challenging, comprehensive, and balanced curriculum of language, civilization, and literature.
Student Learning Outcomes
For students meeting the CCI requirement:
Students must demonstrate measurably to the point where critical inquiry can be engaged. Students will:
Apply cultural knowledge through interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication that cross linguistic and national boundaries.
Analyze the contests and manifestations of cultural expression.
Facilities and Equipment
Language classrooms are equipped with media stations that link the classroom to the University computing network.
Student Honor Society
Phi Sigma Iota, Gamma Tau chapter (International Foreign Language Honor Society), honors students who pursue a major or minor in foreign languages or an interdisciplinary major or minor which includes foreign languages as an essential component. Juniors and seniors are eligible for membership who have completed one 300-level course at AU, have an overall GPA of at least 3.3, and a GPA of at least 3.3 in their foreign language courses. Membership is by invitation.
Foreign Language Placement
Foreign language placement is based on four factors: 1) years of previous study of the foreign language; 2) ACT score; 3) high school GPA; and 4) a placement test. In order to enroll for a foreign language course at the 100 or 200 level, the student must first receive placement. The online placement tool may be found on the Foreign Languages area web page.
Description of Majors
English
The primary reason to major in English or one of its related programs is the pure love of language and literature itself--a pathway through the beauty, emotion, and universal themes that link writers as diverse as William Shakespeare, John Milton, Emily Dickinson, and Toni Morrison. Majors also learn to think deeply and write carefully about a rich array of texts and topics–skills that prove useful to many occupations. Employers recognize in English majors the ability to analyze problems, sift through evidence, and speak and write coherently. That experience prepares majors for a variety of careers in the arts, education, business, or communications. Graduates of English programs are prepared to learn for a lifetime because careful reading, deep thinking, and effective communication never become obsolete.
Creative Writing
The Creative Writing major emphasizes the development of creative writing from a grounding in craft and from a study of literary genres and historical periods of literature. The course work features writing workshops and culminates with a senior-level capstone course in which students work toward a polished series of stories or essays, longer narrative, or chapbook of poems.
Integrated Language Arts Education
The Integrated Language Arts major, with a strong foundation in both content and education courses, prepares students for licensure to teach grades 7 through 12. See the Education section of the catalog for requirements beyond course work.
Degree Requirements
Assessment – All English, Creative Writing, and Integrated Language Arts majors are required to participate annually in the department's portfolio assessment process.
Foreign Language (FL) Courses and Descriptions
French (FREN) Courses and Descriptions
German (GER) Courses and Descriptions
Spanish (SPAN) Courses and Descriptions