Overview - World Languages Department

WORLD LANGUAGES

Dr. S. Thacker, Chair

Professors:  Dr. O. Dickens, Dr. G. Miller, Dr. S. Thacker

Assistant Professors:   Dr. K. Butler, Ms. K. Lowry, Mr. R. Richardson

Instructor: Ms. D. Shukla

 

All humans possess the gift of language, and true comprehension of this fundamental aspect of ourselves is not easily achieved by the monolingual. Greatly enhanced understanding of ourselves - our thought processes, our linguistic abilities, our culture - and of those who are unlike us comes through the study of another language. We are richer, more capable persons if we develop the ability to understand and communicate with those in another linguistic and cultural setting. We are better prepared to understand the world and to respond to life’s changing opportunities if we break free from some of the limitations that ethnocentricity and monolingualism tend to impose on any people. The Scriptures, classical texts, modern works of literature and thought, are better understood in the original language and with knowledge of the cultures that produced them. Living cultures and individuals are better understood and closer relations are established if the language barrier is down.

 

Modern transportation and communication technologies are bringing the world to us and taking us to the world. International business, scholarship, travel, government work, missionary activity, Christian and other organizations, all bring us into contact with speakers of other languages. Today’s instant communications bring to us the documents of the world - past and present - and offer us the possibility of real-time contact with individuals we would never have encountered in the past.

 

In light of these facts, Asbury University maintains its commitment to world language study as a vital part of a liberal arts education. The World Language Department offers six languages which may be used to fulfill the core world language requirement: Chinese, French, Greek, Hebrew, Latin and Spanish. We offer majors in Ancient Languages (with an emphasis in Biblical Languages, Classical Languages, or Latin), French, and Spanish. There are teaching majors in French, Latin, and Spanish, and students may minor in Biblical Languages, Classical Languages, French, Greek, Latin, and Spanish. These programs offer opportunities for students to acquire practical language skills, scholarly tools, and understanding of the literatures, cultures, and linguistic distinctives of the languages studied.

 

WORLD LANGUAGE FOUNDATIONAL REQUIREMENT

[Note:  Students are advised to take a world language in high school.  Students completing two years of a high school world language with a grade of C generally place into 102.  Students completing three years of a high school world language with a grade of C generally place into 201.]

1. All students pursuing the A.A. or B.A. degree must demonstrate proficiency in a world language through the 201 level.

2. A student meets the world language requirement in one of the following ways:

     a. By completing a 101, 102, 201 sequence of language study at Asbury University, the last course being at the 201 level.

     b. By transferring a 201 level world language course from another accredited university.

     c. Submitting AP or CLEP scores equivalent to the 201 level.

     d. Taking the Department of World Languages placement test and achieving a placement at the  fourth-semester level (291) or above.  [Placement tests - All students who have had the equivalent of at least one year of a world language on the high school level and who wish to continue with that same language will be required to take a placement examination.  Those who achieve advanced placement to the 102 or 201 level are expected to continue their study at the level assigned until the requirement is met.  By-passing any course in the sequence will not be permitted without special petition.

3. Under certain special circumstances, the world language requirement for the B.A. degree may be waived:

     a. Students with an unusual background in a world language may petition for a language requirement waiver, especially if such competency is in a language other than those taught at Asbury. Approval for the waiver will depend upon evaluation by the Department and may include an advanced-level proficiency test.

     b. Students whose native language is not English will satisfy the world language requirement by successfully completing the Foundational requirements in English and Communication.

 

PURCHASING WORLD LANGUAGE CREDITS

Purchasing additional credit towards graduation if placing out of any lower language courses is granted at Asbury University through the following procedure:

  1.      Take the proficiency examination given by the Department of World Languages and receive a score qualifying for advanced placement.
  2.      Submit application for credit purchase after the semester in which the first language course is taken at Asbury University.
  3.      Earn at least a "C-" in that first language course (taken only at Asbury University). If this is not achieved, the student may follow the repeat course policy.
  4.      Pay a processing fee of $20.00 per hour of credit received.

 

2012-2013 BULLETIN 07/27/2012