French | German
| Japanese | Latin
| Russian | Spanish
Consolidation of Programs
Beginning in the Fall Term (2001-2002)
It is a great pleasure to share with you the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures' most recent positive development: the consolidation of foreign language programs at UAH. Approved at the December 2000 meeting of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, this unites the five previously separate programs administered by the department and ensures the continuity of foreign language study at UAH.
As a result of this merger, the departmental curriculum has undergone some exciting changes. All students will now graduate with a B.A. in Foreign Languages with a particular focus language (French, German, Russian or Spanish), and if appropriate, a concentration in Foreign Language & International Trade. This foreign language major may be combined with the study of a second foreign language, international business, international studies, teacher certification, or a number of other majors, minors and cognates. Consequently, all foreign language majors will share a common curriculum and experience. The new curriculum will involve the compression of the elementary and intermediate sequence into three semesters (as opposed to the current four) and the addition of two new courses: FL 204 (International Cinema) and FL 410 (International Internship: Comparative Languages and Cultures in Practice). While some current course listings have been eliminated, those that remain are integral to the departmental curriculum and will therefore be offered on a consistent basis to aid in schedule planning and streamline degree completion.
This departmental restructuring was undertaken for two simple reasons: the preservation of foreign language study at UAH and to update the curriculum to reflect current pedagogical methodology. Designed to meet state-imposed viability standards, it is the product of a two-year process that included an extensive program review (containing input from faculty, students and alumni) and reconceptualization of the curriculum. It has been reviewed and approved at many university levels, and response has been uniformly and enthusiastically positive. We trust that you will agree.
Because all change, however welcome, implies some uncertainty, we have planned two informational and advising meetings for foreign language majors and minors to address questions and concerns related to the departmental consolidation and transition to the revised curriculum. We strongly urge you to attend one or both of these meetings, which will be led by department faculty members. These meetings will be held at the following times and locations: Friday, January 12, 2001, at 3:00 p.m. in Union Grove Gallery and Meeting House and Tuesday, January 16, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. in Morton Hall 343 (refreshments will be served). Rest assured that the above-mentioned changes will not lengthen your program of study and that every effort will be made to accommodate your academic needs.
Again, it is gratifying to share this good news with you. The entire Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures looks forward with confidence to the rewards and challenges of the new year and the implementation of a new curriculum.
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UAH's Department of Foreign Languages and Literature headquartered in Morton Hall is located in the midst of important government and industrial research centers giving it highly unique opportunities for programs combining foreign languages with engineering and science, as well as with literature and business programs.
The Foreign Language Department offers many opportunities to students, providing a number of majors to suit the students' diverse interests.
Foreign Language Minors: