"Birds do it, clams do it, even the Spanish upper sex do it"
Cole Porter
As approved on September 20th, 2005 (pdf version)
MISSION
Through coursework, experience abroad, and other cultural encounters, the Modern Languages Department cultivates communicative skills and cultural awareness that prepare students at Western Kentucky University to be more knowledgeable and sensitive citizens of the local, regional, and global communities. The Department’s purpose is to deliver high quality language instruction based on nationally-recognized standards, and to contribute actively to cross-disciplinary international initiatives on campus. Our programs are designed to graduate majors and minors whose language skills provide them with enhanced opportunities for careers at the regional, national, and international levels and/or preparation for advanced study in language, literature, and culture.
GOVERNANCE
The Department of Modern Languages operates on the basis of collegial decision- making. The faculty of the Department (defined as full-time instructors, tenure-track and tenured professors) reserves for itself a voice in all matters not specifically designated in written University policy as being the prerogative of the Department Head. Matters subject to faculty committee action are discretionary budget expenditures (including faculty travel funds), curriculum, class scheduling and size, awards to students, the selection of outside lecturers, the recommendation of new faculty, and the long-term goals and mission of the Department. Neither this list nor the one that follows below is intended to be exhaustive. The Department Head will take the initiative to consult with the faculty of the Department on all matters of consequence to the department.
To carry out departmental governance and decision-making, the faculty has established the following standing committees. These committees will report to the department faculty on a regular basis. The revolving committee memberships will be elected in a department meeting early in the fall semester of each academic year.
THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE will consider proposals for changes in ML curricula and make recommendations on them to the Potter College office. The committee will be composed of all ML faculty and be chaired by the Department Head.
THE TENURE, PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE COMMITTEE will advise the Head in matters regarding promotion and continuance in conformity with the Faculty Handbook and tenure, promotion and continuance statements of the Department, College and University. This committee is comprised of all tenured faculty in the department.
THE TEACHING COMMITTEE will seek and promote ways for Modern Language faculty to reflect on and improve their teaching effectiveness. The committee will consist of at least two department members who, acting as facilitators and coordinators, may draw on other department members or campus resources to assist them in their activities. The Department Head will be consulted on an ad hoc basis at the discretion of the committee. The committee will be elected annually as deemed necessary.
THE EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE will advise the Department Head in all matters regarding equipment and software for teaching and faculty support. The committee, chaired by the department’s IT Coordinator, will be elected annually as deemed necessary.
THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE will advise the Department Head in matters concerning support for professional development, such as travel to professional conferences and workshops. The committee will consist of three department members and the Department Head. The term of membership is two academic years.
THE FRENCH COMMITTEE will determine, in consultation with the Department Head, course offerings, scheduling, class size, staffing; proficiency and exit exams; and other curricular matters for French; as well as such extracurricular matters as the French Honor Society, awards to French majors and minors. The committee will be composed of French faculty members. Part-time French faculty will be invited to committee meetings when appropriate.
THE GERMAN COMMITTEE will determine, in consultation with the Department Head, course offerings, scheduling, class size, staffing; proficiency and exit exams; and other curricular matters for German; as well as such extracurricular matters as the German Honor Society, awards to German majors and minors. The committee will be composed of German faculty members. Part-time German faculty will be invited to committee meetings when appropriate.
THE SPANISH COMMITTEE will determine, in consultation with the Department Head, course offerings, scheduling, class size, staffing; proficiency and exit exams; and other curricular matters for Spanish; as well as such extracurricular matters as the Spanish Honor Society, awards to Spanish majors and minors. The committee will be composed of Spanish faculty members. Part-time Spanish faculty will be invited to committee meetings when appropriate.
Department of Modern Languages
251 Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center
1906 College Heights Blvd. # 31029
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1029
Phone: 270-745-2401
Fax: 270-745-6859
modern.languages@wku.edu
"Birds do it, clams do it, even the Spanish upper sex do it"
Cole Porter