Dept. of Modern Languages to make academic changes
By Sami Shelton
News Editor
The Department of Modern Languages at the University of Indianapolis has made changes to the academic requirements for all students working toward a major or minor in the department. These changes will be implemented in the fall of 2008.
According to Gerburg Garmann, chair of the Department of Modern Languages, the number of hours needed to obtain a major will rise from 24 credit hours to 36 credit hours. The minor program will jump from 18 credit hours to 24 credit hours.
“The current programs are not up to date,” Garmann said. “[Our] catching up with other universities is overdue.”
Currently, the modern language 101 courses do not count toward a student’s major or minor. Under the new system, any modern language course under 201 will not count toward a major or minor.
Students will have to take at least one conversation course and one writing course in their language of choice, Garmann said. Students also will take two translation courses and an outside learning experience course, which may include an internship, a practicum or service learning. Also, multilingual courses will be offered to allow students to learn the basics of languages other than their chosen major or minor.
“Too many students leave this university without ever taking a conversation class, or doing service learning or an internship,” Garmann said.
According to Garmann, all modern language students will be asked to pick between a business track and a literature track, based on their interests and future plans. Students then will take three courses pertaining to their track of choice.
“We hope to provide internships locally and also internationally,” said Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Daniel Briere. “Students can then learn translation and language consistency firsthand.”
According to Garmann, the modern language department is planning to combine internships with the study abroad programs at UIndy.
“[Study abroad] internships will take place in the spring and summer,” Garmann said. “They will be better coordinated and won’t take away from a student’s time on campus.”
The new program will allow students to be competitive with students from other universities, according to Garmann. The change also will help students become better prepared for graduation and more marketable in today’s economy.
“This change is a reflection of today’s reality,” Briere said. “More companies are needing translators to communicate with people overseas.”
Students who already are working on majors or minors in the department have the option of staying with the current program or joining the new program.
“You never know where life will take you,” Garmann said. “Language students will find that there will be many new and exciting opportunities for them.”
