Other Department Guidelines

This department handbook (hereinafter “Handbook”) contains the official operational policies and procedures for the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies (hereinafter “Department”) within the College of Arts and Sciences (hereinafter “College”). The policies and procedures contained in this Handbook shall not conflict with any University, Administrative and Operational Policy of Kent State University, any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement, or any federal, state and local law.

The diverse goals of the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies are unified by the common thread of language. The languages and cultures which we embrace are ancient and modern, Eastern and Western, traditional and non-traditional.

MCLS faculty pursue research, teaching and outreach organized around three main functional areas in world languages: Literature/Culture, Pedagogy, and Translation. Programs are offered at the Baccalaureate and graduate levels. The department also serves University-wide curricular needs through lower-division instruction in numerous languages and through other courses that serve as the foundation of a liberal education. Through its curriculum, disseminated research, study abroad programs and volunteer international activities, the Department helps the University meet its goals for outreach in the diverse communities of Ohio, engagement with the global community, cultural diversity on the campus, and preparation of a workforce equipped to serve beyond national boundaries.

All members of the Department faculty are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards as teachers, scholars, university citizens and colleagues. The University policy regarding faculty code of professional ethics can be found in the University Policy Register. (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-17)

The Department has first claim on 12 hours of each faculty member’s time per semester. Honors Courses are recognized as part of the regular offerings of the Department; Arts and Sciences Courses, Experimental Courses, Interdisciplinary Courses, and Workshops offered through the College of Continuing Studies may be counted as part of a faculty member’s teaching load with the permission of the Chairperson and the Dean of the College. Units considering the offering of distance learning courses, honors courses, Arts and Sciences courses, interdisciplinary courses, Continuing Studies workshops and the like are expected to consult first with the Department Chairperson rather than undertaking any negotiations or consultations on their own with individuals outside the Department.

Faculty members may engage in professional activities outside the university provided the activities do not interfere with the faculty member's teaching, research, or service responsibilities to the Department, Campus, College or University (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-24). These activities must not compete with University activity or the faculty member’s employment with the University and must be approved in advance by the Chair and the Dean. Each academic year, each faculty member must disclose and seek approval for all outside employment or other outside activities on the form provided by the University. Any outside employment or other outside activities are subject to the Faculty Code of Ethics and the University’s conflict of interest policies. (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-17 and 3342-6-23)

All faculty members should be aware of current copyright laws which restrict the copying of published materials. For further information, contact the University’s Office of Legal Affairs.

The University policy regarding misconduct in research and scholarship and the Administrative policy and procedures regarding allegations and instances of misconduct in research and scholarship is included in the University Policy Register. (See, University Policy Register 3342-3-05 and 3342-2-05.01)

The implementation, modification, amendment and revision of this Handbook is governed by the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Department faculty will review and update this Handbook, as needed, but at least every three (3) years. Suggestions for modifications or amendments to the Handbook may be initiated at any time by the Chair or by any faculty member. Proposed modifications or amendments are subject to discussion, revision, and recommendation by the FAC. Should the FAC determine that any section, or indeed the entire Handbook, requires revision, it may charge an ad hoc subcommittee from the Department with the task of developing the needed revisions within a reasonable time. Upon approval by the FAC, these revisions will be submitted to the Department faculty for approval. If the Chair concurs with a proposed modification, amendment or revision, he/she will recommend the change(s) to the Dean. The revised section(s) or Handbook can take effect only upon approval of the Dean. In reviewing this Handbook the Dean may request revisions before lending final approval. If these revisions are not adopted by the Department, the Dean shall consult the CAC with regard to the provision(s) in dispute before making a final determination and certifying final approval of the Handbook. Further, the Dean may direct that the Handbook be modified, amended or revised to reflect changes in College or University policy.

1. Individual Investigation. Individual Investigation is offered to give the undergraduate student experience in planning and outlining a course of study on his/her own initiative under Departmental supervision; Research serves the same function at the graduate level. Individual Investigation and Research should deal with either a special interest not covered in a regular course or the exploration in much greater depth of a subject presented in a regular course. To be eligible for Individual Investigation, a student should have an overall GPA of 2.80, a GPA of 3.0 or better in the major, and have completed six (6) upper-division hours of coursework in the area involved in the project; Research requires a GPA of 3.2. This requirement may be waived in exceptional cases, when approved by the Department Chairperson. An eligible student desiring to register for an Individual Investigation or Research course must first obtain an instructor’s consent to guide the project and submit the appropriate form to the Department Chairperson. Having secured these prior approvals, the student will be given permission to register for this course in the same manner as with any other course. At the conclusion of the course, the instructor will deposit with the Department a copy of the student’s project. Work is evaluated with a letter grade; a grade of IP is possible.

2. Testing. It is expected that material tested will have been covered in class or otherwise clearly assigned for student study. In the event that an instructor finds it appropriate to test individual students or an entire class for a second time on any portion of the course work, a new test will be constructed for the purpose.

3. Credit by Examination. It is University policy that a student who can demonstrate knowledge in a particular subject area may establish credit in certain courses by taking a special examination through the Department. Course offerings have been divided into three categories pertaining to Credit by Examination, namely generally available, available only with Departmental permission, and not available. The first four courses at the introductory and intermediate levels of foreign languages are available for Credit by Examination without Departmental approval; University restrictions regarding student eligibility apply. Students should seek the advice of instructors to establish whether their background is adequate to attempt Credit by Examination at a particular level. The Department follows the procedures and eligibility criteria outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog, which students should read carefully before pursuing credit by this means. Application forms to undertake Credit by Examination may be obtained at the Office of Academic Testing Services.

4. Transfer Credit. Credit will be accepted from accredited institutions, both foreign and domestic. Students should secure approval prior to attendance at another institution, obtaining Transient Data forms at the College Office. It is the student’s responsibility to provide official transcripts of such work as well as evidence of the competence and knowledge achieved in the program. The Assistant to the Chair is responsible for overseeing evaluation of such work.

5. Language placement (adopted October 2009)

For all languages at the lower-division instruction level, students may achieve placement into a desired course by scoring appropriately on a department-approved placement test. If no placement test has been adopted for these purposes, the final examination of the course immediately previous in the sequence will serve as the placement test.

Such placement “counts” toward fulfillment of the College foreign language requirement but does not earn credits. Credit by Exam (CBE) options are available in many languages. The department strongly recommends that students with previous language experience take advantage of CBE opportunities when available.

6. Curriculum Review. It is the responsibility of the Curriculum Committee to conduct a periodic review of the Departmental Curriculum, course offerings, programs, and curricular policies to determine their effectiveness in meeting the mission of the Department.

7. Textbook Selection (applies to Core courses and courses with more than 200 enrolled annually) [adopted Feb 2012]

Textbooks for large enrollment sections are selected by the full time faculty responsible for the program and course through a consultative process that includes all instructors currently teaching the course. The required textbook/materials for each applicable course should be reviewed at least once every five years. Factors to be considered when selecting a textbook and/or reviewing the value of current textbooks include the following:

• How well do the textbook/materials support the stated learning outcomes for the course?

• How often do students and instructors use the textbook/materials currently required?

• How do students and faculty rate the textbook/materials currently required?

• How do the textbook/materials affect preparation and grading time for instructors?

• What is the price of the textbook package relative to other options?

• Can the textbook/materials be used for more than one course in a sequence?

• What level of quality and how many useful resources does the textbook/package offer?

This message is intended to communicate to new faculty and mentors the expectations for mentoring in Modern and Classical Language Studies. Mentoring is an important part of the process leading to tenure and promotion. Mentoring can also help new faculty members become adjusted to departmental, college and university procedures more quickly, and can play an important role in helping faculty fully develop their teaching and research potential.

Initial Assignment and Meetings: The department assigns one or occasionally two mentors to each new faculty member immediately after he or she is hired, and provides the mentor’s contact information to the new faculty member. The mentor(s), however, are expected to initiate a first meeting early in the first semester and may wish to contact the faculty member before he/she arrives to welcome him/her to the department and answer any questions. New faculty are encouraged to bring to the mentor’s attention the specific issues with which they need assistance. Much mentoring also takes place on a less formal basis without the need for a special meeting.

All initial mentoring assignments expire after the first semester. At that time, a permanent mentor or mentors will be assigned. The new faculty member is encouraged to provide input into the selection of the mentor(s).

Mentoring after the first semester: There is no set requirement for the number of meetings, but a minimum of once per semester is recommended for the first two years. Also strongly recommended is one meeting immediately before the first full reappointment file is submitted, and before the submission of the tenure file.

Mentoring Topics: Each new faculty member has different needs and would prioritize the following list differently. During their first meeting, mentors and “mentees” may want to discuss which of the topics on this list need coverage. If the mentor or mentee realizes at any point during the process that additional assistance is needed in a particular area, either should feel free to request that a second mentor be assigned.

• file preparation and reappointment/tenure/promotion in MCLS
• research: commenting on written work, where to submit articles, how to prepare and submit grant applications, etc.
• teaching: advice on handling issues with students, teaching techniques, etc.; issues related to advising
• other specific policies and procedures, such as computers, travel money, research leaves, and merit pay procedures
• how the University works (faculty governance structure, College and University level opportunities for citizenship)
• orientation to Kent and NE Ohio; assistance before arriving at KSU

(Revised and approved October 2009)

Graduate Faculty are either Associate Members (A) or Full Members (F) who (1) may teach graduate courses and serve on master’s committees; (2) may direct master’s theses; (3) may serve on doctoral committees and (with Departmental approval) co-direct doctoral dissertations; (4) may direct doctoral dissertations. Combinations possible for faculty in the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies are A1, A2, F3 and F4. Also possible is the Temporary Associate Member who is appointed for a specific, limited purpose such as teaching a special course or serving on a particular master’s or dissertation committee.

The University conducts a review of all Graduate Faculty every five years. An individual faculty member may, however, apply for a change of graduate faculty status before the end of the five-year period. All faculty members who desire new or continuing member ship in the Graduate Faculty must submit a Departmental “Application for Graduate Faculty Membership” form (see below) to the Chairperson. On this form, faculty will provide information based on the criteria below and apply for classification in the corresponding category.

Modern and Classical Language Studies

Criteria for the Five Categories of Membership on the Graduate Faculty

For all categories:

a. Possession of the Ph.D. or other terminal degree in the appropriate language and/or discipline; and

b. Potential for quality teaching at the undergraduate level, and the graduate level, for new members of the graduate faculty; evidence of quality teaching at the undergraduate, and especially at the graduate level, for continuing members of the Graduate Faculty.

c. The qualifications appropriate to each respective category.

1. A1: May Teach Graduate Courses and Serve on Master’s Committees

Evidence of an active program of research and scholarship in the areas itemized in Section IV, G, 1 and 2 of this Handbook or evidence of pertinent professional experience. With regard to a research program, the work must either carry the potential for publication for untenured faculty or, for tenured faculty, have resulted in actual publication. A representative case would be two refereed published articles, book chapters, or creative works within a five-year period, or other forms of scholarly activity, such as competitive extramural grant activity (funded or unfunded), as described in this Handbook (See below.) In the case of pertinent professional experience, the experience must be directly related to the area of the graduate course or courses to be taught.

2. A2: May Direct Master’s Theses

Evidence of an active program of research and publication during the last five years. A representative case would be three refereed published articles, book chapters, or creative works within this time period, or other forms of scholarly activity, such as competitive extramural grant activity (funded or unfunded), as described in this Handbook (See below.)

3. F3: May Serve on Doctoral Committees, and (with Departmental Approval) Co-direct Doctoral Dissertations

Evidence of an active program of research and publication that has resulted in national visibility during the last five years in the areas itemized in Section IV, G, 1 and 2 of this Handbook. A representative case would be five substantial refereed published articles, book chapters, or creative works within this time period, plus several other forms of scholarly activity, such as competitive extramural grant activity (funded or unfunded), as described in this Handbook. (See below.)

4. F-4: May direct doctoral dissertations

Evidence of an active program of research and scholarly activity that has resulted in significant outcome and international visibility during the last five years in the areas itemized in Section IV, G, 1 and 2 of this Handbook. A representative case would be the publication of a minimum of seven refereed articles, book chapters, or creative works within this time period; or a refereed scholarly or creative monograph; or a refereed translation of a scholarly book or book-length translation of a creative work; or electronic content deemed equivalent to any of the above; or other significant research; plus several other forms of scholarly activity, such as competitive extramural grant activity (funded or unfunded), as described in this Handbook (see below).

5. Temporary Associate Membership: May Teach a Graduate Course, Serve on a Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation Committee, and Co-direct a Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation. This category is solely for adjunct and non-tenure-track faculty.

Evidence of an existing program of research and scholarship in the areas itemized in Section IV, G, 1 and 2 of this Handbook or evidence of pertinent professional experience. In the case of pertinent professional experience, the experience must be directly related to the area of the graduate course or courses to be taught.

APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE FACULTY MEMBERSHIP

                Name:

                Date:

Degree                   Year Conferred    Discipline                                               University

For all following categories, please include only information which dates between March 31, 2xxx and April 1, 2xxx [appropriate five-year period specified].

Teaching at Kent State University

A. List, by academic year, all graduate courses which you have taught over the past five years. Include cross-listed courses.

AY 2xxx-xx:

AY 2xxx-xx:

AY 2xxx-xx:

AY 2xxx-xx:

AY 2xxx-xx:

B. Evidence of Quality Teaching at the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels

N.B.: Before completing this section, please refer to Section IV, E, “Evaluation of Instruction” and G, 1, “Teaching and Advising” in the Department Handbook.

Aside from student evaluations, cite evidence of quality teaching (e.g., nominations for teaching awards, development of new courses, participation in special curricular activities, program development, teaching grants, mentoring of students, recruiting majors, special advising activities, etc.).

Research and Scholarly Activity

N.B.: Before completing this section, please refer to Section IV, G, 2, “Research and Scholarly Activity” in the Department Handbook. List all items in reverse chronological order.

A. Refereed Publications

For each item, indicate the type of publication (e.g., scholarly book, article, chapter in book, translation, bibliography, textbook, edited book, co-edited or co-authored book, monograph, book review, computer software, electronic journal, videotape, creative writing, etc.). Provide complete bibliographical information (date, publisher, volume number, pages, etc.)

B. Non-refereed Publications

C. Grant Activity

List, with dates, all intramural and extramural grant applications which you have submitted within this time period. Indicate (1) the title of the project, (2) the name of the granting agency, (3) the amount of the grant sought, (4) your involvement (e.g., principal investigator), and (5) whether the application was “funded” or “not funded.”

D. Scholarly Consulting Work

List your service to the scholarly community as a referee or editor for a journal, consultant for a press, reviewer for candidates for promotion or tenure at other universities, etc.

E. Presentations at Professional Meetings

1. Refereed Abstracts

List the titles of papers you have presented to professional organizations. Include panels in which you have participated.

Date                        Title of Paper                                                                        Name of Organization

2. Invited Presentations

List the titles of presentations which you have been invited to make. Include panels on which you have been invited to participate.

Date                        Title of Presentation                                                           Name of Organization

F. Direction of Master’s Theses

List only theses for which you were the principal director

Student’s Name                    Title of Thesis                                                       Date Completed

G. Membership on Master’s Thesis Committees

List only theses for which you served as a member of the thesis committee.

Student’s Name                    Title of Thesis                                                       Date Completed

H. Co-direction of Dissertations

List only dissertations for which you served as co-director.

Student’s Name    Department          Title of Dissertation                             Date Completed

I. Membership on Doctoral Dissertation Committees

List only dissertations for which you served on the dissertation committee

Student’s Name    Department          Title of Dissertation                             Date Completed

J. Other Scholarly Accomplishments and Activity

List any scholarly activities, awards, or recognitions which are not included above.

Faculty Signature

After reviewing the Departmental criteria for Graduate Faculty membership and itemizing the pertinent activities and accomplishments, I apply for classification in the following category (circle one):

A1 (may teach graduate courses and serve on master’s committees)

A2 (may direct master’s theses)

F3 (may serve on doctoral committees and, with Departmental approval, co-direct doctoral dissertations)

F4 (may direct doctoral dissertations)

Temporary Associate Member

                                                __________________________________________________                                                                                (Signature)

Examples of Scholarship in MCLS: The following list gives examples of the range of publications that count as “scholarship” in MCLS.

Examples of Scholarship in Language, Literature and Culture include but are not limited to: books, edited books, and articles that expand existing knowledge in literary studies, cultural studies, philology, textual criticism, second language acquisition and related disciplines. Examples include original criticism and analysis of literary or popular texts, films, or other visual or aural media; studies of the relationship between texts and their historical and cultural contexts; studies of material culture and its relationship to other aspects of a given culture; studies dealing with linguistic and philological questions in individual texts or parts of texts; quantitative or qualitative studies of issues in language acquisition. Scholarship also includes the integrative work involved in interpretations of literary texts, films, other visual and aural media, or material culture according to psychological, sociological, historical, or philosophical perspectives; studies that use comparative techniques or combine methods from more than one discipline; synthetic studies that draw upon existing scholarship to summarize the state of an issue or problem in a given field.

Applied scholarship in Language, Literature and Culture includes but is not limited to: studies in language, literature, culture, linguistics, or language pedagogy applied to such non-academic matters as business, economic issues, social problems, and political activity; projects, events and programs that target audiences outside the academy (such as elementary or high school students, employees of a business, or self-selected members of the general public) and increase awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity; public readings, film presentations or exhibits organized around societal issues relevant to cultural diversity and/or the global community; language/cultural immersion projects; outreach projects that address awareness of cultural and/or linguistic diversity.

Examples of Scholarship in Pedagogy include but are not limited to: books, edited books, and articles that expand existing knowledge as it relates to the foreign language classroom and instruction in foreign languages. Examples include development of new methodologies and theories; creating infrastructures for future instruction and theories; implementation of new or innovative teaching strategies in the classroom; making private teacher knowledge public; case studies; quantitative and qualitative empirical studies; action research; critical evaluation and testing of learning strategies; critical reflection on one’s own or others' teaching practices, theories, methodologies or strategies; articles and books on pedagogy that can be used for multiple disciplines; articles and books that bridge previous research on foreign language theories, methodologies or strategies; technological innovations; analysis of interdisciplinary pedagogical methodologies, strategies or theories; interdisciplinary models for formative and summative assessments.

Applied scholarship in Pedagogy includes but is not limited to: pedagogical manuals; language acquisition textbooks; pre-service and in-service teacher training; articles on language pedagogy outside of education settings; collaboration with businesses and governmental agencies; serving schools and school districts as an external consultant; models for pre-service and in-service teacher training.

Examples of Scholarship in Translation Studies include but are not limited to: books, edited books, and articles that critique specific translations, compare multiple translations, analyze the linguistic, cultural, cognitive or semantic patterns or variables in translators’ practices synchronically or diachronically; translators’ prefaces or essays discussing the methods used; translations of, for instance, a novel, a play, a book of poems, or a scholarly non-fiction text; studies that analyze translation corpora to reveal patterns or variables in translation; the development of innovative teaching methods; research on assessment and quality control issues; articles and books that integrate existing knowledge and provide an innovative interpretive analysis; the interpretation of texts; terminology articles and resources such as handbooks and guides that integrate the principles of terminology with specific field content in technical communications, information science, computational linguistics, etc.; the creation of corpora or of CAT tools; innovative computational approaches to terminology management.

Applied scholarship in Translation studies includes but is not limited to: textbooks; translations for the purposes of a non-academic public that are available for peer review and evaluation according to accepted standards; development of assessment tools; trade articles about new translation tools or programs; standards for specific industries; the creation of monolingual and multilingual technical glossaries and dictionaries in accordance with terminological principles.

[Approval Process: FAC and Chair]

Contents:

A. Administrative Duties in the Department

B. The Institute for Applied Linguistics

E. Curricular Policies

G. Statement on Mentoring