"Coherence, Literature, Languages," an article that appeared in the Dec. 23 issue of InsideHigherEd, reported on a white paper released at the recent meeting of the Modern Language Association (MLA) that addressed "new ways of organizing English and language programs within the general parameters of a liberal arts education." The article referenced the panel that wrote the report including its leader, Yale professor and former MLA president Michael Holquist, and Hamilton President Joan Hinde Stewart. The white paper also outlined "ways to strengthen majors in English and language programs and attract new generations of students to a traditional core of liberal study: language, literature, and culture," according to the MLA.
In 2006, the organization, at the invitation of the Teagle Foundation, formed a working group of leaders in English and modern foreign languages, including college presidents and deans, as well as distinguished members of the legal and medical professions and visiting consultants to think about "the relationship between the goals and objectives of undergraduate concentrations in their disciplines and those of a liberal education."
InsideHigherEd reviewed the paper's recommendations including one described as radical: "that all English majors should have the language skills to study literature in another language — and that foreign language majors be able to study literature in English."
In 2006, the organization, at the invitation of the Teagle Foundation, formed a working group of leaders in English and modern foreign languages, including college presidents and deans, as well as distinguished members of the legal and medical professions and visiting consultants to think about "the relationship between the goals and objectives of undergraduate concentrations in their disciplines and those of a liberal education."
InsideHigherEd reviewed the paper's recommendations including one described as radical: "that all English majors should have the language skills to study literature in another language — and that foreign language majors be able to study literature in English."
