Posted 4:24 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019
Group will talk about UWL’s growing program, best practices.
Group will talk about UWL’s growing program, best practices
The UW-La Crosse Department of Global Cultures and Languages will welcome French faculty in Wisconsin and Minnesota during the 5th annual Wisconsin French Studies Round Table Saturday, Oct. 12. The teachers will gather to share research, explore best practices, launch collaborative projects and exchange ideas in a supportive, collegial environment.
UWL’s French program has seen tremendous growth in recent years, says Dane DeVetter, director of the university’s Language Resource Center. He attributes growth to increases in student enrollment and new distance learning programs connecting faculty in classrooms on campus with students across the state.
UWL Assistant Professors Anna Keefe and Virginie Cassidy will talk about what is attracting students to the French program with tips on how that can be replicated elsewhere.
The entire program, held in 3310 Student Union, includes:
10 a.m. - Meet and Greet – Union 3310
10:30 a.m. - Opening words and introductions
10:40 a.m. - Presentation by Ritt Deitz, (Director, UW-Madison Professional French Masters Program), “Use your French: Lessons from 20 Years of the PFMP,” followed by discussion. This year the UW-Madison Professional French master’s program celebrates 20 years of operation. What have program leadership and alumni learned from the major innovations and mistakes made over the past 20 years? How well has the program been able to prepare students for careers outside traditional academe? What program successes or contributions might be adapted by undergraduate or graduate curricula in French Studies at other colleges or universities?
11:30 a.m. - Small Group Discussion: Presentation follow-up: Application to our respective programs
12:30 p.m.- Lunch
1:30 p.m. - Interactive Presentation by Anna Keefe and Virginie Cassidy – UWL, “Developing a Recruitment Plan for French” with remarks by Lauren Rosen Yeazel, UW Collaborative Learning Program Director, followed by discussion. What attracts students to our program? How can we recruit more efficiently? How do we network with colleagues from other disciplines to create opportunities? Why are we not always as successful as we hope to be? An overview of the literature will demonstrate focus has been on curriculum changes following the 2007 MLA Ad Hoc Report. However, to assure lasting and continuous progress, the next step is to conceive a recruitment plan specific to one’s institution and situation. The presenters will share recent efforts at UWL and invite participants to reflect on their ideas.
2:30 p.m.- Pause café
2:45 p.m.- Roundtable: What’s next? Call to Action — Discussion will focus on three points:
• How can we support each other’s recruitment endeavors? Led by Virginie Cassidy
• How can we support each other’s program curriculum changes, development, innovations? Led by Lauren Rosen Yeazel
• How can we establish efficient networking on and off campus? Led by Ritt Deitz
4 p.m.- 2020 venue and host decision
Those wanting more information about the event may contact DeVetter at 608.785.8325