By: Heather Hogan
The new linguistics cognitive science program, hosted by the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics at McMaster University, will integrate the humanities and sciences.
This is a departure from the current operation of the modern languages and linguistics department, which requires students to take 18 units of two languages that are not English.
The new program emphasizes linguistics over languages.
Robert McNutt, acting chair of the department, said that the German, Italian and Spanish programs would be phased out over three years.
While modern languages are popular first- and second-year course choices, enrolment in language programs is low. Enrolment in linguistics, however, is high.
“We can see why the administration cannot afford to continue programs with very few students,” said Magda Stroinska, a professor of German and linguistics and an opponent of the proposal to close the single honours program in modern languages and linguistics.
While there is a shift in emphasis, the languages and linguistics department wants to keep a place for languages. Elective courses will continue to be offered in German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Japanese and Russian.
This involves repacking existing courses so there are four streams of specialization, including speech pathology and teaching English as a second language.
“I think it is a loss for McMaster,” said Stroinska, who said that neither students nor faculty were consulted.
“I have been told the reason they are phasing out the modern languages and linguistics degree is because students will not be able to satisfy the 36 units of language requirements,” said Charlotte Lofranco, third-year linguistics and French major. “They want more focus on the linguistics portion of the degree. They think that students currently enrolled in the program are missing certain vital components of linguistics.”
“Knowledge of a second language is the only way to fully grasp the complexities of linguistic study,” said Madison Papple, a second-year student specializing in language and social life and mass communications. “The rapid evolution of the global marketplace has created a demand for individuals with multilingual ability.”
“You have to make choices in where you are going to deliver the money,” said McNutt. “We also want to bring in new streams of languages because students are asking us about courses in Mandarin and Arabic because it reflects a changing demographic.”
Despite the demand for bilingualism, language students at Mac will find it difficult to become fluent when the school is not offering enough courses to major in any language.
Stroinska finds some contradictions to this proposal. “We have a program in globalization but cut down on language instruction? We talk about internationalization and will not even have minors in languages?” she questioned. “We want to attract foreign students but make no effort to require foreign languages in programs such as globalization or comparative literature?”
“I think we are taking away from our students the possibility to acquire a foreign language,” said Stroinska.
“We are very interested in rebuilding languages and coming up with a business plan that the university will accept,” she added. “We are not against making language instruction profitable for McMaster and we do not oppose taking a business approach.”
Students currently enrolled in language programs will be able to complete their degrees. The changes will affect only those entering the new department in September.
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