U.S. Department of Education

Office of Postsecondary Education

International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) Office

Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) Program

CFDA 84.016A

Fiscal Year 2014

Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) Program

FY 2014 Grantees

Applicant Name / State / Grantee Project / Consortium Partner(s) / Funding Levels
FY 2014
Auburn University / AL / The Development of an Undergraduate Korean Studies and Language Program within Auburn University / N/A / $ 87,745
California State University – Long Beach / CA / Weaving Language and Global Competencies Throughout the CSULB Curricula / N/A / $ 94,752
California State University – Northridge / CA / Establishing a Modern China Studies Minor at CSUN: Curriculum Development, Outreach and Recruitment / N/A / $ 85,260
California State University – San Bernardino / CA / Spanish Language Proficiency and International Cultural Experience for Professionals / California State University – Sacramento / $ 103,742
West Los Angeles College / CA / Going Global / University of California, Los Angeles, the California Colleges for International Education and the Southern California Consortium on International Studies / $ 141,501
Valencia College / FL / Internationalizing the Curriculum through the Global Distinction / N/A / $ 87,245
Florida International University / FL / Expanding and Developing African Studies at Florida International University / N/A / $ 92,699
University of Central Florida / FL / America: Bridging the Continents (ABCs) / N/A / $ 72,004
Benedictine University / IL / Developing Arabic Language Programs and Enhancing Global Studies Middle East Concentration / N/A / $ 79,489
North Central College / IL / From the Midwest to the Middle East: Establishing a Middle Eastern/North African Studies Program / N/A / $ 73,530
Joliet Junior College / IL / Strengthening International Studies and Foreign Languages (SISFL)at Illinois / Sandburg College and Parkland College / $ 120,641
University of Illinois – Urbana- Champaign / IL / Strengthening Undergraduate South Asian Language and Cultural Studies at the University of Illinois / N/A / $ 89,119
Eastern Michigan University / MI / Global Michigan: Increasing access to East Asian Languages and cultures / N/A / $ 86,420
Jackson State University / MS / “Curriculum Internationalization & Strengthening Study Abroad” / N/A / $ 87,111
Appalachian State University / NC / From the South to the Global South:Language and Area Studies for a Changing World / N/A / $ 77,999
Ocean County College / NJ / Middle East Center at Ocean County College (MEC at OCC) / AMIDEAST, Kean University / $ 168,832
University of
Nevada, Las Vegas / NV / Creating a Business Spanish Experience Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas / N/A / $ 83,009
Bard College / NY / Global Partnership Project: Connecting International, Regional, and Language Studies / N/A / $ 84,142
Jamestown Community College / NY / Comprehensive Globalization: Keeping the Promise / N/A / $ 87,150
John Jay College / NY / Latin American and Latina Studies Program / N/A / $ 83,342
Rochester Institute of Technology / NY / STEM and Language Program / N/A / $ 91,343
State University of New York at Stony Brook / NY / Developing and Strengthening Heritage and Advanced-Level Language Education / N/A / $ 85,628
Nazareth College of Rochester / NY / Global Heath in Action: Crossing Borders of Language and Cultural Difference for Health Care / N/A / $ 78,321
Cleveland State University / OH / The Arab World and the Middle East / N/A / $ 87,431
John Carroll University / OH / Enhancing the International Business with Language and Culture / N/A / $ 82,413
Portland State University / OR / Web-based Instructional Modules for LCTLs / N/A / $ 81,887
Community College of Philadelphia / PA / An Integrative Approach to Building Community College International Studies:The Changing Environments in East Africa and East Asia / N/A / $ 90.305
Northampton Community College / PA / Introducing a Global and International Studies Program at NCC / N/A / $ 67,630
University of St. Thomas / TX / Strategic Areas and Languages Certificate Program / N/A / $ 87,953
World Learning, Incorporated / VT / New African Diasporas:Expanding the Curriculum at HBCUs through Study Abroad and Language / Morehouse College / $ 117,321
Everett Community College / WA / Japanese Language Fluency for Undergraduates / N/A / $ 86,466

Funding Totals: 31 institutions; $2,842,430

Appalachian State University

From the South to the Global South: Language and Area Studies for a Changing World
Project Director: Dr. Beverly Moser, , 828-262-2303

The Global South, the area made up of Latin America, Africa, developing Asia and the Middle East, is emerging as a region of critical importance for the twenty-first century. Appalachian State University, with its commitment to promote global learning, focuses its new five-year strategic plan on working toward a “sustainable and just society.” New cross-disciplinary programs have emerged with a global focus, and more traditional programs (e.g.,education) now need to put students in touch with the people and cultures of all regions of the world. Appalachian embraces its mission to reach beyond its own region to the world’s “Global South” in establishing this project.

This proposal engages university programs in four colleges at Appalachian State University (Education, Arts and Sciences, Fine and Applied Arts, and Health Sciences) to forge curricular connections between language and area studies in response to the needs of a changing world. Specifically, we connect more traditionally-focused programs (Education), and brand-new academic programs (Sustainable Development, Nursing) to develop new course sequences, in a systematic program of faculty development and course (re)design. We strengthen the university’s budding Global Studies program by developing new courses to serve not only Global Studies majors, but all students in search of a global dimension to their university experience. Finally, we create a new interdisciplinary undergraduate certificate (Spanish Communication and Culture for the Health and Helping Professions) to serve all areas, and work together with community college colleagues to support college level language teaching that encourages students’ ongoing language proficiency to the highest levels over time. These projects will encourage more focused, communication-oriented study of a second language, and make needed connections between area studies and all subjects, as it readies Appalachian’s students and teachers for the international fields that await them.

We pursue four main curricular goals connected with countries in the Global South plan, design, and implement international components to 10 courses for education majors; design and teach eight new Global Studies and Sustainable development courses that focus on countries in the world’s Global South; add three short-term summer study abroad programs with language study for preprofessional students; establish a new four-course undergraduate certificate, “Spanish Communication and Culture for the Health and Helping Professions” in response to the changing needs of the state, region and world.

To further advance the goals of the 2014 UISFL program, we use the summer months to: provide a one-week Summer Institute for 18 in- and pre-service K-12 teachers; provide year-long professional development to 10 community college language faculty; offer an on-campus “immersion” experience for busy practicing professionals in health and helping professions (and students of related fields).

This set of activities advances the university’s ongoing commitment to internationalize, both in the university curriculum and in response to the changing face of our state and region.

Auburn University

Dr. Suhyun Suh, Project Director
Auburn University, College of Education
Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling
Haley Center, Room 2084
Auburn, Alabama 36849
(334) 844-2837

Proposal for the Development of an Undergraduate Korean Studies and Language Program within Auburn University

The US government deemed Korean a “critical” language for its strategic importance in fostering national security and economic development. In addition to the national goal of fostering more Korean language study, Auburn University is situated in a unique language-need environment due to the growth since 2005 of the Korean automotive industry in east-central Alabama and west Georgia. The goal of this grant proposal is to strengthen and improve undergraduate instruction in Korean studies, including language, to meet regional and national demands.

In the past decade, two major South Korean automobile companies, along with approximately 100 first and second-tier suppliers, have located major assembly operations along the I-85 corridor from Montgomery, Alabama to West Point, Georgia. Auburn University, a Land-Grant university of approximately 25,000 students, is located directly between these two major Korean corporations. In the wake of these factory openings, the east-central Alabama region has experienced unprecedented economic and cultural growth and an influx of Korean company executives and their family members, Korean scholars, and new Korean employees. Growth in the foreign automotive sector helped create an economic resurgence in a region decimated by the closure of textile operations in the 1980s and 90s. Korean automotive companies and their suppliers now employ more than 30,000 workers. Today, it is estimated that there are 8,000 to 10,000 Koreans living in the east-central Alabama and west Georgia region.

Growth in both Korean industry and community has created a need for more Korean language and cultural proficiency throughout Alabama. Positioned at the center of this economic and demographic evolution, Auburn University has significantly strengthened the relationship between Korean business partners and the university while enhancing cultural understanding in the community. However, more must be done to bridge the cultural, communication, and knowledge gap between the native Alabamian and new Korean communities. Through a Title VIa Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Languages grant, Auburn University proposes investment in programs addressing specific needs, including the establishment of a Korean studies academic minor and related coursework, development of overseas education and internship opportunities for Auburn students, and outreach to the K-12 community in Alabama. If selected, Auburn will use this funding to develop a focused academic program in Korean culture, economy, technology, and sciences to complement and enhance current language offerings.

Bard College

Project Director: Jonathan Becker

E-mail:

Telephone: 845-758-7378

Global Partnership Project: Connecting International, Regional, and Language Studies

Bard College provides a global education for students from 65 countries and has emerged as a leader in the development of comprehensive international partnerships that provide a dual degree or dual credit. Bard’s international programs accelerated after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when the College began working with academic institutions that sought to introduce liberal education in “countries in transition.” With partners throughout the United States and in Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Russia, the Palestinian Territories, and South Africa, the college hasforged a series of innovative dual degree and dual credit programs that are unique in their scopeand ambition, and which have achieved groundbreaking educational reform.

Given this institutional commitment to globalization, coupled with students’ demand for global exposure, Bard College, is seeking Title VI funds, to develop a new interdisciplinary major in Global and International Studies (GIS) that will also provide a unique design for the enhancement of Middle East, Russian, and Eurasian area studies, the promotion of Arabic and Russian language, and the expansion of study abroad opportunities in these regions. Funds will enable Bard College to pursue the primary goals of: 1)building capacity to meet undergraduate student demand for an interdisciplinary major in Global and International Studies; and 2) enhancing opportunities for students to engage deeply in Arabic and Russian language studies, and Middle East and Eurasian studies. Five primary activities will be implemented to achieve this goal:

Create a new program (major) that will include four new core courses in Global and International Studies and a comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum.

Expand Arabic language instruction through the development and implementation of a four-and eight-week Arabic language summer intensive and a semester-long advanced Arabic language study abroad option in partnership with Al-Quds University in the Palestinian Territories.

Modify or create three Middle East or Eurasian area studies courses that unite students and faculty from partner institutions in Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and the Palestinian Territories in a virtual classroom with Bard students.

Expand Study Abroad offerings to the Middle East and Eurasia to include internship and civic engagement opportunities for students.

Develop a sustainable series of co-curricular activities on campus and in the community that link the GIS program, Middle East and Eurasian area studies, and Arabic and Russian language program.

Benedictine University

Project Director: Vincent Gaddis, E-mail:

Telephone: 630-829-6262

Developing Arabic Language Programs

and Enhancing Global Studies Middle East Concentration

Benedictine University, a private, Roman Catholic University located approximately 25 miles west of Chicago, is proposing a project that will provide: 1) new and enhanced Global Studies and general education courses focusing on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region; 2) an expanded offering of Arabic language, culture, and civilization courses leading to a minor in Arabic; 3) travel abroad experiences for students to the MENA region to amplify and enhance (1) and (2); 4) faculty development opportunities for course revision and development; and 5) seminars for faculty that will also be extended to K-12 area teachers and community college faculty.

The proposed project is firmly grounded in the university’s strategic vision, which sees international education as an integral part of all academic programs. It includes the emphasis on critical languages (Arabic and Chinese), ongoing collaboration with institutions abroad, increased faculty and student participation in study abroad experiences, and enhanced faculty development.

The project will greatly enhance the Middle East concentration of the Global Studies program with new courses in religious studies, political science, and literature, which will also support the general education curriculum. It will also strengthen the Arabic language program with new higher-level courses and a full-time Arabic language and culture faculty position. The full-time tenure-track faculty position will be funded by the university with a partial initial support of the grant (24% of salary for two years).

The specific objectives of the proposed project are:

  • Strengthen the linguistic and cultural dimensions of the Middle East Global Studies concentration and the general education curriculum via curriculum development and new study abroad experiences.
  • Create a minor (and eventually a major) in Arabic language and civilization by expanding and enhancing course offerings, including courses specifically tailored to the needs of heritage students.
  • Enhance the knowledge and expertise of BU faculty and staff in Arabic and the cultures, history, politics, art, and literature of the countries of the MENA region.

Benedictine University is requesting $159,278 over two years to develop, implement, and assess this project, which will impact over 2,000 students as well as 60 faculty and staff over the two-year grant period via the new/revised courses (at least 14), new minor in Arabic, new study abroad programs in the MENA region, and faculty development.

California State University, Long Beach

Title: Weaving Language and Global Competencies Throughoutthe CSULB Curricula

Project Director: (562)985-4714,

We live inan interdependent and globalized world where political,economic, and socialInteractions across borders are increasing at an exponential rate. Accordingly,it is vitalthat students graduating from all ofCSULB’sdiverseprogramshold the skills to beglobally competent intheirprofessions. The strengthening of global competencies willadd degreevalueforstudents while providing the globalliteracynecessarytosurvivein their careers oftheborderless21st century.InternationalEducationatCaliforniaStateUniversity, Long Beach (CSULB) I sat a crossroads. Components ofinternationaleducation are highly developed atThe Beach. There are a broad array ofshort term study abroad courses, athriving Center for International Educationprovidinginfrastructureforstudy abroad and international students, a model International Studies major, active and innovative languageandlinguisticsdepartments,andaclearlyarticulated“Global Perspective” componentin its mission statement.

Thisproposaliswrittentobringthepiecesoftheinternational education puzzle together andtomovefromprovidingstructuresandconceptsininternationaleducationtoensuringthedevelopmentof studentglobalcompetencies,particularlyinareastraditionally underserved byinternationaleducationprogramming.To this end,we willundertake five (5)objectiveswiththeintentofoperationalizingthenewCampusStrategicPlaninternationalelementsand connectingtheStrategicPlantothemissionstatement:

  • DevelopaLanguageandGlobalCompetencies General Education Theme CreateaLanguageandGlobal Competencies Honors Track
  • DevelopaCertificateinKhmerLanguage for Heritage Speakers in coordinationwiththeUCB/UCLA Khmer Language Consortium.
  • DevelopmentofnewtoolsfortheDepartmentofRomance,German, RussianLanguagesandLiterature(RGRLL)includingaFrench/Italian/ PortugueseLanguageCertificateforSpanishSpeakers,an IntercomprehensionCertificate,andaSpanishLanguageCertificateforHeritage Speakerswithaspecificfocusoncompetency developmentwithinhighunitandTechnical majors, and a Language-Culture Certificate for second language learners entering with high school-level abilities.
  • Develop Global NursingCompetencies, supportingtheeffortsnew Global Nursing Office byestablishingmeasurablegloballearningoutcomes, language professionalization opportunities for Spanish and Khmer HeritageSpeakers and establishing a specialized study abroad nursing practicum in Cambodia.

The Global Studies Institute (GSI) was established in 2012 to complement the efforts of the Center for International Education (CIE). Whereas the CIE serves outbound and inbound students, the GSI serves the academic side of international education including coordination between units, assessment and measurement, articulation, advising, and advocacy. The GSI will coordinate efforts between units.

California State University, Northridge

Establishing a Modern China Studies Minor at CSUN:

Curriculum Development,Outreach and Recruitment

Project Directors: Enchao Shi, 818-677-0904,;

Lulu Smith,818-677-5799,

The College of Humanities at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) seeks funding for activities to expand access and interest in Chinese language study among incoming freshmen and current CSUN students from diverse major pathways. The overarching goal of the program is to increase access to Chinese language and area studies among historically underserved students. CSUN proposes to use grant funding for curriculum development and intensive outreach activities toward these objectives: (1) launching an interdisciplinary Modern China Studies minor;(2) increasing the number of heritage speakers and heritage learners from feeder high schools who continue studies at CSUN;and (3) increasing enrollment and academic diversity in the new minor by recruiting students campus-wide whose academic and career goals may be complemented by contemporary Chinese language and area studies. Curriculum development is to include a Gateway course, Chinese Business Communication, and a Service Learning course. With these and existing courses, the minor is being designed to: (a) offer CSUN students a flexible minor that will enhance their résumés in economic and government sectors;(b) extend greater access to heritage speakers (inclusive of incoming freshmen with two years of Chinese language study) with professional, academic, or personal interests in Modern China Studies;and (c) advance eligibility for CSUN students who want to pursue study-abroad scholarship opportunities. Recruitment efforts include partnering with area high schools for cooperative Community Engagement activities as well as CSUN campus events.