Christopher Lupke with student
Asian studies and foreign languages at WSU will soon be enhanced as a result of a $172,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program (UISFLP).
The UISFLP, which supports grants that integrate the study of language across disciplines, will provide initial funding to add a new faculty position for Japanese language and culture in the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures at WSU. The Asia Program will benefit as well through the addition of a second Asian language to its interdisciplinary offerings.
Christopher Lupke, associate professor of Chinese and principal investigator for the grant, said, "I tried to make the grant very comprehensive…so that it would cover areas that ultimately enhanced the way we teach Asian studies at WSU."
The Asia Program offers a major and minor in Asian studies through courses taught in foreign languages and cultures, history, philosophy, fine arts, political science, sociology, and anthropology.
David Pietz, associate professor of history and Asia Program director, said in a recent online newsletter, "The WSU Asia Program promotes teaching, research, and outreach to prepare present and future leaders for the opportunities and challenges of Asia's increasing presence in global and regional affairs."
In addition to the 11 new courses that will be developed through the new faculty line, the grant will fund the expansion of the library's collection of Asian language reference books and provide for new technology to improve course delivery. Pedagogy workshops, faculty research, and programs like the Murrow–Asia Speaker Series will also be supported through the grant.
Contributors to the grant proposal included Lance LeLoup (vice provost, International Programs; professor, political science), Eloy González (professor and chair, foreign languages and cultures), Erich Lear (dean, College of Liberal Arts), Lisa McMullen (finance/budget manager, foreign languages and cultures), Debbie Brudie (finance/budget manager, comparative ethnic studies), Paul Whitney (associate dean, College of Liberal Arts), Doug Winther (director, Language Learning Resource Center), and Gabrielle Reznowski (humanities librarian). Lupke also worked on curriculum development with Weiguo Cao (instructor, foreign languages and cultures) and Ian Wendt (assistant professor, history).
The Chronicle, College of Liberal Arts, Washington State University