Grant Awards for Campus-Based Consortium Projects, 2004-2008

Academic Year 2004/2005

Andrew Ross, Director, and David Kanig, Manager of Technical Services, Language Resource Center: “Streamed Interactive Video Materials” - $2,185

Abstract: The Language Resource Center will acquire software and hardware equipment for creating, editing, and distributing interactive streamed video materials for language instructional purposes.

Peter Scharf, Senior Lecturer of Sanskrit, Classics: “Sanskrit Educational Software: Integrating Linguistic Programs into Sanskrit Translation Exercises” - $3,000

Abstract: The project will integrate certain linguistic programs with educational software currently being developed by the project director. That software utilizes unprecedented mechanisms for immediate feedback on exercises and applies lexically based phonological and morphological software to student analyses of sentences in Sanskrit-English translation exercises to confirm correct steps and to flag errors in sandhi analysis, inflectional identification, vocabulary, and syntax.

Meiqing Zhang, Senior Lecturer of Chinese, East Asian Studies: “Chinese Cultural Reader for Advanced Students” - $2,000

Abstract: The project support final revisions of a textbook with texts and exercises for students of fifth-year Chinese. While in China, she will consult with instructors of Chinese as a Second Language at several universities on aspects of her textbook. She will also consult with authors of literary texts included in the textbook concerning her presentations and interpretations of their work.

Beth Bauer, Senior Lecturer in Spanish, Hispanic Studies: “Pluma: Spanish Writing Center Continuation” - $3,000

Abstract: The grant provided funds for the services of two graduate students in the Spanish Writing Center for spring semester, 2005. These students provide mentoring and tutoring for advanced students of Spanish.

Yuko Jackson, Senior Lecturer of Japanese, East Asian Studies: “New Course Initiative: Languages for Special Services – Business Japanese” - $1,100

Abstract: The project director will conduct interviews with American students of Japanese who engage in business with Japanese counterparts. Materials in print, audio, and video format will be purchased for use in developing lessons and activities in Business Japanese.

Academic Year 2005/2006

Jane Sokolosky, Senior Lecturer of German, German Studies: “Audio to Go” - $589

Abstract: This grant supports creation of audio files for vocabulary training for beginning and intermediate German. The files present vocabulary items in English, German, and again in English with pauses for students to repeat or recall words. These audio files are being used in connection with Brown’s iTunesU initiative.

Lung-Hua Hu, Senior Lecturer in Chinese, East Asian Studies: “Audio-Visual Materials for Study Abroad Website and Intermediate Chinese” - $2,230

Abstract: The project will serve two purposes: the first is to provide audio and visual components for a new website for study abroad in China; the second is to provide fresh supplementary audio-visual materials for Intermediate Chinese courses. These materials will include still images and sound files.

Academic Year 2006/2007

Jane Sokolosky, Senior Lecturer of German, German Studies: “Einzigartg Deutschland” - $2,928

Abstract: Project supports the development of curricular materials in multimedia format for intermediate learners of German. Through creation of a dedicated website students will learn about the history of Germany through culturally significant sites in the country. The website will include reading clips, audio clips, visuals, grammar and vocabulary lessons, as well as space for blog postings.

Shoggy Waryn, Senior Lecturer of French, French Studies: “ELFE: French Web-Based Exercises” - $2,420

Abstract: ELFE is a popular interactive software program that allows learners of French to practice specific grammar skills. It checks the learner’s knowledge of grammar using vocabulary suitable for all levels. Current funding allows transfer of ELFE exercises to the French Studies departmental website from where they can be added as needed to French faculty’s individual WebCT course webpages.

Lingzhen Wang, Associate Professor of Chinese, East Asian Studies: “Integrating Multimedia in Fourth-Year Chinese” - $2,300

Abstract: Project director will travel to China in summer, 2006, and will purchase recent, feature-length films with filmscripts, documentaries, TV series, and commercials in DVD format for use in a restructured fourth-year Chinese course. Clips from selected titled will be selected for mounting on WebCT course webpage, to be streamed using Video Furnace software. The scenes will be glossed with the Chinese filmscript and linked to selected vocabulary items.

Peter Scharf, Senior Lecturer of Sanskrit, Classics: “Pancatantra Audio” - $2,700

Abstract: In 2001, Professor Ramamuri, a well-respected traditional scholar of Madras, recorded his mellifluous recitation of Purnabhadra’s Pañcatantra with the intention that I integrate it line-by-line with the text in the online Sanskrit Library website. The recordings will be edited and marked-up and saved in both archive-quality and web-deliverable format. The latter audio files will be made available to students at Brown and throughout the world on the Sanskrit Library website.

Academic Year 2007/2008

Elsa Amanatidou, Senior Lecture of Modern Greek, Classics: “It’s Greek to You: Specimen Listening Comprehension Materials for Advanced Intermediate Students” - $3,027

Abstract: The project is part of a larger endeavor that aims to remedy the poverty and unsuitability of existing audio resources for developing understanding of spoken Modern Greek. Project director will conduct research and record interviews for specimen materials within the framework of the topic “Higher Education in Greece”. The resulting audio files and accompanying comprehension tasks will serve as a prototype for a textbook.

Yang Wang, Lecturer of Chinese, East Asian Studies: “Compiling Supplementary Materials for the Instruction of Sentence Connectives for Third-Year Chinese” - $3,442

Abstract: The instruction of sentence connectives is crucial for advanced learners of Chinese to develop proficiency at discourse level. However, materials on sentence connectives are largely ignored in major textbooks. Therefore, the goal of this project is to provide supplementary materials that help third-year students of Chinese develop cohesive, paragraph-length narratives. The project compiles written materials on about thirty sentence connectives and selects supporting video clips from a TV show in Mandarin for narration practice.

Hye-Sook Wang, Associate Professor of Korean, East Asian Studies: “Frog’s Tears and Other Stories: Readings in Korean Culture” - $3,000

Abstract: “Frog’s Tears and Other Stories” is a book of folk tales designed to improve learners’ linguistic competence and to deepen their cultural understanding in Korean. The book consists of 13 best-known Korean folk tales, activities and tasks, and related cultural information. It follows a Content-Based Language Instruction approach.

Arkady Belozovsky, Lecturer of ASL and Deaf Studies, Center for Language Studies: “Video Interviews with Members of the Deaf Community” - $2,973

Abstract: The project director will conduct video interviews with members of the Deaf community in southeastern New England. Taped footage will feature a diverse group of Deaf signers and will be adapted for use in fifth semester ASL classes.

Andrew Ross, Director, Language Resource Center: “Functioning in L: Basic Communicative Skills in Less-Commonly Taught Languages” - $2,845

Abstract: The project director will investigate programs in non-credit language instruction at Columbia and Yale Universities, and he will plan development of a similar non-credit program for LCTLs not currently taught for credit at Brown.

Patricia Sobral, Senior Lecturer of Portuguese, Portuguese and Brazilian Studies: “Integrating Social Movements: Intermediate Portuguese” - $3,277

Abstract: The project will adapt materials (including videotaped interviews) from the secondary-school curriculum for Portuguese developed by Emma Sokoloff-Rubin and Jeffrey Rubin for second-year Portuguese at Brown. The content of the material focuses on social movements in Brazil and includes afro-reggae music, women’s rights, and the landless movement (MST). Project director will add material on immigration to the United States.