Department of German

My research continues to focus on analysis of students’ writing development across the curricular level using the theoretical framework of systemic-functional linguistics. With the publication of the MLJ monograph (with Hiram Maxim and John Norris), (MLJ 94-S1, 2010), "Realizing advanced foreign language writing development in collegiate education: Curricular design, pedagogy, assessment", we have provided an overall framework within which to continue, at an even greater depth, the exploration of L2 development. Along those lines, an extended case study of writing development from high school through undergraduate education is the focus of a collaborative effort with colleagues at the University of Groningen, Marjolijn Verspoor and Monika Schmid. In this study, we hope to combine the theoretical frameworks of dynamic systems theory and systemic functional linguistics. The assessment of the learning of both language and content knowledge is the focus of a "Humanities Assessment Project", conducted by the German Department with research consulting provided by John Norris, University of Hawai'i. I look forward to even more collaboration on diverse issues of language development once Lourdes Ortega and John Norris will be members of the GU Linguistics Department in the fall of 2012.