Mariah Inman, School of Languages, Cultures and Race
An open-house celebration recognizing the recent launch of WSU’s School of Languages, Cultures and Race is slated for 2‑4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, in Thompson Hall on the WSU Pullman campus.
The new school, established July 1 within the College of Arts and Sciences, brings together personnel and resources from three previously separate academic units:
- Department of Critical Culture, Gender and Race Studies.
- Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures.
- General Studies.
At the event, guests can meet the school’s faculty and support staff, tour the facilities, learn about the diverse academic programs and learning resources, and enjoy a variety of international refreshments.
“The School of Languages, Cultures and Race is a great experiment integrating disciplines in the social sciences and the humanities, creating a hub of interdisciplinary thinking and research,” said Carmen Lugo‑Lugo, a professor of comparative ethnic studies and the faculty-elected director of the school.
SLCR is home to programs in Comparative Ethnic Studies, American Studies, American Indian Studies, and Popular Culture from the former Department of Critical Culture, Gender and Race Studies. It is also home to the foreign language areas — Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish — along with Hispanic Studies, Film Studies, Global Studies, International Area Studies, Latin American Studies and Linguistics programs from the former Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. The Humanities, Social Sciences and Religious Studies programs came to the new school from the General Studies program.
For undergraduate students, the school offers a total of 25 academic degree programs between eight majors and 14 minor programs. It also offers two master’s degree programs and one doctoral program. Nearly 1,300 students are enrolled in SLCR courses this fall on the Pullman, Tri‑Cities, Vancouver and Global campuses.
In the school are 36 faculty members, including 12 tenure‑track, five clinical, 18 instructors and one visiting scholar; 10 staff members, including four advisors; and 18 graduate students including 12 master’s students and six doctoral candidates.
SLCR students have the unique convenience of utilizing the Daggy Advising Center located in Daggy Hall. It houses all four academic advisors in one area, including staff support to assist students with questions and concerns. Students also can take advantage of free language tutoring and quiet study space in the Language Learning Resource Center on the second floor of Thompson Hall.
SLCR language tutors are undergraduates who are native or near‑native speakers selected by faculty based upon their mastery of the language to assist other students with comprehending and solidifying their language skills, both written and verbal. This service is offered to all students enrolled in 100- and 200‑level foreign language classes.
Partnering with the International Center, the school also provides one-hour foreign language conversation practice at weekly “language tables” held in the CUB. The foreign language faculty and native-speaking students facilitate to ensure proper pronunciation, use of words and grammar in everyday conversation.
Student support services are a top priority for the school, Lugo‑Lugo said. “We will continue to expand and adjust resources to meet students’ needs and support their success. We’re able to offer these types of critical resources thanks to generous donations from alumni and friends.”
For more information, visit the SLCR website or contact Lauren Jasmer, SLCR administrative assistant, 509‑335‑2949, ljasmer@wsu.edu.
