About Lipscomb
Mission
Our mission grows out of the university's Christian identity as well as centuries of educational practice. God chose to communicate through the grammar and vocabulary of a scriptural text and also became a human being who thought in and spoke a specific language, which demonstrates the importance of language in God's interaction with humankind. Similarly, from the Middle Ages on, Western education included grammar and rhetoric, two of the seven historic liberal arts.
Learning languages is fundamental for a Christian university that, like Lipscomb, focuses on undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences.
1. We believe the ability to function in another language in the real world is essential
Our department strives to develop literacy in the target language. For us, developing literacy meansthat a student is able to synthesize his or her knowledge of reading, writing, speaking, listening and culture so that he or she has a comprehensive, functional knowledge of the target language. A literate student is able to read and write and is competent when discussing and expressing opinions about literature or other specific subject matter content (i.e. history, culture, civilization, politics, etc.). Essentially, we view language learning as a holistic process in which all skills support each other. Therefore, we focus on building these skills together instead of independently.
2. We believe language learning is a community process
Our language classes require a high level of interaction and participation from the students as well as the professor. Specifically, our elementary and intermediate courses meet for two semesters for either four or five days a week. This unique structure allows students to create relationships with each other and with the professor that are personal and meaningful. The skills language students develop in our courses enable them to relate more effectively with each other and with the society they will enter upon graduation.
3. We believe language learning enhances service and develops empathy
"Loving your neighbor as you love yourself" implies understanding others, including the languages of their hearts. Language learning builds the awareness that is the first step in working for justice. It opens the door to sensitive, informed service. Again, we are able to draw from the Standards as we emphasize that language is relevant only when used within and beyond the school setting. We encourage our students to put their language skills to use in order to facilitate an understanding of others which allows them in turn to minister and encourage those whose life experiences differ from their own. We also believe that the language education students receive here will encourage them to pursue study beyond the college years for service or personal enrichment.