Abstracts of papers presented at NACFLA 2000 Conference.

Geof Acker, Belhaven College

 "Teaching German Literature from a Christian Perspective"

 At last year's conference I presented a proposal to examine German literature at the intermediate level by means of a system developed at the University of the South called Theological reflection, in which the  message of the literature is discerned from a point of view that assumes God as the inhabitor and author of all truth.  This year I have been following such a course.  I propose to report on my student response and insights I have gained through the experience.

Aleta Anderson, Westmont College, aanderso@westmont.edu

"Coming to Grips as Christian Scholars with the Holocaust and Still Love Thy Neighbor"

As Christian educators we must address the historical fact of the atrocities committed by the Germans, as well as lead our students to appreciate the richness of German culture and its influence on today's culture.  This presentation suggests discussion of some difficult questions, such as how such an "evil" could rise to power, why the people followed Hitler, the possibility of reconciliation and implications for the future of German study.

Jennie Barr, Anderson University

"Overseas Orientation"

 Much of a student's success in studying abroad depends on support and communication from the university.  This session will focus on the various facets of study abroad orientation and communication, and the need to provide support for the student's emotional and spiritual needs. Discussion will include before departure, during the overseas experience, and after the student's return, with sharing of ideas for your own overseas orientation.

Marilyn Bierling, Calvin College

"¿Judas o Maximén?  Perspectives on Religious Syncretism"

Rain ceremonies in yucatán, la virgen maría with potatoes at her feet—these are examples of religious syncretism in Latin America.  How can we use this fusion of Christianity and indigenous religions to discuss with our students the relationship of  Christianity to culture and our own walk with God?

Mary Blackwood Collier, Westmont College

"French for English Majors"

We have designed a new course to provide rudimentary practical reading knowledge of French.  Like many graduate courses, this one makes no pretensions to thorough training in French, but would serve to awaken students to the problem of insularity, to widen   their cultural frame of reference, and perhaps to provide incentive for further study of the French language as one of the  Christian's longtime tools of international diplomacy and intellectual life.

Sandra Clevenger, Calvin College

"The Ironic Use of Religion in Ramón Sender's Requiem por un campesino español"  

Sender uses symbolism in Requiem to expose the historical situation  of the Spanish Civil War.  This session will explore how irony is  used to represent Paco, the main character, as a Christ figure while the village priest alternately plays the roles of a denying Peter, a self-serving Judas and an evasive Pontius Pilate.  

Victoria Defferding, George Fox University, vdefferding@georgefox.edu

"Mysticism:  Old World Meets New World"

Mysticism is the uniting element as we consider Santa Teresa de Ávila, of the Old World, and Nezahualcoyotl, of the New.  The similarities and the differences of their expressions of devotion to God/god and their quest for Divine presence will be explored through their sacred and philosophical writings.  

Herman De Vries, Calvin College

"Poet, Pastor, and "Natural" Disaster:  Reading Johann Rist"

The celebrated German baroque poet, Johann Rist, was also pastor in Wedel near Hamburg.  Rist, the writer, was animated by various acts of destruction such as a horrendous storm of 1648 and the protracted disaster of the 30-Years War.  How the poet/pastor responds to such disasters, in both poetry and drama, is the subject of this paper.  

David Dickson, Biola University

"Boys, Men And Angels:  Julio y su ángel"

This paper will offer a literary critique of the Mexican film Julio y su ángel, with a focus on an examination of the nature and role of angels  in this work, both as spiritual beings that interact with human beings and also as symbols.

Dick Dixon, Taylor University, RCDIXON@tayloru.edu

"Popular Religion in Ricardo Palma's Tradiciones peruanas"

The presenter examines popular religious beliefs in ten "tradiciones" in palma's Tradiciones peruanas.  The main discussion centers on  how these beliefs affect people's relationships to deity, the church, civil authorities, and other believers. 

Mary Docter, Westmont College, docter@westmont.edu

"Language at Work:  Building a Successful Internship Program"

Internships greatly enhance student education by combining academics with experiential learning.  This talk illustrate strengths of such learning, and shows how to design and implement an internship program in foreign languages for a Christian liberal arts context.  Internships offer students the chance to develop a sense of Christian vocation and, through critical reflection and writing, to integrate faith, educational experience, and future goals.

Jan Evans, Calvin College, jevans@calvin.edu

"A Humane Alternative to the Language Laboratory:  Conversation"

 Groups for Beginning and Intermediate Level Students" In an era when CALL (computer assisted language learning)  workshops abound and language laboratories boast the latest gadgets to bombard the student with sight and sound, human interaction is still the basis of real communication.  This presentation will explore the advantages of a student led conversation group program, giving the rationale for its place in the context of a Christian college and the  implementation details of a six year old program that includes all Calvin's 550 students enrolled in Spanish 100 and 200 level classes.

Christian Foley, Liberty University

"Ionesco's Bald Soprano:  An "Absurd" World without God FacesIts Doom"

 Eugene Ionesco portrays an "absurd" bourgeois society characterized by loss of identity, mutual lack of respect, lies, non sequiturs and word salads.  Under the guise of farce, Ionesco  makes a powerful statement to a world facing chaos:  the devil has already come disguised as a fireman!  Turn to God before it's too late!

Timothy Fox, Anderson University, trfox@anderson.edu

"The Prose Fiction of Leopoldo Lugones:  Synaesthesia and the Search for Spiritual Experience"

Much of Leopoldo Lugones' short fiction reflects a syncretistic cosmology encompassing Christianity, empirical science and theosophy.  Synaesthesia is a literary technique Lugones used to express his ample spiritual sensibilities and to bring the reader of his work within his world of "Strange Forces".  This study looks into the writing and reading of short stories as a spiritual experience in which words are used to stimulate the senses beyond that of sight and in which the reader is brought into a nether world of occult and pre-Christian spirituality.      

Arelis García, Universidad Nacional Evangélica

 "El Instituto de Estudios del Caribe"

 Arelis García is the director of the Caribbean Studies Institute (IEC), a division of the Universidad Nacional Evangélica, Santiago de los  Caballeros, Dominican Republic.  Arelis will present the program of the IEC which is founded on Christian values, orientated toward responsible global citizenship, and provides Spanish language and culture study opportunities for foreign students.  Students in the program live with a Dominican family, attend classes in Spanish, participate in cultural, historical, and recreational excursions, and may take part in several internship opportunities in areas such as:  ESL, business, health, and social work. 

Silvia Garzia-Edwards & Julia Villaseñor, Malone College

 "The Deconstruction of the Traditional Macho Image in Allende"

 This presentation explores the deconstruction of the traditional macho image in Allende's work, with particular attention to her most biographical work to date.  We propose that these men are not only collaborators with women, but are also depicted as characters undergoing an evolutionary process of their own. Thus, we witness the emergence of a more "spiritual man", sharing in some of the more unique female characteristics, with possible implications for a new, refined Christian role.

Juan Guerrero, Asuza Pacific University

"A Sense of Christian Mission in Teaching a Foreign Language"

The Bible confirms the idea that languages have played a fundamental role in God's plan to reach the nations with  Salvation.  Most of the times, fulfilling God's calling includes learning another language.  This was probably the case in the  life of Abram, Daniel, Jonah, and Paul just to mention some of  them.  As Christians and language teachers we should always see ourselves working with God to reach the nations with His salvation.

June Hamlow, Azusa Pacific University

"Strategies for Vocabulary Practice in Intermediate Language"  

This is a report and evaluation of some strategies I'm experimenting with for teaching, practicing and having fun with vocabulary lessons at the intermediate foreign language  level.  These include small group and full class activities, and range from defining vocabulary words to pantomime.  Integral also are conversations related to Christian faith and lifestyle as  suggested by the vocabulary, sometimes departing from the theme of the chapter, other times incorporating it.

Christine Kepner, Wheaton College

"Saura and Calderón:  The Timelessness of El gran teatro del mundo"

The classic auto sacramental, El gran teatro del mundo becomes an instrument of liberation for characters in Saura's 1976 film Elisa via mía.  As female actors in the film assume the play's dramatic roles, they find paths to empowerment and identity. We will explore questions of reality, authorship and identity as we examine the interplay between the older text and Saura's recent rendition of it.  

Jacoba Koene and Sally Jo Shulmistras, Anderson University, jkoene@anderson.edu

"Immersions:  Getting Your Students to Speak the Language!"

Students learn vocabulary and grammar rules in classes. They converse and role play.  We show films, read short stories, poems, plays and novels, and discuss them in classes.  But where do they actually get a chance to use the language they're learning?  IMMERSIONS!  In this session we will discuss what we do and have done in our various language  immersions at Anderson University, including the opportunity to worship together, and invite missionaries and others as guest speakers.  We hope that we can all brainstorm for additional ideas.