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Asbury Theological Seminary

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Research Language Information

CHOOSING A RESEARCH LANGUAGE

Knowledge of a language(s) other than one's primary language is integral to academic theological study. Professors teaching upper-level electives are urged to encourage students to use languages other than English in their research.

The choice of language(s) is tied to one's chosen field of inquiry. In historical studies, for example, Latin may be appropriate; in theological or biblical studies, French, German, or Spanish; in social research, statistics. Non-native speakers of English may petition the Vice President of Academic Affairs in order to certify English as their research language. The choice of a language(s) in which to certify should be made in consultation between the student and his or her advisor. In cases where the propriety of a particular language is in doubt, the Vice President of Academic Affairs should be consulted.

Language Certification
  1. Ordinary Forms of Modern Language Certification-students may certify modern languages in either of the following ways:
    • Translation of a Text: Students will be given three hours to translate two texts, each of approximately 400 words in length, with the use of a dictionary (but no grammars, verb charts or personal notes). Non-native speakers of English will be given four-and-a-half hours to complete the exam. Successful completion of the exam requires a translation of sufficient accuracy to attest accuracy of comprehension. Exams will be evaluated as pass or fail; students are allowed to attempt certification in a given language through this means no more than three times.
    • Language exams can be offered at any time throughout the academic year. A student preparing to sit for a language exam should notify the Academic Affiar's Office no less than one month in advance of taking the exam. The Vice President of Academic Affairs recruits appropriate faculty to draw up the exam, supervises the examination process, and communicates with the student regarding the results of his or her exam.
    • Preparation for this exam can be through coursework at another institution, directed study or student initiative.
  2. Completion of CH 590 Theological German with a grade of no less than B+ on the final exam.
  3. Successful Completion of Undergraduate Coursework: A student who, within the previous five years, has successfully completed work in a language at the undergraduate level may certify in that language provided that she or he received a grade of no less than a "B" in the fourth semester of language instruction and can provide official transcript evidence of this coursework.
Additional Forms of Language Certification
  1. Certification in English: Non-native speakers of English whose petition to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for certification in English as a research language has been granted certify proficiency by achieving a score of no less than 550 on the TOEFL.
  2. Certification in Ancient Languages: For students required to certify in an ancient language (e.g., Latin) and for students other than those enrolled in the master of arts in biblical studies who need to certify in a biblical language, the level of proficiency and means of certification will be determined by the student's advisor in consultation with the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
  3. Certification in Statistics: Students for whom proficiency in statistics is required may certify by successfully completing one undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of no less than a "B" within the previous five years.
  4. Petitions for other forms of certification are evaluated by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

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