Refurbishment of HumSS to create new 'languages hub'
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Students studying languages
'Our research is strong, and as well as excellent language teaching we are able to offer a wide range of cultural and historical modules to provide an exciting and relevant student experience'
The University is pleased to announce that from 1 August 2010 the Departments of French Studies, Italian Studies and German Studies will merge to become a Department of Modern Languages and European Studies.
The merger coincides with the refurbishment of the second floor of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building which will enable co-location of Modern Languages with the International Study and Language Centre which has brought together the Centre for Applied Language Studies (CALS), the Institution-wide Language Programme (IWLP) and the International Foundation Programme (IFP).
Head of School, Professor Christopher Duggan said; ‘The partnership of Modern Languages and European Studies with the International Study and Language Centre is a wonderful opportunity to make Reading a flagship in the UK for teaching and research in English and foreign languages and to demonstrate clearly how in the 21st century language is the key not just to communication but also to the understanding of the culture, the literature, the history, and the politics of other societies.'
This new ‘languages hub' will reinforce the strength and importance of ‘Languages at Reading', and contribute significantly to the University's internationalization agenda.
Professor Joel Felix, Head of the new Department of Modern Languages is also very supportive of these exciting developments; ‘I am delighted to be Head of the new Department and look forward to raising further the profile of modern languages. Our research is strong, and as well as excellent language teaching we are able to offer a wide range of cultural and historical modules to provide an exciting and relevant student experience,' he said.
Some initial work on the next stage of the refurbishment of HumSS will start from saturday 22 May. It is intended that Mansell construction will establish a new site compound in the area outside HumSS close to the porter's lodge, but maintaining access to the HumSS cafe which will continue to operate as usual, albeit with a reduced terrace area.
The entrance to HumSS from this area will be closed or at least very restricted, but entry via the cafe will still be possible. The car parking bays closest to HumSS will be closed, and alternative arrangements are being made with the people affected.