James P. Pusack, Ph.D., Chair of German, University of Iowa, September 29 - October 3, 2003

Dr. James Pusack, long-time professor, has distinguished himself as a language pedagogue and, more recently, as a pioneer in computer-assisted instruction of second language acquisition. He has been instrumental in the development of authentic television materials for the teaching of language and culture, including leadership of PICS, the University of Iowa’s project for national distribution of foreign television programming. He has authored or co-authored numerous articles on topics related to multimedia and has developed software for language learning, as well as the widely-used program Dasher . He is the founding member of FLARE, the University of Iowa’s new Ph.D. program in second language acquisition. He participates in a wide range of international studies efforts at the University of Iowa, including co-directing a new three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education dedicated to the strengthening of interdisciplinary international studies and the teaching of less-commonly taught languages. In his lates response to the vocation of language learning, he recently joined his teenage daughter for a two-week Italian course in Florence.

However, it is James Pusack's infectious love of language and of teaching that really makes him a candidate for the Vocation Visitor program, since it was this love that drew him to language methodology and technology in the first place. As has been clear to his students for nearly thirty years, Pusack is deeply committed to helping students with their lives in whatever way possible, including with language learning.

Dr. Pusack will visit campus Monday, September 29 through October 3, 2003. As a Vocation Visitor he will contribute to the Luther community by talking about his own longtime work and helping students to explore the connections of faith and language learning.

For a more complete vita click on Pusack Vita

Tentative Schedule

Monday, September 29, 2003

10:30 a.m. Beginning Italian, Room 206, CFL

11:30 a.m. Intermediate German, Center for the Arts 117

!2:30 p.m. Lunch with Language Majors, Nansen in the Union

September 30, 2003,

10:30 a.m. Intermediate German, Main 214

12:30 p.m. Lunch with Language Majors, Nobel in the Union

4:30 p.m. Meeting with Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Main 213

7:30 p.m., Center for Faith & Life Recital Hall, Public Lecture, reception to follow.

Wednesday, October 1, 2003

12:00 p.m. Brown Bag seminar for faculty/staff for Languages and Study Abroad, Borlaug in the Union

2:00 p.m. Tea/Reception for Language Majors, Hammarskjold in the Union

Thursday, October 2, 2003

10:30 a.m. Intermediate Russian, Main 211

1:30 p.m. Beginning Russian, Main 211

Friday, October 3, 2003

12:30 p.m. German Drama, Main 116A

3:00 p.m. Farewell reception, Hammarskjold in the Union

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