Reports in detail the results of a 1994 telephone survey conducted by the Modern Language Association (MLA) of a sample of English and foreign language departments. The survey was designed to ascertain changes in department size, faculty vacancies, student enrollment and majors, staffing, and course offerings over the 1980-94 period. (three…

Findings from the Modern Language Association survey, based on returns from 598 2- and 4-year colleges, are reported. Factors affecting department chairs' conditions of service and perquisites were found to be the presence of a union; levels of instruction offered; number of students; number of languages offered; and faculty size. (Contains two…

Investigates how advertised university faculty positions in English were filled. Examines types of advertising and types of positions, as well as numbers of applicants. Finds consistency between the positions advertised and the positions filled. (PRA)

Gathers systematic national data in the English curriculum through surveys sent out by the Modern Language Association (MLA) to a stratified random sample of English programs. Summarizes two major sets of findings: those relating to courses offered during the 1989-91 period and those relating to the English major. (RS)

Discusses the findings of an extensive research study of the authors and writing most frequently assigned in college-level English survey courses. Finds that similar historical periods and authors are considered in the survey courses offered by college and university English departments. Finds that traditional authors continue to be taught in…

Presents results of a survey of college English departments concerning general education requirements and the English major. Finds that English programs emphasize courses in the traditional areas in their requirements for the English major. Notes that general education requirements frequently do not include an exposure to literature. (RS)

Considers the Modern Language Association's 1990 survey of doctorate-granting departments in English and other languages regarding doctoral study. Analyzes the survey results in depth, including institutional characteristics, numbers of applicants, number enrolled, degrees granted, and program trends. (HB)

Preliminary findings are reported from a survey conducted to determine the apparent absence of compensation for foreign language department chairs at some institutions. It is noted that, compared to the sciences or humanities, the typical foreign language program has greater and more complex tasks administratively and should, therefore, receive…

Analyzes recent trends in the placement of English PhDs as professional teachers and university personnel. Provides data from the Modern Language Association's study of the 1991-92 placement activities at member institutions. (HB)

Summarizes findings for English studies from the latest MLA survey of jobs held by recent graduates of modern language doctoral programs. Compares findings with results of earlier surveys. Notes that the percentage of new doctorate recipients obtaining tenure-track positions in 1993-94 is lower than it was in the 1991-92 and 1986-87 surveys. (RS)

Presents the findings of the Modern Language Association's survey of the changes from 1990 to 1994 in faculty size in doctorate-granting departments of modern language. (HB)