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…

Presents statistical data on the production and placement rates of Ph.D.'s in the field of languages and literature. Points out that the decline in production, although differing greatly among disciplines, has responded to the pressures of the academic job market, but has not improved the survivors' employment prospects. (MES)