Mary E Wildner-Bassett

Interests

Teaching

Professional development, pedagogy, applied linguistics and L2 acquisition theory, and theories and practice of academic leadership on the graduate level; on the undergraduate level, German Studies language and culture courses and a new Health Humanities course.

Research

Current research includes instructed second language acquisition; pragmatics and language acquisition; theories and practice of academic and alternative academic leadership; research paradigms as they relate to ways of knowing, researching, and being; possibilities of experiential and contemplative learning contexts for language, culture and leadership.

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Chapters

• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2018). “Contemplating Leadership: Struggles, Transformation, Transcendence". In Developing Women Leaders in the Academy Through Enhanced Communication Strategies" (to be published by Lexington Books)(pp 30 MS).
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2019). Contemplating Leadership: Struggles, Transformation, Transcendence. In Developing Women Leaders in the Academy Through Enhanced Communication Strategies(pp Chapter 10). Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2008). A social model of transcultural learning: Applied cultural linguistics and a pedagogy of discussion.. In Transcultural German Studies/Deutsch als Fremdsprache: Building Bridges/Brücken bauen(pp 99-118). New York, Berlin: Peter Lang.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2008). The teacher’s role in computer-mediated communication and distance learning. In Opening Doors through Distance Language Education: Principles, Perspectives, and Practices(pp 67-82). San Marcos, TX: Texas State University: Computer Assisted Language Instruction Consortium (CALICO).
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E., & McBride, K. (2008). Interpersonal and intercultural understanding in a blended second culture classroom. In Mediating Discourse Online(pp 93-123). New York, Amsterdam: Benjamins.

Journals/Publications

• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2017). Applying Theories in Language Programs. Humanities Commons, 15. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/M6NW4H
  More info

  Selected Topics in Applied Linguistics: How to Choose a Theory. I offer a critical exploration of some of the conditions involved in Instructed Second Language Acquisition (ISLA), as well as of the paradoxical approaches in the theoretical questions, methods, categories, and perspectives of ISLA. The discussion proceeds with a very short overview of prevalent theories of ISLA generally. Then I add a contrastive look in more depth at only two “theories” and their possible applications in language programs. I emphasize some of the discussions in our profession concerning processing instruction, e.g. (VanPatten "Processing Instruction") or VanPatten ("Why Explicit Knowledge Cannot Become Implicit Knowledge" ), and the multiliteracies framework, e.g. (Paesani, Allen and Dupuy). I conclude with an invitation to a set of questions we might pose to any theory, framework, or approach as we consider its efficacy and applications for our own specific contexts.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2015). “’Crisis’ To Opportunities: How One College of Humanities Has Survived and Thrived from 2008-2014.”. Profession.

Presentations

• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2017, January). Selected Topics in Language Acquisition: Theories and their Applications. Modern Language Association 2017 Annual Convention. Philadelphia, PA: Modern Language Association.
  More info

  I offer a critical exploration of some of the conditions involved in Instructed Second Language Acquisition (ISLA), as well as of the paradoxical approaches in the theoretical questions, methods, categories, and perspectives of ISLA. The discussion proceeds with a very short overview of prevalent theories of ISLA generally. Then I add a contrastive look in more depth at only two “theories” and their possible applications in language programs. I emphasize some of the discussions in our profession concerning processing instruction, e.g. (VanPatten "Processing Instruction") or VanPatten ("Why Explicit Knowledge Cannot Become Implicit Knowledge" ), and the multiliteracies framework, e.g. (Paesani, Allen and Dupuy). I conclude with an invitation to a set of questions we might pose to any theory, framework, or approach as we consider its efficacy and applications for our own specific contexts.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2017, March). Establishing Health Humanities Study for Undergraduates in a College of Humanities. International Conference on Health Humanities. Houston, TX: Health Humanities International.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2016, June). Globalization and Languages—What’s an ADFL Member to Do?” [Global politics and language]. Association of Departments of Foreign Languages Summer Seminar. Monterey, CA: ADFL/MLA.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E., & Ka, O. (2016, June). Strategic Planning in Theory and Practice.. Association of Departments of Foreign Languages. Monterey, CA: ADFL/MLA.
  More info

  Two-day workshop (total 10 hours) for department heads, chairs, deans, and a provost from the Defense Language Institute
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2014, February). Perspectives on Educational Wellness: Contemplative Reflexivity, the Humanities, Leadership Practice, and Learning. Humanities, Medicine, and Wellness. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona College of Humanities Conference.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2014, January). Revitalizing Models of Curriculum, Scholarship, and Faculty Engagement. Modern Language Association Session on “Beyond the Department Wall: A Roundtable with Past MLA Presidents on Expanding Networks in Language Study. Chicago, IL: Modern Language Association.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2013, June). Identity and Mission in a Time of Corporatization: New Models of Curriculum, Leadership, and Faculty. Association of Departments of Foreign Languages Summer Seminar. Houston, TX: ADFL/MLA.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2012, January). Educational Linguistics, (In-)Civility, and Transcultural Multilingual Communities. Modern Language Association Annual Convention. Seattle, WA: Modern Language Association.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2011, January). • From a Dean’s Perspective: Flexible Strategies for Administering Difficult Decisions and Thriving in ‘Unprecedented’ Times. Modern Language Association Annual Convention. Los Angeles, CA: Modern Language Association.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2009, December). Identity and Mission in a Time of Corporatization: A Balancing Act. Modern Language Association Annual Convention. Philadelphia, PA: ADFL session at the MLA.
  More info

  How To Thrive in Challenging Times. Reported in a Highlights article in Inside Higher Ed at http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/12/29/languages.Panel organizer and presenter
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2009, June). The Department Chair and Development: A Primer. Association of Departments of Foreign Languages Summer Seminar. Tucson, AZ: ADFL/MLA.
  More info

  The College of Humanities was the host institution for this meeting of the ADFL.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2009, November). Intercultural understanding in a hybrid second culture classroom. American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages/American Association of Teacher of German Annual Convention. Philadelphia, PA: American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages/American Association of Teacher of German.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2009, October). Engaged scholarship and campus-community collaboration: Humanities Week. Western Humanities Alliance. Davis, CA: Western Humanities Alliance.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2008, February). Creating Significant Learning Experiences: The Dynamic and Complex Classroom Experience. Faculty and instructor colloquium. Santa Cruz, CA: University of California Santa Cruz.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2008, February). Teachers‘, Learners‘, and Administrators‘ Roles in a Changing Environment. Faculty and instructor seminar. Boston, MA: Boston University College of Arts and Sciences.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2008, March). Complexity, Change, and the Foreign Language Teacher and Learner Today. Invited seminar for faculty. Denver, CO: University of Denver.
• Wildner-Bassett, M. E., & Compitello, M. (2008, June). Troubled and Troubling Faculty: What’s a Chair to Do?. Association of Departments of Foreign Languages. University of Virginia: ADFL/MLA.
  More info

  Workshop for New Chairs

Poster Presentations

• Wildner-Bassett, M. E. (2012, October). Perspectives on Contemplative Reflexivity, Paradigm Shifts, Leadership Practice, and Learning. Fourth Annual Conference, Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACMHE). Amherst, MA: Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACMHE).