Mary E Wildner-Bassett
- Volunteer
- (520) 909-3968
- Transitional Office Building, Rm. 216
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- wildnerb@arizona.edu
Biography
MARY WILDNER-BASSETT earned her M.A. (with distinction) at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and her Ph.D. (Dr. Phil.) in 1983 at the Ruhr-University of Bochum in the Federal Republic of Germany. She joined the faculty of the University of Arizona in 1986 after teaching for two years in the Zentrales Fremdspracheninstitut at the University of Hamburg. Her publications include Improving Pragmatic Aspects of Learners' Interlanguage (Tübingen, 1984), Zielpunkt Deutsch (N.Y., 1992) and many contributions to anthologies and journals on foreign language pedagogy and second language acquisition, applied linguistics, and computer- mediated second language communication. She is a Professor of German Studies and Second Language Acquisition and Teaching. She served as Head of the Department of German from 2004-2008, and as the Dean of the College of Humanities from 2008-2016. She teaches professional development, pedagogy, applied linguistics and L2 acquisition theory, and theories and practice of academic leadership on the graduate level; on the undergraduate level, she teaches German Studies language and culture courses and a new Health Humanities course. Her current research covers the areas of her teaching and explores the possibilities of experiential and contemplative learning contexts for language, culture and leadership.
Degrees
- Ph.D. (Dr. Phil.) Major: Research in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (Sprachlehr- und -lernforschung) Minors: German Philology and Literature (Germnanistik) English Philology and Literature (Anglistik)
- Ruhr Universität Bochum, Bochum, W. Germany, Germany, Germany
- Improving Pragmatic Aspects of Adult Learners’ Interlanguage
- M.A. German Philology
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- B.A. English and German, Teaching Certification
- Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, United States
Work Experience
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2008 - 2016)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2005 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2004 - 2008)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (1997 - 2001)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (1993 - 2005)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (1986 - 1997)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (1986 - 1993)
- University of Hamburg, Germany Fremdsprachen Institut (1983 - 1986)
Awards
- University Faculty Mentoring Award
- University of Arizona, Spring 2018
Interests
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.
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.
Courses
2021-22 Courses
-
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Spring 2022) -
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Fall 2021)
2020-21 Courses
-
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Spring 2021) -
Intensv Rdng Ger/Sci+Hum
GER 500 (Spring 2021) -
Senior Capstone
PAH 498 (Spring 2021) -
Advanced German Usage
GER 475 (Fall 2020) -
Advanced German Usage
GER 575 (Fall 2020) -
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Fall 2020) -
Senior Capstone
PAH 498 (Fall 2020)
2019-20 Courses
-
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Spring 2020) -
Health Humanities
PAH 350 (Spring 2020) -
Independent Study
GER 599 (Spring 2020) -
Independent Study
PAH 499 (Spring 2020) -
Intensv Rdng Ger/Sci+Hum
GER 500 (Spring 2020) -
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Fall 2019) -
Health Humanities
PAH 350 (Fall 2019) -
Present German Strt+Use
GER 310 (Fall 2019)
2018-19 Courses
-
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Spring 2019) -
Health Humanities
PAH 350 (Spring 2019) -
Intensv Rdng Ger/Sci+Hum
GER 500 (Spring 2019) -
Leadership for Program Admin.
PAH 570 (Spring 2019) -
Leadership for Program Admin.
SLAT 570 (Spring 2019) -
Advanced German Usage
GER 475 (Fall 2018) -
Advanced German Usage
GER 575 (Fall 2018) -
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Fall 2018) -
Independent Study
PAH 599 (Fall 2018)
2017-18 Courses
-
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Spring 2018) -
Independent Study
SLAT 799 (Spring 2018) -
Intensv Rdng Ger/Sci+Hum
GER 500 (Spring 2018) -
Leadership for Program Admin.
PAH 570 (Spring 2018) -
Leadership for Program Admin.
SLAT 570 (Spring 2018) -
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Fall 2017) -
Encounters In Lang+Cultr
GER 300 (Fall 2017) -
Health Humanities
PAH 350 (Fall 2017)
2016-17 Courses
-
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Spring 2017) -
Intensv Rdng Ger/Sci+Hum
GER 500 (Spring 2017) -
Leadership for Program Admin.
HUMS 570 (Spring 2017) -
Leadership for Program Admin.
SLAT 570 (Spring 2017) -
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Fall 2016)
2015-16 Courses
-
Dissertation
SLAT 920 (Spring 2016)
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/M6NW4HMore infoSelected 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 infoI 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 infoTwo-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 infoHow 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 infoThe 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 infoWorkshop 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).