Modern Language Association

"AI has made the liberal arts more important than ever. In this changing economy, the jobs that will survive will be those that require the most human of skills. Ironically, the most technical and pragmatic professions are the easiest to replace with technology. We teach those human skills in the liberal arts, especially the critical thinking necessary to question an algorithm. Through literature and art, we teach empathy and emotional intelligence necessary for leadership and teamwork. And we help students build the moral compass to navigate a new world." #humanities #liberalarts #highered #careeradvice https://lnkd.in/et7bzUNy

"Those who study humanities develop skills that employers eagerly seek, like critical thinking, close reading, communication, teamwork, collaboration, and social responsibility. Humanities graduates develop the resiliency and flexibility needed to adapt to challenging and changing job markets. People often change career fields multiple times over their lifetimes. The skills mentioned above are transferable and provide 'career agility' in uncertain job markets. Your college degree is not designed to train you for just your first job, but to also make you ready for a rich and fulfilling career." #humanities #liberalarts #highered

"[A] broadly focused education helps prepare students for a future that is maddingly hard to predict. A liberal-arts education 'is teaching you not a set of specific competencies in some specific thing, but rather giving you a set of tools to teach you how to think about the next problem over the horizon,' says David Deming. . ." #humanities #liberalarts #highered #careeradvice

Don't miss out on the 2 April early bird deadline for registering for the ADE-ALD Summer Seminar in San José (28–30 May) or the virtual MAPS Leadership Institute (22–25 June). Department chairs, directors of undergraduate and graduate studies, program leaders, and those preparing for leadership roles: join us to learn how to advocate for the humanities at your institution and beyond, develop strategies for curricular development and institutional change, and create a lasting network of support. You’ll also gain insights on the critical topics facing the field today, from ethically navigating AI to career preparation to academic freedom. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e3-D3i25

This month’s #MLAMemberSpotlight features Meghan McInnis-Dominguez, a twelve-year member of the MLA who is part of the MLA Task Force on World Languages and AI and a speaker at our upcoming webinar, AI in the Spanish Higher Ed Classroom. Learn more about Meghan’s time on the task force and why the Innovation Room is one of her favorite parts of the annual convention: “I’ve been a member of the MLA for twelve years, and one of the things I appreciate most about it is the space it creates for conversations that help us think through real changes in our field. At the last convention, I presented two papers on AI that grew out of my work on the MLA Task Force on World Languages and AI. One focused on reframing competencies in world language education in the age of generative AI, and the other explored how to use AI thoughtfully in the Hispanic literature classroom. What surprised me was not just the level of interest, but the seriousness and care with which colleagues engaged these questions. It reminded me that, even in a moment of rapid technological change, there is a real appetite for conversations grounded in pedagogy, ethics, and the values of our disciplines.” Recommended resource: “Because my work sits at the intersection of Hispanic literature, world language pedagogy, and AI, the MLA has been an especially meaningful intellectual community for me. The conversations I’ve had through the task force and at the convention have pushed my thinking in important ways and helped me approach AI in ways that are pedagogically serious, ethically grounded, and still attentive to the core values of our disciplines. That is also why the Innovation Room has meant so much to me. When I first presented there, on my use of AI in the Hispanic literature classroom, I got such encouraging feedback. What I love about the Innovation Room is that it gives people a chance to share concrete work, including new courses, programs, collaborations, and resources, and to have real conversations about experiential learning, public humanities, and AI literacy. It’s exciting to see what others are doing in that space, and I always leave feeling inspired by the creativity and generosity of the work being shared.” https://lnkd.in/ePXiauqe

Drafted by the MLA Task Force on AI in Research and Teaching, the MLA Statement on AI and Assessment "asserts that centering communication as a human act is at the core of our work as educators" and "strongly opposes the use of generative AI technology as a primary means of assessing student writing." Read the full statement at https://lnkd.in/eVrkd6yk

Update in our lawsuit over the dismantling of the NEH: The MLA, American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), and American Historical Association welcome the court's ruling yesterday allowing video footage of depositions to be published online again. "This ruling makes clear the public’s stake in understanding the processes that resulted in the near-destruction of the NEH," said Paula Krebs. https://lnkd.in/eZD7jAvT

“'Metacognitive skills will be very important—flexibility, adaptability, experimentation, thinking critically, being able to challenge things. Developing critical-thinking skills requires friction, doing things that are hard, doing deep thinking,' Teevan told The Wall Street Journal. 'For that, a traditional liberal-arts education is really important.'” #humanities #liberalarts #highered #careeradvice

"Humanities — the world is finally asking the questions only you can answer. Encourage society to turn to you when seeking purpose and meaning. Remind us of our worth and value in a world that seems to convince us that we are replaceable. Ironically, as AI gets stronger, so too will you." #humanities #liberalarts #highered #careeradvice

Paula Krebs, the executive director of the MLA since summer 2017, has informed the Executive Council that she plans to step down in 2027 after ten years with the organization. The Executive Council will begin the search for Krebs’s successor in the coming weeks. Krebs has led the MLA through a period of significant evolution, guiding the association as it strategized to respond to the impact of new technologies, the COVID-19 pandemic, and legislative challenges to higher education. Throughout her tenure, Krebs has prioritized advocating for the humanities and developing new resources and programs to meet the needs of teachers, students, and researchers. Read more at https://lnkd.in/e_SWitbD