Institute of Languages and Cultural Studies (INSLACS)
Brief Background
The Established Mandate of the Institute of Languages and Cultural Studies (INSLACS)
The Institute of Languages and Cultural Studies (INSLACS) was established in the academic year 2005–2006 and has a dual mandate:
1. Engage in the traditional university functions (teaching, research, and outreach/community service);
2. Respond as a professional teaching entity to emerging issues regarding the developmental needs and other matters of Sierra Leone and communities thereof.
Since its establishment, the Institute has had the authority to introduce and conduct additional programmes in relevant areas that the nomenclature of the Institute suitably fits within the confines of the University’s missions.
Component Units of the Institute
Two units make up INSLACS:
1. The Languages Unit, which includes the fields of Linguistics, French, and Indigenous Languages; and
2. The Cultural Studies Unit, which includes the fields of Literature, Performing Arts, Creative/Practical Arts, and Development Communication and Media Studies.
The Ongoing Training Programmes at INSLACS
INSLACS currently provides training opportunities as follows:
1. Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.A.Ed.) and Bachelor of Arts Honours (B.A. Honours) in Linguistics, Literature, French and English Language.
2. Master of Arts: (i) M.A. Ed. (Literature) (ii) M.A. Descriptive and Applied Linguistics (iii) M.A. English Language (iv) M.A. in other disciplines of INSLACS depending upon the availability of qualified staff.
3. MPhil and PhD in the disciplines of the Institute, subject to the availability of supervisors.
Course Requirements at the Institute
1) Certificate Programmes
Certificate in Development Communication and (Journalism) Media Studies Programmes:
Candidates must have Two (2) credits at G.C.E. “O” Level/WASSCE and work in the media industry.
Diploma in Development Communication and (Journalism) Media Studies
Candidates must have
EITHER
Four credits at G.C.E. “O” Level or WASSCE in any subjects including English Language.
OR
Three credits at G.C.E. “O” Level or WASSCE in any subjects, including English Language, with three (3) years working experience in Journalism, communications or media-related career.
2) Undergraduate Programmes
B. A. [Education: Linguistics or Literature major] (Duration 4 years)
Candidates must have 5 credits at G.C.E. “O” Level/WASSCE including English Language and Literature in English.
B. A. Education (French/Linguistics)
Candidates must have 5 credits at G.C.E. ‘O’ Level/WASSCE including English Language and French.
B.A. in Development Communication and Media Studies
Candidates must hold a Diploma in Development Communication and (Journalism) Media Studies and a minimum of four credits, including the English Language at WASSCE, to be considered for admission.
Candidates with a Grade Point Average of 3.6 and above and a Diploma in Development Communication and (Journalism) Media Studies with at least four credits—including the English Language at WASSCE—will be admitted to the degree programme in the second year; candidates with a Grade Point Average of 3.00 to 3.59 will be admitted to the first year.
Candidates must begin in the first year after earning 5 credits, including the English Language, at WASSCE (without the Diploma in Development Communication (Journalism) and Media Studies).
3) Postgraduate programmes
M. A. in Descriptive and Applied Linguistics
4.iii.i.i. Candidates must have a good B.A. degree in a related field from a recognised University and must have credits or better in English Language and Literature in English at G.C.E. “O” Level/WASSCE.
M.A. Education Literature
Candidates must have a good B.A. degree in a related field from a recognised University and must have credits or better in English Language and Literature in English at G.C.E. “O” Level/WASSCE.
M.Phil.: For admission into the M.Phil. Programme, a good master’s degree in a related discipline from a recognised University is required.
PhD: For admission into PhD Programme, candidates must have a research master’s degree in a related discipline from a recognised University.
Honours Programmes:
All students are admitted for general degrees in the first instance. Only students with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.6. and above at the end of the Second Year will be invited to the Honours Programme.
This, however, is not presently automatic. The Institute, through a committee, will have to decide and approve.
Partnerships
The Institute has collaborated with many GOs and NGOs to train teachers in literacy pedagogy. These include working with UNICEF, IRC, British Council, TSC and the Music/Agricultural Technology departments at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in carrying out the following training: ‘Aw for mek ol wi pikin dem lan’ Training on Inclusive Education and Gender Responsive Pedagogy for Principals, Headteachers and Teachers, Teaching the English Language for Effective Policing to the Sierra Leone Police and Radio Teaching Literacy Programme to lower primary school teachers and the exploration of the values of indigeneity to Music, Literature and Technology respectively. The Institute through the School of Education has assisted in terms of supervision and related matters to affiliate teacher training colleges and institutions
| NO | NAME | Qualification | RANK/STATUS | UNIT |
| 1 | Dr. Philip Yamba Thulla | HTC(P), B.A (Edu.), M.A(Edu.), PhD. | Senior Lecturer & Director (INSLACS) | Cultural Studies/Literature |
| 2 | Dr. Saidu Challay | B.A(Edu.), M.A, PhD | Senior Lecturer | Languages/Linguistics |
| 3 | Dr. Samuel M.B. Senesie | B.A (Edu.), M.A, PhD | Senior Lecturer on extension | Literature/Cultural Studies |
| 4 | Mr. Abu Bakarr Sheriff | B.A(Edu.), M.A | Lecturer I | Languages/Linguistics |
| 5 | Mr. Josephus Libbie | B.A(Edu.), M.A | Lecturer I | Languages/Linguistics |
| 6 | Mr. Claude Dimoh | B.A, MPhil. | Lecturer I | Languages/Linguistics |
| 7 | Mr. David Bull | B.A(Edu.), M.A(Edu.) | Lecturer I | Cultural Studies/Literature |
| 8 | Mr. Aiah Frank Mbayo | B.A(Edu.), M.A(Edu.) | Lecturer I | Cultural Studies/Literature |
| 9 | Mrs. Harriet Jones | B.A(Edu.), M.A(Edu.) | Lecturer II | Languages/Linguistics |
| 10 | Mr. Aiah James Sandy | B.A(Edu.), M.A | Lecturer II | Languages/Linguistics |
| 11 | Ms. Madiana Mensa-Gborie | B.A(Edu.), M.A | Lecturer II | Languages/Linguistics |
| 12 | Mr. Brima K. Tarawally | H TC, B A, M A in Fr Eng,. MPA | Lecturer II | Cultural Studies/Practical Arts |
| 13 | Mr. Albert A. Trye | HTC, B.Ed., Cert in Music, ABRSM, M.Ed | Lecturer II | Cultural Studies/Practical Arts |
| 14 | Mr. Albert Combey | B.A, M.Ed | Lecturer II | Cultural Studies/Practical Arts |
| 15 | Christopher Moinina Lissa | B.A, Pg. Dip.Ed., M.A | Lecturer II | Languages/French |