Modern Language Association

Modern Language Association
Name	Modern Language Association
Founded	0 1883
Headquarters	New York City
Key people	Paula Krebs (Executive Director)
Focus	Language, literature, scholarship
Website	www.mla.org

Modern Language Association. The Modern Language Association is a leading professional organization in the United States dedicated to the study and teaching of language and literature. Founded in the late nineteenth century, it supports thousands of scholars and teachers through its publications, conferences, and advocacy work. Its widely adopted style guide is a standard for academic writing in the humanities worldwide.

History and founding

The organization was established in 1883, a period marked by the professionalization of academic disciplines and the growth of research universities in the United States. Early meetings were attended by prominent figures like James Russell Lowell and A. Marshall Elliott, who sought to advance the scholarly study of modern languages beyond the classical focus on Greek and Latin. Its formation paralleled the development of other learned societies such as the American Historical Association and the American Philosophical Society. The early decades saw debates over the inclusion of English literature alongside other modern European languages, solidifying its role in shaping the modern humanities curriculum.

Organization and governance

Governance is vested in an elected Executive Council and a Delegate Assembly, with day-to-day operations managed by an executive director based in its New York City headquarters. The current executive director is Paula Krebs. Members elect a president annually; recent presidents have included scholars like Judith Butler and Anne Ruggles Gere. The association comprises numerous divisions and discussion groups focused on specific fields, from Medieval studies to Digital humanities. It maintains close ties with allied organizations such as the Association of Departments of English and the American Council of Learned Societies.

Publications and style guide

Its publishing program is extensive, featuring flagship journals like PMLA and the MLA International Bibliography, a critical research tool. The MLA Handbook, first published in 1977, provides authoritative guidelines for citing sources and formatting manuscripts, becoming indispensable in academic publishing. Other notable publications include the Approaches to Teaching World Literature series and the MLA Commons digital platform. These resources are used globally by institutions from Harvard University to the University of Tokyo.

Annual convention

The annual convention, held each January, is one of the largest gatherings of humanities scholars, attracting thousands of attendees to cities like Chicago, New York City, and Seattle. It features hundreds of sessions, panels, and lectures on topics ranging from Renaissance poetry to postcolonial theory. The event includes a large book exhibition with major publishers like Penguin Random House and University of Chicago Press. Special events have featured addresses by notable figures such as Toni Morrison and Edward Said.

Advocacy and professional activities

The organization actively advocates for the humanities, issuing statements on academic freedom, labor conditions for adjunct faculty, and public funding for education. It administers grant programs, awards like the James Russell Lowell Prize, and supports initiatives such as the Connected Academics project. It frequently collaborates with entities like the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Association of University Professors on policy matters. Its efforts also focus on promoting linguistic diversity and supporting teachers at institutions from community colleges to Ivy League universities.

Criticism and controversies

The association has faced criticism from various quarters, including conservative commentators like William Bennett and publications such as The New Criterion, who have accused it of promoting political agendas over literary scholarship. Internal debates have occurred over the ideological direction of the convention and publications, often centering on theories like deconstruction and critical race theory. More recent controversies involve discussions around academic boycotts and responses to geopolitical events. These debates reflect broader tensions within the American academy regarding the role of scholarship in public life.

Category:Learned societies of the United States Category:Organizations based in New York City Category:Academic publishing