Mission Statement

Embodying the core values of a Christian liberal arts education in the Wesleyan theological tradition and focusing on the power of language and story to shape us and our world, the LJWL department and programs will provide students with knowledge, skills, and experiences to equip them to understand, interpret, analyze, evaluate, and create texts as artistic and/or linguistic expressions of diverse human experiences.  We value reading, writing, researching, speaking, and discussing as profound means of participating in the redemptive story God is telling through all of creation.

Purposes

To enable students to

• Integrate disciplinary knowledge and reflective practice to address complex questions across historical, cultural, and environmental contexts. (Integrative Learning, Quantitative Reasoning, Critical Thinking)
• Locate, evaluate, and apply information and methods-quantitative, qualitative, archival-to produce rigorous and/or fact-checked analyses, reports, or creative projects. (Information Literacy, Research Skills)
• Produce clear, accurate, and genre-appropriate creative, analytical, or journalistic works, demonstrating control of language, form, and medium in adherence to disciplinary or industry conventions. (Written Communication, Language Proficiency, Digital Literacy)
• Communicate and present work effectively to intended audiences using oral, written, and multimedia strategies adapted to purpose, context, and platform. (Oral Communication, Media Literacy)
• Practice ethical, culturally aware, and career-ready professional behaviors, including legal/ethical standards, community engagement, and planning for postgraduate study or employment. (Ethics, Cultural Competence, Career Readiness)

Tradition of Excellence

The Department of Literature, Journalism, Writing, and Languages (and Environmental Studies) invites students to enter into the “republic of letters” to become students of the basic component of human interaction: language and story. The department is committed to helping students learn how to communicate their ideas effectively. The faculty offer different approaches to the subject matter due to their different educational backgrounds and expertise. Professors of the department have produced and published award-winning work in peer-reviewed journals, magazines, websites, and newspapers. Faculty have also published books and poetry collections. They also routinely give lectures and present research in venues and conferences across the world. Department faculty have also received major national grants including several from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Fulbright Fellowship Grant, the Templeton Foundation, and the Del Amo Foundation.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from the Department of Literature, Journalism, Writing, and Languages are accepted into some of the finest graduate schools in the country. In addition to careers in law, education, journalism, publishing, law enforcement, sustainability, international relations, and public relations, graduates from our department are active in a variety of business fields, in theological study and church ministry, in work with NGOs and the National Park Service, and in overseas teaching. Internship programs with local organizations create contacts and experience for our students in whichever field they wish to pursue.

Faculty

Scott Bennett, Ph.D.
University of California, Santa Barbara

Paula Cronovich, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles

Schuyler Eastin, Ph.D.
University of California, Riverside

Breeann Kyte Kirby, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, School of Humanities, Arts, and Public Engagement
Bath Spa University

Robbie Maakestad, M.F.A.
Program Director, Master's in Writing
George Mason University, Fairfax

Katie Manning, Ph.D.
University of Louisiana, Lafayette

Jacqueline Mitchell, M.A.
University of California, Los Angeles

Dean Nelson, Ph.D.
Ohio University, Athens

Bettina Tate Pedersen, Ph.D.
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Margarita Pintado, Ph.D.
Emory University, Atlanta

Holland Prior, Ph.D.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Guimel Sibingo, M.A.
University of Missouri, Columbia

To view requirements for majors, minors, and certificates, see the Degree Program Information page.

MA in Writing

Students interested in pursuing a Master of Arts in Writing degree can find information in our Graduate Catalog.