Language, Literature, and Writing Department
Chairperson: Robin Gallaher
Faculty: Daniel Biegelson, Kori Binette, Ashley Davis Black, Richard Black, Stancy Bond, Wayne Chandler, Eric Dickey, John Gallaher, Tom Hardee, Joseph Haughey, Heather Hill, Michael Hobbs, C J (Catherine) Holthaus, Trevor Meyer, Ildiko Olasz, José Palacios Perez, Luke Rolfes, Jenny Rytting, Richard Sonnenmoser, Kenton Wilcox
Statement of Mission
Programs in the Department of Language, Literature, and Writing prepare students for meaningful lives as professionals in a global economy that demands innovative thinking, clear and effective writing, and cultural literacy. Our students and faculty form a close community of scholars who support each others' work, and who grow together in a rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Students emerge from LLW programs able to express themselves creatively and professionally, and to engage with ideas critically and practically.
Degree Programs
The Department of Language, Literature, and Writing offers seven majors, three undergraduate degree programs and five minors.
The 33-hour Bachelor of Arts in English provides a course balance of advanced writing and literature that is excellent preparation for the study of law, business and medicine; for careers in teaching, publishing, writing, advertising and journalism; and for management and other positions requiring interpretive, diagnostic and analytic problem-solving abilities.
The 36-hour Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing provides traditional curriculum of literary study supplemented by foundational coursework in the practice and theory of creative writing.
The 36-hour Bachelor of Science in Writing provides extensive writing practice in a variety of modes and genres. Students will practice writing across the writing studies spectrum, from workplace-oriented writing to literary-creative writing, from professional reports to poems. This degree may lead to graduate or professional study, especially in law and business and in graduate programs that value extensive background in writing. Other students may pursue professional careers editing, writing, translation, publishing, and communications.
The 30-hour Bachelor of Arts in Writing provides extensive writing practice in a variety of modes and genres. Students will practice writing across the writing studies spectrum, from workplace-oriented writing to literary-creative writing, from professional reports to poems. This liberal arts degree in writing may lead to graduate or professional study, especially in law and business and in graduate programs that value an extensive background in writing. Other students may pursue professional careers in editing, writing, translation, publishing, and communications.
The 36-hour Bachelor of Science in Writing with an Emphasis in Professional Writing provides extensive writing practice in a variety of modes and genres, with more extensive study of writing as manifest in different professional contexts. Students will practice writing across the writing studies spectrum, from workplace-oriented writing to literary-creative writing, from professional reports to poems. This degree in writing may lead to graduate or professional study, especially in law and business and in graduate programs that value an extensive background in writing. The emphasis in professional writing has been designed for students interested in coursework and professional careers in technical writing, publishing, communications, and business management.
The 33-hour Bachelor of Arts in Writing with an emphasis in Creative Writing and Publishing provides extensive writing practice in a variety of modes and genres. Students will practice writing across the writing studies spectrum, from workplace-oriented writing to literary-creative writing, from professional reports to poems. This liberal arts degree in writing may lead to graduate or professional study, especially in law and business and in graduate programs that value an extensive background in writing. The emphasis in creative writing and publishing has been designed for students interested in coursework and professional careers in editing, writing, translation, publishing, and communications.
The 39-hour Bachelor of Science in Education in English and the 57-hour Comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Education in English both provide extensive writing experience, familiarity with the full chronological range of American and British literature, knowledge of traditional and modern grammars, rhetorical theory and history of the English language. Either major, when completed with the requirements of the B.S.Ed. Secondary Program, meets Missouri secondary school English teaching certification standards.
The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are available in Spanish. These require 34 hours of study in the discipline. A minor or collateral coursework is required for these majors.
The 34-hour Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Spanish provides preparation for the teaching of the language, and must be completed under the requirements for the B.S.Ed. degree, Elementary/Secondary Program, which meets the Missouri teacher certification standards for the teaching of the target language in grades K-12. A strong literature preparation is encouraged in order for success on the state examination.
The 24-hour Minor in Writing complements any major whose study is enhanced by improved written expression. The minor includes Mass Media electives and a range of advanced-study opportunities in creative writing, technical writing, popular media and language.
The 24-hour Minor in English enhances students’ analytic and communicative skills and prepares them for those career fields named above.
The 30-hour Minor in English is an attractive choice for students majoring in another teaching area such as foreign languages, social science, speech, art, or music. This minor offers a balance of writing and literature courses similar to the Bachelor of Arts in English and, when completed with the requirements of the B.S.Ed. degree, Secondary Program, meets Missouri secondary school English teaching certification standards.
The 12-hour Professional Writing Certificate prepares students for the writing they will do in their careers. It offers focused study and practice in the clear and effective written communication that employers demand. It helps students develop essential skills in critical thinking, in audience and subject analysis, and in clear and persuasive presentation of information. It engages students in modes, genres, and approaches of workplace writing. This certificate is a complement to any program, and will benefit students who plan to enter fields where employers will expect them to communicate effectively through writing, including business, public relations, computer sciences, and health sciences.
A minor in Spanish is required to complete 24 hours of study in Languages and to follow a prescribed series of courses. The minor taken under either the B.S.Ed. degree, Elementary/Secondary or Elementary Programs meets Missouri teacher certification degree requirements for a K-9 Spanish endorsement.
An Individualized Language minor (27 hours) allows students to study any language (other than English) through an immersion program outside of the United States. The program of study must be approved by the Department of Language, Literature, and Writing and the Study Abroad Office in advance.
The 12-hour Spanish Certificate Program is designed to offer a certificate to those students who complete a total of 12 hours of coursework in Spanish. The completion of this certificate will recognize an Intermediate High/Advanced Low proficiency in Spanish language as well as oral and written communication skills.
Test-Out Policy
Students may challenge their placement in ENGL 10110 Introduction to College Writing by passing a writing test. Students should contact the department for additional details. Credit may be granted for AP or IB exams. See Credit for External Examinations and International Baccalaureate Credit for the specific policy.
Test-out is also available for LANG 14131, LANG 14132, LANG 14141, or LANG 14142. Students should consult with the Languages faculty regarding appropriate test-out level. See the department secretary for further details. Languages credit may be granted for AP, CLEP or IB exams. See Credit for External Examinations, CLEP Subject Examinations, and International Baccalaureate Credit.
Language Requirement
Students should follow the course sequences and listed prerequisites for language courses. Permission to take a course out of sequence to satisfy the “B.A. Specific Requirement” must be approved in advance by petition to the chair of the department. Contact the department for a petition form.
The nine hours of Modern Language required to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree may also be used to satisfy the total required hours for a major or minor in languages. LANG 14141 and LANG 14142 are prerequisite courses; these may be counted toward the Spanish B.A. major, but not for the Spanish B.S., Spanish B.S.Ed., or Spanish minor.
Language courses meeting the Humanities requirement in The Northwest Core may also be counted toward the B.A. degree Language Requirement.
Portfolio Requirement
Successful completion of all non-English modern language degrees requires the presentation of an academic and professional portfolio during the student’s senior year. Immediately upon declaring a major, the student must request a portfolio packet from his/her advisor.
Language Majors
In order to qualify for advanced standing in language, students must (1) not be on academic probation or suspension and (2) have completed six hours of 200-level courses or the equivalent in a language.