Modern Language, Literature, and Communication Division

The Division of Modern Language, Literature, and Communication equips Christ-centered communicators, grounded in theory, scholarship and professional skills, who give voice to stories that impact culture. Our desire is to cultivate the study of language in all its varied forms as active participants in the reconciliation of all creation to God. The faculty members in the division are committed to developing Christian scholars who explore all facets of the spoken and written word. The Division of Modern Language, Literature, and Communication is devoted to the incarnation of God’s truth through language, literature, and culture.

The following majors are offered in the division: English, English Education, Applied Spanish and Hispanic Studies, Spanish Education, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), TESOL Education and Writing, Human Communication Studies, Multimedia Communication, Strategic Communication. The division also offers minors in: English, Writing, TESOL, Spanish, and World Languages (Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese), Human Communication, Strategic Communication, Multimedia Communication, and Journalism.

Each major and minor provides students with a strong foundation in theory and practice; knowledge and skills in utilizing contemporary images, methods and media; opportunities to apply knowledge and skills in hands-on, professional settings; and an understanding of how their storytelling can impact contemporary culture – all within a Christian worldview.  Students prepare both theoretically and practically for a personal and professional life that recognizes language, literature, and communication as among God's great gifts.

Modern Language, Literature, and Communication Organizations and Opportunities

The Division of Modern Language, Literature, and Communication provides a variety of opportunities and organizations to supplement its academic offerings:

1.   Amplify Media: In conjunction with our Multimedia Communication major, we have a combined student media organization. This organization consists of:

a.   IWU Video: Students work with staff professionals on local news magazine shows, live athletic events, community telethons, and IWU cultural and worship events as well as produce video for clients and all student media.  

b.   The Sojourn: Students experience the satisfaction of applying their knowledge and skills, working as a team, and collecting published work by writing for The Sojourn, IWU's award-winning campus newspaper, in print and online. The student-managed Sojourn awards stipends for all editors, business and distribution managers, and photography staff.

c.   WIWU-FM: Student managers operate an FCC licensed radio station with the assistance of a faculty advisor. Students serve as on-air announcers as required in various radio courses. WIWU-FM (94.3, The Fortress) broadcasts to all of Marion and Grant County with contemporary Christian music and local programming.

d.   GrantCOnnected.net is a digital news site focused on Grant County news and information. Student journalists report on stories of interest to the broader community and present their work through online platforms and in multimedia forms including photos, audio, and video.

e.   Students involved in student media will have opportunity to participate in national student media organizations such as Indiana Collegiate Press Association and Associated College Press. The Sojourn earns numerous awards from both annually. We are also involved in College Broadcasters, Inc, Broadcast Education Association, and Indiana Broadcasters Association.

2. PRSSA: The fully accredited IWU Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America allows students to gain valuable out-of-classroom experience and knowledge in public relations and to develop relationships with working professionals and students in chapters across the country.

3. Caesura: Each spring student editors publish the Caesura literary magazine, featuring a variety of prose, poetry, creative nonfiction, and visual art pieces submitted by students.  Students from all disciplines are encouraged to submit work. 

4.   The Ink Well Writing Center: The Ink Well, the university writing center, seeks to assist students from both IWU Marion and IWU National and Global with every stage of the writing process through appointments with trained student writing consultants. It provides employment and experience in peer consultancy to many students both within and outside of our division.

5.   Sigma Tau Delta: Second-semester sophomores and above who maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher are eligible to join Sigma Tau Delta, an International English Honor Society.  This is a great place to network with other majors, serve the community, and be a part of a nationally-recognized organization.

6.   Sigma Delta Pi: Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society (La Sociedad Nacional Honoraria Hispanica), is the only honor society devoted exclusively to students of Spanish in four-year colleges and universities.  Sigma Delta Pi offers a scholarship program for its active members with annual undergraduate awards for summer study in Spain, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 

CCCU BestSemester Program Options

Students who wish to attend a CCCU BestSemester Program must visit the Global Studies Office and their academic advisor very early in the process of their considerations. Students approved to attend must be in good standing with Student Development, may not be on disciplinary probation, must have at least a 2.75 GPA, and must have earned a minimum of 30 credits at IWU.

American Studies Program

Communication students interested in public policy issues, advocacy, government or politics may participate in this interdisciplinary internship/seminar program based in Washington, D.C. Students develop an appreciation for how biblical faith relates to thinking critically about public policy and marketplace issues. They also experience responsible Christ-centered service in their personal and public vocations, whatever their career paths or walks of life.

Los Angeles Film Studies Center

This program, based in Hollywood, California, involves a study of the film industry from a Christian perspective and provides students with hands-on experience and internships in the entertainment business. The program is an intensive one-semester immersion into film studies during which the student may earn 16 credit hours.

Contemporary Music Center