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Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

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The Communication Arts, Languages & Literature Department focuses on effective communication across all types of media. Whether you are passionate about creative writing, public relations or theater and performance studies, the CALL Department offers a variety of creative communications programs that will prepare you to thrive personally and professionally.

Department Overview

Humanities

Master the art of communications.

The world of communications is more exciting and fast-paced than ever before. At Western, all of our programs are adapted to the current demands of the global marketplace. With dynamic programs in everything—from Creative Writing and Public Relations—to Theater & Performance Studies and Philosophy, you’ll learn how to craft and disseminate media of all types for artistic and functional expression.

Through a combination of relevant coursework and hands-on opportunities, you’ll gain a deep understanding of written, oral, visual and electronic communications through different lenses. A strong background in the field of communications, arts, languages and literature will open doors to diverse career opportunities in marketing, politics, academic, executive leadership and more.

Learning from the past

Communication, Arts, Language & Literature students analyze classic literature, while learning the skills needed to embark on their own creative journey.

Areas of Study

Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Advanced Spanish Proficiency

Certificate

Advanced Spanish Proficiency
Communication arts

Communication Arts

Major | Minor

Communication Arts
Creative Writing

Creative Writing

Minor | Emphasis

Creative Writing
Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Creative Writing

Minor

Creative Writing
English students

English

Major | Minor | Secondary Licensure

English
Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Ethics and Critical Thinking

Certificate

Ethics and Critical Thinking
NEW
Film Studies

Film Studies

Minor | Emphasis

Film Studies
Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Humanities & Diversity

Minor

Humanities & Diversity
A student writes at a desk during a philosophy lecture.

Philosophy

Minor

Philosophy
Public relations

Public Relations

Minor

Public Relations
Spanish

Spanish

Major | Minor | K-12 Licensure

Spanish
A Spanish class gathers in front of Taylor Hall for a group photo.

Spanish Language and Culture

Certificate

Spanish Language and Culture
Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Strategic Communication

Emphasis

Strategic Communication
Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Theatre

Major | Minor | Emphasis | Secondary Licensure

Theatre
Writing Certificates

Writing Certificates

Certificate

Writing Certificates

Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 1 for 2023. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

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Spotlight

Steve Coughlin

Steve Coughlin, Ph.D.

Faculty

“There’s nothing more exciting than bringing books into the world, especially books written by emerging writers.”

Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Gabriel Portis

Student

“I love the ways both my majors have rewired my way of thinking and the way I can apply them to make myself happier and more successful.”

Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Christian Saez

Alumni

“Receiving hands-on experience in the fields I was interested in and getting one-on-one training necessary to succeed opened so many doors and opportunities.”

Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Zenda Olson

Student

“At Western I’m learning what I truly want to study, how to manage my money and how to manage myself."

Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Kaitlyn McKnight

Alumni

“My professors were really invested. The best part about Western was the fact that I had people who went above and beyond for me.”

Faculty & Staff

Department Information

Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department

Department Chairperson

Jack Lucido, MFA

Professor of Communication Arts, Director of Film Studies, Chair of CALL Department

Administrative Assistant

Cindy Petito

Administrative Assistant III

Contact Information

970.943.2025

cpetito@western.edu

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 216
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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