Communication Arts, Language & Literature Department

Develop your voice and discover where it can take you. At Western Colorado University, you’ll explore the power of language to spark conversations, challenge perspectives, and bring stories to life. Our Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department in Gunnison, Colorado, connects programs in communication arts, English, creative writing, Spanish, philosophy, and ethics with opportunities to put your ideas into action.

Write the story you’ve been thinking about. Get curious about another culture. Learn how to reach an audience or make a compelling argument. Through coursework that encourages creative expression and critical thinking, you’ll deepen your interests and discover new ones.

Your work can reach beyond the classroom, too. Contribute to a student publication, step behind the microphone at KWSB Radio, or help bring a theatre production to life. Along the way, you’ll work with fellow creators, learn from faculty, and build the experience and confidence to take your next step.

Find your direction through the subjects that spark your curiosity. Western’s undergraduate programs in communication arts, English, creative writing, Spanish, and the humanities give you opportunities to sharpen your writing, explore different perspectives, and bring your ideas to life. Shape your studies through majors, minors, and emphases, or build focused skills with certificates in writing, language, and ethics.

Ready to take your interests further? Explore graduate study in Applied Ethics or Creative Writing, where you can deepen your craft or connect philosophical questions with practical action. Accelerated pathways also give eligible English students a route toward an MFA in Creative Writing or secondary teaching licensure with an MA in Education. Explore the programs below to find the path that fits your ambitions.

Build experience through projects that bring your work to an audience. Western’s publications, student organizations, and performance opportunities let you explore different ways to communicate while practicing collaboration and revision.

Through Pathfinder Magazine, students contribute writing and work with a team bringing a publication to life. The magazine connects writers and designers through editorial planning, feedback, and production. Explore opportunities to share poetry, fiction, essays, and other creative work.

You can also discover Western Press Books, Western’s faculty-staffed press, which publishes books in partnership with University Press of Colorado. Its publications offer another connection to the literary and publishing community.

Explore broadcasting with KWSB Radio, reporting with Top O’ The World, and film and video projects through Taylor Media and Mountaineer Media. Theatre opportunities offer another way to work with stories and audiences. Visit CALL Clubs & Organizations to explore these experiences and find a starting point.

Share your work and meet other writers through WordHorde, Western’s creative writing club. Open mic nights and literary activities give students opportunities to practice presenting their work and learn from one another. Participation and available projects vary by organization and academic term.

At Western, you’ll have opportunities to develop your ideas with faculty and fellow students, then share your work through publications, performances, and student media. Explore different interests, find people who challenge your thinking, and build confidence in what you have to say.

Consider how an English major, Spanish minor, or ethics certificate might contribute to your goals. Studying across these fields can help you approach a question from different perspectives and explain your thinking more clearly. Work with an advisor to plan a combination that meets your degree requirements.

Meet faculty whose work spans literature, language, philosophy, creative writing, and media. Explore the faculty profiles below to learn about their teaching, research, publications, and creative projects.

A writing sample, publication contribution, broadcast, or collaborative production can show how you put your skills into practice. Use your coursework and creative experiences to develop examples of your work for future applications, portfolios, and professional conversations.

Writing, interpretation, and clear communication matter in many fields. Western’s programs help students develop these abilities while exploring how they apply to creative work, organizations, and communities.

Depending on your program, experience, and interests, you may explore work in:

• Marketing, public relations, and organizational communications
• Writing, editing, publishing, and content development
• Journalism, broadcasting, and media production
• Education and teaching through an appropriate licensure pathway
• Nonprofit communications, community outreach, and public service

You may also continue into graduate study in writing, education, ethics, or related fields. Career options depend on your preparation and experience; some roles require additional education, licensure, or specialized training.