Department of Literature, Journalism & Modern Languages

"Language is the dress of thought." -Samuel Johnson

Language dictates how we define our past, articulate our present, and innovate for our future. In the Department of Literature, Journalism & Modern Languages (LJML), you will discover contemporary ways of progressing individually and communally with language, thus shaping the world around you.

In the LJML department, we strive for balanced and organic interaction between professor and student, reading and writing, text and reader, and heritage and today. Diverse subject interaction shapes students with genuine enjoyment for the written word as well as innovative articulation in its analysis and composition.

Study broadcast journalism, journalism, literature, romance languages, Spanish, or writing with minors in various genres of literature, foreign languages, public relations, or writing. [See all programs]

Writer's Symposium

Every spring, we invite well-known writers and poets to our campus for our Writer’s Symposium by the Sea. Learn about contemporary literature as one of our journalism professors, Dr. Dean Nelson, leads discussions with writers including Kathleen Norris, Ray Bradbury, Amy Tan, Michael Eric Dyson, Gay Talese, Anne Lamott, Philip Yancey, and Donald Miller.

Study Abroad

For a global perspective on literature and languages, study abroad! Study British and Irish writers in London on our semester-long London Term, travel throughout the Ireland and the UK with our summer program, or check with the Study Abroad Office for more opportunities.

Campus Publications

Hone and display your writing skills in our campus publications. Contribute to or be an editor for our annual student fine arts journal, Driftwood; our yearbook, Mariner; and our campus newspaper, The Point Weekly.

Assessment

PLNU is committed to continuous and transparent alignment of our curriculum with the highest national standards. Learn about assessment.