World Languages and Digital Humanities Studio

The World Languages & Digital Humanities Studio (previously known as the Center for World Languages) is located in the J.B. Hunt Center for Academic Excellence building in room 207, next to Kimpel Hall. Through events and research initiatives, the WLDH Studio explores the intersection of digital technology and the humanities with special attention to the study of world languages and cultures. The WLDH Studio team is dedicated to innovative pedagogy and research along with the meaningful integration of digital media and tools in the classroom.

What We Do

The WLDH Studio hosts a robust calendar of workshops, learning modules, and events dedicated to student success and the exploration of digital technology (including VR and virtual environments) to enhance and expand research and pedagogy in World Languages and World Cultures. The DH Meet-Up occurs twice monthly to explore DH topics that range from pedagogy (such as, “Incorporating Padlet in the Classroom”) to research/theory (such as “Surveillance and Race in the Digital Age”). The VR Classroom for World Cultures and World Languages develops and implements virtual reality-centered learning modules for Spanish, German, French, Italian, and Classical Studies.

Digital Equipment

The Studio is equipped with eight computers, a color printer, three HDMI-compatible TV monitors, a podcast booth, an interactive Newline TV, and MetaQuest 2 VR headsets. Additionally, the equipment housed in J.B. Hunt 255 (JBHT 255) is accessible for use through the Studio.

Curriculum Development

The department of World Languages, Literatures & Cultures offers courses in the field of digital humanities, such as Introduction to Digital Humanities, Humanities in the Metaverse, and Game Design I & II.

Many of WLLC's courses have begun incorporating podcasting alongside access to the in-house podcast booth housed in the Studio. WLLC is actively working toward incorporating minors in both Digital Humanities  and Game Design into the current minor options offerred.

For more information, or for any questions, contact Curtis Maughan (Director, WLDH Studio, cmaughan@uark.edu) and/or Cheyenne Roy (Assistant Director, WLDH Studio, ceroy@uark.edu).

TABS

 

WLDH STUDIO TEAM

Curtis Maughan, Director

 

Curtis Maughan

Curtis Maughan is the Director of the World Languages and Digital Humanities (WLDH) Studio of the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (WLLC) at the University of Arkansas, where he oversees a robust event calendar that explores the pedagogical potential of digital technology for teaching world languages and cultures—including the “Weekly DH Meet-up” and the “VR Club for Language Learning.” Having earned a PhD in German Studies with a focus on Game Studies and Game Design, Curtis pursues research that embodies the meaningful coalescence of humanist thought and emerging digital technologies. Curtis is currently the Project Lead for an international game development initiative between the University of Manouba (Tunisia) and the Cologne Game Lab (Germany), and he serves on the WLLC Student Success Committee, which hosts the “Peer-Learning Workshop” series for world languages and cultures. Curtis Maughan’s most recent publications include: “Toward a Camera Ludica—Agency and Photography in Videogame Ecologies,” in Moving Frames: Photographs in German Cinema (Berghahn Books, 2022) and “Screen Memories: Siegfried and the Fall of the Republic in Babylon Berlin” in Babylon Berlin (Bloomsbury, 2023), co-authored with Carrie Collenberg-González (Portland State University).  Email: cmaughan@uark.edu 

 

Cheyenne Roy, Assistant Director

Cheyenne Roy

Cheyenne Roy is the Assistant Director of the World Languages & Digital Humanities (WLDH) Studio Department in the World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (WLLC) at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Ms. Roy assists with the daily operations of the Studio as well as event management, staffing, and booking the Studio. Having earned a Master of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing, Cheyenne is responsible for Studio communications, promotional and advertising endeavors for the Studio as well as the WLLC department, and written materials—including social media,  and Newswire articles. She currently serves on the WLLC Student Success Committee and the DEI Committee. Email: ceroy@uark.edu

 

Student Researchers

Michael Hall 

Digital Humanities Pedagogy Researcher

mh150@uark.edu 

Chy'Na Nellon

Digital Humanities Pedagogy Researcher

cnellon@uark.edu

Larissa Rocha de Souza

Social Media & Podcast Studio Lead

lrochade@uark.edu 

 

Yosr Mehri

Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant & Digital Humanities Pedagogy Researcher

ymehri@uark.edu

Alena Shestopalova

Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant & Digital Humanities Pedagogy Researcher

alenas@uark.edu 

Isidoro Villa Ligero

Digital Humanities Pedagogy Researcher

ivillali@uark.edu 

 

 

CONNECT WITH WLLC ON INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, AND FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES