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).


SEPTEMBER 2023 SCHEDULE

  • Thursday, September 14, 4:00-5:00 PM: World Cultures and DH Showcase
    Presented By: WLLC faculty & graduate students.
  • Thursday, September 28, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM: World Cultures and DH Futures
    Presented By: WLLC faculty & graduate students.

OCTOBER 2023 SCHEDULE

  • Thursday, October 12, 4:00-5:00 PM: AI and Society: Panel Discussion
    Presented By: Panel information TBA.
  • Thursday, October 26, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM: AI and Storytelling: Panel Discussion
    Presented By: Dr. David Fredrick (WLLC), Chy'Na Nellon (PhD, CLCS) and Joe Payne (Game Designer, ULTD) .

NOVEMBER 2023 SCHEDULE

  • Thursday, November 9, 4:00-5:00 PM: WLLC Spring Course Preview
    Presented By:  A panel of WLLC faculty.
  • Thursday, November 30, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM: AI and Teaching: Workshop
    Presented By: Dr. Curtis Maughan (WLLC) and Dr. Maggie Fernandes (English).

WLLC Fall Courses Preview Panel — Thursday, May 4, 3:30 PM-5:00 PM 
Panelists:  Dave Fredrick (Associate Professor, Classics), Rhodora Vennarucci  (Assistant Professor, Classics), Maria Comsa (Instructor, French), Curtis Maughan (Teaching Assistant Professor & Director, WLDH Studio)


APRIL 2023 SCHEDULE

  • Thursday, April 6, 3:30 PM-5:00 PM: Virtual Reality Club for Language Learning
    Presented by: Michael Hall (CLCS Ph.D candidate) and Jhonatan Carmona Tangarife (Spanish M.A. candidate)
  • Wednesday, April 12, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Putting People First: User Experience Research and the Digital Humanities (Video Link)
    Presented by: Rachel TenHaaf (Assistant Professor, Spanish)
  • Thursday, April 20, 3:30 PM-5:00 PM: Podcasting as Pedagogy (Video Link)
    Presented by: Rhodora Vennarucci (Assistant Professor, Classics), Manuel Olmedo Gobante (Assistant Professor, Spanish) & Larissa Rocha (Portuguese TA and Studio Researcher)
    • Recording Time Stamps
      Beginning-16:40: Manuel Olmedo Gobante
      16:40-41:40: Rhodora Vennarucci
      41:40-End: Larissa Rocha
  • Wednesday, April 26, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Game Development in the Age of the Metaverse
    Presented by: Joe Payne & Stephanie Essin (Professional Game Designers, ULTD), Joshua Rowell  (Product Manager, Walmart), Dave Fredrick (Associate Professor, Classics), and Curtis Maughan (Director, WLDH Studio)

MARCH 2023 SCHEDULE

  • Thursday, March 2, 3:30-5:00 PM: Digital Humanities Tools for the Language Classroom
    Presented by: Jhonatan Carmona Tangarife (Spanish MA candidate)
  • Wednesday, March 8, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Building a Digital Technology Curriculum to Bridge Education and Industry in North Africa — and Beyond
    Presented by: The University of Manouba, Tunis Team (WLDH Studio Special guests)
  • Thursday, March 30, 3:30-5:00 PM: Drop-In Hour — Try Out Virtual Reality Language Learning 
    Led by: Michael Hall (CLCS Ph.D candidate) and Jhonatan Carmona Tangarife (Spanish M.A. candidate)

FEBRUARY 2023 SCHEDULE

  • Wednesday, February 8, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Creating Community Narratives and Digital Storytelling via Padlet
    Presented by: Chy’Na Nellon (CLCS Ph.D candidate)
  • Thursday, February 16, 3:30 PM-5:00 PM: Using Padlet in the Classroom
    Presented by: Maria Comsa (Instructor, French) & Christian Rosales (French MA candidate)
  • Wednesday, February 22, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Digital Humanities & Anti-Racist Pedagogy (Video Link)
    Presented by: Megan McIntyre (Assistant Professor, English)

Book a Session with the VR Classroom for Language Learning

If you are hoping to set up a VR experience for your class, the Virtual Reality (VR) Club for Language Learning can be booked for consultation by contacting Michael Hall (mh150@uark.edu) and Isidoro Villa Ligero (ivillali@uark.edu). Please note that this is only for a consultation and not the classroom session, as the session will be determined during your consultation appointment. All classroom sessions are held in the WLDH Studio (JBHT 207).

Reserving the Podcast Booth

The podcast booth is available for booking by contacting Cheyenne Roy (ceroy@uark.edu) and Larissa Rocha (lrochade@uark.edu).

Social Media & Newswire Requests

If you are a part of the WLLC department and would like a promotional post for your course/event/activity on the WLLC social media sites, please submit the Social Media & Communications Request Form via Microsoft Forms. Please indicate on the form if you would like assistance with creating a flyer.

Meet WLLC 

If you are part of the WLLC department and would like us to post a profile of you to our social media pages, please complete the WLLC Introduction Profile form!

Submit Alumni Testimonials

If you are an alum of WLLC, we want to hear from you! Please let us know about any highlights from your time in WLLC with our Alumni Spotlight Form. Your responses will be shared on our website.

Reserving Studio Spaces

The WLDH Studio accepts booking requests for its three available spaces via Google Form here. To see the full calendar (updated daily), add the Studio's email (wldhs@uark.edu) to your Outlook. This email address is used for general Studio inquiries as well.

  • Please ensure that you submit your request ahead of time so the details can be finalized in time for your event.
  • If your event will require catering, please submit your request no less than 7 days in advance. 
  • There is a refrigerator in the Studio that can be used to store perishable items, however the refrigerator is cleaned every Friday and all perishable items will be disposed of.
  • The WLDH Studio has three spaces: the main studio space, the studio lobby (outside of the main space), and the back conference room. The conference room and lobby are both equipped with HDMI-compatible screens at this time and the main studio space is equipped with eight computers and a color printer.
  • Space is limited within the Studio; the conference room can hold approximately 30 people, whereas the main space and lobby are more flexible. Please note that we prioritize health, safety, and sanitation in the WLDH Studio per CDC guidelines.
  • Currently, the Studio does not have a designated cleaning staff. Everyone is individually responsible for cleaning up after themselves and trash disposal.
  • If you have any questions, or if you have not been contacted about your booking request within 3 business days, please contact the Studio team at wldhs@uark.edu .

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 

 

 

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