Humanities Program Director, Professor of English and Humanities
Dr. Steve Baarendse grew up as a “Third Culture Kid” in Vienna, Austria. He studied English and Art at Taylor University (BA, 1990) and Comparative Literature and Art History at Indiana University, Bloomington (MA, 1996). He completed his PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of South Carolina (2017), writing his dissertation on the influence of French thinkers on Flannery O’Connor. Since joining CIU’s College of Arts and Sciences faculty in 2001, Dr. Baarendse has directed the Humanities program, led a variety of study tours in Europe, and taught courses in English literature, art history, and the humanities.
As a teacher, Dr. Baarendse is passionate about introducing his CIU students to the great books and ideas of “the great conversation” that have shaped cultural history, so that they would develop a taste for good things, be equipped to grow into maturity in Christ (Col. 1:28-29), and hone their skills of critical thinking, reading, and writing that will prepare them to succeed in a variety of vocations after graduation. When he is not reading or teaching, he enjoys traveling, hiking, following Manchester United (soccer), and spending time with his family. Dr. Steve Baarendse and his wife Sara have four children: Abigail, Jacob, David, and Esther. He serves as an elder in the PCA.
Education
- Ph. D. Comparative Literature, University of South Carolina (2017)
- M.A. Comparative Literature and Art History, Indiana University (1996)
- B.A. English and Art, Taylor University (1990)