Student-faculty duo research faith, justice, and the myth of Don Juan

When Amelie Hansen ’26 stepped into the streets of Seville, Spain, during Bethel’s Segovia study abroad program last fall, she had no idea she was walking into the heart of her future research. The Spanish and business: marketing double major found herself reading the 1630 Spanish play El Burlador de Sevilla in the very city where the fictional Don Juan is said to have carried out his famous exploits.

“Experiencing the religious, social, and moral atmosphere of early modern Spain brought a new dimension of depth to her understanding of the text,” says Graciela Perez, languages and cultures department chair. “It immersed her in the cultural landscape that shaped Don Juan himself.”

That immersive experience—cobblestone streets, centuries-old churches, the echoes of a Catholic worldview—became the spark for what would become an Edgren Scholar research project, a collaborative partnership for Perez and Hansen that grew into mentorship and friendship. 

The research

The character Don Juan is the archetypal seducer—a charming rebel who breaks promises, defies God, and must finally reckon with justice. Hansen and Perez examined this well-known myth through a comparative and interdisciplinary lens by analyzing four major works—El Burlador de Sevilla, Don Giovanni, Don Juan Tenorio, and d.juan@simetrico.es—spanning more than four centuries. They read across languages, analyzed themes, coded patterns, and drafted what became a 30-page manuscript—written in English and currently being translated into Spanish.

Together, they explored how each retelling reflects the evolving tension between human desire and divine justice, and how changing moral frameworks shape cultural understandings of sin, repentance, and redemption.

“As the Don Juan myth progresses over the centuries, we see an erosion of the acceptance of Christian religious concepts,” explains Hansen. “It’s not society turning solely to atheism, but rather to a dissolution—a belief in nothing but the pursuit of individual gain and self-desire.” 

Their study also incorporated Scripture and theological perspectives, especially around the hope found in God’s incomparable redemption. “Each version contributes to a dialogue about the human condition—freedom and responsibility, rebellion and repentance, desire and faith,” says Perez.

The interdisciplinary nature of the work—drawing from literature, music, philosophy, psychology, sociology, biblical studies, and theology—stretched Hansen in new ways. “I grew academically, personally, and spiritually,” she says. “Analyzing texts across 400 years strengthened my analytical skills, but Dr. Perez also challenged me to explore new ways of approaching Christianity and its ‘rules.’ I was able to further develop my own beliefs as a Christian and acknowledge the way in which every human is capable of redemption, even those as transgressive as Don Juan.” 

For others, Hansen says there are two important messages to take away: the acceptance of religion in society changes over time as moral standards evolve, and God’s redemption remains important in a world that is greatly impacted by the sinful nature of man. 

The two presented their findings, “From‬‭ Damnation‬‭ to‬‭ Digital‬‭ Dissolution:‬‭ Justice‬‭ in‬‭ the‬‭ Don‬ ‭Juan Myth from Baroque to Cyberculture,” during Bethel’s Primetime series in the Library, and Hansen will share the Spanish-language version with the languages and cultures department. In spring 2026, the pair will travel to a professional academic conference, where Hansen will get real-world experience presenting alongside Perez.

The relationship

At Bethel, faculty are more than experts—they’re mentors called to invest in students’ growth. Their influence shapes students during their time at Bethel—and beyond—and this is a key component of Bethel’s transformational academics. The Edgren Scholars Program helps facilitate this relationship by funding two research partnerships each year. 

For Hansen, working side-by-side with Perez has been one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. “Her ability to bring new academic and religious insights into the conversation has allowed me to expand my worldview and deepen my knowledge in both Spanish literature and Christianity,” Hansen says. “She is knowledgeable in so many areas, and is able to seamlessly connect multiple academic topics at once, bringing it all back to her love for the Lord and the great gift of life He has provided us.” 

To her fellow students, she would recommend the Edgren Scholars program. “It’s been such a gift,” Hansen says. “The chance to work closely with a professor, to grow academically and spiritually, and to become a published author—while still in college—is an incredible opportunity.”

For Perez, working with Hansen was enriching. “There is little that energizes me more than guiding a student into the academic conversation. Every partnership becomes an opportunity to learn from each other,” says Perez. “Bethel, while centered on teaching, places significant value on scholarly engagement. By integrating its commitments to both teaching and research, Bethel fosters a model of mentorship that supports students across all stages of their intellectual development.”

What began as a semester abroad became a scholarly partnership that bridges languages, cultures, and centuries of human storytelling. It also highlights what makes a Bethel education distinct: mentorship, faith integration, and hands-on academic exploration.

Research with a professor

​​In addition to the Edgren Scholars program, many academic departments have collaborative research opportunities for students and faculty.

Learn more