College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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Dean: John C. Allen
Location: Main 338
Phone: (435) 797-1195
FAX: (435) 797-1092
WWW: http://www.chass.usu.edu

Director, Asian Studies Major and Minor:

Brad Hall, Main 204, (435) 797-1209, brad.hall@usu.edu

Director, Humanities and Social Sciences Advising Center:

Mary E. Leavitt, Taggart Student Center 302, (435) 797-3883, mary.leavitt@usu.edu

Liberal Arts Program:

Charlie Huenemann, Associate Dean, CHaSS Dean’s Office, Old Main 338, (435) 797-1195

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences includes the following:

Departments

English
History
Journalism and Communication
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies
Political Science 
Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology
 

Programs

Aerospace Studies/Air Force ROTC
American Studies
Arabic
Asian Studies
Anthropology
Chinese
Classics
Communication Studies
Creative Writing
English Education
Folklore
French
German
Global Communication
History
Intensive English Language Institute
Interdisciplinary Studies (participates in, along with colleges of Agriculture, Caine College of the Arts, Emma Eccles Jones Education and Human Services, Natural Resources and Science)
International Studies
Japanese
Latin American Studies
Law and Constitutional Studies
Liberal Arts
Linguistics
Literary Studies
Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Military Science/Army ROTC
Native American Studies
Philosophy
Portuguese
Professional and Technical Writing
Religious Studies
Russian
Sociology
Social Work
Spanish
 

Other Units

Center for International Studies
Humanities and Social Sciences Advising Center
Mountain West Center for Regional Studies
Utah Public Radio

A listing of majors and degrees can be found under each department or program.

Within the college are found those departments that provide career preparation in some of the most interesting and vital academic fields. The study of society, the governing of society and its history, communication in a number of languages, the various aspects of culture—all these appeal to an increasing number of undergraduate and graduate students. Many train for careers in these fields; more— scientists, engineers, etc.—take courses to broaden their horizons and add interest to their lives.

Today’s social trend is toward an awareness that while material things are important they are not enough for a full life. The complexities of modern life necessitate an understanding of the social sciences and history. It is within the college that these needs may be met.

Admission and Graduation Requirements

Students accepted in good standing by the University are eligible for admission to the college containing the humanities and social sciences. Because of limitations of faculty or space, a few departments within the college, such as Journalism and Communication and Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology, limit enrollment in their professional programs. See the departmental sections in this catalog and the department head for information regarding these limitations and/or requirements in addition to the University graduation requirements.

The college participates in the Interdisciplinary Studies Major, Bachelor of Arts  and Bachelor of Science , which offers flexibility for qualifying students who cannot find an existing degree that meets their needs.

Mountain West Center for Regional Studies

Program Coordinator: Patricia Lambert, Old Main 339. Office Assistant: Barbara Warnes, (435) 797-0299, barbara.warnes@usu.edu

The Mountain West Center for Regional Studies is a multidisciplinary outreach center in the college. Its purpose is to enhance the work of the University through public programs, research and program funding, visiting scholars, student scholarships, and other projects, with a particular emphasis on activities that increase understanding of the Interior West, its land, and cultural groups.

Programs of the center include the David and Beatrice Evans Biography Awards, the Bennion Teachers’ Workshop, the L. T. and J. T. Dee Visiting Scholars Program, the Mountain West Center Faculty Fellowship, and several scholarships.

The center also sponsors various special projects relating to arts, humanities, and social sciences issues, and conducts ongoing oral history and folklore field research.

Center for International Studies

The Center for International Studies promotes and coordinates international academic exchanges between the University and institutions of higher education abroad. Major objectives of the center are: (1) to develop bilateral university linkage programs, (2) to facilitate faculty and student exchange programs, and (3) to promote collaborative research programs, joint seminars, workshops, and conferences.

Area Studies

Humanities and Social Sciences Advising Center, Taggart Student Center 302, (435) 797-3883

The Area Studies Certificate program is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of a geographical or thematic subject. The program is available to undergraduate and graduate students. It is not a major and does not lead toward a degree. Rather, it is designed to strengthen an academic degree and provides an opportunity for a student to enlarge the scope of the educational experience through an in-depth study of a sector of the world or thematic problem. Where appropriate, courses applying to the major, minor, or other graduation requirements may also apply to the Area Studies Certificate.

Students may earn the following Area Studies Certificates:

Law and Society
Medieval and Early-Modern Studies
Museum Studies
Women and Gender Studies

For specific requirements for each of these programs, see program brochures.

In addition, a self-designed Area Studies Certificate, tailored to the student’s individual interests, is available. Examples of these are: African-American Studies, Natural Ecosystems, and Russian Studies. A student takes a minimum of 24 credits related to the area of study from at least three disciplines, such as economics, natural resources, political science, sociology, literature, history, geography, and philosophy. No more than 12 of the 24 credits may be taken in any one discipline. A GPA of at least 3.0 must be maintained in courses applied to the certificate.

A student who completes the Area Studies program is awarded a certificate at the time of graduation. The information is also noted on the graduation program and on the student’s transcript. Graduate students are awarded the certificate at the end of the semester in which they complete the requirements.

For a more detailed description of requirements for this program, contact the program coordinator in Taggart Student Center 302.

Humanities and Social Sciences Advising Center

Director: Mary E. Leavitt

Associate Director: Irene B. McInerney

Advisor: Reid Furniss

Advisor: Daniel Mathews

Advisor: Susan B. Parkinson

Advisor: Marcia R. Roberts

Advisor: Amanda Slade

Program Coordinator: Scott C. Robinette

Office in Taggart Student Center 302, (435) 797-3883 (Please call ahead for an appointment.)

The Humanities and Social Sciences Advising Center provides academic advising for students in the college containing the humanities and social sciences, as well as for students in the Caine College of the Arts. Academic advisors counsel these students in the University Studies requirements and in certain humanities, arts, and social sciences majors.

Academic advising is provided through the center to all Liberal Arts majors.

Advising

Students advised through this center receive advising concerning University and college policies and procedures, as well as in University Studies, the Liberal Arts Program, graduation requirements and processes, the Interdisciplinary Studies Major, and the USU Area Studies Certificate programs. In addition, students are advised concerning academic choices, low grade point averages, and other problems.

Academic Services

The center provides academic services to undergraduate students. This includes requests for academic record changes and other documentation requiring a dean’s signature. Coordination of academic problems, support, or referrals to other University services are also provided. Transcript evaluations, including international and transfer records, are made and approved in the center.

Graduation

All graduation matters for students graduating with humanities or social sciences degrees are processed through the center. Students should begin the graduation process at least one month prior to the graduation application deadline, and the application should be turned into the center at least two weeks prior to the deadline in order to avoid a late fee. A final review of University Studies (or other General Education programs) and other University graduation requirements will be made and the final approval signature added before the application is returned to the student for payment of the graduation fee. If the student wishes to amend the application to substitute or drop courses that are listed on it, a Supplement Form must be submitted through the center.

The Area Studies Certificates are awarded at the time of graduation. Application for the certificate should be made through the center.

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