College of Arts and Sciences

Dean : Dr. Rachel Lindsey

Associate Dean : Prof. Victor Sorell

Degree Programs

B.A. in African American Studies
B.A. in Art
B.S. in Biological Sciences
B.S. in Chemistry
B.A. in Communications, Media Arts, and Theatre
B.S. in Computer Science
B.S. in Criminal Justice
B.A. in English
B.A. in Geography
B.A. in History
B.S. International Studies
B.A. in Liberal Studies
B.S. in Mathematics
B.M. in Music
B.M.Ed. in Music Education
B.S. in Physics
B.A. in Political Science
B.A. in Psychology
B.A. in Sociology
B.A. in Spanish

Minor Programs

African American Studies
Anthropology
Art
Art History
Biology
Sports Broadcasting
Chemistry
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Economics
English
Environmental Studies
French
Geography
Gerontology
History
International Studies
Latin American/Latino Studies
Mathematics
Music

Peacemaking: Conflict Resolution and Mediation
Philosophy
Photography
Physical Science
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Public Relations
Radio and Television Broadcasting
Religious Studies
Social Work
Sociology
Spanish
Sports Broadcasting
Theatre Arts
Women and Gender Studies
Writing

Special Programs

Engineering Studies
Honors College
Military Science (ROTC)
Premedical Education

Interdisciplinary Minors

Environmental Studies
International Studies
Latin American/Latino Studies
Religious Studies
Women And Gender Studies

Programs in the liberal arts and sciences prepare students for a wide variety of occupational opportunities and for graduate work. Programs are designed to produce graduates who are broadly educated and who have special knowledge and competence in their major field of study.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the intellectual nucleus of the university. The college emphasizes an undergraduate curriculum that adheres to the philosophy that a liberal education is “not only schooling that imparts skills of numeracy, literacy and knowledge of historical, scientific, and artistic traditions, but also education that communicates social and democratic values, fosters ethical conduct and critical thinking, and develops an awareness in students of their own individual natures and motivations” (Educational Leadership Project Report). 

The priorities of the college are the economic and social advancement of its students through program offerings in the humanities, the natural, biological and social sciences that prepare them for careers or graduate study in these areas. The vision and mission of the College of Arts & Sciences are consistent with the vision and mission of the university. Both stress the primacy of academic instruction and research activities, and emphasize a service commitment to the students and to the surrounding communities. The specific mission of the college is to:

1. Offer the general education component for all units of the university including increasing emphasis on writing across the curriculum, critical thinking, international and multicultural issues, and interdisciplinary offerings.
2. Offer programs that serve a broad range of student populations including those from underrepresented groups.
3. Encourage research in the arts, humanities, and science disciplines, especially that research which applies to the issues and problems related to the university’s mission to serve an urban area.
4. Provide service to the community through outreach programs, and to provide expert assistance through collaborative programs.

Admission to the programs in the College of Arts and Sciences is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the appropriate academic department. Programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in the following fields: art, biology, chemistry, computer science, criminal justice, economics, English, geography, history, mathematics, music, physics, political science, psychology, sociology, Spanish, and speech. Also, the college offers minor sequences in the above listed fields and in anthropology, African American studies, French, Latin American/Latino studies, philosophy, physical sciences, art history, public relations, religious studies, social work, theatre arts and writing.

Interdisciplinary minors are offered in environmental studies, religious studies, and women’s studies. The college also offers pre-professional programs in engineering studies, prelaw, and premedical education. Students interested in a career in education should select one of the following secondary teaching options the College of Arts and Sciences offers: art, biology, chemistry, English, geography, history, mathematics, music, physics and Spanish. General degree requirements are outlined immediately below. Specific requirements for each major sequence appear subsumed under the appropriate/respective academic departmental listings on the pages that follow.

College of Arts and Sciences Departmental Uniform Grievance Policy and Procedures

Introduction

The purpose of the student grievance procedure is to provide an impartial review process and to protect the rights of all parties involved in student-faculty disputes. The departmental Faculty-Student Relations Committee ( FSRC ) shall be comprised of a minimum of five (5) faculty members, and a minimum of one (1) student. The department chairperson, director or coordinator will appoint one of the five faculty members to serve as committee chairperson. When the departmental FSRC is convened to hear a grievance, decisions of the committee will be by a simple majority vote, provided 75% of the membership is present, including one student representative. The selection process for the departmental Faculty-Student Relations Committee is as follows:

1. The faculty members (adjuncts will be eligible at the discretion of the department chairperson, director or coordinator) will be appointed by the chairperson, director or coordinator of the department or according to departmental by-laws.
2. The student representative will be selected from a student organization within the department or program and may change depending on #3.
3. The student representative should not be enrolled in any classes of the grievant.
4. The faculty member against whom the grievance is lodged should not be a member of the grievance committee.

The departmental FSRC shall have authority and/or responsibility only to make recommendations to the chairperson, director or coordinator of the department. The final departmental decision will be made by the chairperson, director or coordinator in writing, with a copy of the decision sent to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Any student who believes he or she has a grievance should first utilize the departmental process as listed herein.

Petitions by students based on circumstances that could constitute a request for an academic adjustment or modification on the basis of a disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 will be referred to and processed by the Abilities Office for Disability Services. 

Departmental Process

Step One

A student who has a grievance against a faculty member should make an appointment with the faculty member within 30 calendar days of the incident to discuss and resolve the dispute. If the student feels that a satisfactory solution or relief has not been provided, the student should follow the procedures outlined in Step Two.

Step Two

The student should make an appointment with the chairperson, director or coordinator of the department within ten days after the initial meeting with the faculty member. The chairperson, director or coordinator will attempt to resolve the dispute or request the student to submit the complaint in writing for a hearing by the departmental FSRC (this is only needed if you move to step 3). If the student feels that a satisfactory solution has not been provided, the student should follow the procedures outlined in Step Three.

Step Three

The student must submit a written complaint within 60 days of the incident (e.g. rendering of the final grade) to the chairperson, director or coordinator. The written complaint must include supporting documents and must clearly state a resolution within the authority of the department (e.g., changing a grade from D to C or refunding tuition). The chairperson, director or coordinator will convene the departmental FSRC and distribute the written complaint, along with any supporting documents to its members and to the faculty member involved in the grievance. At this point, the faculty member must submit a written response with any supporting documentation. The faculty documents are then forwarded to the departmental FSRC. The departmental Faculty-Student Relations Committee will have a hearing with all parties present within (30) calendar days of receipt of the complaint. Within ten calendar days after the committee has met, the committee chairperson will send recommendation(s) to the department chairperson, director or coordinator and will also send a copy to the dean. Within ten days of receipt of the committee’s recommendations, the department chairperson, director or coordinator or dean will render a written decision to all parties involved with a copy to the Dean. All meetings of the departmental Faculty-Student Relations Committee shall be closed to protect the confidentiality of both parties while also protecting their rights of privacy. Any and all witnesses must be approved in advance by the chairperson of the departmental Faculty-Student Relations Committee. Note: Departments cannot host virtual meetings. All meetings must be face-to face.

Step Four

The student may request to have the grievance considered by the CAS FSRC within fifteen days after receipt of the written notice from the department chairperson, director or coordinator. If the decision is unsatisfactory to either party, the CAS FSRC will convene for the specific purpose of hearing an academic grievance as needed. All materials must be forwarded to the CAS FSRC Committee within 15 days . (See College Process.)

College Process

When a student or faculty members initiates an appeal to the dean, the procedures are as follows:

Step One

1. The petitioner must file this grievance in writing, stating the reasons the appeal is being made and the facts upon which the appeal is based. He or she also must state clearly the resolution sought. (The resolution must be within the authority of the dean to grant.)
2. The petitioner must attach to the written petition (i) a copy of the original complaint, (ii) a copy of the instructor’s reply, if applicable, and (iii) the chairperson’s/director’s/coordinator’s reply and any other supporting documentation connected with the case, as well as any new documents.

No new or unrelated allegations shall be added to this petition.

Step Two

The dean will forward the written complaint to the CAS FSRC Chairperson within tencalendar days . This committee will include a minimum of nine (9) faculty members, two (2) program directors and/or coordinators, and a minimum of two (2) students. The committee chairperson will be appointed by the dean.

Step Three

Within ten (10) calendar days of the distribution of the grievance statement, the faculty member involved must submit a written response to the chairperson of the CAS Faculty-Student Relations Committee. Copies will be distributed to committee members.

Step Four

1. Within 30 calendar days of receipt of all materials, the CAS FSRC will schedule a meeting to review the grievance. Both parties involved (student and faculty member) will be expected to attend the meeting.
2. All meetings of the CAS FSRC shall be closed to protect the confidentiality of both parties while also protecting their rights of privacy.
3. Any and all witnesses shall be approved by the chairperson of the CAS FSRC.
4. Only members of the CAS FSRC may ask questions of the parties involved.
5. When the CAS FSRC is convened to hear a grievance, decisions of the committee will be by a simple majority vote, provided 75% of the membership is present, including one student representative.
6. Following the final discussion of the CAS FSRC meeting, the chair of the committee within five calendar days will submit written recommendations to the dean, along with any supporting documentation.
7. Within ten calendar days of receipt of the recommendations from the CAS FSRC, the dean shall inform the student, faculty member, and department chairperson, director or coordinator of the decision made in writing.
8. Parties may appeal to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

 

The decision of the dean will be final.