University Catalog 2006-2007

University Catalog > LAHS > College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Phone: 703-993-8720
Web: lahs.gmu.edu

Departments and Colleges

Interdisciplinary Programs

The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences (LAHS) is composed of 10 departments in the humanities and social sciences, and 11 interdisciplinary programs. The college is also home to New Century College, an innovative learning community, and Technology Across the Curriculum, a program that promotes the use of technology to enhance learning in all courses and disciplines. Undergraduate students in LAHS attain breadth through a broad distribution of courses in general education, and depth through a major field of study. Special opportunities for students include the Honors Program in General Education, honors programs within selected majors, internships, study abroad, and research experiences. Undergraduates go on to graduate or professional schools; or they pursue careers in public service, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Graduate students engage in more specialized study at the master’s and doctoral levels, which prepares them for first or second careers or job advancement, or provides personal enrichment.

Faculty members are committed to teaching grounded in scholarship and research. They strive to make students rigorous thinkers and clear communicators, while encouraging experimentation with new approaches and ideas. Students are thus prepared for their role as informed citizens in a complex, global society, able to adapt to an ever-changing world.

Administration

Jack R. Censer, Dean

Dee Ann Holisky, Senior Associate Dean

Doris A. Bitler, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Vacant, Associate Dean for Research

Nance Lucas, Associate Dean for New Century College

Walter Rankin, Deputy Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Donna Fox, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Jamie Cooper, Assistant Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs

Vacant, Director of Undergraduate Academic Programs

Leslie Dyre, Director of Finance and Human Resources

Beth Secrist, Director of Technology Across the Curriculum

Susan Swett, Director of LAHS graduate admissions

Graduate Degree Programs

LAHS offers 13 master’s degrees, including a master of public administration and a master of fine arts in creative writing, and seven doctoral degrees. The requirements for each degree are described in the sections that follow.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

The baccalaureate degree is designed to provide a broad knowledge of the world, develop in students the ability to think both conceptually and critically, acquaint them with many different methods of inquiry, and provide skills to continue intellectual growth throughout life. Because these goals can be achieved in many ways, students may select from a range of courses for completing them. The selection of courses should not only deepen knowledge in areas of interest, but also expand the range of those interests. The courses enable students to link the present to the past, their culture to other cultures, and what is, to what could be. Learning to make these connections increases the ability to understand and enjoy the world in ways not yet imagined.

LAHS offers 17 bachelor of arts (BA) degrees, 6 bachelor of science (BS) degrees, and a bachelor of individualized study (BIS) degree. The undergraduate degree consists of course work in four areas: university-wide general education, college level requirements, a major area of study, and electives. All students must complete 120 credits, of which at least 45 must be in upper-level courses (numbered 300 and above). At least one course at the 300 or 400 level must be designated “writing intensive.” All entering students who have not yet satisfied the university-wide general education requirement in quantitative reasoning are required to take the math placement test prior to enrollment.

Students should consult the General Education chapter for information concerning university-wide general education requirements for undergraduate degrees.

College-Level Requirements

Bachelor of Arts

The BA degree provides students with a breadth of knowledge as well as the necessary skills to make in-depth study of a major truly meaningful. In addition to the university-wide general education program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the course work below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college-level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (university-wide general education requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major).

Requirements for each major are listed in the departmental sections that follow.

Bachelor of Science

The BS degree provides students with a more intensive approach to the core technical questions of their majors. This curriculum has a reduced number of courses in humanities and social sciences in comparison with the BA degree to allow students to achieve greater depth in their majors. LAHS students pursuing a BS must complete the university-wide general education program plus 1 additional credit of natural science (for a total of 8 credits), which must be fulfilled by an approved two-semester laboratory science sequence in a single science. This may not be fulfilled by BIOL 124 and 125.

Requirements for each major are listed in the departmental sections that follow.

Physical Education Courses

PHED courses offered by the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism that are activity courses cannot be counted toward credits required for a degree in LAHS. Students may use nonactivity PHED courses for elective credit for LAHS degrees.

Teacher Licensure

Students who wish to become K-12 teachers should consult the CEHD chapter of this catalog and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.

Minors

Student may elect to take a minor in addition to their major field of study. For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog. Students interested in earning a minor should complete the appropriate section of the Change/Declaration of Academic Program form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar.