College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies

Dean: Cynthia Downing Bryant

Associate Dean: Irma Farfan-Cobb

Director, School of Education: VerJanis A. Peoples

The College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies is organized into four academic units: the Department of Languages and Literature, the Department of Mass Communication, the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, and the School of Education, which houses the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the Department of Counseling and Educational Leadership.

In accordance with the mission of Southern University and A&M College, the College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies provides academic programs that prepare students to demonstrate mastery of analytical, verbal, and written communication skills; excellence in artistic production and performance; distinction as superior K-12 teachers, administrators, and educational leaders; and overall leadership in meeting the diverse challenges of the 21^st century global community. The College provides general education courses to all areas of the University, emphasizing the broad view of liberal education and prepares students to become critically aware of social, educational, and economic institutions and problems. To enhance the cultural climate of the University, the College provides a variety of lectures, workshops, concerts, artistic productions, and art exhibits. The College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies prepares majors for graduate and professional schools and provides leadership in the arts, humanities, and education.

Major and Minor Offerings

Arts and Humanities major and minor offerings in the College are as follows:

Department of Mass Communications

Mass Communication (BA)

Concentrations: Broadcast News, News Editorial, and Public Relations

Department of English and World Languages

English (BA)

Concentrations: Liberal Arts or Secondary Education Certification (as minor)

Minors: English, Philosophy, World Languages, and Women’s Studies

Department of Fine and Performing Arts

Music (BM)

Concentrations: Performance or Secondary Education Certification (as minor)

Minors: Fine Arts, Theater Arts, and Music

The School of Education degree offerings in the College are as follows:

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Elementary Education Grades 1-5 (BS)

Elementary Education and Special Education M/MOD.

Grades 1-5 (BS) Middle School Education and Special Education M/Mod GR 4-8 (BS)

Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS)

Post Baccalaureate Certificates (PBC)

Students will be eligible for admission to the College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies when they have completed at least 30 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. The general education courses must be included: six hours of English, SENL-101 and 102, with a grade of C or better in each course; six hours of mathematics; and nine or ten hours of science (depending on major requirements). Requirements for admission to programs in music are described in the music area section of this catalog.

Students who transfer from other divisions of the University and accredited colleges and universities must meet the same eligibility requirements stated above. The College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies will determine the acceptability of transfers credits to the respective degree programs and may decline to accept transfer credit for any course when the grade earned is lower than a “C.”

Student Responsibility

Students in the College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies are required to confer with an assigned major department advisor on a regular basis. Beyond this advisement, students are personally responsible not only for selecting the academic programs, but also for adhering to all published regulations and requirements of the College and the University. Students are expected to seek regular advisement and, ultimately, are individually responsible for completing all degree requirements.

During the semester immediately prior to graduation, students must confer both with their faculty advisor and the chair of the major department for final degree checkout and preparation of an application for graduation. Completed graduation applications are due in the College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies Office main office prior to the end of the semester (see published deadlines in the Academic Calendar, the calendars of the catalog and/or class schedules) and are accepted only from those students who have passed the Writing Proficiency Examination and have been admitted officially to the College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies.

Degree Requirements

In an attempt to provide majors in the College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies with a greater number of options, as well as to emphasize personal uniqueness, the College requires a core of 69-70 semester hours. The remaining hours that must be taken to earn a total of 120 semester hours are designated by the departmental major requirements and students’ choices of free electives. These electives may be chosen from any courses offered at the University. However, majors in the college are urged to choose, with the assistance of an academic advisor, courses that provide the student with a second field of interest or a strong minor and/or concentration.

The completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours with a grade point average of at least 2.00. (Some departments may require additional hours or a higher average.)

The completion of at least 27 semester hours in a major field. (Some departments may require additional hours.)

The completion of the following general education requirements:

English	12 Hours
Mathematics	6 Hours
Social and Behavioral Sciences	12 Hours
(Must include two courses, six semester hours, in history.)
Natural Sciences	9-10 Hours
(Must include courses in both biological and physical sciences. One of the areas must be in a two-semester sequence, e.g., Biology 104 and 105. The student may be required to complete a one-credit laboratory in conjunction with one of the three courses, the other two being lecture only.)
World Languages	9 Hours
(World Languages requirement must consist of a full sequence of the first, second, and third courses in French, German, or Spanish; or two courses in a non-traditional language and one other language course.)
Humanities and Fine Arts	12 Hours
(Including three hours each in humanities, philosophy, and speech; and three hours in arts or humanities outside the student’s major. The final three hours may be in the major if the course is an elective not otherwise required in the curriculum.)
Health or Physical Education	2 Hours
Computer Literacy	0-3 Hours
(May be established by examination, through appropriate computer-based courses in each major department of the College, or through the Department of Computer Science.)
Freshman Seminar	0-2 Hours
(See policy below)
African-American Experience	0-3 Hours
(Any course outside the major officially approved to satisfy this requirement. See complete description in this catalog.)
Community Service	0-3 Hours
Students must complete the 60 clock-hour requirement and may elect to do so for either credit or non-credit. (See complete description in this catalog.)
Completion of a comprehensive examination in the student’s major is a requirement for graduation. (For assessment purposes.)
Pass the University Writing Proficiency Examination before graduation. (See complete description in this catalog.)

Freshman Seminar: Students are required to take Freshman Seminar or its equivalent during the first year of matriculation at Southern University to meet graduation requirements. In addition, transfer students must adhere to the following:

Students who have earned 24 credit hours or less at another institution are required to take Freshman Seminar or its equivalent.
Students who have earned more than 24 credit hours from another institution are not required to take Freshman Seminar as a requirement for graduation.