College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts

Location: Ag/Et, Room 222, 903-886-5175
Interim Dean: Dr. David Scott
Associate Dean: Dr. Robert Rodrguez
College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts Web Site

The College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts contains the departments of:  Art, History, Liberal Studies, Literature and Languages, Music, Political Science, Sociology and Criminal Justice, and Theatre.  The college also houses the Paralegal Studies program as well as popular minors in African American Studies, Gender Studies, Latin American and US Latino Studies and Legal Studies.

The programs in these departments provide a well-rounded education in the liberal arts traditions, in the disciplines of humanities, social sciences and creative arts.  We provide a strong emphasis on discipline-based scholarship, plus challenging opportunities for professional and personal development. 

The College's core mission toward its students is trifold:

  • The College provides general studies courses as a foundation for student learning in the entire university;
  • The College provides Bachelor's degrees to the students enrolled as our majors;
  • The College provides graduate courses, certificates and degrees, Master's and Doctoral programs.

The College strives for excellence and a global vision in its endeavors, while being accountable for our results and efficient in achieving them.

The College is committed to student success and facilitates instruction by providing services such as advising, tutoring, mentoring, and other support activities for the students.

The College's graduates achieve the capacity to communicate clearly and effectively, to understand literary, historical, sociological, and geo-political issues, and to appreciate and participate in the visual and performing arts.

The College serves students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community at large (including the scholarly community) regionally, nationally, and internationally and strives toward diversity in all its activities.  The College provides cultural and artistic activities for the community and region on a regular basis. 

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AFAM 200 - Introduction to African American Studies
Hours: 3
This course provides an interdisciplinary introduction to vital historical, social, economic, and cultural issues associated with people of African descent in the United States and their rich cultural legacy. Students will explore African Americans' historical and cultural roots from their African beginnings to the emergence of the modern fight for social and economic equality. Through assigned readings, class discussions, writing assignments, and documentaries, the course examines how African Americans develop distinctive social and cultural responses to chart an independent course and resist oppression in their struggle for equality.

AFAM 400 - Advanced Research in African American Studies
Hours: 3
This course offers junior/senior-level African American Studies students an opportunity to engage in original research and examine many of the foundational works used to underpin African American Studies. Students will demonstrate the skills necessary to produce a research paper, demonstrating mastery of the research techniques and resources presented during the semester. Students will: examine African American Studies foundational texts, frame an argument, and recognize the developing features of African American resistance and liberation. Prerequisites: Students must complete AFAM 200 and at least an additional 9sh of approved African American Studies courses.

COH 112 - Scholastic Enhancement
Hours: 1
This course assists students in refining approaches and practices that can lead to enhanced scholastic success in college-level classes and academic activities.

GDRS 200 - Introduction to Gender Studies
Hours: 3
This interdisciplinary course provides students with an introduction to the theories and methods used in gender studies. Through the examination of a variety of topics, students will explore the ways that gender shapes societies and cultures historically and throughout the world.

GDRS 340 - Topics in Sexuality Studies
Hours: 3
This interdisciplinary course examines various problems and questions regarding human sexuality from the earliest times to the present, within the context of a comparative framework. Possible themes to be considered include: the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexuality, transgender studies, gender and sexuality in a historical context, and masculinity studies, among others. May be repeated once for credit as topics change.

GDRS 400 - Gender Topics
Hours: 3
Topics in Gender Studies provides students with the opportunity to explore specific issues or ideas in more depth than afforded by other courses in the minor. This course is the required capstone for the Gender Studies minor.

GDRS 425 - Gender, Culture, Society
Hours: 3
Through various topics, themes, and readings, this course explores issues in gender, culture, and society that highlight the complex ways that gender is manifested in various cultures from historical, contemporary, and global perspectives. This course offers a variety of interdisciplinary approaches to assessing the role that gender plays in social and cultural development. May be repeated for credit as topics change.

GDRS 491 - H Honors Readings
Hours: 3
Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Consent of head.

GDRS 497 - Special Topics in Gender Studies
Hours: 3
Special topics. May be repeated for credit as topics change.