Communication English Language and Literature History, Philosophy, and Political Science Modern Languages and Cultural Studies Social Sciences

Deans’ Message

Welcome!

Dean David Caldwell

David Caldwell
Dean of HSS

Welcome to the Web site for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado! We encourage you to explore our programs and to learn more about us!

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is a gateway to understanding human activity, thought, reason, and the communication of ideas. With a broad range of courses in over twenty disciplines, including literature, history, philosophy, multicultural studies, communication studies, various social sciences, modern languages, and many others, we help our undergraduate students build the liberal arts core that is the foundation of all University of Northern Colorado undergraduate programs.

Assistant Dean Karen M. Jennison

Karen Jennison
Assistant Dean of HSS

Our Bachelor of Arts programs prepare students to pursue graduate study or a career that requires advanced critical thinking and communication skills. We augment what is learned in class by providing practical experiences, such as participating in community historical preservation, serving as a public relations intern or an intern at a media outlet, working at an archaeological dig, or getting hands-on experience with community service organizations.

Computer, multimedia and network technology, combined with a personal touch, make our classrooms a stimulating environment for teaching, learning, and communicating knowledge. Courses in Humanities and Social Sciences set the stage for lifelong learning.

In addition, we offer Master’s degrees in each of our five schools. Our graduate students develop more advanced skills, a much greater depth of knowledge in their fields of study, and the ability to adapt their knowledge and skills to professional endeavors across a wide spectrum.

Our Reputation for Excellence!

Here are just a few of our most recent points of pride:

  • Major grants from the US Department of Education are making it possible for faculty in the History program to assist with the professional development of secondary school teachers in Greeley and Weld County and to reach out to Native American constituencies in the Four Corners region.
  • Research grants from the National Park Service allow our students to work closely with faculty on exciting research projects that help manage our heritage resources.
  • The annual Writers’ Conference features a week of classroom visits and free public readings by well-known contemporary authors, such as Michael Ondaatje, the author of The English Patient, and National Book Award winner Tim O’Brien.
  • The National Geographic Society has recognized our Geography faculty with a grant that provides professional development to Colorado teachers of geography.
  • Our Community Development and Outreach Institute involves students, faculty, and community constituents in many collaborative community improvement endeavors, including a focus on immigration issues.
  • Joining our study abroad opportunities in Europe and Mexico are new opportunities in Asia. We recently instigated a new student exchange program with National Taiwan Normal University that will assist students in the acquisition of Chinese language and cultural skills.

Please browse through the Web sites of our schools to find more information on specific degree offerings in a wide range of academic areas. Our faculty also participate in the delivery of an Interdisciplinary Studies B.A. that can be individualized to meet student ambitions and interests.

HSS offers a pre-degree study option in Pre-Law, and we also offer interdisciplinary minors in such areas as Asian Studies, Cultural Studies, Film Studies, Women’s Studies, and Writing.

If you have any questions regarding these changes, we would be pleased to discuss them with you further. Please call on us. Meanwhile, we wish you every success in seeking a quality educational experience and in achieving your professional aspirations. We strive to provide our students, both undergraduate and graduate, with a premier educational experience, a “liberal arts education with an eye to the future.”
 

David Caldwell, Dean
Karen Jennison, Assistant Dean

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The College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado is dedicated to the highest quality of education for undergraduate and graduate students. Grounded in the liberal arts, the college is integral to the comprehensive mission of the university. The disciplines of the humanities and social sciences engage the methodologies, techniques, and technologies that prepare students to think creatively and critically about past, current and evolving social and global complexities.

This engagement transforms lives: preparing students for personal and professional success, and contributing to the betterment of the larger community. Faculty scholarship adds to the sum of human knowledge and enriches culture. Manifesting itself in the classroom, in professional venues, and in service to the public, it is expressed through a variety of theoretical, creative, and applied endeavors. HSS fosters the pursuit of intellectual and cultural diversity while educating its students within a tradition of academic excellence.