College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Introduction

Dr. Keith C. Russell, Dean

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Western’s largest academic unit, is composed of two divisions: the Humanities (Communication Studies; English; Ethnic Studies; Global Humanities and Religions; History; Journalism; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Philosophy) and the Social and Behavioral Sciences (Anthropology; Health and Human Development; Linguistics; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology: Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies). These 16 departments offer 47 bachelor’s degrees and 11 master’s degrees, along with three interdisciplinary majors in East Asian Studies; Latin American Studies; and Multidisciplinary Studies.

The college houses several research and service centers, including the Center for Cross-Cultural Research, the Center for Performance Excellence, the Office of Survey Research, and three community-based professional training centers: the Speech-Language Clinic, the Audiology Clinic, and the Psychology Counseling Clinic. In addition, the college has six nationally accredited professional programs: school counseling, mental health counseling, speech pathology, audiology, public health, and recreation management and leadership.

Mission Statement

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences contributes to the mission of the university by producing knowledge and by engaging students in distinctive, diverse programs that develop their capacities as citizens and as creators and collaborators in the workplace and their communities. Emerging from a vibrant liberal arts and sciences core, CHSS is a key pillar supporting the cultural and intellectual life of the university via collaborative learning environments that foster individual, social, cultural, creative, and scientific exploration. Students, faculty, and staff participate in research, creative activity, service, and community engagement to promote learning that contributes to equitable, just, and sustainable communities. Members of the CHSS community critically examine their world and themselves, embrace diverse perspectives, and devise innovative solutions to critical societal concerns. We consider the ethical implications of our actions and communicate effectively and responsibly in our professional and public lives.

Objectives of College:

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences partners with the College of Science and Engineering to provide students with a three-component liberal education: first, a program of education-in-breadth through the General University Requirements (GURs) intended to prepare students for postgraduate life as educated persons and citizens; second, a program of education-in-depth in a disciplinary or interdisciplinary major designed to prepare students for careers or graduate study; and third, a choice of elective courses which can help satisfy the student’s curiosity about any of the multitude of subjects that the University curriculum embraces. With each of these components, the college intends to produce graduates who are capable of informed and critical thinking; who have learned to tolerate ambiguity; who can appreciate cultural differences; who have developed moral and aesthetic sensibilities; who have mastered the basic tools of literacy and technology and who have acquired levels of information about the natural and social worlds, past and present, sufficient for responsible citizenship and the enjoyment of a civilized society. The college places strong emphasis on student-faculty collaboration in developing these skills through active learning, including laboratory experiences, community-based faculty-directed service learning, and student involvement in faculty research programs.

Academic Programs Leading to Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees

Majors and Minors

In addition to the GURs and other common degree requirements of the University, the candidate for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree must complete a major area emphasis, which is usually accompanied by supporting courses. A minor is optional. A few concentrations are offered which encompass both a major and a minor. Students will confer with appropriate departmental advisors to plan study programs. Transfer students are expected to complete at least a portion of their work in the major and minor fields in this institution.

Student/Faculty Designed, BA or BS (College of Humanities and Social Sciences)

Students desiring concentrated study in areas not listed as majors by departments of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences may design a major in conference with faculty members. Procedures for the Student/Faculty Designed majors (BA or BS) are available from the Department of Global Humanities and Religions or at chss.wwu.edu/humanities-religions/studentfaculty-designed-majors.

College Admission and Advisement

Academic Advisement

As students complete the freshman year, which consists largely of courses that meet the GURs, they are referred to the academic departments for continued personalized advisement in planning and selecting courses of study. Faculty and program coordinators within each department share responsibility for counseling students electing concentrations in their area. In some cases, faculty from several departments may cooperate with students in constructing their own interdisciplinary major; in others, faculty members may recommend to the department chair the waiving of certain course prerequisites (when it has been demonstrated that the student already has these competencies). Students who are undecided about a major may seek advisement through the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center in Old Main.

Department Chairs

Other College Information

Departments, Courses and Programs

Courses listed in this catalog constitute a record of the total academic program of the University. For an exact scheduling of courses at Western, students should consult Browse Classes and Outreach and Continuing Education  bulletins.