Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

About the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences


Colleges  > College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences  > About the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Information

Office of the Dean:

Dean:
John W. Roberts, Ph.D., Ohio State University

Associate Dean, Undergraduate Academic and Student Affairs:
Sarah Fishman, Ph.D., Harvard University

Associate Dean, Graduate Affairs and Technology:
Catherine Patterson, Ph.D., University of Chicago

Associate Dean, Faculty and Research:
David Phillips, Ph.D., Cornell University

Executive Director of College Business Operations:
Andrea M. Short, B.S., University of Houston

402 Agnes Arnold Hall

www.UH.edu/CLASS

713-743-3000

Academic Affairs Center:

Director of Academic Affairs:
Janie Graham, B.A., Salem-Teikyo University

320 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-4001
African American Studies: 629 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-2811
Air Force Science: 109 Garrison Gym 713-743-4932
American Cultures: 559 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-3097
Anthropology: 233 Charles F. McElhinney Hall 713-743-3780
School of Art: 100 Fine Arts Building 713-743-3001
Jack J. Valenti School of Communication: 101 Communication Building 713-743-3002
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders: 100 Clinical Research Center 713-743-2898
Department of Comparative Cultural Studies 233 Charles F. McElhinney Hall 713-743-3780
Department of Economics: 204 Charles F. McElhinney Hall 713-743-3800
Department of English: 205 Roy Cullen Bldg. 713-743-3004
Department of Health and Human Performance: 104 Garrison Gymnasium Bldg. 713-743-9840
Department of Hispanic Studies: 416 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-3007
Department of History: 524 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-3099
Interdisciplinary Arts: 209 CWM Center for the Arts 713-743-5749
Latin American Studies: 540 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-3083
Liberal Studies: 232 McElhinney Building 713-743-2474
Center for Mexican American Studies: 323 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-3136
Department of Military Leadership: 28 Hofheinz Pavilion 713-743-3875
Department of Modern and Classical Languages: 613 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-8350
Moores School of Music: 120 Moores School of Music Building 713-743-3009
Department of Philosophy: 513 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-3010
Department of Political Science: 447 Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall 713-743-3890
Department of Psychology: 126 Fred J. Heyne Bldg. 713-743-8500
Public Administration Program: 312 Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall 713-743-3931
Hobby Center for Public Policy: 104 Fred J. Heyne Building 713-743-3970
Religious Studies: 258A McElhinney Hall 713-743-3212
Social Sciences Data Laboratory: 446 Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall 713-743-3918
Department of Sociology: 450 Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall 713-743-3940
School of Theatre and Dance: 133 CWM Center for the Arts 713-743-3003
Values, Law and Policy: 447 Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall 713-743-3899
Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies: 624 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-3214
World Cultures and Literatures: 613 Agnes Arnold Hall 713-743-8350

Objectives and Mission

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) is a dynamic academic environment dedicated to the study of human creativity and society, as well as our mental and physical capabilities and conditions.

The largest and most diverse of the 12 colleges at the University of Houston, CLASS is home to 16 schools and departments, encompassing the creative and performing arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Undergraduate and graduate majors cover the full-range of the human experience - from anthropology to human space exploration sciences. The College also offers social and cultural analysis in African American, Mexican American, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality and other interdisciplinary studies programs.

CLASS extends its scholarship to the university, City of Houston and nation through its policy, research and cultural centers, which include the Hobby Center for Public Policy, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts and the University Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic.

The College’s goal is to stimulate and expand students’ cultural, mental and physical explorations through rich course offerings, learning abroad programs and campus events. We encourage students to delve into the questions of life while building critical and analytical skills that animate professions and launch successful careers.

Our 345 permanent faculty members educate nearly 10,000 undergraduate majors and minors and 1,200 graduate students, preparing them for future studies and professional achievements.

By accessing and using new communication and research tools, CLASS students increase their reasoning skills, cultural awareness, aesthetic appreciation and ethical judgement. That foundation gives them the capacity to pursue their passions.

CLASS graduates are tomorrow’s economist, journalists, actors, diplomats, lawyers and doctors. Whatever they choose to do in life, CLASS graduates are prepared to make meaningful contributions to multi-cultural societies and global economies.

CLASS Scholarships

CLASS offers several scholarships at the college and department level. Contact the Office of the Dean for more information or visit the CLASS Web site www.class.uh.edu. For departmental scholarships contact the individual departments.

Scholastic and Honorary Societies

Alpha Epsilon Rho

Alpha Epsilon Rho, the National Honorary Broadcasting Society with chapters on more than 100 major campuses in the United States, is open to all broadcasting and film students with a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average. Alumni are accepted for membership, and professional memberships are offered to faculty and interested people in the business community.

The objectives of this society are to encourage and reward scholarship and accomplishments among broadcasting students, and high-level accomplishments in the art and science of broadcasting by both students and industry professionals; to promote the advancement of broadcasting education; to establish meaningful communication between students and professional broadcasters; and to foster integrity in the use of the powerful instruments of radio, television, and film.

Alpha Kappa Delta

Alpha Kappa Delta, an international honorary society, exists to promote interest in the study of sociology, research of social problems, and other social and intellectual activities that will lead to improvement in the human condition. Qualified undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for membership.

Alpha Psi Omega

Alpha Psi Omega is a national honorary fraternity for the theatre, the purpose of which is the advancement and improvement of theatre arts at the university level. The University of Houston chapter, Mu Cast, is a nonprofit service organization designed to serve the entire School of Theatre and Dance, as well as the individual theatre major.

The Anthropology Forum

The Anthropology Forum is a club open to all undergraduates majoring in anthropology at the University of Houston. It is designed to stimulate discussion of various issues in anthropology, to sponsor guest speakers from the field of anthropology and “brown bag lunch” discussion groups, to organize attendance at various anthropology seminars, and to encourage peer mentoring among club members. Leadership of the club is on a “rotating” basis, with various members in turn taking the minutes of the meeting, then assuming organization and leadership of the subsequent meeting.

The Communication Honors Union

The Communication Honors Union is open to majors in the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication who are enrolled in the university’s Honors College. The union holds one major debate each semester in which outstanding professionals discuss issues of importance to the world of journalism and mass communication.

Delta Phi Alpha

Delta Phi Alpha, an honorary scholastic organization designed to disseminate and extend knowledge of German culture, heritage, and literature, is open to all students. For additional information, interested students should call the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.

Musicians for Music Education (MME)

Musicians for Music Education is a national organization created to provide opportunities for music students to network with other music educators within the Moores School of Music, teachers and leaders in the music education profession, and collegiate members from other schools.

National Society of Scabbard and Blade

The purpose of the National Society of Scabbard and Blade, an honorary society founded at the University of Wisconsin during the school year 1904-05, is to raise the standard of military education in American colleges and universities. Students selected from outstanding cadet officers in the Advanced Course of ROTC are elected to lifetime membership.

Omicron Delta Epsilon

Membership in Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honorary society, is open to qualified, interested students majoring in economics. In addition to social activities, the chapter sponsors programs and discussions on topics in economics.

Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta, an international honor society in history, is represented in the Department of History by the Zeta Kappa Chapter.

Phi Beta

Phi Beta was founded in 1912 and is the only national professional fraternity for the creative and performing arts. The Alpha Epsilon Chapter is open to students with a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average and a major or in music, speech communication, communication disorders, theatre, dance, or art; or students who have demonstrated professional excellence in an equivalent area. Special support is provided by Pi Alpha Alpha and Pi Alpha Tau alumni chapters.

With more than 15,000 members nationally and 200 in the Houston area, Phi Beta provides an opportunity for students and faculty to blend their interests in the creative and performing arts. Faculty advisors are available to students in communication disorders, theatre, music, and speech communication programs. For further information, consult an appropriate faculty member.

Pi Delta Phi

Pi Delta Phi, national honor society for French and member of the Association of College Honor Societies, recognizes excellence in the study of French regardless of major. For further information, contact the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.

Pi Sigma Alpha

Pi Sigma Alpha is the national honor society for the academic discipline of political science. In conjunction with the American Political Science Association, the society works to foster excellence in the study of politics and government, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The requirements for membership are completion of at least 15 hours of advanced political science courses at the University of Houston with a GPA of 3.50 in these courses. In addition, a 3.00 overall GPA must be maintained.

The activities of the society include invited speakers, conferences, paper competitions and a periodic newsletter. A membership drive is held in the spring semester. For more information please contact the Political Science Department.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the national honor society of psychology in America. Operating in cooperation with the American Psychological Association, Psi Chi members include students nominated and elected either as undergraduates or graduates. Membership in the University of Houston chapter requires completion of at least nine semester hours, enrollment (registration) for major or minor standing in psychology, ranking in at least the top 30 percent of one’s class, having a cumulative GPA of 3.00, maintaining a GPA of 3.50 in all psychology courses attempted at the University of Houston, exhibiting high standards of personal behavior, and the endorsement of three-fourths of the members attending a regular chapter meeting.

Sigma Alpha Iota

Sigma Alpha Iota is an internationally incorporated professional fraternity for women in the field of music. Based upon scholarship (3.00 grade point average in music and 2.50 cumulative grade point average), musicianship, personality, and character, membership is open to undergraduate and graduate music majors and minors. The overall membership of 57,000 includes alumnae, patrons, and honorary members, many of whom are concert artists, composers, teachers, and exceptional patrons of the arts. Founded in 1903, Sigma Alpha Iota includes 176 college chapters and 119 alumnae chapters. Further information is available in the Moores School of Music.

Sigma Delta Pi

Sigma Delta Pi, an honor society in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, is an organization designed for exceptional students in upper and graduate level Spanish. The society also elects honorary faculty members.

Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta, the National English Honor Society, is open to English majors and minors who have a 3.2 overall GPA and a 3.4 English GPA, who have completed at least three advanced hours of English, who have completed or are in the process of completing at least six additional hours of English, and who have the willingness to be an active member. The purposes of the organization are to confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate or graduate studies, to promote interest in literature and the English language, and to foster the discipline of English in all its aspects including creative and critical writing. For further information, contact the Department of English.

The Student Association for the Social Sciences

The purpose of the Student Association for the Social Sciences is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain scholastic excellence of individuals in all the subfields and disciplines of the social sciences, as well as to advance the science itself. SASS is designed to augment and enhance the regular curriculum, to afford opportunities for the members to utilize their talents in roles that are meaningful, and to promote interaction among fellow members of SASS, members of the college, the faculty of the departments, and other social scientists.

Professional Societies

The Houston Advertising Federation at UH

The Houston Advertising Federation at UH received its charter in 1983. Membership in the club is open to all university students. Dues are $12 per year. Members receive the AAF Newsletter and are eligible to participate in various workshops and the AAF National Student Competition.

The African American Honors Students’ Association (AAHSA)

The African American Honors Students’ Association (AAHSA) promotes unity and provides a voice for African American honors students, while seeking a better understanding among all students in the Honors College. AAHSA also seeks to improve retention rates of African American students in the Honors College. AAHSA continues to develop successful, goal oriented, community minded African American honors graduates and provides a strong support network for its members. Our organization encourages participation, by its membership, in all Honors College activities. We seek these goals while benefiting the entire Honors College body and membership in AAHSA is open to all.

The American Center for Design (ACD)

The American Center for Design (ACD), a national professional graphic design organization with university student chapters across the country, provides funding for campus design programs, maintains a speaker’s bureau, and offers contact with the professional design community. Membership information is available from the ACD faculty advisor.

The American Institute of Graphics Arts (AIGA)

The American Institute of Graphics Arts (AIGA), a national professional organization open to student members, fosters students’ understanding of professional standards, ethics, and career expectations through its publications and through events hosted in the Houston area by the Texas chapter. Membership information is available from the AIGA faculty advisor.

The Art Directors Club of Houston (ADCH)

The Art Directors Club of Houston (ADCH) is a local design organization that offers student memberships, holds student competitions, hosts visiting designer presentations, and other events that include student participation.

The Houston Student Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators

The Houston Student Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators is open to students at all major colleges and universities in the city. The organization has close ties to IABCHouston, one of the largest professional chapters in the country. Students may attend professional chapter meetings and seminars as well as student chapter events held on campus.

IABC offers students an opportunity to learn more about the fast-growing fields of public relations and business communications. Additionally, members receive IABC professional publications, attend IABC workshops, and utilize IABC’s job referral service, which offered 250 positions last year.

The National Association of Black Journalists

The National Association of Black Journalists sponsors student chapters at many universities including the University of Houston. The organization provides a variety of programs aimed at professional and social development of student members.

The National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association (NSSHLA)

The National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association (NSSHLA) is the national organization for graduate and undergraduate students interested in the study of normal and disordered human communication behavior. It is the only national student association recognized by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). National and local chapters sponsor conferences, seminars, a professional publication, scholarship programs and social activities. Membership also entitles students to benefits when applying for final professional certification in speech-language pathology or audiology. Further information is available through student advisors in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) consists of a national organization and chapters at colleges and universities dedicated to supporting educational and professional opportunities for students interested in the field of public relations. Members participate in seminars, national case study competitions, approved internships, and a variety of other programs sponsored by the Houston professional chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

The society also fosters students’ understanding of contemporary public relations theories and procedures, and encourages adherence to the highest ideals and principles of the practice of public relations. Membership in the University of Houston chapter of PRSSA is open to both undergraduate and graduate students of any major. Further information is available from the faculty advisor in the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is a national professional organization with student chapters at universities across the country. It provides scholarships, sponsors various programs designed to enhance the education of prospective journalists, and brings prospective journalists in contact with working journalists. Further information is available from the faculty advisor in the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication.

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) maintains a student section open to all undergraduate and graduate students interested in the activities of this international organization. The aim of the society is to gather pertinent information on motion pictures, sound and video technology and production, and share that information with its members.

SMPTE is the representative of the United States to international standards organizations and is responsible for setting standards in this country. SMPTE publishes a monthly journal. The Houston section holds monthly meetings, which include tutorials, seminars, and lectures on technology and techniques developed in television and motion pictures. Further information is available from the director’s office of the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication.

The International Television Association’s (ITVA)

The International Television Association’s (ITVA) Houston chapter maintains a strong relationship with the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication and other units of the university. Workshops, tutorials, and seminars are held on a monthly and yearly basis on and off campus. The sessions cover key topics on the management and production aspects of industrial media production. Further information is available from the director’s office of the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication.