College of Arts, Sciences, and Education

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”  —W.B. Yeats

Since ancient times, a liberal education has been a proven way for people to better their lives.  The idea would not have lasted if it hadn’t worked.  Study of the liberal arts and sciences will provide you with a mastery of letter and number that will make you smarter and prepare you to lead others and to prosper in a constantly changing environment.  In other words, a degree in the liberal arts and sciences won’t just help you to land a job—it will empower you to discover a calling in life, to develop a greater capacity to think from various perspectives, to make connections, to articulate your point-of-view, to better appreciate the natural world, and to cultivate a sense of ethical responsibility.  In what world are those not valuable qualities?

Mission Statement

We are a community of scholars who challenge each other to lives of inquiry. 

Minors

A minor requires a minimum of 18 SCH in a discipline, with the exception of the interdisciplinary-studies minor that requires hours from more than one discipline.

Biology

BIOL 1306Biology for Science Majors I3
BIOL 1106Biology for Science Majors I Lab1
BIOL 1307Biology for Science Majors II3
BIOL 466Evolutionary Biology3
9 SCH UD Biology Electives9
Total Hours19

Biomedical Science  (Available for RELLIS Biology majors only)

BIOL 311General Microbiology4
BIOL 402Cell and Molecular Biology4
Choose 10sch from the following courses:10
Immunology
Virology
Survey of Human Disease and Pathophysiology
Medical Microbiology
Human Parasitology
Biochemistry I
Total Hours18

Chemistry

CHEM 1311General Chemistry I3
CHEM 1111General Chemistry I (Lab)1
CHEM 1312General Chemistry II3
CHEM 1112General Chemistry II (Lab)1
CHEM 2423Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 2425Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 410Biochemistry I4
Total Hours20

Communication

COMM 1311Introduction to Communication Studies3
COMM 1318Interpersonal Communication3
COMM 2335Argumentation and Advocacy3
COMM 320Communication in Organizations3
COMM 325Persuasive Communication3
MCOM 350Mass Communication Research Methods3
Total Hours18

Criminal Justice

Select at least three sch from each of the following Areas:9
Area I
Deviance and Deviant Behavior
Crime and Delinquency
Criminological Theories
Area II
Law and Society
Criminal Law and Procedure
Constitutional Issues: Rights of Accused and Convicted Offenders
Seminar in Criminal Justice
Area III
The Juvenile Justice System
Institutional Corrections, Theory, and Practice
Probation, Parole, and Community Corrections
Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in America
3 courses in upper division Criminal Justice9
Total Hours18

Drama

DRAM 1310Introduction to Theatre3
DRAM 1351Acting I3
DRAM 310Myths, Mysteries, and Murders3
DRAM 311Manners, Modernity, and Masochism3
DRAM 335Playwriting I3
DRAM 450Studies in Genre (Drama)3
Total Hours18

English

ENGL 2360Introduction to Literary Studies3
Sophomore Level English Elective:3
British Literature
American Literature
World Literature
Writing Across the Curriculum
Introduction to Creative Writing
Technical Writing & Communication
12sch Upper Division English (300 or 400 level)12
Total Hours18

Environmental Science

BIOL 2406Environmental Biology3
BIOL 307General Ecology3
BIOL 450Limnology4
BIOL 420Global Change (EL) 13
CHEM 405Environmental Chemistry3
Select one of the following:3
Endangered Ecosystems
Atmosphere and Biosphere
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Total Hours19

Forensic Science

BIOL 1306Biology for Science Majors I3
BIOL 1106Biology for Science Majors I Lab1
CHEM 1311General Chemistry I3
CHEM 1111General Chemistry I (Lab)1
CJ 430Constitutional Issues: Rights of Accused and Convicted Offenders3
Select 7sch from the following:7
Introduction to Forensic Science
Fundamentals of DNA Forensics
Forensic and Investigative Techniques
Criminal Law and Procedure
Criminal Investigations
Total Hours18

History

HIST 1301United States History I3
HIST 1302United States History II3
Upper-division History Electives12
Total Hours18

Humanities

HUMA 1301Introduction to the Humanities I3
or IS 1300 The Human Experience
ARTS 1301Art Appreciation3
or MUSI 1306 Music Appreciation
or DRAM 1310 Introduction to Theatre
or HUMA 2306 Introduction to Ethics
HISP 2375United States Hispanic Culture and Civilization3
or MCOM 2370 Introduction to American Film History
or WGSS 1301 Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Upper Division English Elective (300-400 level)3
Upper Division History Elective (300-400 level)3
Upper Division Elective from: ART, DRAM, ENG, HUMA, HIST, MCOM, WGSS (300-400 level course)3
Total Hours18

Interdisciplinary Studies

Lower-division courses outside major9
Upper-division courses outside major9
Total Hours18

International Studies

College-level Foreign Language6
Select twelve sch from the following:12
Studies in Genre
Advanced British Literature
Modern Latin America
The Culture and History of Mexico
Europe, 1920 to the Present
Twentieth Century Asia
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Introduction to International Relations
Disputes in International Relations
Globalization and Social Change
Religion and Society
Total Hours18

 Any foreign-language of 3 SCH with an international travel component, in addition to the 6 SCH foreign-language requirement.

Kinesiology

BIOL 2401Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 2402Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
Choose 4 courses from the list below:12
Motor Development
Test and Measurement in Kinesiology
Exercise Physiology
Concepts of Physical Activity
Kinesiology and Biomechanics
Motor Skills for Special Populations
Exercise Testing and Prescription
Total Hours20

Leadership

LEAD 305Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practices3
LEAD 310Leadership Theory and Practice3
LEAD 400Leadership and Gender Issues3
LEAD 415Organization Development and Change3
LEAD 420Community Leadership3
Leadership Elective3
Total Hours18

Mass Communication

MCOM 1307Introduction to Mass Communication3
Sophomore Level Mass-Communication course (2000 course number)3
Select one of the following:3
Media Law and Ethics
Mass Communication Theory
Mass Communication Research Methods
Upper Division Mass-Communication elective courses6
Mass Communication Elective (upper division or lower division)3
Total Hours18

Political Science

PSCI 2301American Government I: Federal & Texas Constitutions3
PSCI 2302American Government II: Federal & Texas Political Behavior3
Upper-division Political Science Electives12
Total Hours18

Pre-Health (available for Biology Majors only)

MATH 1342Elementary Statistical Methods3
BIOL 2401Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 2402Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
BIOL 311General Microbiology4
Select 1 of the following courses:3-4
Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology
Medical Terminology
Virology
Survey of Human Disease and Pathophysiology
Biochemistry I
Total Hours18-19

Psychology

PSYC 2301General Psychology3
PSYC 2314Lifespan Growth and Development3
PSY 316Abnormal Psychology3
PSY 317Psychology of Personality3
or PSY 350 Learning and Behavior
PSY 426Introduction to Clinical and Counseling Psychology3
Psychology Elective3
Total Hours18

Social Studies

ECON 2301Principles of Macroeconomics3
GEOG 1303World Regional Geography3
GEOG 413Cultural Geography3
PSCI 2301American Government I: Federal & Texas Constitutions3
PSCI 340Introduction to Comparative Politics3
or PSCI 350 Introduction to International Relations
PSCI 427Public Law (EL)3
or PSCI 428 Intergovernmental Politics
Total Hours18

Social Work 

SOCI 2350Introduction to Social Work3
SOCW 360Working with Diverse Populations3
SOCW 365Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families3
SOCW 370Social Welfare Policy3
SOC 495Sociology Internship (EL)3
3sch Upper Division Elective3
Total Hours18

Sociology

SOCI 1301Introduction to Sociology3
SOC 310Sociological Theory3
SOC 380Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in America3
Upper-division approved Sociology elective9
Total Hours18

Spanish

Required Lower Division Language Courses
SPAN 1311Beginning Spanish I3
SPAN 1312Beginning Spanish II3
SPAN 2311Intermediate Spanish I3
SPAN 2312Intermediate Spanish II3
Required Upper Division Language Courses
SPAN 303Spanish Composition and Conversation 13
or SPAN 497 Special Topics
Interdisciplinary Course Requirements
Select one of the following:3
Latin America-The Colonial Era
Modern Latin America
The Culture and History of Mexico
The minor advisor may approve the substitution of other courses, which have Latin America as their primary focus.
Total Hours18
1

 Prior to enrolling in Spanish courses, students must complete the following:

  • Pass a Spanish Proficiency Exam at a level of 300
  • Complete an oral interview with the Spanish instructor
  • Receive permission from the Spanish instructor to enroll in course

Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies

WGSS 1301Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies3
WGSS 497Special Topics in WGSS3
or WGSS 489 Independent Study in WGSS
12 Credits from the following:12
Types of Crime
Studies in Women's Literature
Sex, Swords, & Sorcery: The Medieval World in Anglo-American Film
American Social and Intellectual History
American Women's History
Advanced Academic Argument Seminar/Continental Philosophy
Introduction to Political Ideologies
American Political Theory
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Politics and Gender
Psychology of Interpersonal Interaction
Human Sexual Behavior
Marriage and Family
Total Hours18

Writing Studies

ENGL 2340Writing Across the Curriculum3
ENGL 2351Introduction to Creative Writing3
MCOM 2311Media Writing3
Select 3 of the following courses:9
Advanced Expository Writing (EL)
Advanced Composition for Educators
Advanced Technical Writing
Writing Processes & Strategies
History and Structure of the English Language
Special Topics
Feature Writing
Total Hours18

Doctoral Degrees