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College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences

Departments and Programs of Instruction

Admission to the College

Regular Enrollment in a Program of Studies

Teacher Education Program

Laboratory of Anthropology

General College Requirements for Graduation

College Requirements for the B.A. and B.S. Degrees

Major Curricula

John A. Mihelich, Interim Dean (113 Admin. Bldg.; 208/885-6426); Kristine A. Roby, College Advisor, (kroby@uidaho.edu).

The largest division of the university, the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS) has four goals: 1) to prepare individuals for an array of careers and professions; 2) to foster scholarly inquiry, creative activity, and the generation of knowledge; 3) to serve the public, and 4) to provide the cultural and contextual foundation on which other academic and professional colleges depend. The College through its 11 departments and several interdisciplinary programs prepares broadly educated individuals capable of open inquiry, critical thinking, and effective communication, who understand and are responsive to the needs of individuals and society. The College values the integration of learning and discovery in its efforts to develop and support distinctive programs that enhance the land grant mission of the university within the context of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students are prepared to become knowledgeable, contributing citizens in a world of diverse cultures and contexts. Beyond learning how to discover, analyze, and integrate knowledge across disciplines, graduates come to value lifelong learning as the basis for excellence in any endeavor.

Departments and Programs of Instruction

At both the undergraduate and graduate level, the curricula of CLASS emphasize the aesthetic, historical, ethical, and social dimensions and interpretations of human existence. Included within CLASS are the Departments of English, History, Modern Languages & Cultures, Psychology and Communication Studies, Theatre Arts, and Sociology/Anthropology. The College is home to the School of Journalism and Mass Media, the Lionel Hampton School of Music. and the Martin School which provides degree programs in International Studies, Philosophy, and Political Science. Other programs offering degrees through the CLASS include American Studies, Environmental Science, General Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Latin American Studies, and Organizational Sciences. The departments and schools in CLASS provide dozens of curricula and curricular options leading to certificates, minors, and baccalaureate degrees as well as programs of graduate study leading to master’s and doctoral degrees.

Undergraduate. See departmental sections.

Graduate. The College of Graduate Studies offers work toward advanced degrees in many disciplines in CLASS. Work leading to a master’s degree is currently available in the fields of anthropology, creative writing, English, environmental science, history, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, public administration, theatre arts. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is available in history, philosophy, and political science. For specific degrees available, see the list of programs compiled in the General Catalog.

General Studies. The College also serves those students who have not decided upon a particular program of study by providing a course of study and degree that allow students to complete their general education requirements and explore a broad-based university curriculum without specialization. For details, see the program in general studies.

Non-degree. A non-degree program is offered in which each student's course of study is worked out to meet his or her special needs. The program is intended primarily for students who (1) do not plan to obtain degrees at the University of Idaho, (2) plan to transfer to other institutions, or (3) have objectives that are not provided for by any of the established curricula in the College.

Interdisciplinary Studies. Students who have broad educational goals that necessitate work in several disciplines or departments may present an interdisciplinary curriculum for the B.A. or B.S. degree. For details, see the program in interdisciplinary studies.

Admission to the College

Students who expect to enter CLASS should plan their high school electives carefully, both to lay the foundation for their general education, which will be continued in the university, and to ensure that they are adequately prepared to begin their study at the college level. Students should select subjects in English, foreign language, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and fine arts that will provide a well-rounded preparation for further study. For a statement of general undergraduate and graduate admission requirements, see the admissions portion of the catalog.

Regular Enrollment in a Program of Studies

Students in CLASS must enroll in regular programs unless they are admitted as a non-degree seeking student. A regular program is one that leads to a degree that the College offers.

Teacher Education Program

Students in CLASS who are preparing for secondary-school teaching should consult the section on the College of Education.

Laboratory of Anthropology

The Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology, established in 1968, is an archaeological curatorial and research facility in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. In this role, the Laboratory serves as the Archaeological survey of Idaho, Northern Repository (ASINR). The ASINR houses archaeological materials and associated documents from the ten northern counties in the state. Additionally, the Laboratory holds the Asian American Comparative Collection, Don E. Crabtree Lithic Collection, Historic Artifact Collection, Faunal Comparative Collection, and the Pacific Northwest Anthropological Archive.

General College Requirements for Graduation

The College requirements applicable to the B.A. and B.S. degrees are listed in the relevant college section. The requirements for the various professional degrees (i.e., B.F.A. and B.Mus.) are listed by academic unit. The College B.A. and B.S. requirements do not apply to these professional degrees.

College Requirements for the B.A. and B.S. Degrees

Objectives. The College requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees are designed to ensure a broad, liberal education through the attainment of the following objectives: (1) proficiency in written and spoken English; (2) appreciation of great literature, music, and art; (3) knowledge of human development, the growth of social and economic institutions, and an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the individual citizen; (4) perspective of American culture in the world at large; (5) sense of historical perspective; (6) acquaintance with moral, ethical, and aesthetic values; (7) familiarity with scientific thought and method; (8) ability to use and interpret basic mathematical concepts; (9) understanding of ecology; and (10) a continuing attitude of intellectual curiosity.

Requirements for the B.A. Degree:

Humanities. 6 credits (two courses) in addition to the minimum university-wide general education requirement in humanities/social sciences.

Social Sciences. 3 credits (one course) in addition to the minimum university-wide general education requirement in humanities/social sciences.

Foreign/Second Language. 0-16 credits (zero-four courses), i.e., competence in one foreign/second language equivalent to that gained by the completion of four semesters of college courses (through the intermediate level). This requirement may be satisfied by the completion of either of the following options: (1) 16 credits or four high-school units in one foreign/second language, or (2) 12 credits in one foreign/second language, and one three-credit course in literature translated from the same language. The 12 credits may be satisfied by three high-school units in one foreign/second language. A student may use coursework in American Sign Language offered at other institutions to fulfill this requirement. The coursework must be equivalent to that required at UI to fulfill this requirement.

Requirements for the B.S. Degree:

Humanities. 3 credits (one course) in addition to the minimum university-wide general education requirement in humanities/social sciences.

Social Sciences. 3 credits (one course) in addition to the minimum university-wide general education requirement in humanities/social sciences.

Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Statistics. 6 credits (two courses) in addition to the minimum university-wide general education requirement in natural sciences/math.

For the B.S. degree, the student may substitute the successful completion of an academic minor or area of emphasis of at least 18 credits approved by the department in which the student is majoring.

Progress in Satisfying These Requirements. Students who wish to graduate by the end of four years of college work should take a program that results in substantial progress toward the fulfillment of the preceding requirements by the end of the sophomore year. In particular, students seeking the B.A. degree should take courses in fulfillment of the foreign-language requirement as early as possible. If they cannot do this during the first semester, they should immediately take a course that can be used in partial fulfillment of the science-mathematics requirement.

Major Curricula

Selection of a Major. Each student should select a major curriculum no later than the beginning of the junior year. Lower-division students who have not decided on a major may pursue the Bachelor of General Studies.

Major Requirements. The departmental requirements are stated under the respective curricula.