FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the special role of the academic programs within the Arts and Humanities department?
The Arts and Humanities areas play a significant role in shaping the mindset and lives of students and individuals within the institution through the instruction of its content material.  The variety of programs, including English, History, Fine Arts, Music, Philosophy, Geography, Speech, and Spanish provide cultural enrichment and strive to provide enlightening and transformational experiences to the cross-section of university citizenship.  The Arts and Humanities foster the exploration of ideas and enhance the ability of expressing one’s ideas.  The programs also create a platform for the awareness and appreciation of one’s cultural roots and achievements and that of other cultures and societies. The Arts and Humanities programs service all other disciplines in the university by offering the general education courses in the liberal arts required for matriculation with a baccalaureate degree.  Finally, the academic disciplines bring a positive impact to the institution and to the larger community.

When will the degree-granting status of the Arts and Humanities programs be re-instated?
The Board of Supervisors has approved the re-instatement of History and English degree programs effective from Fall 2008.  Other programs such as Fine Arts and Music and Spanish are also anticipated to be re-instated as degree-granting programs in the near future.

What are the professors like in the Arts and Humanities?
The professors in the Arts and Humanities are qualified, knowledgeable, with a deep commitment to foster student learning.  They are devoted to sharing their knowledge and learning with others. They come from diverse cultural and intellectual backgrounds.  The website provides information on their variegated credentials.

How do I transfer as a major in an area of the Arts and Humanities?
Most of SUNO students declare their major during and/or after the freshman year. That's okay, because the first year of studies focuses on General Education Requirements. To find out more, drop in to our office in Building #MPB 236 and talk to any of our faculty members.

Will I receive credit if I come in as a transfer student with several course credits that may be equivalent to those offered in the Arts and Humanities?
Yes, of course.  Your transcript needs to be evaluated by Mrs. Gilda Davis in the Office of Records to receive the appropriate course equivalent credits in general education courses.  If you have taken upper-level electives at another school, the faculty adviser in your area of major may make a recommendation for substituting a required course in the area of major with the imported elective credit.  A grade of C or better is necessary to receive transfer credit.

Why major in history?
In an ever-changing world, understanding history becomes all the more necessary. The study of history introduces students to the gamut of change and by doing that, it becomes a relevant part of our education. The knowledge of national and international history brings a sense of the complexity and contingency of events. It provides students with rich and diverse perspectives and sharpens their hindsight, which must be clear in order to wisely judge current challenges and issues. History is a window to the past, and in that role it offers meaningful insights for solving present problems and for shaping a better future. Last, but not the least, a major in history will enable our students to develop strong critical skills, which are valuable to informed citizenship and for a variety of careers.

What types of jobs can a history graduate get?
Most History majors do not become historians, but they take their sophisticated skills of analysis and judgment into a global marketplace. Employers value their skills as writers. The best job education is not necessarily in a narrow specialty. Employers know that history majors have honed their critical thinking skills. Those skills are adaptable to a variety of contexts. A history graduate acquires a broad education, which is well-suited in the ever-changing world of business and technology. Additionally, the History major is a traditional avenue into the law, government service, and teaching professions. The skills of critical reading and thinking are valuable assets, and law schools recognize it.