College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Arts

Dean - Karl Kunkel
Associate Dean - Marie Moeller
138 Wimberly Hall; 608.785.8113

College Academic Services Director - Britta Osborne
138 Wimberly Hall; 608.785.8113

www.uwlax.edu/cassh

The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH) includes departments and programs in the humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies, as well as the artistic disciplines within School of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). CASSH continues the established liberal arts tradition of providing pathways leading to the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree.

CASSH—as the key to global citizenship—is dedicated to providing quality instruction and learning experiences which prepare students for careers, future education, and meaningful, responsible lives by fostering a climate of intellectual curiosity and creativity. Graduates of the college will develop the skills for professional and personal success, including the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, conduct sound research, understand global issues, use knowledge in all aspects of life, participate meaningfully as citizens, and discover and apply worthwhile values.

CASSH faculty and staff are committed to maintaining academic integrity and high ethical standards. CASSH, through its faculty, students, and curricula, is also dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, by developing partnerships outside the university and by encouraging professional connections, the college establishes its membership in the broader community.

The academic community within the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities supports a strong general education program, nurtures exceptional disciplinary programs, and creates innovative interdisciplinary and international programs, which together promote lifelong personal and professional learning.

Department/units                     Majors and minors                 CASSH core requirements  

CASSH progress toward degree policy                CASSH graduation requirements

Joint institution programs

Departments/units

  • Archaeology and Anthropology
  • Art1
  • Communication Studies
  • English
  • Global Cultures and Languages
  • History
  • Military Science
  • Music1
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science and Public Administration
  • Psychology
  • Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
  • Sociology and Criminal Justice
  • Student Affairs Administration (graduate only)
  • Theatre and Dance1
1

Housed in the School of Visual and Performing Arts

Degrees offered

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Master of Science in Education (see graduate catalog)
  • Master of Science (see graduate catalog)
  • Education Specialist (see graduate catalog)
  • Doctor of Education (see graduate catalog)

Majors and minors

B.A. = Bachelor of Arts          B.S.= Bachelor of Science           m = minor

  • Archaeology and Anthropology
    • ​Anthropology (m)
    • Archaeological Studies (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Archaeological Studies w/Cultural Anthropology Emphasis (B.A., B.S.)
  • Art1 (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Art Education (B.S.)
    • Art History (m)
    • Art Therapy (m)
    • Photography (m)
  • Broadfield Social Studies Education (teacher certification program only)
    • Broadfield Social Studies Education (B.S.)
    • Broadfield Social Studies Education: History Concentration (B.S)
    • Broadfield Social Studies Education: Political Science Concentration (B.S.)
    • Broadfield Social Studies Education: Sociology Concentration (B.S.)
  • Communication Studies
    • Digital Media Studies & Design (m)
    • Interpersonal Communication (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Leadership Development (m)
    • Media Studies (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Organizational & Professional Communication (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Public Communication & Advocacy (B.A., B.S., m)
  • Economics (B.A., B.S., m)
  • English
    • Creative Writing (m)
    • English w/Literary & Cultural Studies Emphasis (B.A., m)
    • English w/Medical Professions Emphasis (B.A., B.S.)
    • English w/Writing & Rhetoric Studies Emphasis (B.A.)
    • English Education (B.S.)
    • English Language & Literature (m)
    • Linguistics (m)
    • Professional & Technical Writing (m)
  • Global Cultures and Languages
    • ​Chinese Studies (m)
    • French (B.A., m)
    • French w/Business Concentration (B.A.)
    • French Education (B.S.)
    • French Education with Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (B.S.)
    • German Studies (B.A., m)
    • German Studies w/Business Concentration (B.A.)
    • Spanish (B.A., m)
    • Spanish Education (B.S.)
    • Spanish Education with Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (B.S.)
  • History (B.A., B.S., m)​
  • International and Global Studies (m)
  • Military Science (m)
  • Music1
    • Jazz Performance Emphasis (B.A., B.S.)
    • Music (m)
    • Music Education: Choral and General Music Emphasis (B.S.)
    • Music Education: Instrumental and General Music Emphasis (B.S.)
    • Music Theory Emphasis (B.A., B.S.)
    • Music Performance (m)
    • Performance Emphasis (B.A., B.S.)
    • Piano Pedagogy (B.A., B.S.)
  • Philosophy (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Ethics (m)
  • Political Science and Public Administration
    • ​Legal Studies (m)
    • Political Science (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Public Administration (B.A., B.S., m)
  • Psychology (B.A., B.S., m)
    • ​At-Risk Child & Youth Care (m)
    • ​Neuroscience (interdisciplinary) (m)
  • Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Social Justice (m)
  • Sociology (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Criminal Justice (m)
  • Sustainability and Environmental Studies (m)
  • Theatre and Dance1
    • Arts Administration Emphasis (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Dance (m)
    • Design/Technical Emphasis (B.A., B.S., m)
    • General Emphasis (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Musical Theatre Emphasis (B.A., B.S.)
    • Performance Emphasis (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Stage Management Emphasis (B.A., B.S., m)

Certificate Programs

Microcredentials

Pre-Professional Programs

1

Housed in the School of Visual and Performing Arts

Advising

Students in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Arts who have declared majors are primarily assigned to faculty advisors. Advisors provide guidance and assistance to develop plans for post-college experiences. Students and advisors are provided with Advisement Reports (AR) to assist them in monitoring progress toward meeting degree requirements. Degrees are verified in the dean’s office. Students are encouraged to come to the dean's academic services office to review progress toward the degree during their junior year.

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Arts core requirements

The CASSH core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the requirements of general education. Students may select from courses offered by the full range of academic departments within the college according to their interests. The college core allows students to build their critical thinking, communication, problem solving, teamwork, and global competencies through in-depth exploration of topics of their choosing.

The following conditions apply to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:

  1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases) or in the department of global cultures and languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree; English major: medical professions emphasis majors may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
  2. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  3. Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2) may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
  4. At least one course in the degree must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
  5. All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
  6. Applicable courses may be found on the CASSH B.A./B.S. Degree Option Course List or in the Advisement Report (AR) when the degree has been declared.

Courses used to fulfill general education requirements will not apply to core requirements except for language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) that count in the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2).

Bachelor of Arts students declare one of the following tracks online via the CASSH website:

A. Language track
  1. Native speakers of English complete:
    Select one of the following:
    ARA 202
    		Intermediate Arabic II
    CHI 202
    		Chinese Language and Culture in Action II
    FRE 202
    		French Language and Cultures in Action II
    GCL 202
    		Intermediate Languages II
    GER 202
    		German Language and Cultures in Action II
    HMG 204
    		Hmong Heritage Language: Intermediate
    HMG 304
    		Hmong Heritage Language: Advanced
    JPN 202
    		Intermediate Japanese II
    RUS 202
    		Russian Language and Cultures in Action II
    SPA 202
    		Spanish Language and Cultures in Action II
    or SPA 221
    		 Introduction to Spanish for the Health Professions
    Non-native speakers of English: provide English proficiency evidence acceptable for admission to UWL as a degree seeking student.
  2. Two additional courses outside of the student's major in two of the following: humanities, social sciences or fine arts.
B. Humanities track
  1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
  2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: communication studies, English, history, philosophy and race, gender, and sexuality studies (see the Advisement Report (AR) for a listing of the approved courses); and
  3. One additional course in social sciences or fine arts.
C. Fine arts track
  1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
  2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: art, music, theatre; and
  3. One additional course in social sciences or humanities.
In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete a second major, minor, or individualized option by satisfying one of the following:
  1. Complete a minor (or two certificates with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level or a second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  2. Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside the student's major program. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements; or

  3. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level outside the major department. The remaining six credits may consist of:

    1. 100 level or higher courses outside the major (general education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements); or

    2. 300/400 level courses inside the major department not being used to fulfill major requirements.

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Science core requirements

The CASSH core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the requirements of general education. Students may select from courses offered by the full range of academic departments within the college according to their interests. The college core allows students to build their critical thinking, communication, problem solving, teamwork, and global competencies through in-depth exploration of topics of their choosing.

The following conditions apply to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:

  1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases) or in the department of global cultures and languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree; English major: medical professions emphasis majors may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
  2. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  3. Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2) may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
  4. At least one course in the degree must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
  5. All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
  6. Applicable courses may be found on the CASSH B.A./B.S. Degree Option Course List or in the Advisement Report (AR) when the degree has been declared.

Courses used to fulfill general education requirements will not apply to core requirements except for language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) that count in the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2).

Bachelor of Science students complete four courses outside the department of the student's major as follows:

  1. A lab science course (from the general education list); and
  2. A social science course; and
  3. Another social science or general education natural science, or math course, or an approved CASSH alternative (ENV 101, PHL 334, PHL 339); and
  4. One additional course in humanities or fine arts or complete a global cultures and languages course 102 level or higher.
In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete a second major, minor, or individualized option by satisfying one of the following:
  1. Complete a minor (or two certificates with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level or a second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  2. Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside the student's major program. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements; or
  3. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level outside the major department. The remaining six credits may consist of:
    1. 100 level or higher courses outside the major (general education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements); or
    2. 300/400 level courses inside the major department not being used to fulfill major requirements.

 

CASSH/VPA assurance of progress to degree after 60 credits policy

The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Arts is committed to student success and completion of a baccalaureate degree in a timely manner. Students must have a declared academic major1,2 after the completion of 60 credits. Students who do not meet this requirement will (1) have an advising hold placed on their registration for the next semester; (2) be required to make an appointment with the Academic Services Director in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities Dean's Office to discuss plans for degree completion and to request removal of the advising hold.

1

Undeclared is not an academic major.

2

Pre-professional tracks are not academic majors.

Graduation/degree requirements

A student in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Arts may earn either the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The type of degree earned by a student (B.A. or B.S.) may be determined by the major programs elected by the student. All general university degree requirements must be met: a minimum of 120 credits (40 of which must be 300/400-level courses), general education program requirements, college core requirements, and major program requirements.

Joint institution programs

International joint program in English: The College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities administers a joint degree program with Guangxi Normal University (GXNU), China and South Central University of Nationalities (SCUN), China. Chinese students at GXNU or SCUN may enroll in this program to receive degrees from both institutions. Successful completion of the requirements set by this program results in the conferring of the Bachelor's degree in English by the authorities of GXNU or SCUN and the conferring of the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English (emphasis in writing and rhetoric) by UW-La Crosse.

Articulation agreements between Western Technical College and UW-La Crosse facilitate the transfer of credit between the two institutions. There is a clear and direct path to the Psychology program, with additional majors to be added in the near future.

Contact the UWL Admissions Office for more specific information on these joint programs. Students who earned an associate degree from another University of Wisconsin institution are exempt from UWL's general education requirements, although students must still meet all other UWL degree, college, and major requirements.

www.uwlax.edu/cassh

Programs in humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies

At the heart of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities are the departments which teach the humanities and social sciences. These departments have traditionally represented the cornerstone disciplines of a university. They offer essential experiences that prepare students for lifelong learning. Courses in the humanities and social sciences introduce students to cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity; international dimensions of politics, economics, language, and culture; social institutions and social interactions; theories and applications of human behavior; and the great writing that develops and explores these realms of knowledge.

All students at UWL take courses in the humanities and social sciences even though they may not major in one of these programs. Many of the skills courses and liberal arts courses of the general education program are offered by departments in the humanities and social sciences. The skills that are built are those that enable students to proceed with effective and efficient learning.

Courses in the humanities and social sciences provide individuals with solid reading and writing abilities, an understanding of cultural diversity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the ability to integrate and synthesize ideas, and a sense of personal responsibility. Courses in these disciplines help individuals learn from the past, explore the present, and adapt to the future. The liberal studies program is designed to be an enriching experience that produces a well-rounded individual.

The humanities are taught in the Departments of English, Global Cultures & Languages, History, and Philosophy. The social sciences are taught in the Departments of Archaeology & Anthropology, Communication Studies, Political Science & Public Administration, Psychology, and Sociology & Criminal Justice. The College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities also offers interdisciplinary opportunities in the Departments of Military Science (ROTC) and Race, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, as well as in child/youth care, criminal justice, digital media and design, sustainability & environmental studies, international & global studies, leadership development, legal studies, neuroscience, and social justice. Interdisciplinary studies combine courses from various humanities, social science, and arts disciplines.

School of Visual and Performing Arts
Director - Peter Rydberg
137 Wimberly Hall

www.uwlax.edu/vpa

Programs in visual and performing arts

The School of Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) is comprised of the Departments of Art, Music, and Theatre & Dance. As a collective, the school is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the liberal arts. Programs in the School of Visual & Performing Arts strive to develop the knowledge, freedom of expression, research skills, and spontaneity which underlie creative and intellectual expression in its highest forms. Classes focus on establishing the foundations for creative work and scholarship through the study of technical, historical, and artistic dimensions in the visual and performing arts. Across the school, students are involved in applied and experiential learning, so they spend much of their time in studios and rehearsals developing the skills, processes, and attitudes necessary for professional and personal success. Students in these programs specialize in a particular visual or performing arts discipline. Upon completion of their program, they have a wide range of occupational and educational choices. Some graduates begin careers in the fine or performing arts. Others enter graduate schools and others choose from a wide range of occupations where their creative skills serve them well. Whatever the career and whatever the future, graduates of the School of Visual & Performing Arts are flexible, adaptable, and disciplined communicators who understand process, problem solving, and professional commitment.

The School of Visual & Performing Arts is housed within the College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities.