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

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Arts
Dean - Marie Moeller
Associate Dean, Interim - Kathleen Hawkes 
138 Wimberly Hall; 608.785.8113

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

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 the 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 the inclusion of all people. 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 Core General Education Requirements, nurtures exceptional disciplinary programs, and creates innovative interdisciplinary and international programs, which together promote lifelong personal and professional learning.

Department/units          Majors, minors, and other programs

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 Criminology
  • 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, minors, certificates, microcredentials, and pre-professional tracks

Certificates, microcredentials, and pre-professional tracks are listed after the 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 Education with Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (B.S.)
    • English Language & Literature (m)
    • Linguistics (m)
    • Professional & Technical Writing (m)
  • Global Cultures and Languages
    • ​Chinese Studies (m)
    • French (B.A., m)
    • French Education (B.S.)
    • French Education with Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (B.S.)
    • 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
    • Composition and Creation Emphasis (B.A., B.S.)
    • 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 Performance (m)
    • Performance Emphasis (B.A., B.S.)
  • Philosophy (B.A., B.S., 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)
  • Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Social Justice (m)
  • Sociology and Criminology
    • Criminal Justice (m)
    • Criminology (B.A., B.S.)
    • Sociology (B.A., B.S., m)
  • Theatre and Dance1
    • Arts Administration Emphasis (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Dance (m)
    • Design/Technical Emphasis (B.A., B.S., m)
    • Multidisciplinary Studies 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
(students in the College of Business Administration only)

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/degree audit 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 college core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the Core General Education Requirements (CGER). 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:

  1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases only) or in the Department of Global Cultures and Languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Teacher education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree and follow the School of Education core. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  2. Language courses (CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HCK, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA, or SPE 214) used to fulfill a CGER may also be used to meet the core B.A. language requirement (i.e., the first requirement for each of the B.A. tracks). This course may come from the department of the student's first major.
  3. All other courses completed for the college core cannot overlap with CGER or the student's first major unless otherwise stated. The college core is in addition to those degree requirements. Overlap with a second major, minor, or certificate is allowed.
  4. Courses approved for use in the college core:
    1. Fine arts category: 150-300 level in ART, 100-300 level in MUS or THA.
    2. Humanities category: 100-300 level in CHI, FRE, GCL, JPN, HCK,
      HMG, RUS, or SPA, SPE 207, SPE 214, CST 211, CST 213,
      CST 310, CST 312, CST 315, CST 319, CST 338, CST 410,
      CST 412, CST 413, CST 415, CST 419,
      100-300 level in PHL, 200-300 level in ENG or HIS,
      MS 402, RGS 207, RGS 210, RGS 308, RGS 309, RGS 321, RGS 360,
      RGS 374.
    3. Social science category: 100-300 level in ANT, ARC, CRIM, ENV,
      POL, PUB, or SOC, CST 190, CST 230, CST 260, CST 271,
       CST 280, CST 301, CST 321, CST 322, CST 330,  CST 331, CST 332,
       CST 333, CST 334, CST 336, CST 337, CST 339, CST 350, CST 351,
       CST 353, CST 354, CST 358, CST 360, CST 365, CST 378, CST 380,
       CST 388, PSY 100,100 level in RGS,
       RGS 205, RGS 303, RGS 307, RGS 314, RGS 316, RGS 320, RGS 322,
       RGS 328, RGS 337, RGS 340, RGS 350, RGS 353, RGS 362, RGS 373,
       RGS 377, RGS 409. Students with a declared minor in child/youth
      care or psychology may request additional courses from those programs be applied to the core by contacting the CASSH Academic Services Director.

Diversity course requirement

All students in CASSH must complete at least one diversity course from within CASSH. This course can overlap with CGER, major, minor, or other degree requirements. Select from the 100-400 level in ANT, ARC, CHI, CRIM, FRE, GCL, GER, HCK, HMG, JPN, RUS, SOC, SPA, or RGS; or from the following:
 ART 215, ART 251, ART 301, ART 331, ART 332, ART 335, CST 271,
 CST 332, CST 337, CST 419, ENG 207, ENG 208, ENG 210, ENG 212,
 ENG 215, ENG 220, ENG 336, ENG 357, ENG 360, ENV 350, ENV 351,
 ENV 352, ENV 353, ENV 354, HIS 195, HIS 220, HIS 230, HIS 250,
 HIS 260, HIS 285, HIS 310, HIS 319, HIS 327, HIS 328, HIS 329,
 HIS 330, HIS 333, HIS 335, HIS 336, HIS 338, HIS 345, HIS 357,
 HIS 359, HIS 360, HIS 362, HIS 363, HIS 377, HIS 383, HIS 386,
 HIS 389, HIS 390, INS 494, MUS 205, MUS 209, MUS 377, PHL 212,
 PHL 335, PHL 336, PHL 349, POL 130, POL 140, POL 202, POL 205,
 POL 309, POL 325, POL 330, POL 332, POL 335, POL 336, POL 340,
 POL 341, POL 344, POL 345, POL 346, POL 355, PUB 210, PSY 282,
 PSY 283, PSY 318, PSY 319, PSY 325, PSY 360, THA 130, THA 351. 

Bachelor of Arts track requirement

Bachelor of Arts students must declare a Language, Humanities, or Fine Arts track. This can be done through the UWL Change of Major Form. Students select one of the below tracks.

A. Language Track

  1. Native speakers of English complete:
    Select one of the following:
    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
    HCK 202
    		Hoocak Language and Culture IV
    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 to the CASSH Academic Services Director.
  2. Two additional courses from different categories selected from the college core fine arts, humanities, and social science categories.

B. Humanities Track

  1. One global language course at the 102-level or higher (including SPE 214); and
  2. Two additional courses from different departments (course prefixes within GCL are considered different for this requirement) selected from the college core humanities; and
  3. One course from the college core fine arts or social science categories.

C. Fine Arts Track

  1. One global language course at the 102-level or higher (including SPE 214); and
  2. Two additional courses from different departments selected from the college core fine arts; and
  3. One course from the college core humanities or social science categories.

Second major, minor, certificates, or individualized option requirement

In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete one of the following:

  1. Complete a second major outside of the student's major program; or
  2. Complete a minor outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  3. Complete two certificates outside of the student's major program with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level; of

  4. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits that are in addition to the minimum credits required in the CGER. 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; 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 college core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the Core General Education Requirements (CGER). 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:

  1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases only) or in the Department of Global Cultures and Languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Teacher education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree and follow the School of Education core. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  2. Courses completed for the college core cannot overlap with CGER or the student's first major except where otherwise stated. The college core is in addition to those degree requirements. Overlap with a second major, minor, or certificate is allowed.
  3. Courses approved for use in the college core:
    1. Fine arts category: 150-300 level in ART, 100-300 level in MUS or THA.
    2. Humanities category: 100-300 level in CHI, FRE, GCL, JPN, HCK,
      HMG, RUS, or SPA, SPE 207, SPE 214, CST 211, CST 213,
       CST 310 , CST 312, CST 315 , CST 319, CST 338 , CST 410 ,
       CST 412       , CST 413 , CST 415 , CST 419 ,
             100-300 level in PHL, 200-300 level in ENG or HIS,
       MS 402, RGS 207, RGS 210, RGS 308, RGS 309, RGS 321, RGS 360,
       RGS 374.
    3. Social science category: 100-300 level in ANT, ARC, CRIM, ENV,
      POL, PUB, or SOC, CST 190, CST 230, CST 260, CST 271,
       CST 280, CST 301, CST 321, CST 322, CST 330,  CST 331, CST 332,
       CST 333, CST 334, CST 336, CST 337, CST 339, CST 350, CST 351,
       CST 353, CST 354, CST 358, CST 360, CST 365, CST 378, CST 380,
       CST 388, PSY 100,100 level in RGS,
       RGS 205, RGS 303, RGS 307, RGS 314, RGS 316, RGS 320, RGS 322,
       RGS 328, RGS 337, RGS 340, RGS 350, RGS 353, RGS 362, RGS 373,
       RGS 377, RGS 409. Students with a declared minor in child/youth
      care or psychology may request additional courses from those programs be applied to the core by contacting the CASSH Academic Services Director.

Diversity course requirement

All students in CASSH must complete at least one diversity course from within CASSH. This course can overlap with CGER, major, minor, or other degree requirements. Select from the 100-400 level in ANT, ARC, CHI, CRIM, FRE, GCL, GER, HCK, HMG, JPN, RUS, SOC, SPA, or RGS; or from the following:
 ART 215, ART 251, ART 301, ART 331, ART 332, ART 335, CST 271,
 CST 332, CST 337, CST 419, ENG 207, ENG 208, ENG 210, ENG 212,
 ENG 215, ENG 220, ENG 336, ENG 357, ENG 360, ENV 350, ENV 351,
 ENV 352, ENV 353, ENV 354, HIS 195, HIS 220, HIS 230, HIS 250,
 HIS 260, HIS 285, HIS 310, HIS 319, HIS 327, HIS 328, HIS 329,
 HIS 330, HIS 333, HIS 335, HIS 336, HIS 338, HIS 345, HIS 357,
 HIS 359, HIS 360, HIS 362, HIS 363, HIS 377, HIS 383, HIS 386,
 HIS 389, HIS 390, INS 494, MUS 205, MUS 209, MUS 377, PHL 212,
 PHL 335, PHL 336, PHL 349, POL 130, POL 140, POL 202, POL 205,
 POL 309, POL 325, POL 330, POL 332, POL 335, POL 336, POL 340,
 POL 341, POL 344, POL 345, POL 346, POL 355, PUB 210, PSY 282,
 PSY 283, PSY 318, PSY 319, PSY 325, PSY 360, THA 130, THA 351. 

Bachelor of Science course requirement

Bachelor of Science students complete four courses as follows:

  1. A lab science course from:
     ANT 102, BIO 100, BIO 105, BIO 203, BIO 312,BIO 313, CHM 103,
     CHM 104, ESS 205, ESS 206, GEO 101, GEO 221, GEO 222, MIC 100,
     MIC 230, PHY 103, PHY 104, PHY 106, PHY 155, PHY 160, PHY 203,
     PHY 204; and
  2. An approved college core social science course; and
  3. An additional course from the previously listed lab sciences, college core social science, or a qualitative course from: CS 101, CS 115, CS 120, CT 100, FIN 207, MTH 115, MTH 116, MTH 123, MTH 150, MTH 151, MTH 160, MTH 175, MTH 207, MTH 208, MTH 215, MTH 216, STAT 145, STAT 245; and
  4. One course from the college core fine arts or humanities categories.

Second major, minor, certificates, or individualized option requirement

In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete one of the following:

  1. Complete a second major outside of the student's major program; or
  2. Complete a minor outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  3. Complete two certificates outside of the student's major program with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400-level; or
  4. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits that are in addition to the minimum credits required in the CGER. 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; 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), Core General Education 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 following UWL majors: history; race, gender, & sexuality studies; philosophy; psychology; and sociology.

Contact the UWL Admissions Office for more specific information on these joint programs. Students who have earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a regionally- or nationally-accredited institution with a program of study of comparable level and scope to UWL's will be considered to have satisfied the Core General Education Requirements (CGER) at UWL, although students must still meet all other UWL degree, college, and major requirements.

Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities (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 domestic and 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 in the Core General Education Requirements (CGER) 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 cultures, 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 & Criminology. 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 artificial intelligence ethics, 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, arts, and even science disciplines.

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

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.