College of Arts and Sciences
Computing Services 211
541-552-6520
Josie Wilson (Acting), Dean
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Southern Oregon University supports academic programs in arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences that have a strong disciplinary focus. Combining the former Schools of Arts and Letters, Sciences, and Social Sciences into one college, the new CAS, also enhances several interdisciplinary programs and selected graduate programs. Students have multiple opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in the community through service-learning classes, practica, and capstone classes. They are also encouraged to study abroad as part of their academic program.
CAS educational programs address the social, cultural, scientific, technical, economic, environmental, physical, political, psychological, and health-related spheres. Students are involved in significant research and scholarly activities, preparing them for successful careers and advanced educational opportunities. SOU faculty are committed to providing students with personal instruction and advising, small classes, experience with modern instrumentation and technology, and opportunities to build investigative and communication skills.
In its role as the Designated Center of Excellence in the Fine and Performing Arts by the Oregon University System (OUS), SOU offers programs in studio art, art history, music, and theatre. CAS promotes such activities as theatrical productions, art exhibitions, music concerts, publication of the West Wind Review, poetry readings, the Chamber Music Concerts, the Oregon Writing Project, Shakespeare studies, and exhibits at the Schneider Museum of Art, as well as many community and regional opportunities in the arts.
The region’s diverse environment offers students an outstanding natural laboratory for research and instruction. CAS departments have established relationships with local businesses and local, state, and federal agencies, where faculty and students perform research and students gain practicum and internship experiences. Students are challenged to apply their knowledge in real-world situations through community-based service opportunities in which they are mentored in meaningful civic engagement, skill-building, and the study of social values. As a result, students learn how to understand the human condition and build respectful relationships within communities. Many CAS departments support teacher education and maintain strong ties with the educational community.
Students are encouraged to expand their multicultural and global perspectives; to increase their critical thinking, communication, cooperation, problem-solving, and leadership skills; and to grow in personal and physical well-being. Faculty value personal curiosity, lifelong learning, and development of the whole student.
Departments and Programs
Art
Biology
Chemistry, Physics, Materials, and Engineering
Communication
Computer Science (including Applied Multimedia)
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Health, Physical Education, and Leadership
History and Political Science
Language and Literature (including English and Writing, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Philosophy, and Shakespeare Studies)
Mathematics
Performing Arts (including Music and Theatre Arts)
Psychology
Social Science, Policy, and Culture (including Anthropology, Economics, International Studies, Native American Studies, Sociology, and Women’s Studies
Graduate Programs
The broadly focused school area graduate program is currently being revised into College of Arts and Sciences programs. Contact the dean of CAS for more information.
Several college area programs offer specific emphases, including biology, computer science, foreign language teaching, and health and physical education. Students should contact the chair of the department of emphasis for more information.
In addition, SOU offers a Master of Music in Conducting, a Master of Science in Environmental Education, a Master of Science in Applied Psychology (Organizational Training and Development or Human Service), and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. A Master of Theatre Studies in Production and Design is pending approval by the Oregon State Board of Higher Education.
Preprofessional Programs
Preprofessional programs enable students to complete one or more years of study at Southern Oregon University prior to transferring to a professional school. SOU offers preprofessional programs in chiropractic medicine, dental hygiene, dentistry, education, engineering, law, medical technology, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician’s assistant, psychology, counseling, social work and human service, and veterinary medicine. For specific information on engineering, see the chemistry and physics program.
Arts and Letters Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyLower Division Courses
| AL 199 Special Studies |
| Credits to be arranged |
| AL 209 Practicum |
| Credits to be arranged |
| AL 215, 216 Introduction to Cultural Studies |
| 4 credits |
| Examines the experience of inhabiting a mass, commodified culture. Introduces students to key concepts from the emerging field of cultural studies, placing contemporary trends in popular culture within a larger historical framework. Addresses how specific disciplines apply ideas from cultural studies, such as an English course that focuses on contemporary responses to issues raised in classic narratives or a communication course that examines representations of gender in advertisements. Approved for University Studies (Explorations). |
Upper Division Courses
| AL 301 History and Theories of Cultural Studies |
| 4 credits |
| Explores the historical context of cultural studies and its major theoretical perspectives. In addition to critical readings from the different areas of cultural studies, students apply these theories to independent projects that focus on the production of meaning in their world. Prerequisite: Completion of all lower division University Studies requirements. Approved for University Studies (Synthesis). |
| AL 399 Special Studies |
| Credits to be arranged |
| AL 401/501 Research |
| Credits to be arranged |
| AL 403/503 Thesis |
| Credits to be arranged |
| AL 405/505 Reading and Conference |
| Credits to be arranged |
| AL 407/507 Seminar |
| Credits to be arranged |
| AL 408/508 Workshop |
| Credits to be arranged |
| AL 409/509 Practicum |
| Credits to be arranged |
| AL 510 Selected Topics in Arts and Letters |
| Credits to be arranged |
Digital Media Foundations Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyLower Division Courses
| DMF 201 Digital Media Foundations I |
| 4 credits |
| Provides an introduction to the fundamentals of visual narrative, design, and critical thinking about the creation of visuals in a digital age. Students complete a series of projects combining contemporary techniques in photography, graphic design, illustration, and video. DMF 201 serves as a prerequisite or recommended course for several upper division classes in art, applied multimedia, computer science, photojournalism, and video production. |
Science Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyLower Division Courses
| SC 199 Special Studies |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SC 209 Practicum |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SC 211, 212, 213 Explorations in Science |
| 3 to 4 credits |
| Satisfies University Seminar requirements as an Explorations sequence. Approved for University Studies (Explorations). |
Upper Division Courses
| SC 339 History and Philosophy of Science |
| 4 credits each |
| Considers the nature of scientific reasoning. Analyzes basic scientific concepts, such as explanation, hypothesis, and causation. Approved for University Studies (Synthesis). Prerequisites: Explorations sequences from all three of the learning areas, USEM 103, and completion of all lower division University Studies requirements. (Cross-listed with PHL 339.) |
| SC 353 Oceanography |
| 3 credits |
| Beginning course designed to give an overview of the interrelationships between the geological, physical, chemical, and biological systems in the world’s oceans. Visually illustrates the material and highlights contemporary topics using a descriptive approach. Three lectures. Approved for University Studies (Synthesis). Prerequisite: Completion of all lower division University Studies requirements. (Cross-listed with G 353.) |
| SC 399 Special Studies |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SC 401/501 Research |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SC 405/505 Reading and Conference |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SC 407/507 Seminar |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SC 408/508 Workshop |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SC 409/509 Practicum |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SC 510 Selected Topics in Science |
| Credits to be arranged |
Social Sciences Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyLower Division Courses
| SSC 199 Special Studies |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SSC 209 Practicum |
| Credits to be arranged |
Upper Division Courses
| SSC 351 Oregon’s Future |
| 4 credits |
| Presents an interdisciplinary approach to contemporary issues in Oregon, including politics and history; population demographics; educational problems and reforms; budgetary outlook, tax restructuring, and spending issues; the status of prisons and crimes; and environmental issues. (Cross-listed with EC 351.) |
| SSC 387 American Economic History |
| 4 credits |
| Covers the economic development of the United States and the evolution of American economic institutions from colonial times to the present. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. (Cross-listed with EC 387.) |
| SSC 389 America in the Global Economy |
| 4 credits |
| Examines the transformation of the American economy since World War II and its growing interdependence with and integration into the world economy. Emphasizes current problems such as budget and trade deficits, international debt, world competitiveness, protectionism, and economic cooperation with other countries. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. (Cross-listed with EC 389.) |
| SSC 399 Special Studies |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SSC 401/501 Research |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SSC 403/503 Thesis |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SSC 405/505 Reading and Conference |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SSC 407/507 Seminar |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SSC 408/508 Workshop |
| Credits to be arranged |
| SSC 409/509 Practicum |
| Credits to be arranged (maximum 15 credits) |
| SSC 437/537 Conservation in the United States |
| 4 credits |
| Explores the evolution of Western environmental perceptions from classical times to present. Focuses on environmental movements in the United States, the forces behind environmental crisis, and the responses by society and its institutions. Prerequisites: ES 111, 112, or 210 and upper division or graduate standing. (Cross-listed with GEOG 437/537.) |
| SSC 439/539 Land Use Planning |
| 4 credits |
| Applies land use planning history and legal foundations to provide the framework for exploring problems in land use planning, development, and public policy formulation. Pays particular attention to Oregon’s land use planning legislation and its regional implementation. GEOG 350 recommended. Prerequisites: GEOG 107, 108, or ES 210 and upper division or graduate standing. (Cross-listed with GEOG 439/539.) |
Graduate Courses
| SSC 510 Selected Topics in Social Science |
| 1 to 14 credits |
| SSC 511 Contemporary Developments in the Social Sciences |
| 3 credits |
| Explores new thoughts, trends, and developments in selected social science areas. Examines current research studies on contemporary problems. |
| SSC 514 Education in Sociological Perspectives |
| 3 credits |
| Examines literature and research related to the current and historical role of public education in American society from the multiple perspectives of the social sciences. Strengthens analytical skills by applying social science research to the assessment of educational change and public policy on the purpose and operation of public schools, including selected instructional and curricular innovations. (Cross-listed with ED 514.) |
| SSC 599 Proseminar: Social Science |
| 2 credits |
| Introduces students to the expectations and research that will lead to the comprehensive exam and a focused project or thesis. Students are required to take at least two terms of SSC 599 as part of the master’s in social sciences program. |
