About the College
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences consists of nine academic units: Communication Studies; English; Family and Consumer Sciences; Foreign Languages: History; Mass Communication; Political Science; Psychology and Philosophy; and Sociology.
Administrative Officers
| Dean | John M. de Castro, Ph.D. (936) 294-2200 |
| Associate Dean | A. Jerry Bruce Jr., Ph.D. (936) 294-2202 |
| Associate Dean | Terry Bilhartz, Ph.D. (936) 294-2203 |
| Department of Communication Studies | James D. Ragsdale, Jr., Ph.D., Chair |
| Department of English | Helena Halmari, Ph.D., Interim Chair |
| Department of Family and Consumer Sciences | Janis D. White, Ph.D., Chair |
| Department of Foreign Languages | Debra Andrist, Ph.D., Chair |
| Department of History | Terry Bilhartz, Ph.D., Acting Chair |
| Department of Mass Communication | Chris White, Ph.D., Acting Chair |
| Department of Political Science | Rhonda Callaway, Ph.D., Chair |
| Department of Psychology and Philosophy | Chris Wilson, Ph.D., Chair |
| Department of Sociology | Alessandro Bonanno, Ph.D., Chair |
Website: www.shsu.edu/~hss001/
Mission
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) provides an essential component to a liberal arts education: understanding human beings in their diversity as expressed in their literatures, histories, ideas, values, oral and written expressions, and behavior. By promoting analytic, interpretive, interpersonal, researchand communication skills, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences facilitates personal growth, competent professionals, and responsible citizens.
Academic Programs
| Major | Degree(s) |
| B.A., B.S. | |
| B.A. | |
| B.A., B.S. | |
| B.A., B.S. | |
| B.S. | |
| B.A., B.S. | |
| B.A., B.S. | |
| B.A., B.S. | |
| B.A. | |
| B.A. | |
| Political Science | B.A., B.S. |
| Psychology | B.S. |
| Sociology | B.A., B.S. |
| Spanish | B.A. |
Highlights
- Faculty in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences are committed to teaching excellence, curriculum innovation, research/scholarship, and community and university service.
- Faculty in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences have been recognized for their teaching excellence with national and local awards.
- Courses in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences are rated well above the national norms in teacher effectiveness and course excellence.
- Faculty in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences have been recognized for their research and scholarship with national awards.
- Annual Teaching Conference — Each year the College of Humanities and Social Sciences hosts a teaching conference, celebrating important accomplishments of faculty members. Faculty members are recognized for their excellence in teaching and explore new approaches to teaching.
- Writing Center — The Writing Center helps students, staff, and faculty become better writers through individual and group instruction.
- Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program — This program is designed to provide talented first-generation, low income or ethnic minority undergraduate students with effective preparation for doctoral study. The program encourages students to engage in research with a faculty mentor and to acquire the skills necessary to succeed in doctoral studies.
Scholarships
Clay and Margaret B. Smith Memorial Humanities and Social Sciences Scholarship
This scholarship is a one-year award of $1000 divided between Fall and Spring semesters and is disbursed on the basis of financial need and academic performance. An application is available on the College of Humanities and Social Sciences webpage.