College of Humanities & Social Sciences

 Departments and Curricula

The College of Humanities & Social Sciences’ primary purpose is to afford the student a liberal education, which by its nature is broad rather than narrow, devoted to intellectual development and discipline rather than to the acquisition of technical skills. It should give the student some knowledge of the achievements of the human mind, with special reference to the western civilization of which both the ancient world and contemporary America are parts; the historical and cultural backgrounds essential to a true understanding of our world; and above all, orderly thinking processes and a scale of values by which the distinction can be made between permanent and trivial, substantial and pretentious, good and bad. To that end, some familiarity with historical and political studies, the sciences, and the arts is necessary.

As a human being and as a citizen, the student will find this education of lasting significance. As a member of a profession, each student will find desirable backgrounds for scholarship and teaching in all fields of knowledge and for law and medicine, which stress, increasingly, the value of broad intellectual training.

The curricula within the college require a number of courses which are deemed essential–individually and as a group–to the intellectual competence at which the liberal education aims; in addition to these, the student has electives which may be used to further general knowledge or to specialize in certain fields.

To accomplish its primary purpose, the college offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degrees. By completing a major in the college, the student will obtain a much broader background than is generally possible under the standard curriculum. The advantages of broad training for everyday life are obvious. Moreover, the added breadth of knowledge will be helpful in case the student continues beyond the bachelor’s degree level.

Degree Programs

The following undergraduate degrees in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences are Bachelor of Arts degrees:

 The following undergraduate degrees in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences are Bachelor of Science degrees:

 The College of Humanities & Social Sciences also offers a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

Admission Requirements

Students will be admissible to the College of Humanities & Social Sciences if they have earned at least 24 semester hours. Students majoring in psychology, communication disorders, or any of the secondary education areas of concentration must have a GPA of at least 2.50 in all work taken within the university (all LSU campuses) and in all work taken overall to be formally admitted to their major.

Students majoring in any of the secondary education areas of concentration must have a passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (PRAXIS CORE) or minimum ACT composite of 22 or minimum SAT composite of 1030 to declare their respective concentration.

Transfer students from other divisions of the university and other accredited colleges and universities must meet the eligibility requirements stated above. Students transferring from another institution must also meet university transfer admission requirements. Transfer credits acceptable for admission shall be valid for degree credit in the college only to the extent to which they represent courses acceptable in the curricula of the college.

General Education Requirements

General education requirements of the university are included in the curricula of the various departments in the college. For specific information concerning these requirements, see the “General Education Requirements ” section of this catalog.

Degree Requirements of the College

General Requirements

In order to qualify for a bachelor’s degree in this college, a candidate must satisfy these requirements:

• Meet departmental/program requirements for the major and all university requirements as detailed in the “General Education Requirements ” section of this catalog, except that the general education humanities requirement cannot be fulfilled with a foreign language. (Students who break residence, either voluntarily or by compulsion, for at least two consecutive semesters may not elect a catalog earlier than the one in force at the time of their re-entry.)
• A minimum GPA of 2.00 on all work taken in the university (all LSU campuses) and on all work taken overall. A 2.50 the university (all LSU campuses) and cumulative grade point average is required for students graduating in any of the secondary education concentrations.
• A minimum GPA in the major field of 2.00 on all work taken in the university (all LSU campuses) and on all work taken overall.
• A minimum grade of “C” in all academic content (major) and education courses for students in secondary education concentrations (English, French, history, or Spanish).
• A minimum of 30 semester hours in courses numbered 3000 or above. A minimum of 45 hours in courses numbered 3000 or above for the interdisciplinary studies major (15 of which must be at the 4000 level).
• Degree credit will not be allowed for more than nine semester hours of 1000 level mathematics courses below 1550.
• A minimum of 15 semester hours in residence in the major field, including at least nine semester hours in courses numbered 3000 or above.
• A minimum of 30 semester hours in residence in the college. The last year of work (last 30 semester hours) will be taken in residence in this college on the LSU campus.
• Foreign Language–A minimum of 14-16 credits (four semesters) in a foreign language for the BA or BS degrees. Students should take a placement test and register at the appropriate level.

Students who have a native fluency in a language other than English may satisfy the foreign language requirement in one of three ways: (a) by completing the prescribed number of hours in the curriculum for the BA or BS degree in a language other than English or their native language; (b) by taking a minimum of 12 hours in courses numbered 3000 or above in their native language; or (c) by taking nine semester hours of English and/or communication studies above the minimum general education or major requirements. (Only three hours may be earned in ENGL 2001  or ENGL 2002  to meet this requirement. Professional and specialized courses in communication studies may not be counted toward this requirement.) Students who have a native fluency in a language other than English should consult credit restrictions in that language under the appropriate foreign language departmental entry in this section of the catalog.

• Grade Point Average Maintenance–A student who fails to earn a 2.00 semester average in any one semester, regardless of cumulative GPA, will be placed on college probation. To be removed from college probation, a student must earn a 2.00 or better semester GPA, correct course deficiencies, and make satisfactory progress in the degree program.
• Scholastic Requirements–Full-time students are expected to make reasonable and satisfactory progress in a degree program.

The college reserves the right to review at any time a student’s suitability to continue in a degree program.

Enrollment in Two Degree Programs

Double Majors–Students may pursue double majors in this college. By completing all residence and academic requirements for the two programs, a student may earn one bachelor’s degree with two majors.

Dual Degrees within the College of Humanities & Social Sciences–Students may pursue dual degrees in this college. Both majors must be offered by departments/programs within the college. By completing residence and academic requirements, and earning 30 hours over the degree requirements, a student may earn two separate bachelor’s degrees.

Dual Enrollment in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and a Second Academic College–By completing residence and academic requirements for two degree programs and earning 30 hours more than the degree requiring the fewer number of hours, a student can earn two bachelor’s degrees. The student must be accepted for admission to both colleges. In addition, the student must declare a home college where registration will be initiated and permanent files maintained. It is the student’s responsibility, however, to maintain contact with the second college to ensure that satisfactory progress is being made toward that degree.

Requirements for a Second Bachelor’s Degree

To qualify for a second bachelor’s degree in this college, students must meet the admission requirements of the college and the department/program. Once admitted, students must complete (with at least a 2.00 GPA) a minimum of 30 semester hours, including any degree requirements not previously met. The 30 hours must be completed in residence in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

Graduation with College Honors

To graduate “with College Honors” in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, a student must meet the following requirements:

• complete at least 32 hours of Honors classes with a minimum of six hours of HNRS coursework and 12 hours at 3000+ level, with a 3.5 GPA in cumulative, LSU, and Honors coursework;
• register in a curriculum offered in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences;
• complete a curriculum of courses approved by the department concerned and by the dean and the faculty of the Honors College. This curriculum should be developed using the general curricular principles of the college, the purposes of which are to afford students a liberal education and to include (besides the major field) historical and political studies, the life and physical sciences, the humanities, and the arts;
• demonstrate competence in a major field by doing independent research, writing a senior thesis, and taking an oral examination. The thesis counselor and one additional member of the student’s committee must be from the student’s major department;
• after the freshman year, maintain at least a 3.33 GPA (“A” = 4.00).

Pass-Fail Option

Students in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences may register for courses on a pass-fail basis under the following conditions:

• Only free elective courses may be taken on a pass-fail basis. Required courses and restricted electives may not be taken on a pass-fail basis. A student may not take courses offered by the Honors College on a pass-fail basis.
• A student must have permission (by signature on a petition form) from the dean of this college, the instructor of the course, and the dean of the college in which the course is offered.
• Pass-fail registration must be completed before the final day for adding courses.
• Eligible students may take one course per semester on a pass-fail basis.

Courses offered by the College of Humanities & Social Sciences that are required in a student’s curriculum will not be approved on a pass-fail basis.

Distance Learning Programs Credit

A maximum of 30 semester hours of Distance Learning Programs (DLP) credit are acceptable toward meeting degree requirements. Students who wish to have DLP credits accepted by this college must make their registration in DLP courses a matter of record in the office of the dean of the college at the time of such registration.

Students registered in the college may enroll in a maximum of 19 semester hours of combined resident and DLP coursework during a regular semester. They may enroll in a maximum of 12 semester hours of combined resident and DLP coursework during a summer term. Students may not be enrolled in DLP coursework within their last semester. All DLP coursework must be completed by the last weekday of final examinations in the semester prior to the one in which the student intends to graduate. Depending on the DLP course, a special time limit may be imposed by the dean’s office.

Electives

A student in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences may elect for degree credit any course offered by the following programs, departments, or schools:

Students may select elective courses in departments not listed above. Students must meet all prerequisites for these courses. Twenty-four semester hours of elective credit in such courses may be counted toward degree requirements from this college. A student may receive a maximum of 12 semester hours of degree credit in ROTC. No more than eight hours of kinesiology activity courses may count toward degree requirements from this college.

Placement Services

Students in this college may use the services of the university’s Olinde Career Center. These services include counseling, job-seeking skills workshops, job search handbooks, résumé service, career days, and on-campus recruiting and interviews.

Study Abroad

Students in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences are encouraged to participate in the study abroad programs administered by the Office of Academic Programs Abroad and the International Student Exchange Program. Students who participate in these programs must receive departmental/program evaluations of the courses to be taken prior to going abroad. In addition, students must make an appointment with a counselor in the college to ensure that degree credit will be granted upon return to LSU.

National Student Exchange

LSU cooperates with a number of other universities throughout the United States in an exchange program. Students may spend one year (usually the junior year) at another university at little or no more cost than they pay at LSU. Additional information can be obtained from the Office of Academic Programs Abroad.

Preparation for the Study of Law

LSU students interested in attending LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center may take advantage of an exciting initiative called the 3+3 Pre-Law Program housed within the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Please see the section of this chapter entitled “3+3 Pre-Law Programs” for additional details.

Because of the rich complexity of this discipline, students with very different academic backgrounds can undertake and excel in the study of law. There is no single curriculum or course of study which is prerequisite to or guarantees success in law school. Curricula in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences provide excellent preparation for students who intend to study law.

The degree requirements of the college ensure the development of the following skills, which are essential components of pre-law training: (1) the ability to express oneself competently in writing; (2) the ability to understand the human institutions and values with which the law deals; and (3) the ability to think creatively. Students who intend to pursue a legal career are therefore encouraged to choose a curriculum in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

Any student considering law school as a future option should contact the University’s Pre-Law Advisor, who is housed in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. The Pre-Law Advisor may be contacted at prelaw@lsu.edu.

Minor Field Requirements (Optional)

Although students are not required to pursue a minor field (except in the interdisciplinary studies major), they may choose to do so under the following guidelines:

• Earn a minimum of 15-18 semester hours in the minor field, of which at least six semester hours must be in courses taken on this campus at the 3000 and/or 4000 level; see individual departments in the “Departments and Curricula” section of this chapter for more specific requirements.
• Earn a minimum GPA in the minor field of 2.00 on all work taken in the university (all LSU campuses) and on all work taken overall.
• Courses used to satisfy minor requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

Minor fields may be selected from any major field currently offered by the college in which appropriate requirements for a minor have been established or any field of an interdisciplinary nature for which a minor has been approved by the Faculty Senate Courses and Curricula Committee and the Office of Academic Affairs.

Minors may also be taken in fields outside the college if:

• the total number of semester hours does not exceed 24 (total number of non-Humanities & Social Sciences electives that may be counted toward degree requirements);
• the work conforms to guidelines established by the department, program, school, and college concerned;
• the work meets the general minor field requirements of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, as stated above.

Teacher Preparation Program for Grades 6-12

The Departments of English, Foreign Languages & Literatures, French Studies, and History offer undergraduate degree programs with an area of concentration in secondary education (middle school and high school). Students in the program may receive a bachelor’s degree in English, French, history, or Spanish and qualify for teacher certification. The curricula have been developed cooperatively with faculty in the College of Human Sciences and Education and include courses taught jointly by faculty in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and the College of Human Sciences and Education. Students completing these degree programs and meeting any additional requirements of the Louisiana State Department of Education will be eligible for certification in the state of Louisiana as teachers in grades six through 12.

The following requirements pertain to students enrolled in the secondary education concentration:

Admission Requirements:

• Minimum cumulative and LSU grade point average of 2.50;
• Passing scores on all parts of the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (PRAXIS CORE) or minimum ACT composite score of 22 or minimum SAT composite score of 1030.

Retention Requirements:

• Minimum cumulative and LSU grade point average of 2.50 for entry into and continuation in upper (3000/4000) level education courses, including student teaching.

Degree Requirements:

• Satisfactory completion of an approved program of study as determined by all of the following: faculty of the college in which the major/concentration resides, the university, and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education;
• Minimum cumulative and LSU GPA of 2.50 on all work completed;
• Passing scores on all required parts of the Praxis II Series;
• Grade of “C” or higher in course work as specified by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

A second option for students interested in teaching in the above areas at the middle/high school level is to pursue a traditional bachelor’s degree in the content area and then complete a master’s degree through the LSU College of Human Sciences and Education. The master’s degree program (Holmes Program) begins in June and requires 12 consecutive months of course work and classroom experience leading to both the master’s degree and teaching certification. Information about the program and potential scholarship assistance is available through the College of Human Sciences and Education, Office of Student Services.

Honors Courses

Besides courses offered through the Honors College, other honors courses are offered through various departments, including:

HSS Student Council/Clubs

The college’s Student Council is composed of student representatives from the college’s departments and programs, as well as members at large. The purpose of the council is to enhance the academic environment in the college. In addition, many departments and programs sponsor clubs with areas of interest to majors.

Undergraduate Career Plan

Students are encouraged to enrich their studies and prepare for their careers by using the Four Year Career Plan in addition to their academic course of study.