East Tennessee State University
Office of Registrar

College of Arts and Sciences

P.O. Box 70730

Phone: (423) 439-5671

Web Address: http://www.etsu.edu/cas/

Learning is a lifelong process. Education in the liberal arts provides the means of discovering and using knowledge to elevate the standards of human existence today and in the future. Such study liberates the individual to become a more effective citizen.

The College of Arts and Sciences consists of the departments of Art and Design, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Communication, Criminal Justice and Criminology, English, Foreign Languages, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy and Humanities/Fine Arts, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, and Sociology and Anthropology. Interdisciplinary studies are also offered in African and African American Studies, Film Studies, and Women’s Studies.

The college offers a well-rounded liberal education program which enhances students’ ability to lead satisfying personal lives; provides academic background for prospective elementary and secondary teachers; and offers professional training in criminal justice, journalism, and social work. The college’s curriculum introduces students to major fields of interest in Humanities/Fine Arts, social sciences, natural sciences, and selected service professions.

The College of Arts and Sciences defines liberal education as including three major components: 1) the central elements of knowledge, 2) essential skills for analysis, communication, decision making, and lifelong learning, and 3) constructive orientation toward society.

Arts and Sciences students learn how to learn, and how to develop skills in expressing what they have acquired. College requirements aim to ensure that students read and analyze at an appropriate level. Students must speak and write clearly and effectively. The skills of spoken and written analysis, synthesis, and criticism are developed. Students are encouraged to conceptualize and to use abstract thought in order to enhance general understanding.

Liberal education should benefit society by enhancing each individual’s capacity to make informed and responsible choices. Educated people have a stronger level of support for democratic ideals. The abilities provided by liberal education strengthen democratic values and behavior.

The College of Arts and Sciences offers programs designed to prepare students for advanced studies and for professional schools. These preprofessional areas include CRIMINAL JUSTICE; concentrations in ADVERTISING, BROADCASTING, JOURNALISM, and PUBLIC RELATIONS (Department of Communication); PRE-LAW; PRE-ENGINEERING; and a variety of MEDICAL PROFESSIONS.

Students following preprofessional programs in Criminal Justice or the Communication areas should consult an advisor in the appropriate department. Candidates for Pre-Law should contact the University Pre-Law Advisor in the Department of Political Science. Pre-Engineering students will be advised through the College of Business and Technology. Pre-Pharmacy students should contact the appropriate advisor in the Department of Chemistry. The College of Arts and Sciences’ Office of Medical Professions Advisement assists students preparing for careers in the Medical Professions, such as chiropractic, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine.

Students considering careers in the Medical Professions should consult their advisor before enrolling at ETSU. All preparatory curricula are specific and structured, and a failure to register for appropriate courses during the first year may result in the loss of an academic year of progress. The medical professions advisor provides assistance regarding:

Direct inquiries concerning medical professions careers to:

Office of Medical Professions Advisement

P.O. Box 70592, East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN 37614

423/439-5602

Well-qualified undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences who are interested in pursuing a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree in a total of five years should consider the joint 3/2 program with the College of Business and Technology. These students should consider the General Business Minor (See under Department of Economics, Finance, and Urban Studies, College of Business and Technology) as part of their program of study. Students who complete this minor and use Electives within their major to complete business prerequisite coursework should be able to complete the M.B.A. with one additional year of graduate coursework. Interested students should contact the Director of Graduate Programs in the College of Business and Technology (Room 214 Sam Wilson Hall, 423/439-5314) for additional information.

Students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences must meet the following requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), or the B.S. Concentration for Social & Behavioral Sciences. Some requirements must be taken in addition to the General Education Core, whereas others specify which courses from the General Education Core must be taken. Students interested in degree programs in Fine Arts (B.F.A), Music (B.M.), or Social Work (B.S.W.) should consult the appropriate section of this catalog.

African and African American

(AFAM)

The African and African American Studies Program promotes the awareness and understanding of issues related to peoples of African descent. Drawing upon the broad resources of the university, the program offers and coordinates a variety of co-curricular and extracurricular activities. It encourages regular course offerings on both African and African American topics in a number of departments. A multidisciplinary faculty committee oversees the work of the program. An effort is made to consult with interested students to ensure that the activities and course offerings are responsive to students’ needs.

Because of its great flexibility, the program serves as an attractive option for students in a wide variety of majors. In consultation with an African and African American Studies advisor, students may plan a course of study in the AFAM minor which will complement their majors, enhance their employment skills, and enrich the knowledge gained in their university studies.

A minor in African and African American studies requires the completion of 21 hours of coursework, including the following:

Appropriate classes, including special topics and independent study courses, may be taken in any field; however, no courses counting toward the students' major may be counted toward satisfying the minor’s requirements.

Course information below is listed in order of course number, course title, and credit hours.

 Appalachian Studies Minor

(APST)

The Appalachian Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program for students who would like to gain a greater appreciation for the history and heritage, problems and potentials of the Appalachian region and who may be interested in pursuing careers in the region. To complete the Appalachian Studies minor, students are required to take Introduction to Appalachian Studies (APST 2060), and Current Issues in Appalachian Studies (APST 4997) and then select 12 credit hours of electives for a total of 18 credit hours. Students are required to take courses in at least two different departments to develop an interdisciplinary study while allowing them to focus on their personal interests in regionally related issues. No more than three credit hours taken as part of the Appalachian Studies minor may be counted toward a major in any field.

Students are encouraged to design a course grouping in consultation with the Appalachian Studies coordinator that suits their own personal and professional interests. The 12 credit hours of electives should be selected from 1) regularly offered courses, 2) topical or special problems courses, and 3) independent studies courses focusing on regional issues. Independent studies and special problems courses should be arranged in consultation with the instructor and the coordinator of the Appalachian Studies minor. Students wishing to explore the Scottish and Irish heritage of the Appalachian region should enroll in Appalachian, Scottish, and Irish Studies (APST 4957/ENGL 4957) which is co-sponsored by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services, Department of English, Office of International Programs, and University of Edinburgh.

Possible course groupings include, but are not limited to:

Regional History and Culture

(Choose 18 credits total, including APST 2060 and APST 4997)

Regional Politics and Community Development

(Choose 18 credits total, including APST 2060 and APST 4997)