COLUMN: New college, new opportunities

    It has been a monumental year for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. In May the college restructured and established two separate, sister colleges: The Caine College of the Arts and HASS. With the newly-restructured College of Humanities and Social Sciences the future is bright, and the opportunity for students to get hands on experience with their educational pursuits is limitless.

    If you were asked to explain what skills and jobs one would acquire with a degree in business or engineering, I presume you would have an easier time coming up with an answer than if you were asked the same question with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Let me take the opportunity to introduce you to the educational opportunities and skills that the College of Humanities has to offer.

    As quoted by Dean John Allen, “The College of Humanities and Social Sciences will help you confront great questions and controversies animating our world today – political, social, cultural, and philosophical. You will learn about the forces which have shaped our world and will continue to do so. Skills taught in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences include; learning to think critically and how to effectively communicate that understanding to others, learn how to diagnose problems and think creatively towards a solution.”

    Stressing the importance of communication, leadership, creativity, and political, cultural, and social awareness, The College of Humanities and Social Sciences readies its students to succeed in the professional world.

    So now you are reading this article thinking; well that is all really great, but I have declared my major and am quite pleased with it. My answer to that is great, come add to your knowledge and broaden your horizons. HASS has something beneficial for everyone. Whatever your career desires are, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences teaches skills that will enrich your education and increase your skills as a future employee. For example, take an English class and refine your ability to write. Or, take a communication class and learn how to speak with confidence in front of a group of people or how to effectively lead a group of people. Come take a PR class and learn how to utilize media most effectively in your profession of choice, or take a political science class and become aware of the issues that affect you in the world today and learn how you can make a difference politically. The list goes on and on. With nine different departments, the college offers something for the art student and the engineer alike.

    Now, you’re reading this article thinking; well I really would like to learn some of those skills, but I don’t have room in my class schedule to take any of those classes. What do I do? HASS is home to several different clubs and programs that can help you with your desire to broaden your horizons and make you more socially aware. The ways you can get involved include Aggie Radio, Anthropology Club, Creative Writing Club, Institute of Government and Policy, Italian Club, Middle East Club, College Republicans, College Democrats, National Association of Social Work, Phi Alfa Theta and the Public Relation’s Student Society of America.

    While many people used to summarize the college as a conglomeration of random majors thrown into one college, the newly-restructured college has a central focus of helping the students make sense of the things that have shaped our world and the things that will continue to do so. So the next time you are awake in the wee hours of the morning registering for your next semester’s classes thinking, “Man, I really wish I knew what to take with these three credits I need,” I urge you think HASS.

Katie Brammer is the ASUSU HASS senator.