School of Humanities and Behavioral Social Sciences
Shirley Brown, Ph.D., Dean
The humanities and social sciences represent a diverse group of disciplines. Some are chiefly creative while others aim principally to communicate. Still others form a critique of civilizations as old and rich as human sensibility itself. In general, artists and scholars of the humanities mix all these purposes. Aesthetic and moral values are of abiding interest throughout these disciplines, and the range and quality of human expression and experience are unifying concerns. The humanities do not try to restrict themselves to only deductive reasoning or understanding; rather they make a special effort to be sensitive to that which cannot always be measured exactly or subjected to experiment –be it religious experience, artistic judgment, or expressive nuance in literature.
The social science disciplines aim to provide students with a balanced exposure to theoretical knowledge and practical experience, including service learning. Social science students may thus be prepared to pursue advanced study or to seek employment immediately upon graduation.
Research and independent study are encouraged, as is individual program flexibility. All programs in all disciplines are designed for compatibility with the aims of the liberal arts heritage of Fisk University. The social sciences include the academic disciplines of history, political science, psychology, sociology, and includes a Teacher Education Program. All undergraduate majors lead to the Bachelor of Arts degree. In addition, Psychology offers Master’s degree programs in clinical psychology and general psychology. The Teacher Education Program is available for elementary and secondary licensure of students in selected departments from each school and offers a Bachelor of Science degree in special education.
The disciplines included among the humanities at Fisk are art, English, modern foreign languages, and music. In addition, the school offers courses in African and African American studies, mass communications, gender studies and dance. A minor is possible in African American Studies and in women and gender studies.
Major fields are available in art or in music education for the Bachelor of Science degree; in English, music, or Spanish for the Bachelor of Arts degree; and in piano, vocal, or instrumental performance for the Bachelor of Music degree. These programs should be taken in combination with any major area within the School of Humanities and Behavioral Social Sciences or any other department of the University.