Liberal Arts

Students in the College of Liberal Arts may choose from more than thirty undergraduate and graduate programs. Some represent long traditions, while others have developed more recently as the college strives to meet the demands and expectations of modern society.

Knowledge and awareness are worth little unless they are effectively communicated, shared, or creatively expressed. Our college offers a wide range of training in those processes through communication, creative writing, art, music, theatre, journalism, film studies and foreign languages. Anthropology, history, political science and sociology offer the means to comprehend the human condition and sustainability of its almost limitless variation over time and space. Literature, philosophy and the study of ideas offer tremendous enrichment, alternative formulations of life and test beds for the ideas each of us bring to the conversation. Psychology opens the door to human behavior and linguistics to the communication capacity that most clearly defines humanity. Women's studies offers many innovative approaches to the study of gender issues.

Our college is committed to the study, preservation, and continued vitalization of the culture and heritage of Alaskans whose ancestors came to this land thousands of years ago. The Alaska Native Language Center is one of the oldest research units in the university. Programs devoted to arts and culture also contribute to this important goal. Cross-cultural studies opens the door to globalization of these efforts through connections with other First Nations' programs around the world. Our program in Northern Studies provides flexible and interdisciplinary programs of study in many phases of life in the circumpolar North. Our college values and encourages engagement and community service. Programs in justice, social work and behavioral health training underscore this commitment.

Research-based learning is crucial to developing skills of inquiry and discovery. Graduate and undergraduate students in all of our disciplines are encouraged to participate in research and creative scholarship. Opportunities exist for students to pursue their own unique research or to participate in the research of others.

More information is available at www.uaf.edu/cla/ or by calling 907-474-7231.