College of Arts and Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Gardiner Hall, 2nd Floor
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Phone: (502) 852-6490
Email: asdean@louisville.edu
Website: louisville.edu/artsandsciences
Social: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr
About the College
A college of arts and sciences is central to the fulfillment of the purposes of higher education. Undergraduate study in a liberal arts college is designed to develop the whole person through the free inquiry that trains the mind for critical analysis and aesthetic appreciation. A liberal education begins with introductory studies in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities; its end is the development of the intellect to its full potential. Liberal education is a lifelong endeavor, and the goal of a college of arts and sciences is to ensure that the opportunities exist for a substantial beginning to this process.
The College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Louisville is founded on these traditional principles, interwoven with the special role of an urban university. As the college which offers the most comprehensive undergraduate programs and several graduate programs, the College of Arts and Sciences has an integral role in the fulfillment of the university’s mission by integrating urban-related courses within the foundation of a liberal education.
The theoretical and practical knowledge in the College’s baccalaureate programs is generally regarded as excellent preparation for many careers that do not require professional or advanced degrees and is the academic foundation for most students who enter master’s and doctoral graduate programs. The College also provides the liberal arts academic base for students who later attend the professional schools. In addition to the undergraduate curriculum, most departments in the College offer programs leading to the master’s degree and eleven departments offer doctoral degrees.
A university is expected to advance the theories and application of knowledge. This expectation is fulfilled primarily by the creative research of its faculty. This creativity is related directly to the role of teacher, for it ensures that the College’s students learn from enthusiastic and excellent faculty members who advocate the principle of lifelong inquiry.
The College’s allegiance to the traditions of a liberal education does not end with the preservation of its history or its traditional programs. The vitality of the College is found in its continuing re-examination of itself, and in its willingness to change when change would further the welfare of its students, its faculty, and its community.
Structure
The College of Arts and Sciences has a division of humanities, a division of natural sciences, and a division of social sciences. These divisions represent the disciplines which collectively make up the liberal arts and sciences. Each division contains departments which offer programs in specific disciplines. In addition to these departments, the College has a number of interdisciplinary programs which involve faculty and coursework from several disciplines.
Departments and Programs of the College of Arts and Sciences
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Interdisciplinary discipline or program, which may cross-count in other divisions.
Arts & Sciences Administration
The complete and up-to-date list of Arts & Sciences leadership is located on the Arts & Sciences website.
Faculty and Departmental Information
The complete and up-to-date list of departments can be found on the Arts & Sciences website.
Advising Services
Please see the section of the catalog related to Academic Advising. To determine if you have an advising hold, please check your ULink account, under the student services tab, and click on the "holds" link.
Information for Students
Academic Bankruptcy & Fresh Start
Academic Bankruptcy policies allow students who are returning to college after an absence of two or more years to request the adjustment of their records for one or more entire semesters of previous college work, provided certain criteria are met. View information on Academic Bankruptcy and the Fresh Start policy.
Student Discipline and Grievance Policies
It is the student’s responsibility to read the catalog and official announcements, to be informed about his/her own grades, credits, degree requirements, and quality points, and to abide by the regulations of the University and the College.
Official Notices
All students must respond to official notices issued by administrative officers and instructors, whether these notices be posted on official bulletin boards or sent through electronic or postal mail. Failure to comply with this regulation may lead to suspension from the College.
Academic Grievance Procedure
The College of Arts and Sciences follows the procedures for academic grievance as stated in this catalog and as published in The Redbook, Chapter 6, Article 8. Any student considering filing such a grievance must consult with the Arts & Sciences Advising Center for advice and information.
Statement of Academic Discipline
In accordance with The Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, academic dishonesty is prohibited at the University of Louisville. Both faculty and students thought it important to express clearly, in advance, the standards to which the College adheres. The Statement of Academic Discipline printed below is the result of their effort and serves as the College’s official statement.
Questions which do arise are reviewed by a joint student-faculty committee, which advises the student and faculty concerned. The student’s rights to review and appeal are scrupulously observed, and minutes of all meetings are confidential.
I. Introduction
As members of the academic community, both students and faculty are expected to recognize and to uphold standards of intellectual integrity. The College assumes as a minimum standard of conduct in academic matters that the student is honest; credit for courses is given and received on the assumption and condition that all work submitted represents the student’s own efforts.
Unfortunately, cheating and plagiarism do occur. The pressure for grades is often great, and opportunities for dishonesty exist. Nevertheless, both the ideals of scholarship and the need for practices which are fair to all students demand that all dishonest work be rejected as a basis for academic credit. The definitions and guidelines given below are intended to clarify the standards by which academic work is to be measured.
II. Definitions
Cheating on examinations consists of any of the following: 1) borrowing someone’s answers; 2) providing answers to someone; 3) using unauthorized materials during the examinations.
Except when otherwise explicitly stated by the instructor, examination questions shall become public property after they have been given.
Plagiarism, in submitting individual work for academic evaluation, means simply to borrow someone’s ideas without citing the source, and to use them as one’s own. It is a particular type of cheating. Plagiarism in this sense is not limited to the use of direct quotations without citation; a paraphrase is indebted to the author’s ideas just as a direct quotation is. Nor is plagiarism limited to the use of published materials; borrowing from the written or oral work of others without citation is equally dishonest. On the other hand, in every area of learning there is a body of knowledge which belongs to the public domain. Guidance and experience may be necessary in order to distinguish where the requirement to cite a source no longer applies. The instructor or perhaps a style manual may be helpful in resolving questions about what should be cited.
III. Guidelines for Instructors
Instructors have at least two roles to play in maintaining proper standards of academic conduct: to assist their students in recognizing the way in which general standards apply in the context of a particular course or discipline, and to take practical steps to prevent cheating and detect it when it occurs. Specific guidelines should be followed:
- That instructors take the time to inform students of the standards of conduct expected of them with regard to assignments and examinations.
- That practical measures be taken to minimize opportunities for dishonesty; e.g., adequate proctoring, the use of alternate forms of an examination if seating is crowded.
- The practice of giving identical examinations to different classes, whether separated in time by ten minutes or by a semester, invites cheating. When there are good reasons for such repetition, appropriate security precautions should be taken.
- The repeated assignment of the same material for papers or homework invites plagiarism. When assignments are repeated, students should be informed that the unauthorized reliance on earlier papers is forbidden and that the instructor has effective means of detecting same.
- That the instructor specifies with regard to assignments the degree to which students may confer and cooperate in achieving answers.
- The College does not operate on an honor system. If within a particular class an instructor wishes to institute such a system, the students should be clearly informed of their responsibilities.
IV. Guidelines for Students
Recognizing his/her responsibility as a member of the academic community, the student should strive to maintain intrinsically honest academic conduct. The student must seek to avoid any action which would compromise academic integrity. To ensure both the fact and the appearance of proper conduct, the student should follow these basic guidelines:
- During examinations, the student must be careful to do nothing that can be construed as cheating. The student shall follow carefully all directions given by the instructor with regard to taking tests and completing assignments.
- The instructor’s request to keep test questions private shall be honored by the student.
- If the student is aware of practices by the instructor which are conducive to cheating, or of acts of cheating by students, he/she may convey this information either to any member of the student-faculty review committee (see section “V. Procedures”) or directly to the instructor.
- Learning the proper methods of documentation and scholarship is also the student’s responsibility. Such knowledge will help avoid committing plagiarism unwittingly.
V. Procedures
As evidence of the seriousness with which the College regards these matters, a student-faculty review committee, the Student Grievance and Academic Discipline Committee, has been established to assist in dealing with violators. The Student Grievance and Academic Discipline Committee also exists to protect the student’s right to a fair and impartial hearing. To ensure its effectiveness, the faculty should view it as the primary channel through which such problems can be resolved. The faculty member who believes a problem of cheating or plagiarism exists should first confront the student or students involved and attempt to resolve the matter. A report of the facts of the case and any decision which was made should be sent by the professor to the Dean or his/her designee. During this initial encounter the faculty member should inform the student of his/her right to appeal an unfavorable decision to the committee. The faculty member has the authority to address and sanction dishonest acts as most appropriate for the course and type of dishonesty that occurred. If it is determined during the reporting process that the student has previously violated this policy, the committee will be convened to review the incident and a statement from the student. The committee will then recommend to the Dean whether the faculty member has issued a fair sanction, further disciplinary action should occur, or if a hearing with the individual student should be held. Subsequent offenses may result in a recommendation to the Dean to suspend or dismiss the individual from the College. All final actions taken by the Dean that result from faculty or committee recommendations shall be entered in the student’s record. This committee is comprised of three students, selected by a nominating committee of the Student Council and/or of the Graduate Network in Arts and Sciences; three faculty members, representing the three divisions of the College, elected by the faculty; and a representative of the Office of the Dean of the College, ex officio.
Written statements shall be made by both parties and made available to both parties and the committee prior to any oral testimony. Any refutations may be made in writing or orally at the hearing. Evidence not submitted in the original written statements will not normally be accepted at the oral hearing.
All evidence in writing before the committee in a case shall be available to the principals. The committee shall hear such cases as come before it and allow the student to speak on his or her own behalf and to present evidence and witnesses. Further, the burden of proof rests with the person making the charge.
The committee may adopt additional principles or procedures as seem appropriate. Such changes, however, should be presented to the faculty for approval.
Any student who believes the processing or final disposition of a charge of academic dishonesty was unfair may initiate a grievance under the Academic Grievance Procedure as outlined in this catalog.
Students should be aware that all recorded instances of Academic Misconduct are retained by the Dean’s Office for five years after the time the student separates from the university. Should it be requested, this information will be provided to any graduate or professional school to which the student applies.
Code of Faculty Responsibilities
1.0 Applicability
This code shall apply to all faculty members associated with the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Louisville and to all graduate students and other personnel having teaching or research assignments in that school, hereinafter referred to as the teaching and research personnel.
2.0 Responsibilities
The teaching and research personnel of the College of Arts and Sciences hereby subscribe to the following specific responsibilities:
2.1 General Relations
2.11. The teaching and research personnel shall respect the rights of all members of the University community to pursue their academic and administrative activities, provided these activities do not contravene academic freedom. They retain the right to criticize and seek revision of these activities.
2.12. They shall respect the rights of all members of the University community to free and orderly expression.
2.13. They shall respect the right of any member of the University community to privacy and confidentiality. This right guarantees freedom against violation without consent of assigned physical premises, such as carrels and office space; and also against nonphysical transgressions, such as the unwarranted, improper or false disclosure of a person’s political, religious or social views or activities.
2.14. They shall respect the student’s right of confidentiality regarding grades.
2.15. They shall respect the rights of all persons of the University community to be free from sexual harassment.*
2.2 Student Relations
2.21. The teaching and research personnel shall uphold the student academic rights as set forth in the Student Bill of Rights adopted by the College on March 1, 1971.
2.22. They shall make known, in writing, as soon as possible during the first week of instruction, their expectations for the course as to assignments, methods of evaluation, and student course participation.
2.23. They shall present the subject matter of a course as published in the catalog, and shall avoid the persistent intrusion of material which has no relation to the subject.
2.24. They shall meet classes as scheduled in accordance with university regulations. Absences caused by illness, emergencies, personal responsibilities, or religious observances are excusable but must be reported to the Department Chair, in advance, if possible. Absences owing to professional obligations such as attendance at scholarly meetings or occasional professional service are excusable absences which nevertheless require prior notification of the Department Chair. In the case of anticipated absences, a qualified substitute, or provisions for additional assignments or alternate activity should be arranged.
2.25. They shall make themselves available for advising students by observing posted office hours, and by allowing students to arrange for appointments at other mutually convenient times.
2.26. They shall learn the academic requirements and various degree programs of the University affecting students whom they advise.
2.27. They shall arrange for appropriate interaction and communication with graduate students in the direction of their theses.
2.28. They shall provide students with an evaluation of their completed work within a reasonable period of time, and allow them access to their own papers, quizzes, and examinations.
2.29. They shall give final examinations, when these are required as part of the evaluation of the student, in accordance with schedules and procedures adopted by the College.
2.30. They shall give due acknowledgement to students who contribute to faculty efforts toward professional or personal advancement.
2.31. They shall respect the student’s right to decline participation as a research subject in, or to withdraw from, a particular experiment without prejudice to his/her grade. Alternate experiences or exercises shall be provided to assure the equivalent in educational value to those students who wish not to participate as research subjects. Departments which use human subjects in experiments shall adhere to such code of ethics as are established within their respective professions.
Specifically:
2.31.1. Experimenters shall inform human subjects about the nature of each particular experiment so that they can make an informed choice to participate or not.
2.31.2. Experimenters shall keep the results of an experiment and the identity of the human subjects, who participate in it, separate, and the latter, confidential.
2.32. Teaching and research personnel shall respect the rights of all students to be free from sexual harassment.*
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Sexual harassment is here used as defined by current university policy.
Undergraduate Programs
A
- Actuarial Mathematics (Minor)
- Aerospace Studies (Minor)
- American Sign Language Interpreting Studies (BS)
- Anthropology (BA)
- Anthropology (BS)
- Arabic (Minor)
- Archaeology (Minor)
- Art (BA)
- Art (Minor)
- Art - Fine Art (BFA)
- Art History (Minor)
- Asian Studies (BA)
- Asian Studies (Minor)
- Atmospheric Physics (Minor)
B
- Biology (BA)
- Biology (BS)
- Biology (Minor)
- Biology with a 3+3 Track to PharmD (BA)
- Black Performance Studies (Minor)
C
- Chemistry (BA)
- Chemistry (BS)
- Chemistry (Minor)
- Chinese (Minor)
- Chinese Studies (Minor)
- Classical Studies (Minor)
- Communication (BA)
- Communication (BS)
- Communication (Minor)
- Communication with a 3+3 Track to Law (BA)
- Criminal Justice (BS)
- Criminal Justice (Minor)
- Criminal Justice with a 3+3 Track to Law (BS)
D
E
- English (BA)
- English Creative Writing (Minor)
- English Literature (Minor)
- Environmental Analysis (Minor)
- Ethics (CERT)
F
G
- General Studies (BS)
- Geography (Minor)
- Geography, Applied (BS)
- Geospatial Technologies, Applied (CGT)
- German (Minor)
- Global Public Health (Minor)
H
I
J
L
- Latin American and Latino Studies (BA)
- Latin American and Latino Studies (Minor)
- Leadership (Minor)
- LGBTQ Health Studies (CERT)
- LGBTQ Studies (Minor)
- Linguistics (Minor)
M
- Mathematics (BA)
- Mathematics (BS)
- Mathematics (Minor)
- Meteorology (Minor)
- Middle East and Islamic Studies (Minor)
N
P
- Pan-African Studies (BA)
- Pan-African Studies (BS)
- Pan-African Studies (Minor)
- Peace, Justice, and Conflict Transformation (CPC)
- Peace, Justice, and Conflict Transformation (Minor)
- Philosophy (BA)
- Philosophy (Minor)
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (Minor)
- Physics (BA)
- Physics (BS)
- Physics (Minor)
- Police Executive Leadership Development (CPE)
- Political Science (BA)
- Political Science (BS)
- Political Science (Minor)
- Psychology (BS)
- Psychology (Minor)
R
S
- Social Change (Minor)
- Socio-Cultural Anthropology (Minor)
- Sociology (BA)
- Sociology (BS)
- Sociology (Minor)
- Sociology of Culture (Minor)
- Spanish (BA)
- Spanish (Minor)
- Strategic Communication and Social Media (Minor)
- Sustainability (BA)
- Sustainability (Minor)