College of Liberal Arts
and Social Sciences

Table of Contents

• Contact Information
• Objectives and Mission
• CLASS Scholarships
• Accreditation
• Scholastic and Honorary Societies
• Professional Societies
  

Contact Information

Dean:
John J. Antel, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles

Associate Dean, Undergraduate Academic and Student Affairs:
Sarah Fishman-Boyd, Ph.D., Harvard University

College Business Administrator:
Patricia L. Sayles, B.B.A., Texas Tech University

Director of Academic Affairs:
Janie Graham, B.A., Salem-Teikyo University

Objectives and Mission

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) provides a link between the studies of human behavior and human experience. CLASS offers courses that explore the human condition through scientific knowledge, social structures, literature, language, philosophy, history and the arts.

In a cosmopolitan city boasting a major health complex, international commerce, and a flourishing arts community, CLASS is poised to translate its intellectual and creative passions into the marketplace of ideas and prepare its graduates to move rapidly into the arena of decision-making.

CLASS is the largest of UH's thirteen colleges, serving over 7,300 undergraduate majors and more than 1,000 graduate students. CLASS currently generates approximately 300,000 semester hours, nearly 40% of UH's total. With 24 schools, departments, programs and centers, CLASS fosters interdisciplinary initiatives while advancing disciplinary research and teaching.

All students at the university participate in the course work of the college by taking a core of subjects that form the common background necessary for all fields. The study of disciplines within CLASS will broaden students' understanding of life and prepare them for meaningful roles in a multi-cultural society.

Fulfilling the mission of serving as Houston's university of diversity, CLASS curricula are flexible and encourage students to pursue a variety of intellectual interests while studying a specific area in greater depth. Courses in the college are designed to foster communication and reasoning skills. Students are encouraged to think for themselves, to analyze, and to achieve independent judgment. Emphasis is placed upon the acquisition of a wide range of knowledge and the development of mature, self-reliant, self-disciplined persons. The college also offers preprofessional training in fields such as education, communication, law, business, and government.

The knowledge, teaching skills, and research ability of the faculty enable them to instruct and counsel students in all phases of their respective disciplines.

CLASS Scholarships

CLASS offers several scholarships at the college and department level. Contact the Office of the Dean for more information.

Accreditation

CLASS departments and schools hold the following accreditations: The Communication Disorders program is accredited by the American Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology (ABESPA) of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASLHA); the Moores School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The graduate program in clinical psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Scholastic and Honorary Societies

Alpha Epsilon Rho

Alpha Epsilon Rho, the National Honorary Broadcasting Society with chapters on more than 100 major campuses in the United States, is open to all broadcasting and film students with a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average. Alumni are accepted for membership, and professional memberships are offered to faculty and interested people in the business community.

The objectives of this society are to encourage and reward scholarship and accomplishments among broadcasting students, and high-level accomplishments in the art and science of broadcasting by both students and industry professionals; to promote the advancement of broadcasting education; to establish meaningful communication between students and professional broadcasters; and to foster integrity in the use of the powerful instruments of radio, television, and film.

Alpha Kappa Delta

Alpha Kappa Delta, an international honorary society, exists to promote interest in the study of sociology, research of social problems, and other social and intellectual activities that will lead to improvement in the human condition. Qualified undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for membership.

Alpha Psi Omega

Alpha Psi Omega is a national honorary fraternity for the theatre, the purpose of which is the advancement and improvement of theatre arts at the university level. The University of Houston chapter, Mu Cast, is a non-profit service organization designed to serve the entire School of Theatre, as well as the individual theatre major.

The Anthropology Forum

The Anthropology Forum is a club open to all undergraduates majoring in anthropology at the University of Houston. It is designed to stimulate discussion of various issues in anthropology, to sponsor guest speakers from the field of anthropology and "brown bag lunch" discussion groups, to organize attendance at various anthropology seminars, and to encourage peer mentoring among club members. Leadership of the club is on a "rotating" basis, with various members in turn taking the minutes of the meeting, then assuming organization and leadership of the subsequent meeting.

The Communication Honors Union

The Communication Honors Union is open to majors in the School of Communication who are enrolled in the university's Honors College. The union holds one major debate each semester in which outstanding professionals discuss issues of importance to the world of journalism and mass communication.

Delta Phi Alpha

Delta Phi Alpha, an honorary scholastic organization designed to disseminate and extend knowledge of German culture, heritage, and literature, is open to all students. For additional information, interested students should call the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.

National Society of Scabbard and Blade

The purpose of the National Society of Scabbard and Blade, an honorary society founded at the University of Wisconsin during the school year 1904-05, is to raise the standard of military education in American colleges and universities. Students selected from outstanding cadet officers in the Advanced Course of ROTC are elected to lifetime membership.

Omicron Delta Epsilon

Membership in Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honorary society, is open to qualified, interested students majoring in economics. In addition to social activities, the chapter sponsors programs and discussions on topics in economics.

Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta, an international honor society in history, is represented in the Department of History by the Zeta Kappa Chapter.

Phi Beta

Phi Beta was founded in 1912 and is the only national professional fraternity for the creative and performing arts. The Alpha Epsilon Chapter is open to students with a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average and a major or minor in music, speech communication, communication disorders, theatre, dance, or art; or students who have demonstrated professional excellence in an equivalent area. Special support is provided by Pi Alpha Alpha and Pi Alpha Tau alumni chapters.

With more than 15,000 members nationally and 200 in the Houston area, Phi Beta provides an opportunity for students and faculty to blend their interests in the creative and performing arts. Faculty advisors are available to students in communication disorders, theatre, music, and speech communication programs. For further information, consult an appropriate faculty member.

Pi Delta Phi

Pi Delta Phi, national honor society for French and member of the Association of College Honor Societies, recognizes excellence in the study of French regardless of major. For further information, call the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.

Pi Sigma Alph

Pi Sigma Alpha is the national honor society for the academic discipline of political science. In conjunction with the American Political Science Association, the society works to foster excellence in the study of politics and government, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The requirements for membership are completion of at least 15 hours of advanced political science courses at the University of Houston with a GPA of 3.50 in these courses. In addition, a 3.00 overall GPA must be maintained.

The activities of the society include invited speakers, conferences, paper competitions and a periodic newsletter. A membership drive is held in the spring semester. For more information please contact the Political Science Department.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the national honor society of psychology in America. Operating in cooperation with the American Psychological Association, Psi Chi members include students nominated and elected either as undergraduates or graduates. Membership in the University of Houston chapter requires completion of at least nine semester hours, registration for major or minor standing in psychology, ranking in at least the top 30 percent of one's class, having a cumulative GPA of 3.00, maintaining a GPA of 3.50 in all psychology courses attempted at the University of Houston, exhibiting high standards of personal behavior, and the endorsement of three-fourths of the members attending a regular chapter meeting.

Sigma Alpha Iota

Sigma Alpha Iota is an internationally incorporated professional fraternity for women in the field of music. Based upon scholarship (3.00 grade point average in music and 2.50 cumulative grade point average), musicianship, personality, and character, membership is open to undergraduate and graduate music majors and minors. The overall membership of 57,000 includes alumnae, patrons, and honorary members, many of whom are concert artists, composers, teachers, and exceptional patrons of the arts. Founded in 1903, Sigma Alpha Iota includes 176 college chapters and 119 alumnae chapters. Further information is available in the Moores School of Music.

Sigma Delta Pi

Sigma Delta Pi, an honor society in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, is an organization designed for exceptional students in upper- and graduate-level Spanish. The society also elects honorary faculty members.

Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta, the National English Honor Society, is open to English majors and minors who have a 3.2 overall GPA and a 3.4 English GPA, who have completed at least three advanced hours of English, who have completed or are in the process of completing at least six additional hours of English, and who have the willingness to be an active member. The purposes of the organization are to confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate or graduate studies, to promote interest in literature and the English language, and to foster the discipline of English in all its aspects including creative and critical writing. For further information, contact the Department of English.

The Student Association for the Social Sciences

The purpose of the Student Association for the Social Sciences is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain scholastic excellence of individuals in all the subfields and disciplines of the social sciences, as well as to advance the science itself. SASS is designed to augment and enhance the regular curriculum, to afford opportunities for the members to utilize their talents in roles that are meaningful, and to promote interaction among fellow members of SASS, members of the college, the faculty of the departments, and other social scientists.

Professional Societies

The Houston Advertising Federation at UH

The Houston Advertising Federation at UH received its charter in 1983. Membership in the club is open to all university students. Dues are $12 per year. Members receive the AAF Newsletter and are eligible to participate in various workshops and the AAF National Student Competition.

The American Center for Design (ACD)

The American Center for Design (ACD), a national professional graphic design organization with university student chapters across the country, provides funding for campus design programs, maintains a speaker's bureau, and offers contact with the professional design community. Membership information is available from the ACD faculty advisor.

The American Institute of Graphics Arts (AIGA)

The American Institute of Graphics Arts (AIGA), a national professional organization open to student members, fosters students' understanding of professional standards, ethics, and career expectations through its publications and through events hosted in the Houston area by the Texas chapter. Membership information is available from the AIGA faculty advisor.

The American Society of Interior Design (ASID)

The American Society of Interior Design (ASID) Student Chapter provides opportunities to interact with professional designers and expand knowledge of all aspects of interior design through events, seminars, workshops, and competitions. The organization's publications include The ASID Report which informs students about key national and chapter issues and Access, a student-written newsletter published three times annually. Student chapters may use materials within their department's resource library donated through the Industry Foundation Library Program.

An industry internship program is also available. The professional chapter of ASID sponsors Career Day which introduces students to career alternatives for interior designers.

The Art Directors Club of Houston (ADCH)

The Art Directors Club of Houston (ADCH) is a local design organization that offers student memberships, holds student competitions, hosts visiting designer presentations, and other events that include student participation.

The Houston Student Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators

The Houston Student Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators is open to students at all major colleges and universities in the city. The organization has close ties to IABC-Houston, one of the largest professional chapters in the country. Students may attend professional chapter meetings and seminars as well as student chapter events held on campus.

IABC offers students an opportunity to learn more about the fast-growing fields of public relations and business communications. Additionally, members receive IABC professional publications, attend IABC workshops, and utilize IABC's job referral service, which offered 250 positions last year.

The National Association of Black Journalists

The National Association of Black Journalists sponsors student chapters at many universities including the University of Houston. The organization provides a variety of programs aimed at professional and social development of student members.

The National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association (NSSHLA)

The National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association (NSSHLA) is the national organization for graduate and undergraduate students interested in the study of normal and disordered human communication behavior. It is the only national student association recognized by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). National and local chapters sponsor conferences, seminars, a professional publication, scholarship programs and social activities. Membership also entitles students benefits when applying for final professional certification in speech-language pathology or audiology. Further information is available through student advisors in the Department of Communication Disorders.

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) consists of a national organization and chapters at colleges and universities dedicated to supporting educational and professional opportunities for students interested in the field of public relations. Members participate in seminars, national case study competitions, approved internships, and a variety of other programs sponsored by the Houston professional chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

The society also fosters students' understanding of contemporary public relations theories and procedures, and encourages adherence to the highest ideals and principles of the practice of public relations. Membership in the University of Houston chapter of PRSSA is open to both undergraduate and graduate students of any major. Further information is available from the faculty advisor in the School of Communication.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is a national professional organization with student chapters at universities across the country. It provides scholarships, sponsors various programs designed to enhance the education of prospective journalists, and brings prospective journalists in contact with working journalists. Further information is available from the faculty advisor in the School of Communication.

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) maintains a student section open to all undergraduate and graduate students interested in the activities of this international organization. The aim of the society is to gather pertinent information on motion pictures, sound and video technology and production, and share that information with its members.

SMPTE is the representative of the United States to international standards organizations and is responsible for setting standards in this country. SMPTE publishes a monthly journal. The Houston section holds monthly meetings, which include tutorials, seminars, and lectures on technology and techniques developed in television and motion pictures. Further information is available from the director's office of the School of Communication.

The International Television Association's (ITVA)

The International Television Association's (ITVA) Houston chapter maintains a strong relationship with the School of Communication and other units of the university. Workshops, tutorials, and seminars are held on a monthly and yearly basis on and off campus. The sessions cover key topics on the management and production aspects of industrial media production. Further information is available from the director's office of the School of Communication.