College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Carolyn J. Stefanco, Ph.D., Dean
Sari Miller-Antonio, Ph.D., Associate Dean

Mark Bender, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Agricultural Studies
Peter DeCaro, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Communication Studies
Edward C. Erickson, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Economics
Lilia DeKatzew, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Ethnic/Gender Studies
Phyllis Gerstenfeld, Ph.D., J.D., Chair, Department of Criminal Justice
Sari Miller-Antonio, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Anthropology/Geography
Jason C. Myers, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Politics/Public Administration
Paul W. O’Brien, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Sociology and Gerontology
Mark Thompson, Ph.D., Chair, Department of English
James A. Tuedio, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Philosophy/Modern Languages
Richard Weikart, Ph.D., Chair, Department of History

Bret Carroll, Ph.D., Program Director, History Graduate Program
Betsy Eudey, Ph.D., Program Director, Gender Studies
April Hejka-Ekins, Ph.D., Program Director, Public Administration Graduate Program
Jennifer Helzer, Ph.D., Program Director, Geography
Peter Nelligan, Ph.D., Program Director, Criminal Justice Graduate Program
Arnold Schmidt, Ph.D., Program Director, English Graduate Program
Sheila Younkin, Program Coordinator, Social Sciences

Office: Vasché Library — L175
Phone: (209) 667-3531

Departments in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences:

Department of Agricultural Studies*
Department of Anthropology and Geography
Department of Communication Studies
Department of Criminal Justice
Department of Economics
Department of English
Department of Ethnic and Gender Studies
Department of History
Department of Philosophy and Modern Languages
Department of Politics and Public Administration
Department of Sociology and Gerontology

*Department does not offer graduate-level programs or courses.

A university education in the twenty-first century must be responsive to the complexities and challenges of a constantly changing world. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences fosters an appreciation and understanding of the value of lifelong intellectual pursuit. We are committed to broadening the mind through a liberal arts curriculum and encouraging students to become active, engaged, compassionate participants in our global society. We are uniquely situated in the Central Valley of California at the interface of rural and urban communities of extraordinary ethnic diversity. Our students benefit from this fertile environment by gaining the opportunity to study the historical and contemporary context of culture, society, place, and language.

Emerging themes in our college reflect the strength and diversity of our academic programs. We encourage cross-disciplinary connections so that students learn to critically examine a broad spectrum of ideas, values, and beliefs through a variety of lenses. We offer students opportunities to immerse themselves in local ethnic and international communities so that they appreciate diversity. We value co-curricular experiential learning to enrich traditional academic accomplishments so that students recognize and acknowledge their social responsibility and feel empowered to make lasting contributions in local and global communities.

Sustainable development is a key feature of increasing global connections. We invite students to think critically and creatively about economic, social, and environmental challenges faced by communities at home and across the globe. Our students work closely with committed faculty who provide foundations for the understanding of environmental processes, community development, and the socioeconomic and political dimensions of a sustainable future.