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Interim Dean: Dr. Daluss Siewert
Black Hills State University
1200 University Street Unit 9003
Spearfish, SD 57799-9003
605-642-6420

The mission of the College of Liberal Arts is to provide all students of the University with the opportunity to acquire a broad liberal education in the areas of fine and applied arts, humanities, mathematics, and social sciences. These experiences develop valuable skills in critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, the use of the scientific method, numeracy, and oral and written communication as well as greater understanding and appreciation for different cultures and international issues.

The College’s mission also includes ensuring that challenging academic majors and minors are offered in the various disciplines of the College to help prepare students for their future careers. Students are guided into career appropriate course work through individualized advising by faculty mentors. Along with classroom instruction, the College fosters research and other creative activities with faculty and students. Such personal experiences create a profound impact that leads to personal and professional growth. The College supports alliances that form bridges to the outside community such as through its association with the Center for American Indian Studies. Finally, the College contributes to the progress of the University, serves the needs of relevant disciplines and professions, and enhances the quality of life in our state and region through service activities.

The College of Liberal Arts oversees the Bachelor of General Studies, and includes the School of Arts and Humanities and the School of Mathematics and Social Sciences.

The General Studies major is designed for adults who left college having completed a substantial number of credits without earning a Bachelor’s degree.  This interdisciplinary major is designed to provide flexibility while assisting students in developing knowledge and competency in a variety of areas including communication, critical analysis, problem solving, and synthesis.  This major includes a culminating project or portfolio that can be specific for your area of interest or career.

From the School of Arts and Humanities it is possible to earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Spanish.  The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is available in graphic communication, photography, and studio art. Students may earn the Bachelor of Science degree in corporate communication, English, composite English, mass communications, composite music, and speech.  The Bachelor of Science in Education degree is available in art, communication studies & theatre, English, music, and Spanish.

From the School of Mathematics and Social Sciences it is possible to earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in history, and the Bachelor of Science degree in American Indian studies, history, mathematics, and political science.  The Bachelor of Science in Education degree is available in history, mathematics, and composite social science.  Students may earn the Associate of Arts degree in general studies.

Students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts must fulfill the general education requirements listed in this catalog. Transfer credits - no grade of less than a “C” will be credited toward any major or minor in this college.

School of Arts and Humanities

The art & studio art majors provide students with the opportunity to work with and learn from professional artists.  Primary objectives of the art curricula are to meet the needs of those who are preparing to be teachers, to provide the opportunity for students to pursue a professional course of study in visual arts and communication arts, and to provide cultural experiences to students to develop an appreciation for art.

The goals of the English and composite English majors are to provide opportunities for students to read, think, and analyze critically, and to develop professional, creative, scholarly, and technical writing skills.  These skills are developed through coursework in western and non-western literature, grammar, literary forms and writing.  The English teaching program provides background in components of the secondary English curriculum including grammar, literature as it relates to young adult readers, the teaching of writing, and methodologies for teaching English and the language arts.

The graphic design major emphasizes the creation and manipulation of graphics and images.  Students learn the basics of drawing, design, and photo imaging.  The principles learned are applied in a series of advanced computer design and publishing courses where students create images and employ their creations to communicate specific messages to an identified public.

The photography major prepares students for careers in a variety of fields related to the arts and photography while working with professional artists/photographers and videographers. These careers include, but are not limited to, artist, advertising and commercial photographer, curator, videographer, gallery worker and photojournalist. This comprehensive major will also prepare students to pursue an advanced art degree.

The mass communications major prepares students for careers in broadcasting, journalism, public relations, photography & video, desktop publishing, electronic imaging, and multimedia communication.  Students study the communication processes within and among groups, organizations, societies, and cultures.  Within its curriculum, the mass communications program explores oral performance, broadcast messages, production and programming, advertising management, public relations campaigns, news reporting, and other aspects of mass communication.  In addition, students are given the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships.

The corporate communication major prepares students to work as a communication specialist within a corporate setting.  Through cross-disciplinary coursework in business and mass communication, students will learn to understand, apply, analyze and articulate the complexities of communication within business, corporate and organizational settings.

The composite music major provides students with opportunities for aesthetic development in the areas of musical perception, knowledge, and performance.  Students wishing to teach music will study all basic areas of music such as history, theory, conducting and arranging, as well as instrumental and vocal methods courses.

The Spanish major is designed for the development of a degree of proficiency in language and culture sufficient for independent access to the Spanish-speaking world.  It is designed to expose students to the rich literary traditions of Iberian and Latin American cultures in order to stimulate enthusiasm for lifelong learning or advanced study at the graduate school level.  Its aim is also to prepare students for successful entrance into the teaching profession or into careers which call for interaction with Hispanic populations of the U.S. and abroad.

The communication studies & theatre major is designed to develop the full range of communication competencies as defined by the principles of theory, practice, and criticism.  Students will explore speech communication in all areas, including interpersonal, group, public, organizational, and mass communication.  Speech students have the opportunity to participate in activities such as theatre productions, the school newspaper, and the campus radio and TV stations to further develop their skills.  Students interested in teaching will take an interdisciplinary curricula comprised of both speech and theater coursework.

School of Mathematics and Social Sciences

The American Indian Studies major is designed to investigate the history and culture of Native Americans, with special emphasis on the Tribes of South Dakota.  Exposure to the Lakota language develops a greater understanding of that culture while studying relationships with the state and federal governments, economic issues, and cultural education.  The program relies on American Indian Studies courses cross-listed in history, language, literature, sociology, political science, psychology, art, and other disciplines.

The history major provides a program emphasizing American, European, and regional history.  Students learn about past events and people, explore themes in historical eras, and develop the ability to analyze and interpret historical documents and publications, apply computer technology in the field, and practice the skills of historical research and writing.  Graduates have career opportunities in museums, historical societies and archives, research institutions, government agencies, and can also become certified to teach.

The mathematics major offers a rigorous program that nurtures mathematical maturity, self-confidence and an appreciation for lifelong learning.  Students who major in math develop the capacity and disposition for continued learning in mathematics through relevant studies and research. The program prepares students for many different careers from finance and software development to math education.

The political science major is designed to give students a strong background in American government and politics, international relations, comparative politics, and political philosophy.  A variety of internships are available with the SD state legislature, governor’s office, and many with lobbying groups.  This background will prepare students for employment in government, political parties, lobbying groups, private sector businesses, and non-governmental organizations.  Graduates will also be prepared for post-baccalaureate study in law school and academic graduate programs.

The social science major develops a broad-based perspective in the four major areas of social science;  political science, economics, sociology, and geography.  The curriculum offers students the opportunity to become familiar with the pertinent theories currently prevalent in each of these areas.  The curriculum also provides opportunities for students to become familiar with the concepts guiding research, collection of data, and associated interpretations of materials in the social sciences.  The major includes additional education coursework to be eligible to apply for teacher certification.

The 2-year general studies program allows students to take a wide variety of elective coursework in addition to the required General Education requirements.  Students have the opportunity to explore a broad array of subjects, perhaps inspiring a deeper interest that could lead into a 4-year Bachelor’s program.

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