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College of Arts and Humanities

Inspiration for Life

As the heart of Fresno State, the College of Arts and Humanities is the largest academic unit of the university. It is a stimulating center of intellectual and cultural activity, dedicated to academic excellence, integrity, intellectual freedom, and civic and cultural engagement with the San Joaquin Valley. The College includes the following departments and programs:

Armenian Studies student talks in front of a crowd

Armenian Studies

The Armenian Studies Program offers courses on Armenian history, Armenian language and literature, art and architecture, film, William Saroyan, the Genocide, and contemporary issues. Courses in Armenian history are also offered under the Department of History.

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Student painting

Art, Design, and Art History

Students study and produce work that includes state-of-the-art computer applications, conceptual art and design theories and applications, and leading-edge art, graphic design, and interior design projects.

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Two Communication Students on their computers

Communication

The program presents a balance of humanistic and scientific instruction including communication skills people need to function effectively in teaching, business, law, the communication professions, public service, politics and management.

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English student busy writing and reading

English

Students in our five degree programs learn to write well in small, collaborative communities where students and instructors work together to analyze, apply, and construct meaning with a wide range of texts and for a variety of professional purposes.

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Hmong dancer in front of Library

Linguistics

Language is a defining characteristic of the human species; without language, there would be no civilization, no culture, no scientific or technological development, none of the achievements and capabilities distinctive to the human species. Therefore, the study of the nature of language is fundamental to the understanding of what it means to be human.

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Students in the Fresno State Focus television studio

Media, Communications and Journalism

Blending theory, professional practice and hands-on learning, we build leaders who can think critically, write well and thrive in rapidly changing environments. MCJ graduates are represented on the staffs of many of America’s finest newspapers, radio and television stations, broadcast and film production companies, advertising agencies and public relations firms.

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Students in a study abroad program

Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures believes that the study of a language should enable the student to participate in oral and written communication in the language, gain knowledge and understanding of the cultures of the world, connect with other disciplines and acquire knowledge that may be unavailable to the monolingual English speaker, develop insight into the nature of language and culture, and participate in communities at home and abroad.

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Students on the xylophone

School of Music

Music is the language of the soul and our programs provide undergraduate and graduates instruction in music for those planning professional careers as performers, composers, and studio teachers, as well as those preparing for advanced degrees in performance and composition.

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Philosophy students in the "thinking man" pose

Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy offers students opportunities for a rich and rewarding undergraduate experience in general philosophy, pre-Law, religious studies, peace and conflict studies and Middle East studies.

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Student holds a baby during a theatre performance.

Theatre and Dance

The most important element in the department's success is the students. They enjoy unusual opportunities to play leading roles, to direct, and to design for lab and mainstage productions.

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The College also supports four art galleries including the Phebe Conley Art Gallery, 16 discipline-specific computer labs, a tutorial Writing Center, the University Press, a concert hall and the Wahlberg Recital Hall, a fully-equipped John Wright Theatre and the Dennis and Cheryl Woods Arena Theatre; dance, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics studios, a foundry, television and film production studios, KFSR, and smart classrooms. Under the Dean and Associate Dean, the College employs approximately 150 full-time faculty members and more than 160 additional employees that include part-time faculty, graduate assistants and graduate teaching associates, and clerical and technical staff.