The College of Liberal Arts includes 17 departments spanning the humanities, social sciences and fine arts.

Africana Studies focuses on the African diaspora experience in the United States and its connections with Africa and the West Indies.

American Studies explores the rich diversity of the United States – its people and their cultures.

Anthropology investigates domestic and global cultural diversity, cultural exchanges, power inequalities, and the origin and evolution of humans and their societies. Includes majors in Anthropology and the joint major in Archaeology and History.

Applied Linguistics provides training for teachers instructing students with limited English proficiency or learning a foreign language at the elementary, secondary, or university level, or in adult education programs. Offering only a Master of Arts degree.

Art combines studio work and historical study taught by art scholars and professional artists.

Classics examines the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome through two majors: classical studies and classical languages.

Economics examines real-world events and arrangements in public policy, business, finance, and international arenas.

English offers a wide variety of courses in literature, language, and writing as well as Irish Studies, Creative Writing, Technical Writing, Professional Writing and new in Fall 2007, an MFA in Creative Writing.

Hispanic Studies focuses on the languages, histories, and cultures of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. Includes the major in Spanish and the program in Latin American Studies.

History explores regions, times, and themes in the past, and critically examines change over time.

Modern Languages studies foreign language, literature and culture through majors in French and Italian.

Performing Arts provides professional and aesthetic training with majors and minors in music and theatre and a minor in dance.

Philosophy investigates issues of justice, morality, ethics and belief. Offers majors in Philosophy; Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy; Philosophy and Public Policy; and a program of study in Philosophy and Law.

Political Science studies political institutions, processes and problems. Includes the major in Political Science and programs in International Relations and Public Policy.

Psychology focuses on behavioral and mental processes including development and learning. Offers majors in psychology and the join major in psychology and sociology.

Sociology studies society and societal relations including individuals, groups, class and race. Includes majors in Sociology, Social Psychology, and Criminal Justice.

Women's Studies examines gender, the changing roles of women and social inequalities from cross-cultural, historical and contemporary perspectives.