The School of Humanities, Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences endeavors to provide every student in our courses with an emphasis of critical thought and analytical skills appropriate to the course level. From the Social and Behavioral Sciences, we seek to build major and minor programs in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Political Science, Public Policy, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work in which students are prepared for graduate and professional school. As well, from the Liberal Arts and Education disciplines, we have three interrelated departments - Humanities, Media & Communications, and Education. We foster student inquiry and learning through various avenues, including research, artistic expression, internships and multimodal instruction. Because Saint Augustine’s University was founded with a purpose of teaching freedmen, our Department of Education continues the practice by preparing effective teachers for future generations of learners. Our future teachers explore educational pedagogy as well as educational policies and reform before they even enter the classroom as student teachers. Regardless of academic program, in each discipline, we promote the creation and exchange of knowledge about humanity and the human experience.
The School of Humanities, Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences Student Focused Goals
The School of Humanities, Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences has several major goals (core values). They are to:
- Equip students with a strong foundation in critical analysis, technology, critical writing, and oral communication skills;
- Develop mastery in research and inquiry in preparation for graduate study and/or the workplace;
- Empower students to develop ethical and moral standards through critical analysis of contemporary global issues;
- Provide opportunities for creative learning through scholarship, internships, civic engagement, and study abroad experiences;
- Encourage students to evaluate the consequences and implications of social, cultural, and political phenomena and affect change.
The mission for the Department of Humanities, through its three majors - English, Theatre, and Visual Arts - is to offer a quality program while simultaneously providing a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Students can expand their intellectual and cultural horizons, realize their creative potential, and acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to help them build successful careers and make meaningful contributions to the world.
The goals of the Department of Humanities are for students to:
1) Develop insight into humanity via a wide-ranging exploration of art, literature, music and theatre;
2) Emerge with the ability to read with comprehension, write and speak with clarity and correctness and articulate ideas and opinions and
3) Conduct independent research in a humanities discipline.
Majors in the Department of Humanities
- Visual Arts, BA (Visual Arts - Graphics - Concentration, BA (CIP 50.0701) ; Visual Arts - Studio Concentration, BA (CIP 50.0701) )
- The mission of the Visual Arts program is to prepare competent professionals in the visual arts. Specifically, the program assists in the development of sensitive and perceptive arts professionals who are aware of the growing interdependence of all the arts disciplines, preparing graduates with competence and understanding of practical and theoretical aspects of the visual arts; and acquaint students with the professional demands of careers in the arts.
- English, BA (CIP 23.0101)
- The English Faculty in the Department of Humanities at Saint Augustine’s University is devoted to the critical study of literature and language, and the study of creative expression of many kinds, including film and other media. The department joins critics, scholars, and artists in an environment that fosters interactive learning and teaching, with extensive opportunities to work one-on-one with faculty mentors, in small and energetic classroom settings. Students will also have the opportunity to attend conferences, poetry readings, and pursue extracurricular activities that will give them access to a challenging world beyond the brick and mortar classroom.
- Theatre, BA (CIP 50.0599)
- The Bachelor of Arts in theatre is a comprehensive degree with an emphasis in performance. Students gain academic knowledge and develop analytical skills from the critical study of classical and contemporary plays. Students develop their art while learning the crafts of directing, dramatic writing, and acting for the stage with opportunities to perform in student produced films. Practical experience is gained through active participation in theatrical productions, master classes, and internships. Students may earn a Bachelor of Arts degree or a minor in theatre.
- Music, BA (CIP 50.0901)
- The mission of the music program is to provide a program of study in which the student can acquire appropriate knowledge, skills, behaviors, as well as enhance their creative potential to the extent that successful careers are realized.
Minors in the Department of Humanities
- The Department of Media & Communications offers a competitive program of study that emphasizes the theory and cultural impact of media and provides students with the competencies to be successful in the global and digital world of communications. Students can gain laboratory experience at the College’s commercial radio and television stations, WAUG AM 750 and TV-68, the student newspaper and documentary film. The department provides experiential laboratory through an extra-curricular initiative called Falcon Communication (FALCOM). FALCOM provides students with an opportunity to experience learning through hands-on projects that will be used by businesses and non-profit organizations in the Triangle community. The Film major through lecture and hand-on-learning gives students a deeper appreciation and utilization of the artistic and cultural implications. Internships are required for all majors.
Goals
- Students completing the Media and Communications program will demonstrate:
• Skills of standard written and spoken English;
• Skills necessary to pursue graduate study and/or enter a related job field;
• Workplace experience through internships;
• Competency in writing and production techniques;
• Competency in reporting, research, writing, layout and design; and
• Competency in using various communications media.
Majors in the Department of Media & Communications
- Communications - Digital Journalism Concentration, BA (CIP 09.0799)
- Digital Journalism is designed to prepare students to become skillful reporters, researchers, and writers for print media, including newspapers and magazines. The course of study provides both theoretical studies and hands-on experience. Additionally, students will have opportunities to gain work-related experience in the mass media.
- Communications - Strategic Communication Concentration, BA (CIP 09.0900)
- In the study of Strategic Communications students are introduced to the ways organizations communicate with their constituencies, such as clients, employees, and the media. This sequence prepares students to use sound technical and managerial skills to meet communication needs within organizations. Students who complete this course of study will have the skills to function in organizations as public relations practitioners, public information officers, and communications managers in fields as diverse as sports, entertainment, government, and business.
- Communications - Broadcast Concentration, BA (CIP 09.0402
- Students in Broadcast Media learn about the operation and management of radio and television stations. This sequence provides students with a mastery of basic skills, including writing for radio and television, the fundamentals of audio and video production, broadcast editing, and broadcast management. The coursework prepares students to enter the field of broadcasting to pursue careers in news, production, programming, management and sales. In addition to a strong theoretical foundation, students also obtain practical experience at the campus radio and television stations and through internships with commercial and noncommercial broadcast companies in the community.
- Film, BA (CIP 50.0601)
- In the Film program, students will learn the function of motion picture cameras and how to use them creatively to create compelling visuals. The program includes a hands-on demonstration of these skill sets including learning conventions and skill sets used by film directors and participation in the production of short student film projects
Majors in the Department of Education
The Elementary Education curriculum is designed to prepare pre-service teachers to teach effectively in the content areas, using efficient strategies and up-to-date techniques in grades K-6. Moreover, an understanding of child development, learner behavior and attitude adjustment is imperative for teacher success in classroom settings. The curriculum provides developmentally appropriate learning experiences so that candidates are prepared to meet the needs, capabilities and interests of children in kindergarten through grade six.
In the Health and Physical Education Teacher Education program,the student receives a high quality professional preparation for licensing to teach in grades K-12. The versatility in the program provides students with the knowledge and skill to teach physical education, coach, organize and supervise youth sports programs, and pursue graduate studies.
The Health and Physical Education Non-Teaching Program provides options for students who do not wish to teach, but choose to pursue career opportunities in fields related to Health and Physical Education.
Majors
Bachelor of Arts
MINORS
- Black Politics
- Political Science Minor
- Public Policy Minor
- Psychology Minor
- Social Work
Major
Bachelor of Science
MINORS in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice
- Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
School of Humanities, Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences Faculty
Department of Humanities
Michael Bissinger, M.S., Assistant Professor, Art
Linda Dallas, M.A., Assistant Professor, Art
Alfred Davis, Jr., M.A., Band Director, Assistant Professor, Music
K. Celeste Evans, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Theatre
Rob Greene, M.A., Instructor, English
Nakotey Hervie, M.A., Instructor, English
George Jack, M.F.A., Associate Professor, Theatre
Harold Jeffreys, Ph.D., Professor, Music
Shawn Lewis, PhD, Chair, Assistant Dean, Humanities, Assistant Professor, Communications
Patricia W. Nwosu, M.A., Assistant Professor, English
Joyce Russell, Ph.D., Professor, English
Lamont Sparrow, M.A., Instructor, English
Virginia Tyler, M.F.A., Associate Professor, Art
Department of Media & Communications
Erin Berry-McCrea, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Communications
Shakima Ellis, M.A., Assistant Professor, Communications
Janet Gustafson, Staff, Communications
Dan Holly, M.S., Chair, Media & Communication, Assistant Professor, Communications
Ophelia Johnson, M.A., Assistant Professor, Communications
Department of Education
Darnell Bethel, Ed.D., Education, Associate Professor, Education
Wanda B. Coneal, Ph.D., Dean, Associate Professor, Education
William Elizuk, Ed.D., Instructor, Health & Physical Education
Shelton J. Ford, Ph.D., Chair, Assistant Professor, Education
Renee Swain, M.A., Assistant Professor, Education
Katrina Williams, M.Ed, Assistant Professor, Education
Department of Criminal Justice
James Lyons, M.S., Chair, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
Patrick Webb, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Criminal Justice
Rosalynde Fenner, M.S., Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
B. Renee Robinson, M.S., Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
Department of Social Sciences
Colin Adams, M.A., Assistant Professor, Psychology
Marnie Arkenberg, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Psychology
Hasan Crockett, Ph.D., Interim Chair, Associate Professor, Political Science
Elizabeth Fournier, Ph.D., Director of the Honors College, Associate Professor, Political Science
Alpha Njai, M.A., Assistant Professor, Sociology
Angelis Rodriquez, M.S.W., Instructor, Social Work
Birchie Warren, M.A., Director of CAPS, Adjunct Instructor, Psychology
Non-Degree