summer springboard college of arts and letters · creative thinking skills. overview of the...
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Summer SpringboardCollege of Arts and Letters
College of Arts and Letters
▪ Blends a small liberal arts college experience with the diverse opportunities provided by a large comprehensive university—including hands-on mentoring from a faculty dedicated to teaching and advancing scholarship
▪ Offers a broad liberal arts education that connects students with the community and the world and provides the tools for success in the 21st
century workplace
▪ Develops oral and written communication, problem-solving, research and creative thinking skills
Overview of the College
By the Numbers
• Over 3,100 students*• 269 faculty members
• 78% with a terminal degree• 49.5% women, 50.5% men• 25% from underrepresented
populations• 10 academic departments• 13 majors & 60+ minors• Three pre-professional programs:
pre-law, pre-theology and pre-forensics *with a first major
Areas of Study
Anthropology
Communication Studies
English
Justice Studies
History
International Affairs
Media Arts and Design
Modern Foreign Languages
Philosophy and Religion
Political Science
Public Policy and Administration
Sociology
Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication
Unique Learning Opportunities
Conduct Undergrad Research
Work closely with a professor to conduct, and even publish, research
Join the 20% of CAL majors who present at local, regional or national conferences, including the National Conference for Undergraduate Research
Present at MadRush, JMU's undergraduate research conference hosted by CAL
The Networked Humanities:A Digital Humanities Initiative at JMU
Innovative Courses
“Innovating the Archives”
ENG 302/GRAPH 392/HON 300/WRTC 328
“Community Innovations”
IPE 490 (Sec 3)/PPA 483/WRTC 328
“Hacking for Defense”
ENGR 498, POSC 361
Social Justice Opportunities
▪ CAL has been on the cutting edge in providing its students with opportunities to pursue social justice interests. These include
▪ Participation in Peace Corps (JMU Top 20 nationally)
▪ Democracy in Peril lecture series
▪ Gandhi Center
▪ Numerous internships and volunteer activities
Study Abroad & Internships
• Study Abroad
• 1 in 4 of our students gains study abroad experience while at JMU
• CAL faculty are leaders in international education—designing and leading about 100 unique study abroad courses each summer
• Internships
• Opportunities to pursue paid and unpaid internships and gain professional experience
Student Clubs and Organizations
• Student Media• Bluestone• Breeze• Temper
• Simulations• International Model African Union• Model European Union• Moot Court
• Debate and Speech Teams
• Disciplinary Clubs• Advertising Club• Public Affairs Student Organization• Public Relations Student Society of
America• SMAD Club
Student Clubs and Organizations
• Honorary fraternities
• Phi Beta Kappa• Phi Kappa Phi• Sigma Tau Delta (English)• Phi Sigma Iota, Sigma Delta Pi (Foreign
Languages)• Phi Alpha Theta (History)
• Phi Sigma Tau (Philosophy)• Theta Alpha Kappa (Religion)• Alpha Kappa Delta (Sociology)
• Lambda Alpha (Anthropology)
Liberal Arts in theWorking World
Use your Expertise
"Right now, medical and scientific technical writers are in a unique spot. We have somewhat of an ethical duty to raise health literacy."
Allison Capley ('16)
Medical and technical writerMajor: Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication
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Serve Others
“What I found at JMU is there's a lot of research going on... and they always had resources to have undergrads help out."
Dan Richardson ('12)
Law clerk for Justice Stephen Breyer of the United States Supreme CourtMajors: Political Science; Public Policy and Administration
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Create your Dream Job
"The critical thinking skills that you gain as a liberal arts major... becomes such a superpower."
April Armstrong ('92)
CEO of AHA InsightMajors: Modern Foreign Languages (French); Communication Studies
WATCH
Alumni Engagement
Career Conference
Disciplinary specific career engagement
• SMAD Day
• Political Science Alumni Day
Skills that Matter
National Association of Colleges and Employers recently ran the following list of most important job skills for students heading into the work force. The 13 skills that at least 2/3 of employers polled seek, in order of importance:
1. Problem solving skills
2. Ability to work in a team structure
3. Strong work ethic
4. Analytical/quantitative skills
5. Communication skills (written)
6. Leadership
7. Communication skills (verbal)
8. Initiative
9. Detail-oriented
10. Technical skills
11. Flexibility/adaptability
12. Interpersonal skills
Career Outcomes
of students are employed, continuing education or engaged
in internships
96%
