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The modern university is a complex organization that serves multiple constituencies in a rapidly changing society and world. The currency of the modern university is knowledge, both pure and applied--knowledge of the past and present, the organic and inorganic, the microscopic and the cosmic, the vast range of cultures and societies, and the dreams and visions of humankind. In an information age, this advanced knowledge is essential for students not only to acquire a degree and prepare for work, but also to grow and develop into responsible and informed members of a global community. The University of Louisville is such an institution and the College of Arts and Sciences is the liberal arts and sciences core of the University. The mission of the College is to improve life in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and, particularly, in the greater Louisville metropolitan area. With nearly 10,000 students, the College is the largest academic unit of the University and is home to the majority of undergraduate and graduate students. The College offers programs of study through 35 departments and programs organized in three academic divisions: Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. The College supports students at all levels, from introductory courses in general education to highly specialized seminars for advanced students. University faculty members are knowledge workers. Unlike public school teachers, University faculty members not only share knowledge through teaching, but also produce knowledge through their research and creative activities. In the College of Arts and Sciences, faculty members in a broad range of academic disciplines produce art, philosophical treatises, social analyses, mathematical models, scientific studies and much more. Some of this research attracts major funding from government, foundations and the corporate sector; some must be conducted at odd hours in solitary places with strange or obscure source materials. The one certainty is that all of it is different and all of it is valuable. Because we recognize that knowledge is not fixed, we encourage students to analyze, question and reformulate ideas constantly. Further, we recognize that, if students learn by doing, we teach by how we conduct ourselves as academic professionals--that how we organize ourselves, how we treat one another as faculty and staff, and how we interact with and serve our students are the true measures of our values. For this reason, we are committed not only to knowledge, but to creating a diverse teaching and learning environment that mirrors the racial and gender diversity of our service area as well. I hope you find this site helpful. An excellent education in the liberal arts and sciences is the best investment a student can make and I urge you to take full advantage of the exciting, rich and varied opportunities offered by the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. J. Blaine Hudson |
