College of Arts and Letters

Location: Harrison Hall, Suite 1103 – MSC 2105, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Phone: (540) 568-6472
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/cal/

Dean

Dr. David K. Jeffrey

Associate Dean, School of Public and International Affairs

Dr. Jessica Adolino

Associate Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Dr. J. Chris Arndt

Associate Dean, Schools of Communication, Information and Media

Prof. Dietrich Maune

Graduate Programs

Students may select from a range of graduate programs in the College of Arts and Letters. The departments and schools fully describe their programs in the Academic Units section. In addition to departmental programs, the college offers a wide array of annual events and supporting services, some of which reach out to the regional community.

Communication and Advocacy (M.A.)
English (M.A.)
History (M.A.)
Political Science (M.A.)
Public Administration (M.P.A.)
Public Administration – Fifth Year Format (M.P.A.)
Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (M.A., M.S.)

Mission Statement

The College of Arts and Letters serves multiple vital needs of JMU students. First, it offers high-quality programs of specialized study in the social sciences, humanities
and communication, and in several pre-professional and cross disciplinary areas. Second, the college provides a challenging array of courses designed to promote
lifelong learning by sharpening analytical abilities; improving computational and communications skills; cultivating a facility with written expression; enhancing cultural
awareness, intensifying moral and aesthetic sensitivity and fostering awareness of the contingent nature of knowledge. Linking these two missions is a college-wide
commitment to free but rigorous and controlled inquiry into human nature.

Annual Events

Visiting Scholars Program

Prof. Dietrich Maune
Phone: (540) 568-6472
Email: maunedx@jmu.edu

The Visiting Scholars Committee organizes campus visits during the year by 12-15 people who have made significant contributions in their fields. The scholars, who
represent a wide variety of disciplines, expose students and faculty members to different perspectives and encourage intellectual exploration. During a visit, a scholar
meets with at least one group of students in a class or informal setting and gives a public presentation and discussion of his/her work.