It would be hard to imagine a strong liberal arts college without strong programs in the arts and humanities, and it’s my pleasure to introduce you to such programs in such a college. The arts at Lehman are among the strongest suits in Lehman’s mission to serve its students and the community, whether through the College’s numerous theatrical and musical performances or exhibits in the studio arts. The humanities at Lehman feature a former Poet Laureate, an Oscar-winning composer, an Emmy-winning television series, and historians, philosophers, journalists, novelists, and literary critics who are leaders of their respective fields.
In the Division of Arts and Humanities, Lehman is blessed with a stunningly talented faculty who are deeply devoted to training a new generation of performers, writers, teachers, and scholars—and equally dedicated to instilling in their students a passion and appreciation for arts and letters that will make a positive impact on whatever career they choose to pursue. Being liberally educated is a first step to being successful later in life, regardless of where that life leads, and a big part of that education starts in the arts and humanities: whether that transpires in a freshman writing class or a graduate seminar.
The Division of Arts & Humanities is home to ten departments: African and African American Studies; Art; English; History; Journalism, Communication, and Theatre; Languages and Literatures; Latin American and Puerto Rican Studies; Music; Philosophy; and Speech-Language Hearing Sciences. Undergraduates can major or minor in programs offered by all these departments, or can choose from five interdisciplinary programs that are housed in the Division: American Studies (major), Comparative Literature (major and minor), Linguistics (major), Middle Eastern Studies (minor), and Women's Studies (minor). For more information on undergraduate programs see the 2009-11 Undergraduate Bulletin.
The Division also offers Master’s degrees in Applied Music and Music Teaching, Art, Art History, English, History, Spanish, Speech-Language Pathology, and Theatre. The Speech-Language Pathology program provides outstanding training for clinicians. Most of the other programs offer ideal preparation for teaching careers at the middle or high-school level, for doctoral work in the humanities, or for successful careers in art or theatre. Prospective students should consult with the program’s graduate advisor; those interested in secondary-school teaching should also consult the Education Division at Lehman to learn which program is right for them. For more information see the 2009-11 Graduate Bulletin.
The Division is an active participant in the LEH 300 and 301 interdisciplinary courses (Studies in the Humanities and the Sciences and The American Experience), in the seven General Education distribution areas, and in the Freshman Year Initiative. The Division collaborates closely with two high schools located across the street from Lehman: the High School of American Studies at Lehman College and the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music. Finally, the Division also oversees the work of the Institute for Irish American Studies; the City and Humanities program; the Bronx Journal; and Lehman Stages (including the Lovinger Theatre, the Studio Theatre, and the Student Experimental Theatre).
Please feel free to learn more about what the Division of Arts & Humanities has to offer by following the links to its departmental and program home pages—or better yet, by visiting the campus to see a show, attend an exhibit, or meet with a faculty adviser.
Timothy Alborn
Dean of Arts and Humanities, Lehman College
Professor of History, Lehman College and CUNY Graduate Center
Updated: 11/06/2009