Liberal arts education is at the heart of the University of Denver. Our faculty, staff and students come together in a shared quest for knowledge of the human condition.
Experience AHSS' finest artistic expression on and off campus—whether attending student or faculty music recitals and theatre productions, viewing students' work exhibited at local galleries or reading our poetry magazines.
Faculty and students in the humanities study some of the most profound and exciting thinkers and writers, past and present, to produce pioneering research in the study of language, literature and culture.
Blending theory with practice, our internationally recognized social scientist faculty share their ongoing research in human behavior and development with more than 1,000 social sciences students.
We boast 26,000 liberal arts alumni. Stay connected to old friends while making connections to forge new friendships by attending campus presentations, DU on the Road lectures and other special events.
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Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Cultivating the Life of the Mind
When you take classes in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS), you join the University of Denver's largest and most diverse academic unit, and gain the education and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today's global, communication-based society.
AHSS is where all DU undergraduate students build the foundation of their higher education. All undergraduate students take liberal arts courses with us, and one-third of these students declare an AHSS major. Plus, the majority of our departments and schools offer graduate or PhD programs.
Hear why this alum prefers to hire liberal arts grads:
AHSS students share a common passion for understanding human expression, understanding, identity, and activity as people evolve collectively and individually, across time and space. Our award-winning faculty members incorporate their national and international research and creative endeavors into the classroom to enhance your learning experience.
As an AHSS student, you will learn the theories and techniques of your field as well as the skills to:
Think critically
Omar Gudino, assistant professor of psychology, is working to understand and meet the needs of children and adolescents who are at high risk of developing emotional and behavioral problems due to exposure to trauma or other forms of adversity. Gudino and his colleagues in the Services for At-Risk Youth and Families (SAYF) research lab at the University of Denver work in partnership with local human services agencies to develop treatment options that meet the mental health needs of high risk youth.
Communicate effectively
Mark Dodge (MA '00, anthropology) has loved museums since he was a kid, and today he has found a career to match this passion as the Exhibit & Collections Curator for Golden History Museums. He enjoys getting out into the community and speaking with residents, documenting their stories and building the museum collection of artifacts and photos. "Everyone has a story to tell or something to share and museums may be one of the few places still willing to listen," said Dodge.
Gain knowledge to forge new ideas
Two DU students have used their past experiences and academic interests to develop a research project that has allowed them to study different cultures on multiple continents. Sam Estenson and Hannah Parkes have conducted their research for over a year. "The research we have completed so far has given me deeper insights into the global atmosphere through the lenses of languages and the cultures of these countries, which is fascinating," Parkes said.
Adapt to different cultures and increase intercultural skills
As an undergrad studying abroad in Ecuador, Alison Krögel, associate professor of Spanish, learned quickly that if she wanted to communicate with Ecuadorians throughout the region, she needed to learn the most commonly spoken indigenous language. Not Spanish, but Quechua, a language spoken by 10-12 million people throughout the Andes of South America. Krögel began studying Quechua both in graduate school and at the Centro Bartolomé de las Casas in Cusco, Peru. Her interest in the Quechua language and culture has led to a career focus on the Andean region.
Contribute meaningfully
Wendy Low is a proponent for social justice. It's not a passing interest, but a lifelong passion that was ignited when she joined her first cause at the age of ten. Today, Low continues to advocate for social justice as president of Never Again!, a student group that promotes awareness of the Holocaust and atrocities of genocide to the DU community.
Liberal Arts Advantage
The Liberal Arts Advantage (LAA) is a program supporting Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences students by enriching their intellectual life beyond the classroom. Its primary goal is to welcome and engage AHSS students into the liberal arts intellectual community by articulating the value of a liberal arts education. It does this in three main ways:
It hosts programs and invites students to attend.
It assists students in transitioning their liberal arts degrees into careers.
It serves as a transitional advising area for students who are between advisers or have unique academic circumstances
