College of Humanities

"At the core of humanities are these questions:

Why are we here? How did we get here? Where do we want to go, and how do we get there?"

Humanities and liberal arts the basis for a civil society

While politicians and even some colleges ponder the value of a liberal arts-based education, Jeffery Reeder, dean of California State University, Northridge’s College of Humanities, has no doubt that the lessons taught in those classes lay the foundation for society, and provide graduates with the tools for success.

“At the core of humanities disciplines—all of them—is asking questions about who we are as people, how we work together in groups and part of society and how we negotiate differences—whether it’s differences in goals, differences in ideologies, differences in our pasts or how we view our past,” Reeder said. “At the core of humanities are these questions: Why are we here? How did we get here? Where do we want to go, and how do we get there? Article continues on CSUN Today.

Congratulations to the 2024 College of Humanities Outstanding Scholar Jessica Smith

This year’s College of Humanities Outstanding Scholar was what you might refer to as a reluctant matador. You see, as a high school senior, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree at CSUN was not in Jessica Smith’s plans. As a matter of fact, when it came time to choose a university, she only landed at CSUN as a last resort. That’s because in 2020, during the height of COVID, she received rejection letters from every other school on her college wish list. Her only acceptance was from CSUN. Jessica acknowledges that having to make a compromise so early on her academic path felt like a failure. In retrospect, however, it turns out that pedagogical providence was on her side all along. Read more about Outstanding Scholar Jessica Smith.

Introducing the 2024 Humanities Dean’s Scholar Emma Carroll

Emma Carroll, the 2024 College of Humanities Dean’s Scholar, has long been focused on excellence. A Bachelor of Arts in English/Creative Writing, a 4.0 GPA, and a recurring place on the Dean’s List are just a few of the many accomplishments that clearly highlight how she never lost sight of her academic goals.
Read more about Dean’s Scholar Emma Carrol

Martin Pousson's Book a Finalist for PEN Center USA Literary Award

August 23, 2017

“Black Sheep Boy,” the chronicle of a young gay man in Louisiana’s Cajun bayou by California State University, Northridge English professor Martin Pousson, is a finalist for a 2017 literary award from PEN Center USA. Read more

Beatriz Cortez Contributes to OC Museum of Art’s California-Pacific Triennial Exhibit

May 10, 2017

California State University, Northridge Central American Studies professor Beatriz Cortez dedicated countless hours, energy and sweat to welding a steel porch that will be showcased over the next several months at the Orange County Museum of Art’s (OCMA) “California-Pacific Triennial: Building as Ever.” The exhibition begins tomorrow and runs through Sept. 3 at the museum at 50 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach California. Read more

Iswari Pandey Wins 2017 Advancement of Knowledge Award

February 20, 2017

Iswari Pandey, a professor of English at California State University, Northridge, has won the 2017 Advancement of Knowledge Award for his book “South Asian in the Mid-South: Migrations of Literacies” from the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Read more