The Applied Liberal Arts Initiative

Archaeology

Archaeologists study past human behavior through the analysis of material culture. Students pursuing this track will be well positioned to work in the cultural and heritage resource management industry and employment by public agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as private environmental and cultural resource consulting firms.

Bioarchaeology

Bioarchaeologists study human skeletal remains in archaeological contexts. Students in this track are desirable for positions in cultural resource management and museum positions that need to be in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and are pursuing repatriation efforts, or need general assistance curating human remains.

Sociocultural anthropology

Sociocultural anthropologists study the diversity of people and human behavior in modern contexts. Students in this track will be prepared to meet the expanding need of professionally trained anthropologists. Most sociocultural anthropologists are employed outside of the academy, in the U.S. and abroad, working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), state and national parks, interdisciplinary consulting teams, the technology industry, marketing firms, the UN and other organizations.

Forensic anthropology

Forensic anthropologists study human remains in a medico-legal context. While more training would be required to be a practicing forensic anthropologist, this set of classes will expose students to the medico-legal system and death investigation in general and will prepare them for positions related to forensic sciences.

Public health

Anthropologists in public health and medicine use their skills to evaluate how communities live and subsequently find ways to improve the overall health of a community. The ultimate goal is to inform public health policy. These courses are designed to provide students with a unique position to understand the macro-level underlying causes of poor health in a population.

Internship courses

ANTH 309 Museum Studies

ANTH 453 Museum Training for Anthropologists

Graphic design

The graphic design BFA is a professional degree that emphasizes hands-on design approaches, while critical analysis, theory, research and application will be explored. Students will become well-versed in graphic design competencies that will prepare students for career placement.

The graphic design BFA program will offer a variety of field-related coursework that focuses on traditional, experimental and prospective projects and skillsets that can be applied to current and future industry thinking, making and implementation. Students will work toward building a portfolio of projects that will enable them to join the workforce of professional graphic designers.

Internship courses

ART 491 Studio Internship

GRC 490 Graphic Design/Media Internship

Public advocacy and civic engagement

This public advocacy and civic engagement pathway focuses on how we influence and persuade public audiences through speaking, argument and mediated communication. Students learn about advocacy campaigns in business, political, community, or social movement contexts.

Relational and family communication

Relational and family communication courses allow students the opportunities to consider relationships and families in communication contexts. In addition to learning key interpersonal and family communication theories, students learn applied skills for their personal and professional lives.

Communication across cultures

These courses will provides students with skills related to intercultural, cross-cultural, multicultural and intracultural communication practices. Students learn about diversity, difference and inclusivity as it applies to multiple contexts.

Community organizing

Students who engage in community organizing classes learn organization and coordination skills related to bringing communities together to promote their best interests. Skills include organizational communication, interpersonal interaction across cultures, public speaking, internet savvy and engaging political discourses.

Business and professional communication

The business and professional communication track prepares students with practical skills for the modern workplace including understanding organizational communication structures, interpersonal skills, computer-mediated interaction, intercultural communication and working in teams and groups, among others.

Health communication

Health communication courses allow students insights about communication practices relevant to the health professions. This includes courses in interpersonal interaction, health systems, intercultural communication, organizational structures and important to the modern health workplace, online communication.

Communication technology

Communication technology courses provides students with skills related to online interaction including social media use and management, online interpersonal skills, technical writing proficiencies and computer-mediated communication literacies.

Career options

A degree in Communication Studies lends itself to many extraordinary career opportunities. The interpersonal, written, public and organizational communication skills learned as part of the major, along with the technical savvy and intercultural awareness that are a key part of communication studies, prepare students for multiple career options.

Internship courses

COM 499 Internship

Internship in criminal justice

CRJ 491 (internship in criminal justice is an elective course that provides students a very strong applied learning experience which enhances employment opportunities in three major ways. First, the internship allows a student to take what was learned in the classroom and apply it to real world tasks and problems. Second, students will develop new skills and knowledge from working in the field. For example, a student who does an internship with a probation agency will learn and practice motivational interviewing. Third, a student will develop contacts at the internship agency who can provide career guidance and become a professional reference for the student. Having a variety of different types of professional references can aid a student in their employment search. A reference from an internship agency can also aid a student in finding a job after graduation.

Public engagement M.A.

The Master of Arts in English with a public engagement emphasis is designed to serve students whose career goals include teaching, working for nonprofits and/or continuing to Ph.D. programs in literature or rhetoric that emphasize community activism.

Dual B.A. in English and education (PackTeach)

The PackTeach program is a dual degree program that prepares students to become state licensed secondary education teachers for grades 7-12. This four-year program offers students the opportunity to gain a strong liberal arts education, excellent preparation in their content area discipline, as well as the foundational and applied knowledge for instruction.

English core-objective courses

English 498A, 498C, 498D, 499B and 499C are writing in the communities courses. In addition, the English department also offers the following professional writing and document courses:

• ENG 333 - Professional Communications
• ENG 400B - Topics in Professional Writing
• ENG 405A - Professional Editing and Publishing
• ENG 406A - Document Design
• ENG 407B - Fundamentals of Technical Writing
• ENG 408B - Tutoring Student Writers

Internship courses

ENG 498A Internship in English

The Department of Gender, Race, and Identity (GRI) pursues the interdisciplinary and intersectional study of gender, race, and related constructions of identity, injustice, and difference that comprise our social world. Courses in GRI encompass topics of gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, Indigeneity, class, nationality, citizenship, disability, religious identity and more. Students in GRI have gone on to careers in fields including education, law, government, community non-profits, social and health services, the arts and business.

Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Race, and Identity (GRI)

Our undergraduate major provides interdisciplinary and intersectional training in gender, race and related constructions of identity, injustice and difference in global and local contexts. Within the B.A. program, students may fulfill the general major in GRI or complete either of two specializations, Ethnic Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. All of these are four-year programs that provide a strong liberal arts education and that include training in ways to apply scholarship within contexts including education, law, government, community non-profits, social and health services, the arts and business.

Minors in Gender, Race, and Identity

We provide undergraduate minors in Black Studies, Ethnic Studies, Holocaust, Genocide, and Peace Studies, Indigenous Studies, Latinx Studies, Religious Studies, Social Justice, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. A minor in LGBTQ Studies is forthcoming. These minors prepare college graduates for applied work contexts including government agencies, non-profit organizations, academic research, education, the arts and business.

Undergraduate courses relevant to applied liberal arts

• GRI courses particularly relevant to the applied liberal arts initiative include:
• GRI 103: Introduction to Intersectional Analysis of Identities
• GRI 257: Social Movements of Gender, Race, and Identity
• GRI 418: Global/Local Inequalities
• GRI 451: Senior Thesis I and GRI 452: Senior Thesis II
• GRI 460: Intersectionality and Social Justice
• GRI 495: Capstone in GRI
• GRI 498: Internship in Gender, Race, and Identity

Community-based research experience

Students can apply through the Office of Undergraduate Research to do community-based research for pay under the supervision of a GRI faculty member.

Internships

GRI students can gain job experience by completing approved internships for elective credit that count towards their major or their minor. GRI 498 is an approved internship course.

Undergraduate senior thesis

Students in the BA. in GRI, including either of the B.A. specializations (Ethnic Studies or Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies), can complete a six-credit senior research thesis under faculty supervision.

Graduate studies

At the graduate level, GRI offers both a Master’s of Arts and a Graduate Certificate in Gender, Race, and Identity. The M.A. program trains students in interdisciplinary theory, methods and research in gender studies, ethnic studies and related fields. Options for completing the M.A. include a research thesis that prepares students especially for research careers or Ph.D.-level study, or an applied community studies project that prepares students especially for work in government, non-profits, or advocacy.

M.A. in GRI with applied community studies emphasis

Students choosing this emphasis in the GRI M.A. pursue internships with community partners as part of their coursework. In consultation with their committee chair, they complete the M.A. through a professional paper or project applying scholarly analysis and research to a community problem or concern.

Dual B.A. in history and education (PackTeach)

The PackTeach program is a dual degree program that prepares students to become state licensed secondary education teachers for grades 7-12. This four-year program offers students the opportunity to gain a strong liberal arts education, excellent preparation in their content area discipline, as well as the foundational and applied knowledge for instruction.

Shared history

The Shared history program provides a venue for collaborative student engagement in a variety of applied history projects that connect students to the larger community. A number of projects are underway at the undergraduate and graduate level including:

• An oral history of food culture in Nevada
• An oral history and preview documentary of Northern Nevada’s ski heritage, part of a larger ski museum project
• An oral history and preview documentary of the 1960’s Winter Olympics and civil rights in Northern Nevada, part of the larger celebration of the 1960 Winter Games
• An oral history/performance project focused on traditional Great Basin Native American (Paiute, Shoshone, Washoe) song.
• An on-campus exhibit on women’s history, civil rights, and suffrage
• An on-campus exhibit on the Hispanic heritage in historic northern Nevada mining
• An off-campus exhibit on aviation in Nevada
• A permanent exhibit on Marce Herz, which will be installed in the new Marce Herz Middle School in South Reno
• The History Matters high school summer program where students will be brought to campus for workshops to learn of the new “applied” possibilities in history
• An occasional, demand-dependent Kids-U history program for middle school students

Internship courses

HIST 309 Museum Studies

HIST 310 Museum Training

HIST 311 Introduction to Public History

HIST 399 Practicum

HIST 497 Independent Study

HIST 499B Project in Applied History

HP 480 Internship in Historical Preservation

Music performance

The music performance degree offers multiple tracks including instrumental, vocal, conducting and jazz. The degree concentrates on developing technical skills for pursuing professional careers in music performance.

Music education

The music education degree also offers multiple tracks including instrumental, vocal and conducting, where students enhance personal skills as a musician and prepare for teaching others how to explore their own musical interests and talents.

Minor in music industry

The minor in music industry program allows students the opportunity to gain skills in the industry to help further their music careers.

Internship courses

MUS 485 Internship in Music Education

Research training

Research training (PHIL 275) is an undergraduate research course that allows students to develop research skills by assisting faculty members on research projects where practical assistance is needed. Students are currently reviewing and summarizing judicial literature on reparations for a project of one faculty member.

Community engagement projects

Community engagement projects (PHIL 457) is our upper-level political philosophy course in which students are required to complete a project or structured experience of practical significance. Currently, students have a major assignment in which they conduct community interviews with politically involved people — elected officials, activists, advocates. (One student secured an interview with former Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval).

Secondary education and political science B.A. (PackTeach)

The Bachelor of Arts with majors in secondary education and political science provides students with a broad background in political science and allow students to take all the necessary courses to meet state licensure to teach social studies, together with secondary teaching certification. Students who successfully complete the program are prepared to pursue secondary school teaching, graduate school, or an immediate career in a professional field.

Internships

The political science department partners with several local agencies to provide internships for students in public service, Congress, international affairs and the Nevada legislature.

Internship courses

PSC 490F Internship: Public Service

PSC 490G Internship: Congressional

PSC 490H Internship: Nevada Legislature

IAFF 350 International Affairs Internship

Political science minor with track in public administration and public policy

The public administration and public policy minor program provides students an analytical and practical education in public service administration and policy, and the opportunity to intern with a public agency or public service organization.

Political communication and advocacy minor

The political communication and advocacy minor helps students become more effective political communicators and advocates, developing skills and knowledge that can translate into work in campaigning, policy-making and marketing, and lobbying.

Model United Nations

The IAFF300 Model United Nations course offers practical training and experience in international diplomacy and coalition-building. It uses case studies and prepares students to simulate being a country delegation to the U.N. Students have the option to participate in a model United Nations regional conference (held in San Francisco annually).

Supreme Court and public policy

The Supreme Court and public policy, PSC403H course provides students the opportunity to grapple with U.S. Supreme Court decisions, developing arguments supporting one or the other of the sides in a case before the court and/or preparing an independent analysis.

Master of public administration

The courses in public administration are designed to increase the student's understanding of the internal organizational environment and to help the student develop needed managerial skills. Courses in public policy give the student an understanding of the social, political and economic environment in which public programs develop and operate. Courses in research methods provide the skills necessary in today's complex government agencies and activities.

Certificate in social research methods and applied statistics

The 12-credit certificate in social research methods and applied statistics requires four courses: one introductory social research methods and one introductory statistics course, one advanced social research methods and one advanced applied statistics program. The certificate prepares students for a variety of jobs that require applied social research skills.

Community-based research experience

Students can apply through the Office of Undergraduate Research to do community-based research for pay under the supervision of a sociology faculty member.

Internships

Sociology students can gain job experience by completing approved internships for elective credit that count towards their major or their minor.

Internship courses

ACE 400 Internship in Sociology

Secondary Education and Sociology B.A. (PackTeach)

The Bachelor of Arts with majors in secondary education and sociology provides students with a broad background in sociology and allows students to take all the necessary courses to meet state licensure to teach social studies, together with secondary teaching certification. Students who successfully complete the program are prepared to pursue secondary school teaching, graduate school, or an immediate career in a professional field.

Sociology M.A. program

The M.A. program in sociology trains students in advanced social research methods and applied statistics, culminating in a research thesis that prepares students for advanced careers in social research methods or for Ph.D.-level study of sociology.

Undergraduate research and the senior thesis

Students can earn academic credit working with sociology faculty on faculty research projects that counts toward elective credit for their major or minor. Students can also complete a six-credit senior research thesis under faculty supervision.

Minor in social research methods and applied statistics

The minor in social research methods and applied statistics prepares college graduates for entry-level applied and basic social research positions in a variety of settings including government agencies, non-profit organizations, academic research centers and social media companies.

Both the majors and minors in theatre and dance provide students the opportunity to apply their craft through production. Shows are the laboratories in which students come together collaboratively to produce live events and put into practice all the skills and techniques leaned in acting, directing, musical theatre, dance, choreography, design and management and technology course work. Courses which require application to production include:

• Teaching dance
• Musical theatre
• Directing
• Technology
• Stage management

Internship courses

THTR 478 Internship

DAN 485 Internship in Dance

Spanish through the professions

Spanish through the professions is a track within the Spanish bachelor’s degree that teaches students the necessary skills to communicate in Spanish in a professional business setting, such as healthcare, courtrooms, or service agencies.

Secondary education and Spanish B.A. (PackTeach)

Students who complete this PackTeach Program will earn two degrees: the Bachelor of Arts in Education/Secondary Education and the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. This program provides students with a foundational background in Spanish linguistics, literature and culture, and includes all coursework required to apply for a license to teach Spanish in Nevada. Students who successfully complete the program are prepared to pursue secondary school teaching, graduate school, or an immediate career using Spanish.

Secondary education and French B.A. (PackTeach)

Students who complete this PackTeach Program will earn two degrees: the Bachelor of Arts in Education/Secondary Education and the Bachelor of Arts in French. This program provides students with a foundational background in French linguistics, literature and culture, and includes all coursework required to apply for a license to teach French in Nevada. Students who successfully complete the program are prepared to pursue secondary school teaching, graduate school, or an immediate career using French.

Spanish media

A Spanish media studies track as well as a Journalism (bilingual media) and Spanish (media studies) dual major B.A. are two programs that teach Spanish in a media and journalism setting.