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

Cosmic Fractures: Beatriz Cortez's Simultaneous Realities

March 24, 2016

In artist Beatriz Cortez's installations, cracks and crevices are a consistent clue to the fractured existence she has experienced in her life. Cortez's work is greatly impacted by her migration from El Salvador to the United States and the civil war she endured, escaped, and left behind. “All of my friends were being murdered. There was no way I could stay,” Cortez tells me as we walk through her Los Angeles area studio, which contains many Read more

Professor Rudy Acuña Accepts John Hope Franklin Award at ACE

March 22, 2016

Last night, Dr. Rodolfo F. Acuña, the founder of the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies and a professor emeritus at California State University, Northridge, accepted Diverse’s 2016 Dr. John Hope Franklin Award at the 98th American Council on Education Annual Meeting. Read more

Yreina Cervántez Recognized as One of L.A.'s 8 Most Influential Chicana and Chicano Artists

March 22, 2016

Cervántez’s art shows the personal and cultural experiences of Chicanas. She’s been a pioneer in including women into mainstream art movements, including the Chicano Art Movement. Her work is transformative and is produced from the lens of Xicana feminism. She received a B.A. in fine arts at the University of Santa Cruz and an MFA from UCLA. She currently teaches Chicana/o Studies at California State University Northridge. Cervántez’s work, including her public murals, has both engaged and educated the community. She’s been involved with community-based centers, the Social and Public Arts Resource Center and Self Help Graphics and Art. Read more