College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
About the College
The University of Guam granted its first Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962 from what was then the School of Arts at the Territorial College of Guam. At that time, academic disciplines providing the core of General Education courses were grouped in departments. They were later combined into divisions when the Territorial College of Guam became a four-year institution. The school was renamed the College of Arts and Sciences in 1973 before becoming the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) in 2003.
The college includes those academic disciplines traditionally known as the liberal arts. The phrase “liberal arts” is a translation of the Latin artes liberales and pertains to “those arts appropriate to a free person.” This is the definition and the orientation of the liberal arts at the University of Guam.
The college provides more than half of the General Education courses required by all of the University’s baccalaureate programs. Through its four divisions, the college offers 10 major programs, 17 minor programs, three master’s programs, and courses that fulfill professional preparation requirements of other institutions of higher education.
The college has a long tradition of sponsoring or co-sponsoring major conferences on important academic, intellectual, educational, community, and public policy issues. Examples include the CLASS Annual Research Conference, the Regional Language Arts Conference, the CLASS Colloquium Series, the University of Guam Film Festival, and various programs and student events.
The CLASS buildings house modern classrooms and office spaces as well as instructional laboratories for English, indigenous, and international languages, broadcast and print journalism, anthropology, geography, and psychology. The Fine Arts Building has two-and three-dimensional visual arts studios, music studios, a theater workshop, and a theater production facility.
Academic Mission
The major mission of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is instructional delivery in a variety of disciplines. The key aim of the college is to provide students with a broad and interconnected education in the arts, humanities, language, literature, and the social and behavioral sciences.
The college actively contributes to the development of skills, knowledge, and values necessary for the continuing educational, professional, and economic advancement of the individual student, Guam, and the Micronesian region. This includes advancement of regional knowledge; all aspects of social and economic development; the understanding of diverse regional cultural traditions; the resolution of the social, environmental, health, and physical problems that face the Western Pacific region; and contributing to the mastery of qualitative and scientific content knowledge and methodology. Achievement in these domains is known to enable students to be admitted to and to succeed in advanced educational opportunities and rewarding careers.
Faculty of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences carry out the institutional missions of research and service to the University and the region in a variety of disciplines and programs. These activities lead to original discovery and creative work contributing to the world’s knowledge of Guam and the Micronesian region and permit the inclusion of relevant, cutting-edge, regional material in the college’s classroom instruction. In addition to contributing to the advancement of regional knowledge, this work allows students to be exposed to modern research methods, basic and applied, that contribute to critical thinking skills, and academic understanding and growth. For those students who wish to seek graduate degrees, undergraduate research training, and experience, the college prepare them to compete effectively for graduate school admission and for success once accepted.
Divisions
- Division of Communication, Media, and Fine Arts
- Division of English and Applied Linguistics
- Division of Humanities
- Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Division offices are important centers of information for students in regard to their academic programs; contact with faculty members; registration; advisement; problem-solving; information on student clubs; opportunities for internships, scholarships, and special summer activities; and other student-related activities.
Degree Programs
Bachelor's Degrees
- Anthropology
- CHamoru Studies
- Communication & Media
- Communication Studies
- Public Relations
- Digital Cinema, Media, & Journalism
- English
- Literature
- Linguistics/ESL
- English for Education
- Fine Arts
- Art
- Music
- Theater
- History
- History
- History for Education
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Political Science
- Government for Education
- International Studies
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Gender & Family Studies
- Social Problems Studies
- Development Studies
Minors
- Anthropology
- CHamoru Studies
- Communication & Media
- English
- General
- Writing
- Fine Arts
- Art
- Music
- Theater
- Geography
- History
- Japanese Language
- Philosophy
- Philosophy
- Ethics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Women & Gender Studies
Certificates
- CHamoru Studies
- Ethics
- Illustration
- International Relations
- Island Wisdom: Foundation in Micronesian Seafaring
- Politics of Asia-Pacific
- Women & Gender Studies
Master's Degrees
- Master of Arts in English
- Master of Arts in Micronesian Studies
- Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Graduate Certificate
Admission & Other Program Requirements
A student who plans to enroll in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences should be familiar with the general requirements and procedures regarding admission to the University (see the Academic Rules and Regulations). Every student should obtain an academic advisor to assist in learning and complying with these requirements.
College Credit for Lived Experience Policy
The University of Guam College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences (CLASS) College Credit for Lived Experience Policy allows undergraduate students to earn up to 30 credits for verified prior learning gained outside formal higher education, such as professional work, military service, certifications, volunteer work, or informal study. Students must submit a structured learning portfolio that includes a reflective narrative, supporting documentation, and a course equivalency proposal aligned with specific learning outcomes. Faculty evaluate submissions using a detailed rubric assessing relevance, depth, breadth, documentation, reflection, and credit-hour alignment. Approved credits are recorded on transcripts as “Life Experience – [Course],” do not carry letter grades, and do not affect GPA. Final approval is granted by the CLASS Dean, with periodic reviews required to ensure academic rigor and proper alignment with degree requirements.
Advisement & Declaration
See the Academic Advisement section.
Administration
Cruz F. Mary Therese
Office Location: Expertise
Division Chairs
English & Applied Linguistics
Garcia-Santos John Balajadia Christopher
Office Location: Expertise
Humanities
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Additional Faculty
Aban L. Jose Edgardo
Office Location: Expertise
Baquiano J. Marshaley
Office Location: Expertise
Bednarzyk C. Stephen
Office Location: Expertise
Borja-Quichocho-Calvo Kisha
Office Location: Expertise
Camacho Kinikki Royce
Office Location: Expertise
Castro "Ric" Richard
Office Location: Expertise
Fulkerson-Smith A. Brett
Office Location: Expertise
Simpson-Warner D. Carol
Office Location: Expertise
Yamashita Jean Velma
Office Location: Expertise
Student Organizations
Students have opportunities for involvement in a wide variety of organizations that are sponsored by the academic disciplines in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Some divisions sponsor college- wide activities, such as band, choir, or the newspaper. Many of the major programs in the college, working with faculty advisors, have student organizations or honorary societies, such as those below. Many CLASS students are also active in the Student Government Association.
|
Communication, Media & Fine Arts |
Faculty Advisor |
|---|---|
|
UOG Communication Society |
Dr. Raymond Anderson |
|
Lambda Pi Eta: Alpha Beta Eta Communication Honor Society |
Dr. Manuel Cruz |
|
Society of Fine Arts (SOFA) |
Dr. Troy McVey |
|
Alpha Psi Omega: Sigma Upsilon National Theater Honor Society |
Dr. Troy McVey |
|
UOG Latte Tones Choir |
Dr. Ron McNinch |
|
Mangilao Hot Jazz |
Dr. Stephen Bednarzyk |
|
Creative Alliance of Tritons |
Richard Castro |
|
English & Applied Linguistics |
Faculty Advisor |
|---|---|
|
The English Society |
Dr. Christopher Garcia-Santos |
|
Sigma Tau Delta: International English Honor Society - Alpha Zeta Xi Chapter |
Dr. David Gugin |
|
Linguistics & Language Appreciation Society (LALAS) |
Dr. Hyun-jong Hahm |
|
Humanities |
Faculty Advisor |
|---|---|
|
Anthro Tribe |
Dr. David Atienza |
|
Mañelon Marianas |
Dr. Kisha Borja-Quichocho-Calvo |
|
Marianas History Club |
Dr. Christopher Rasmussen |
|
UOG Philosophy Club |
Dr. Brett Fulkerson-Smith |
|
Social & Behavioral Sciences |
Faculty Advisor |
|---|---|
|
Sociology Club |
Dr. Angeline Ames |
|
Political Science Student Association |
Natasha Suba |
|
Pi Sigma Alpha - National Political Science Honor Society |
Dr. Arun Swamy |
|
Psychology Club |
Dr. Camarin Meno |
|
Psi Chi - International Honor Society in Psychology |
Dr. Yoshito Kawabata |
|
UOG Chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America |
Dr. Arun Swamy Kate Yusi |