Washington State University has announced plans to combine the departments of foreign languages and cultures, the department of critical cultures, gender and race studies and the interdisciplinary programs in humanities and social sciences to form the new School of Languages, Culture and Race.
Increased course offerings, improved faculty-to-student ratios, streamlined services, and greater diversity are just some advantages of the merger, according to university officials. The new school, which will offer courses on all Washington State University campuses, will provide expanded opportunities for new and ongoing collaborations in teaching, research, and outreach.
According to the university, the vision for the new school centers on cultivating deeper, transdisciplinary understanding of linguistic, cultural, national, social, and racial perspectives in a global context, and on providing students the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to thrive in an increasingly diverse and integrated global society.
Larry Hufford, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said that “the new school will build upon the existing units’ unique strengths and provide an array of additional benefits for students and faculty at all levels and across the university.”
