40 The Faculty of Arts
In 1908, the University was founded and the Faculty of Art and Science opened its doors.
That year, we had 45 students and four professors in English, modern languages, history and mathematics. Today, the Faculty of Arts is entrusted with the education of approximately 6,000 undergraduate students and with the specialized advanced education of nearly 800 graduate students. Our world-renowned professors instruct students in over 20 departments and interdisciplinary programs, ranging from Drama, Art & Design and English to Linguistics and Psychology.
The Faculty undertakes ground breaking research that examines all aspects of the human experience. Our scholarship and creative work in the humanities, social sciences and fine arts are recognized nationally and internationally.
An Arts education at the U of A is a transformative experience. It gives our students the opportunity to develop skills that open doors and create limitless opportunities when they graduate:
Our graduates learn to listen, to think critically and rationally, to communicate effectively, to work independently and in teams, and to make reasoned value judgments. They are knowledgeable about the past and prepared to examine the future. They approach the dynamic global culture with experience in other languages and in the study of societies and cultures. Our graduates are engaged and creative citizens – people with the critical skills to tackle complex global problems, and the creativity to envision and pursue a different world.
