Humanities and Social Sciences

Associate in Fine Arts (AFA)

• Visual Arts
• Drama

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

• Digital Effects and Animation
• Early Childhood
• Interpreter Education
• Professional Crafts: Clay
• Professional Crafts: Wood
• Simulation and Game Development

Mary Charlotte Safford , Dean
(828) 448-3539

Vondra Evans, Division Assistant
(828) 448-6096

Christine Sprinkle, Division Assistant
(828) 448-6139

    The Division of Humanities and Social Sciences at Western Piedmont offers three college transfer programs and six Associate in Applied Science programs.

    The college transfer programs offered include the Associate in Arts, Associate in Fine Arts: Art and Associate in Fine Arts: Drama. These two year programs prepare students for transfer to four year institutions. The Associate in Arts program offers pre-major options in the following areas: Art Education, Communications, Elementary Education, English, Health Education, History, Middle Grades Education, Physical Education, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science Secondary Education, Social Work, Sociology, and Special Education. The Associate in Fine Arts: Art, allows students to explore a variety of art media including painting, photography, sculpture, digital and ceramics. The Associate in Fine Arts: Drama introduces students to the art, craft, and business of theatre through a study of dramatic literature, stage history, and elements of play production.

    Associate in Applied Science programs offered include: Digital Effects and Animation Technology, Early Childhood Education, Interpreter Education, Professional Crafts: Clay, Professional Crafts: Wood and Simulation and Game Development.

    Students in the Digital Effects and Animation Technology program learn how to create and edit a variety of media forms including 2-D and 3-D animation. The nationally-accredited Early Childhood associate program prepares students to teach young children, birth to age eight, in diverse and inclusive learning environments. Students in the Interpreter Education Program are prepared to work as sign language interpreters for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. The two Professional Crafts programs, Clay and Wood, prepare students for employment as professional craftsmen and in other related fields. The Simulation and Game Development program provides students hands-on training in 3D visualization, programming, game design and interactive simulation. The School Age Education degree prepares individuals to work in kindergarten through third grade, supporting the certified classroom teacher in the implementation of strategies for required instructional areas.

    The Division of Humanities and Social Sciences hosts several events each year on campus and in the community. These events include the Fall Speakers Forum/Ervin Constitutional Issues Program, dramatic presentations in the Phifer Studio and at the Historic McDowell House, and art shows in the Goodfellow Gallery. The division also offers students the opportunity to participate in the Archaeology Field School at the Berry Site, an archaeological site that holds the remains of a 16th Century Native American Village and a fort built by the Spanish in 1567.

    The Division of Humanities and Social Sciences organizes study travel throughout the United States and abroad. Students have traveled throughout Europe as well as to Thailand, Mexico and Peru. In the United States, student groups have visited New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Hiking classes have traveled to Joshua Tree, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.