The Department of Humanities at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College is home to American Sign Language, humanities, journalism, philosophy, religious studies, speech communication, and world languages. Our department contributes to the essential liberal arts foundation of the academic curriculum. Our faculty are passionate about teaching and are dedicated to the highest quality of instruction. We challenge students to think critically and deeply, to develop multicultural awareness, and to develop their minds and their skills in a way that will foster both personal and professional success. Our highly accomplished faculty not only equip students with the skills they’ll need for successful careers, but also with the skills they’ll need to be effective and engaged citizens.
Pathways
An education in the humanities equips students with the skills and habits of mind that enable them to become self-motivated learners who flourish, actualize their potential, and make a positive impact on the world.
The Department of Humanities is a multi-disciplinary department offering instruction in philosophy, religious studies, humanities, speech communication, journalism, world languages, and American Sign Language. Here’s a closer look:
Philosophy
Philosophy involves bringing critical thinking and argumentation to bear on the deepest questions of the human condition. The American philosopher Wilfrid Sellars once wrote that “the aim of philosophy, abstractly formulated, is to understand how things in the broadest possible sense of the term hang together in the broadest possible sense of the term.” Learn more.
Religious Studies
In RELS 2001 – Introduction to World Religions, students can study the world’s major religious traditions, including their beliefs, practices, sacred texts, and moral codes. Religions examined in the various offerings of the course may include Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Native American traditions, and African religions.
Humanities
HUMN 1000 – Introduction to the Humanities introduces students to humanistic inquiry and expression and its pivotal role in understanding human cultures. Students explore the contributions of a variety of humanistic disciplines and the methods of human expression they study. Works of central importance from diverse cultural traditions are examined.
Journalism
Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information in a variety of ways. Studying journalism and professional writing allows students to become leaders in the new age of instant communication and connectivity. Learn more.
Speech Communication
Speech communication explores the construction, diffusion, analysis, and impact of messages as they occur among individuals, groups, organizations, and cultures in the media age. Communication focuses on how people develop communication skills and examines communication phenomena and events. It studies how persuasive tactics may influence members of diverse and globalized societies. Learn more.
The study of World Languages enables students to communicate in languages other than English, gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures, and participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world. World language skills prepare students to communicate in a global and culturally diverse society. Perimeter College students also can fulfill some of their requirements in Area C of the core curriculum by studying another language. Learn more.
Perimeter College offers two forms of world language studies.
Traditional Format: Traditional Format classes meet with a professor three hours a week in a regular classroom or online. Class size is typically 18-25 students. Language offerings vary per campus. Dunwoody offers French, German, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish; Clarkston offers French and Spanish; Alpharetta, Decatur, and Newton offer Spanish; and online offerings of French, German, and Spanish are available. To ensure proper placements, contact the Humanities Department.
Critical Languages: Students can discover whole new worlds and cultures through our Critical Languages offerings on the Dunwoody and Clarkston campuses. The Critical Languages courses involve very small classes (three to nine students) who work with a native-speaking tutor and are reviewed by an outside examiner at midterm and final. The structure typically requires more independent work on the part of the student than the traditional format. Languages offered include Chinese, Arabic, Swahili, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, Korean, and Hebrew. Points of contact for Critical Languages are: Andrea DiBenardo (Dunwoody) and Victor McGlone (Clarkston).
American Sign Language
American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most studied world language in the United States, and can be a valuable asset as a secondary skill for employment in a variety of settings. Learning a new language can expand your thinking, your perspective, and your opportunities.
We offer beginning through intermediate classes in American Sign Language and a pathway that leads to an Associate of Arts degree. We focus on introducing language in context and reinforcing what is learned by engaging in interactive activities. We recognize the dignity and value of the Deaf community and the language and communication modes used by its members.
Each of the American Sign Language courses contains a literature component introducing features of Deaf history and culture. The goal is to help students gain an understanding not only of American Sign Language, but also of cultural perspectives and diversity within the Deaf community. Learn more.
Sarah Larson Lecture Series in the Humanities
Faculty from our department oversee this highly popular and active lecture series, which invites one or two speakers per semester to deliver talks on a wide range of topics across the arts and humanities. Learn More About Lecture Series.
Berman Commons Perimeter College Speaker Series
The Department of Humanities coordinates a speaker series for the ongoing enrichment of senior citizens in the community near the Georgia State University Dunwoody Campus. The program involves Perimeter College faculty and staff presenting on a wide range of topics. For information, contact Richard Lindner ([email protected]; 770-274-5549).
American Sign Language
Sign Language Lab: In Sign Language, students complete video-recorded assignments in the American Sign Language lab at Clarkston Campus. Tutors are available to assist. Contact Pam Bolton.
Outside the Classroom: The American Sign Language pathway regularly coordinates ASL-only workshops and social events to provide students the opportunity to practice American Sign Language outside of the classroom.
Message from the Department Chair
The Humanities Department at Perimeter College provides students with opportunities to explore a diverse range of subjects: American Sign Language, humanistic inquiry, journalism, philosophy, religion, speech communication, and several World Languages. In any of these courses, students will experience opportunities to deepen their understanding of human cultures and develop their critical engagement with their lived experiences. The talented and committed faculty members in the Humanities Department are dedicated to helping students work toward their academic and professional goals.
Michael T. Bradley, Jr., Ph.D.
Department Chair of Humanities
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion
Perimeter College at Georgia State University
FAQs
Critical Language Program
Through The Critical Language Program students can take less commonly taught languages that are not offered at many U.S. colleges. At Georgia State’s Perimeter College, these languages include Arabic, Chinese (at Clarkston), Hebrew, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Swahili. Three to seven students attend class twice a week, where they meet with a native-speaking drill instructor for interactive communicative practice and language drills. Everyone has a set class schedule and syllabus that is written by a SACS-accredited language professional. This language professional evaluates students through oral and written exams. The exams determine the majority of the grade for the class.
Critical language classes are not offered online.
No. While the program expects that students assume a large responsibility for studying the material their own, it is essential for students to regularly attend class and follow the designated course schedule. Students are expected to study and memorize designated material prior to attending class and practicing that material while in class.
You can access this information through this website: http://perimeter.gsu.edu/
Yes. All Critical Language classes appear on your transcript as regular college classes, and you will receive a regular college grade for these classes.
No, you can’t. These classes are closed to native speakers.
Yes you may, but you need to contact us to schedule a placement test:
Critical Language Coordinator: Ann Sarnat, 678-891-3544, [email protected].
Sign Language Interpreting
A: You do not need special permission to register to ASL 1001: Elementary American Sign Language I. The beginning course is open to all currently enrolled students.
A: If you already know some American Sign Language, you can contact the department to schedule a screening to see if you qualify to register for a higher level course.
A: If you are interested in becoming a Sign Language Interpreter, the American Sign Language Associate of Arts pathway is a great place to start. Once the Associate of Arts degree is complete, you may transfer to a bachelor’s-level major in Interpreting. For more information or advisement, please contact the department.
A: If you are interested in becoming a Sign Language Interpreter, the American Sign Language Associate of Arts pathway is a great place to start. Once the Associate of Arts degree is complete, you may transfer to a bachelor’s-level major in Interpreting. For more information or advisement, please contact the department.
A: It would be nice if that were the case, but sign language is no more universal than spoken languages. American Sign Language is the language used by a majority of people in the Deaf community in the United States and most of Canada (QSL is spoken in Quebec). Certain Caribbean countries and areas of Mexico also use ASL. England uses British Sign Language and Australia uses Australian Sign Language.
Campus Contacts
Perimeter College Department of Humanities
Dr. Michael Bradley
Humanities Department Chair
678-891-2307
[email protected]
Note: For assistance with department courses offered on the Alpharetta, Decatur, and Newton campuses, and online, please contact Dr. Bradley.
Kia Grant
Administrative Assistant
678-891-2307
[email protected]
Clarkston
Jane Hercules
Associate Department Chair
Clarkston Campus
678-891-2717
[email protected]
Dunwoody
Richard Robinson
Interim Associate Department Chair
Dunwoody Campus
770-274-5193
[email protected]
Elizabeth Chavez
Senior Administrative Secretary
Dunwoody Campus
770-274-5148
[email protected]
Student Information on Course Grade Appeals
Course Grade Appeals
Policy and Procedures for Perimeter College Humanities Department Courses
Students in Humanities Department classes at Perimeter College may appeal their final course grade on the grounds that the grade was issued in a capricious, arbitrary, or discriminatory manner. This appeal policy and the procedures outlined below are based on the “Policy/Procedures for Student Complaints, Petitions for Policy Waivers/Variances and Appeals” found in the Georgia State University Code of Conduct. The policies below cover final course grade appeals only for Perimeter College courses taught in the Humanities Department.
Information for Students
You may appeal only after having officially received the final grade in the course. This appeal process is only for the final course grade, not for individual assignments.
Remember that the syllabus is a contractual agreement between you and your instructor. By staying enrolled in the class, you tacitly accept the policies and terms outlined in the syllabus. Therefore, all matters having to do with department policy or with curriculum and program requirements are not appealable, nor are any of the instructor’s stated classroom policies such as attendance and behavior policies.
In order for a grade appeal to be considered, you must prove that your instructor has issued the grade in a capricious, arbitrary, or discriminatory manner. Refer to the following definitions of these terms:
Capricious refers to a grading decision not resulting from a reasonable and announced grading policy and procedure.
Arbitrary refers to a grading decision for which there is no sound academic reason, or a decision based solely on preference or whim.
Discriminatory refers to a grading decision reflecting differential treatment based on race, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
According to this policy, unless there is capricious, arbitrary, or discriminatory behavior, the professional judgment of the instructor is not a matter that can be challenged or appealed in this process. It is your responsibility as the student to prove that the grade was issued in a capricious, arbitrary, or discriminatory manner.
All appeals must be submitted no later than 10 business days after the beginning of the academic semester that follows the semester in which the final course grade was submitted by the instructor, whether or not you are enrolled that semester. A grade appeal first must be submitted in writing to one of the Humanities Department Grade Appeals Coordinators and the instructor who assigned the grade in question. Please carefully complete all the steps below.
If you feel certain that your instructor has issued a final course grade in a capricious, arbitrary, or discriminatory manner, you must complete these steps:
(1) Talk to your instructor about the situation. You may also request a meeting with the instructor and a Humanities Department Grade Appeals Coordinator if you think a mediating presence would be helpful. Only after attempting to informally resolve the situation by meeting with the instructor can you initiate a formal grade appeal procedure.
(2) If you cannot resolve the complaint by meeting with the instructor, contact one of the two Humanities Department Grade Appeals Coordinators:
Prof. Jane Hercules
[email protected]
678-891-2717
Prof. Rick Robinson
[email protected]
770-274-5193
A Humanities Department Grade Appeals Coordinator will respond to you. In addition, and if requested, the Humanities Department Grade Appeals Coordinator will explain the steps involved in and the documentation necessary for submitting a formal grade appeal.
(3) If the grounds for your complaint remains unresolved, you may initiate the formal grade appeal process by submitting a written statement of the grievances to the Humanities Department Grade Appeals Coordinator with whom you are working and to the instructor who assigned the grade in question. The statement must include the following elements:
- Provide your name, Panther ID, Georgia State email address, course CRN, term, and instructor’s name.
- Document the dates and methods of your informal attempts to resolve the issue.
- Allege that you were the object of capricious, arbitrary, or discriminatory behavior and explain the allegation in detail.
- Include copies of any evidence to which you allude (course syllabus, graded papers, tests, etc.).
- List any witnesses: their names, email addresses, and telephone numbers.
- Explain the specific outcome you would like to see happen.
(4) Your Humanities Department Grade Appeals Coordinator will review your appeal and may ask for additional information. Once your appeal is finalized, the Humanities Department Grade Appeals Coordinator will forward the appeal to and consult with the Humanities Department Chair.
(5) After a careful review of the formal grade appeal, the Humanities Department Chair will provide a decision to the student in writing, through the student’s GSU email, normally within 10 business days of the receipt of the formal, written appeal. It is the student’s responsibility to check their GSU email account for this decision.
For more information, please refer to the Georgia State University Code of Conduct and Administrative Policies, Section IV.F. II.A.
Note: Students who decide against a grade appeal may wish to review the Repeat-to-Replace policy.
Testimonials
“I will never stop being grateful for my time at Perimeter College. I failed elsewhere, but my hands-on, encouraging Perimeter professors made my second try at college a positive and fruitful experience. Perimeter College helped me build both my confidence and the skill sets I needed to succeed.”
Joshilyn Jackson
New York Times best-selling author
Perimeter College 1991 graduate
Earned bachelor’s degree at Georgia State University
“The associate degree I received from Perimeter College in the journalism pathway prepared me for success in the employment I received just after graduating … and for my current success as an entrepreneur.”
Ashley Oglesby
Perimeter College 2013 graduate
Co-owner, Roll Dog Adventure
“Perimeter College remains a place of inestimable value in my heart. I was lucky to start my academic life at Perimeter, where professors such as Debra Denzer provided me not only with the tools necessary to be a successful student, but also with the love, compassion, kindness and understanding that I was not going to find anywhere else. Perimeter felt like home, and the professors felt like a family to me. I strongly believe that my success would have not happened if I did not begin my road at Perimeter College. As I am getting ready to finish the French literature doctorate program at Johns Hopkins University (expected fall 2017) and hopefully become a French and Spanish languages and literatures professor, my dream remains to return and teach at Perimeter College.”
Ioana Cooper
Perimeter College alumna
Earned bachelor’s and master’s at Georgia State
Completed doctorate in fall 2017 at Johns Hopkins University
“My favorite part of Perimeter College was the faculty. I had amazing professors who were so kind, lovely, understanding and willing to help. I was able to connect to my professors on a human level and be understood on that level, too. Great professors can have a huge impact on a student’s perspective of a subject and overall satisfaction in the learning environment. I feel lucky and blessed for the kind professors that came my way at Perimeter.”
Tamara Khader
Perimeter College alumna
Journalism student, University of Georgia
Interned at The Bert Show nationally syndicated radio show, (Ryan) Seacrest Studios in Atlanta and Atlanta Magazine
