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The Sisterhood

Literary Sisters

From 1977 to 1979, a gathering of Black feminist writers and thinkers met in New York apartments to talk about literature, culture and liberation. This group of women — which included Toni Morrison, June Jordan, Alice Walker, Margo Jefferson and more — is the focus of Courtney Thorsson’s new book, The Sisterhood: How A Network of Black Women Writers Changed American Culture. Thorsson is an English associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Read More About The Sisterhood

News from CAS

ENGLISH - In The Sisterhood: How A Network of Black Women Writers Changed American Culture, Courtney Thorsson, an associate professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, tells the story of a group of Black women writers and thinkers in a critically acclaimed book that has been called a model for literary histories.
NORTHWEST INDIAN LANGUAGE INSTITUTE - The Northwest Indian Language Institute, a part of the College of Arts and Sciences, received more than $1.7 million in funding from the US Department of Education to establish a resource center aimed at the revitalization of Indigenous languages.
GEOGRAPHY, HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY, NEUROSCIENCE - Three current UO students have been selected as finalists for the prestigious Rhodes scholarship, the oldest international fellowship award in the world.

All news »

We Love Our Supporters

students walking and holding possessions during Unpack the quack day

Your Gift Changes Lives

Gifts to the College of Arts and Sciences can help our students make the most of their college careers. To do this, CAS needs your support. Your contributions help us ensure that teaching, research, advising, mentoring, and support services are fully available to every student. Thank you!

Give to CAS

Student and professor analyze ash particles

What’s Happening in CAS?

While sailing around the Lau Basin with marine biologists from the College of Arts and Sciences’ Oregon Institute of Marine Biology and other universities, University of Oregon student Marcus Chaknova saw 1.5 feet of fresh ash from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai’s 2022 eruption.

Read about Chaknova’s research and what it meant finding this ash in the inaugural issue of CAS Connection, the college’s new publication. You’ll also find stories about CAS rethinking Russian studies, Associate Professor Ernesto Javier Martínez turning his pain into power, including mindfulness in your daily routine—and more.

two friends

Undergraduate Studies

Wherever your academic goals eventually take you at the UO, all Ducks begin their journey with foundational courses in CAS. More than 60 percent of students go on to pursue a major in a CAS department or program. With more than 50 departments and programs, there’s an intellectual home for almost any interest, talent, or career aspiration.

Student with Light

Graduate Studies

The College of Arts and Sciences offers more than 30 master's programs and more than 20 doctoral programs across a diverse range of disciplines. Both as contributors to research teams and through their own scholarship and teaching, our CAS graduate students are indispensable to the vitality of the UO academic mission.

Student Support Services

We provide our students with a variety of resources to help you thrive inside and outside the classroom. Through Tykeson Advising, we provide comprehensive academic and career advising from the start of your journey at the University of Oregon. Learn about career preparation and get assistance in selecting the very best classes. Connect with labs, libraries, IT and tutoring. Find your community on campus.

World-Class Faculty

Professor teaches students in front of projector screen

The College of Arts and Sciences faculty members are a driving force of the high-output, high-impact research activity that has earned the UO membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). Our world-class faculty members are inspiring teachers.

Among them are five members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, four members of the National Academy of Sciences, and 10 Members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They are committed to helping students discover their academic passion. Every day, they work to expand students’ intellectual horizons, preparing them for life after college with real-world knowledge and skills.

 

Spotlight on CAS Academics

Choose Your Path

The College of Arts and Sciences offers more than 50 majors and nearly 70 minors across multiple departments and programs in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. We also offer 36 master’s programs and 25 doctoral programs.

dean chris poulsen posing in front of Tykeson hall

Meet our Dean

In the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), we are committed to excellence in research and teaching, student success, and diversity, equity, and belonging. 

A liberal arts education—one that offers a breadth of intellectual approaches and perspectives and depth in a major discipline—is the foundation to a purposeful life as a life-long learner, engaged citizen, and leader. The skills you will learn here—from written and verbal communication to analytical and quantitative reasoning, to compassion and understanding—are those that employers seek and will open the door to a wealth of opportunities. 

You will find more than 50 majors and a multitude of minors within CAS, and seemingly endless opportunities for personal exploration and discovery. Whether you are an incoming first-year student, a grad student or a transfer student, you can map an exciting future and be part of a fun, warm, engaged liberal arts community here. Come join us. And go Ducks! 

More from Dean Chris Poulsen

The College of Arts and Sciences includes:

50+
undergraduate degree programs
30+
masters programs
25
PhD programs
10,000+
Undergraduate students in CAS Majors
795
faculty members
1,295
masters and PhD students in CAS

Happening at CAS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

UO College of Arts & Sciences (@uocas) • Instagram photos and videos

Nov 28
Cyclocross Introduction and Skills 3:30 a.m.

Have you ever heard of cyclocross? Do you want to brush up on your technique? Join the UO Bike Program and learn cyclocross skills like mounting and dismounting, how races are...
Cyclocross Introduction and Skills
November 28
3:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Erb Memorial Union (EMU) 008 Outdoor Program Bike Program
Have you ever heard of cyclocross? Do you want to brush up on your technique? Join the UO Bike Program and learn cyclocross skills like mounting and dismounting, how races are formatted, and more! This will be a fun, short session where we discuss some aspects, then go for a short ride to practice some skills.  Some bikes available if you need one!   This event is $5 to reserve your spot, but there is funding to support all your other expenses; you must reserve a space by calling the Outdoor Program at 541-346-6092, M-F noon-5 p.m.
Nov 28
UOEsports - Call of Duty Tryouts Day 1 6:30 a.m.

With the release of Modern Warfare 3, our Call of Duty team will be hosting tryouts for the upcoming collegiate season. Join our Discord if you want a piece of the action or have...
UOEsports - Call of Duty Tryouts Day 1
November 28
6:30–12:00 a.m.

With the release of Modern Warfare 3, our Call of Duty team will be hosting tryouts for the upcoming collegiate season. Join our Discord if you want a piece of the action or have any questions!

Nov 28
"*side conversations" - LaVerne Krause Gallery 9:00 a.m.

Featured Artists:   niko berger lily brammer hunter garcia katy heatherly talia jeffrey madeleine klein elizabeth krieter chloe lee devon martin lily...
"*side conversations" - LaVerne Krause Gallery
November 27–30
9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Lawrence Hall LaVerne Krause Gallery
Featured Artists:   niko berger lily brammer hunter garcia katy heatherly talia jeffrey madeleine klein elizabeth krieter chloe lee devon martin lily masl sadie miller sophie paprocki giancarlo penalba ilka sankari kyler shahalami valery tsai ellyce whiteman      
Nov 28
"Voicemail Messages" - Foyer Gallery 9:00 a.m.

New work by Samuel Brooks

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Map to location of Foyer Gallery in Lawrence Hall

"Voicemail Messages" - Foyer Gallery
November 27–30
9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Lawrence Hall Foyer Gallery

New work by Samuel Brooks

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Map to location of Foyer Gallery in Lawrence Hall