College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters History of the College

From the beginning of the Dearborn Center of the University of Michigan, as it was called at first, there was “an intent to provide a full schedule of daytime courses in Engineering, Business Administration, and the Liberal Arts and Sciences” (Report by the University’s Dean of Statewide Education, January 1957). On January 10, 1958, the Regents approved the creation of the Division of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) as an official academic division. Full programs in the liberal arts began in Fall 1960; by Fall 1965 the LSA Division was the largest academic unit on the Dearborn Campus, a distinction which continues to the present.

When it became a four-year undergraduate institution in 1971, the Campus was designated the University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn). Two years later, the Regents approved a new set of UM-Dearborn Bylaws, in which the Department of Education became a separate division, and the LSA Division became the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL), administered by a Dean. CASL now consists of five multidisciplinary departments: Behavioral Sciences; Language, Culture, and the Arts; Mathematics and Statistics; Natural Sciences; and Social Sciences.

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters Mission Statement

The College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters inspires and equips its students, through education in the liberal arts, to be servant leaders in society at large and for the resurgence and renewal in southeast Michigan. The College fulfills its mission by providing rigorous and intellectually challenging educational experiences rich in critical thinking, collaborative and reflective learning, civic engagement, and personal interaction with high quality and dedicated faculty. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters promotes the value of life-long intellectual growth and development, rational and respectful discourse, living and leading in multicultural societies, striving for justice and fairness, and in gaining a global perspective.

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters Graduate Programs

Graduate programs in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters engage a diverse, highly motivated, and talented student body in disciplined and sustained study for both intellectual and vocational purposes. In particular, these programs are designed to equip students with the intellectual resilience required for the complex challenges of a changing world—and for the intersecting domains of professional activity, citizenship and public policy, and life-long learning.

Building on the talents of a distinguished faculty of teacher-scholars and the resources of the region, these programs fulfill two broad liberal arts functions. They enlarge, deepen, and refine students’ knowledge and awareness. They also develop students’ analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Most emphasize interdisciplinary perspectives and methods, a hallmark of the College, in the conviction that multiple perspectives yield richer analytical contexts. Most offer small classes, close interaction with faculty, and special sensitivity to issues that have regional significance. Whether specifically oriented to a particular profession or not, these programs try to accommodate the interests and needs of working adults through convenient scheduling, customized plans of study, and thoughtful advising. Partnerships with the broader community provide opportunities for the dissemination and application of knowledge, and for collaborative projects. For example, our students might develop problem-solving applications for industrial and scientific settings like those in southeastern Michigan, use the Rouge River watershed as a laboratory for environmental concerns, or work with nearby healthcare providers.

CASL offers six graduate degrees: Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics, Master of Science in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Master of Science in Clinical Health Psychology, Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Environmental Science, and Master of Public Administration and Policy.

Following are descriptions of each program’s mission, admission standards, and requirements. For additional information see the Graduate Programs page.

Administration

Budikova, Dagmar, PhD, Dean
Zeytuncu, Yunus, PhD, Associate Dean
Heinicke, Matthew, PhD, Associate Dean
Bachir, Nada, BA, Administrative Manager
Betts, Christine, Business and Financial Operations Administrator
Clark, Elizabeth, BGS, Student Career Counselor
Gassel, Susanne, MA, Director, CASL Advising and Academic Success
Gottron, Nicholas, BFA, Administrative Assistant Associate
Judge-Gonzalez, Ellen, MA, Director, Student Outreach and Academic Resources (SOAR Program)
Martin, Patricia, MPA, Coordinator of Experiential Learning
Marvin, April, Digital Marketing and Content Specialist
Wulf, Brandon, Business Administrator Senior

Chairs and Directors

Abramyan, John, Director, Master of Science in Environmental Science and Master of Science in Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Agarwal, Mahesh, Chair, Mathematics and Statistics
Bandyopadhyay, Krisanu, Chair, Natural Sciences
Barak, Maya, Director, Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Program
Brainer, Amy, Director, Women's and Gender Studies
Czap, Natalia, Chair, Social Sciences
Davis, Daniel, Chair, Language, Culture, and the Arts
Elmeligi, Wessam, Director, Center for Arab American Studies
Forsyth-Brown, Ivy, Director, African American and African Studies and Center for Ethnic and Religious Studies
Hickey, Georgina, Director, Urban and Regional Studies Program
Hristova, Yulia, Director, Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Jarenski, Michelle, Director, Foundation
Muller, Anna, Director, Honors Program and Women in Learning and Leadership
Napieralski, Jacob, Director, Environmental Interpretive Center
Patel, Nehal, Director, Law and Society
Pyrozhenko, Vadym, Director, Master of Public Administration and Policy
Sanjian, Ara, Director, Center for Armenian Studies
Sethuraman, Nitya, Chair, Behavioral Sciences
Siefert, Caleb, Director, Master of Science in Clinical Health Psychology

Professors Emeriti

Akiyama, Michael, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology

Anderson, Donald F., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Political Science

Axsom, Richard, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Art History

Baumgarten, Elias, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy

Bjorn, Lars, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Sociology

Bogin, Barry A., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

Bord, Donald J., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Physics

Brown, James W., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics

Chatkoff, David, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology

Clark, Elaine G., PhD, Professor Emerita of History

Constant, John G., PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Music

Crowell, Elizabeth, PhD, Associate Professor Emerita of Economics

Dahlke, Richard M., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Mathematics Education

DeCamp, Mark, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Chemistry

Emery, Allan, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry

Fakler, Robert, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics

Fink, John F., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics

Flax, Neil M., PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Comparative Literature and German

Gardner, Gerald, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology

Garland, Frank, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Chemistry

Gelderloos, Orin G., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Biology and Environmental Studies

Gillespie, John A., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Statistics

Heady, Judith, PhD, Associate Professor Emerita of Biology

Higgs, Elton, PhD, Professor Emeritus of English Language and Literature

Höft, Margret, PhD, Professor Emerita of Mathematics

House, Gloria, PhD, Professor Emerita of African and African American Studies and Humanities

Hull, Brooks, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Economics

Jacobs, Claude, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Behavioral Sciences

James, David A., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics

Kamachi, Noriko, PhD, Professor Emerita of History

Kotre, John, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology

Lempert, Lora Bex, PhD, Professor Emerita of Sociology

Lunn, Joe Harris, PhD, Professor Emeritus of History

Massey, Frank J., PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Computer Science

Milles, Stephen, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Mathematics Education

Moerman, Daniel, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

Moran, Gerald, PhD, Professor Emeritus of History

Morash, Ronald P., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics

Mostafapour, Kazem, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Chemistry

Nadasen, Arunajallam, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Physics

Norman, Richard, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Biology

Otto, Charlotte, PhD, Professor Emerita of Chemistry

Papazian, Dennis, PhD, Professor Emeritus of History

Papp, F.J., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics

Pearson, Sheryl S., PhD, Professor Emerita of English Literature

Perlove, Shelley K., PhD, Professor Emerita of Art History

Peter, Philip H., PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Music

Prentis, Jeffrey J., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Physics

Radine, Lawrence, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Sociology

Riebesell, John, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Biology

Rubenstein, Rheta N., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Education and Mathematics

Sayles, Edward, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy

Schaum, Melita, PhD, Professor Emeritus of English Literature

Sheldon, Jane, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology

Simpson, Robert, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Biology and Environmental Science

Smith, Patricia, PhD, Professor Emerita of Economics

Snabb, Thomas E., PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Statistics

Spinelli, Emily L., PhD, Professor Emerita of Spanish

Spoiden, Ste`phane, PhD, Professor Emeritus of French

Stern, Jeffrey, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology

Stockton, Ronald R., PhD, Professor Emeritus of Political Science

Straub, Richard, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology

Summers, Claude, PhD, Professor Emeritus of English Language and Literature

Tai, Julia C., PhD, Professor Emerita of Chemistry

Tentler, Leslie W., PhD, Professor Emerita of History

Thomson, William, PhD, Associate Professor of Emeritus Psychology

Twomey, Michael, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Economics

Vansant, Jacqueline, PhD, Professor Emeritus of German

Verhey, Roger, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics

Woodward, Wayne, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Communication

Faculty

College Wide Programs

Amin, Camron M., PhD, University of Chicago, Professor of History
Barak, Maya, PhD, American University, Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Brainer, Amy, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago, Associate Professor of Women's and Gender Studies 
Darcy, Kathleen, JD, PhD Candidate, Michigan State University, Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Sociology and Sociology
Lacey, Krim, PhD, Wayne State University, Associate Professor of African and African American Studies and Sociology
Laws, Terri, PhD, Rice University, Associate Professor of African and African American Studies
Martin, Lisa, PhD, University of Michigan, Professor of Women's and Gender Studies
Patel, Nehal, JD, PhD, Northwestern University, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology
Shuraydi, Amny, PhD, University of Texas at Dallas, Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Sociology

Department of Behavioral Science

Aronson, Pamela, PhD, University of Minnesota, Professor of Sociology
Banner, Francine, JD, PhD, Arizona State University, Professor of Sociology
Beauchesne, Patrick, PhD, University of California at Berkeley, Associate Professor of Anthropology
Chenoweth, John, PhD, University of California Berkley, Professor of Anthropology
Clark-Foos, Arlo, PhD, University of Georgia, Associate Professor of Psychology
Dolins, Francine, PhD, University of Stirling (Scotland), Associate Professor of Psychology
Draus, Paul, PhD, Loyola University, Professor of Sociology
Dykstra, Tobin, PhD, University of Iowa, Lecturer III of Psychology
Early, Kevin, PhD, University of Florida, Associate Professor of Sociology
Forsythe-Brown, Ivy, PhD, University of Maryland, Associate Professor of Sociology
Hymes, Robert W, PhD, Michigan State University, Associate Professor of Psychology
Lacey, Krim, PhD, Wayne State University, Associate Professor of African and African American Studies and Sociology
Leonard, Michelle, PhD, Wayne State University, Associate Professor of Psychology
Liu, ZhongXu, PhD, University of Toronto, Associate Professor of Psychology
Loeb, Roger C., PhD, Cornell University, Professor of Psychology
McAuslan, Pamela, PhD, Wayne State University, Professor of Psychology
McKenna, Brian, PhD, Michigan State University, Associate Professor of Anthropology
Patel, Nehal, JD, PhD, Northwestern University, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology
Pecina, Susana, PhD, University of Michigan, Professor of Psychology
Price, Carmel, PhD, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Associate Professor of Psychology
Reppond, Harmony, PhD, University of California at Santa Cruz, Associate Professor of Psychology
Sethuraman, Nitya, PhD, University of California at San Diego, Associate Professor of Psychology
Siefert, Caleb, PhD, Adelphi University, Professor of Psychology
Waung, Marie, PhD, Ohio State University, Professor of Psychology
Wellman, Rose, PhD, University of Virginia, Associate Professor of Anthropology
Wrobel, Nancy, PhD, Wayne State University, Professor of Psychology
Yoon, Junghee, PhD, Michigan State University, Lecturer III of Psychology

Department of Language, Culture, and the Arts

Aijaz, Imran, PhD, University of Auckland (New Zealand), Associate Professor of Philosophy

Bond, Erik, PhD, New York University, Associate Professor of English Literature
Calzada-Orihuela, Sofia, PhD, University of Maryland, Lecturer IV of Spanish
Davis, Daniel R., D.Phil., Oxford University, Professor of Linguistics
DeGenaro, William, PhD, University of Arizona, Professor of Composition and Rhetoric
Dika, Rifaat, PhD, Wayne State University, Lecturer IV of Arabic
Donelson, Jerrice, PhD, Michigan State University, Lecturer III of Composition and Rhetoric 
Elmeligi, Wessam, PhD, Alexandria University (Egypt), Assistant Professor of Arabic
Erickson, Susan N., PhD, University of Minnesota, Professor of Art History
Finlayson, J. Caitlin., PhD, University of Toronto, Professor of English Literature
González del Pozo, Jorge, PhD, University of Kentucky, Professor of Spanish
Iannarino, Nicholas, PhD, University of Kentucky, Associate Professor of Communication
Jarenski, Michelle, PhD, Loyola University Chicago, Associate Professor of English Literature
Kirkland, Joseph, JD, University of Michigan Law School, Lecturer IV of Philosophy
Kiska, Timothy, MA, Wayne State University, Professor of Communication
Lee, Jamie, PhD, University of Illinois, Associate Professor of Linguistics
Linker, Maureen, PhD, City University of New York, Professor of Philosophy
Luckett, Anthony, MA, Wayne State University, Lecturer IV of Film Studies
MacDonald, Michael Tyler, PhD, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Assistant Professor of Composition and Rhetoric
Mannion, Jerilyn, MA, Bowling Green State University, Lecturer IV of French
Martinez-Valencia, Francia Eliana, PhD, University of Alabama, Associate Professor of Spanish
McMillan, Liana, MA, University of Michigan, Lecturer IV of German
Murphy, Troy, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Associate Professor of Communication
Murray, Margaret, PhD, University of Colorado - Boulder, Assistant Professor of Communication
Nesbitt, Sarah, MFA, Pennsylvania State University, Lecturer IV of Art History
Ng, Diana, PhD, University of Michigan, Associate Professor of Art History
Petrak, Samantha, MA, Bowling Green State University, Lecturer IV of Spanish
Potvin, Phillip, MFA, Bennington College, Lecturer IV of Composition and Rhetoric
Proctor, Jennifer, MFA, University of Iowa, Associate Professor of Journalism and Screen Studies
Rodríguez-McGill, Carlos, PhD, Ohio State University, Associate Professor of Spanish
Rohan, Elizabeth, PhD, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Professor of Composition and Rhetoric
Rottner, Nadja, PhD, Columbia University, Associate Professor of Art History
Scarlatta, Gabriella M., PhD, Wayne State University, Professor of French
Schaeffer, Alicia, MFA, Sarah Lawrence College, Lecturer III of Composition and Rhetoric
Stojkovski, Velimir, PhD, Marquette University, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Yeakel, Daniel, PhD, Wayne State University, Lecturer IV of Philosophy
Todoroff, Pamela, MA, University of Michigan, Lecturer IV of Composition and Rhetoric
Yeakel, Daniel, PhD, Wayne State University, LEO IV of Philosophy

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Agarwal, Mahesh, PhD, University of Michigan, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Cengiz-Phillips, Nesrin, PhD, Western Michigan University, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
Clifford, John H., PhD, Michigan State University, Professor of Mathematics
Dabkowski, Michael, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Fiore, Thomas, PhD, University of Michigan, Professor of Mathematics
Georgieva-Hristova, Yulia, PhD, Texas A & M University, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Jabbusch, Kelly, PhD, University of Washington, Professor of Mathematics
Kim, Hyejin, PhD, University of Maryland College Park, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Krebs, Angela, PhD, Michigan State University, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education and Mathematics
Li, Gengxin, PhD, Michigan State University, Associate Professor of Statistics
Mikula, Margaret, MS, Western Michigan University, Lecturer IV of Statistics
Nasralah, Hussein, PhD, Wayne State University, Lecturer III of Mathematics
Phillips, Benjamin, PhD, Western Michigan University, Lecturer IV of Mathematics
Pokhrel, Keshav, PhD, University of South Florida, Associate Professor of Statistics
Radosevich, Mark R., PhD, Brandeis University, Lecturer IV of Mathematics
Rathouz, Margaret, PhD, University of California-San Diego, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
Remski, Joan, PhD, Michigan State University, Professor of Mathematics
Viswanathan, Aditya, PhD, Arizona State University, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Wiggins, Alan, PhD, Texas A&M University, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Wong, Tian An, PhD, City University of New York, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Zeytuncu, Yunus, PhD, Ohio State University, Professor of Mathematics
Zhao, Jennifer, PhD, Indiana University, Professor of Mathematics

Department of Natural Science

Abramyan, John, PhD, University of Queensland (Australia), Associate Professor of Biology
Al-Qaisi, Samia, PhD, University of Akron, Collegiate Lecturer, Teaching Professor of Chemistry
Alteri, Christopher, PhD, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Assistant Professor of Biology and Microbiology
Bandyopadhyay, Krisanu, PhD, National Chemical Lab University of Pune (India), Professor of Chemistry
Bazzi, Ali, PhD, Wayne State University, Professor of Chemistry
Bazzi, Judith, MA, Wayne State University, Lecturer of Chemistry
Benore, Marilee B., PhD, University of Delaware, Professor of Biology and Biochemistry
Bowlin, Melissa, PhD, Princeton University, Associate Professor of Biology
Clarkson, William I., PhD, University of Southhampton (UK), Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Constantinides, Christos, PhD, University of Cambridge, Associate Professor of Chemistry
DaDalt, Ashley, PhD, University of Windsor, Lecturer III of Biochemistry
Danielson-Francois, Anne, PhD, University of Arizona, Associate Professor of Biology
Deng, Yiwei, PhD, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Professor of Chemistry
Donahue, Craig J., PhD, University of Massachusetts, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Fan, Jie, PhD, Beihang University, Assistant Professor of Biology
Heinicke, Matthew, PhD, Pennsylvania State University, Associate Professor of Biology
Hetrick, James, PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Lecturer IV of Physics
Hussain, Bushra, PhD, University of Western Ontario, Lecturer III of Physics
Kamp, Ulrich, PhD, Technische University Berlin, Professor of Earth and Environment
Kondapalli, Kalyan, PhD, Wayne State University, Associate Professor of Biology
LaCommare, Katherine S., PhD, University of Massachusetts, Teaching Professor of Biology
Lawson, Daniel, PhD, Michigan State University, Professor of Chemistry
Li, Xiaohua (Shannon), PhD, City University of New York, Professor of Chemistry
Licata, Nicolas, PhD, University of Michigan, Associate Professor of Physics
Marincean, Simona, PhD, Michigan State University, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Morgan, Sven, PhD, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Professor of Geology
Naik, Vaman M, PhD, University of Michigan, Professor of Physics
Napieralski, Jacob, PhD, Purdue University, Professor of Geology
Nesmith, Judy M., MS, Michigan State University, Teaching Professor of Biology
Oelkers, Peter M., PhD, Wake Forest University, Associate Professor of Biology and Biochemistry
Scribner, Steven, PhD, Wayne State University, Lecturer IV of Chemistry
Smith, Sheila, PhD, University of North Carolina, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Stewart, Ogie, PhD, Oakland University, Lecturer IV of Chemistry
Susko, David, PhD, University of Windsor, Associate Professor of Biology
Thomas, John, PhD, University of Arizona, Professor of Biology
Tiquia-Arashiro, Sonia, PhD, University of Hong Kong, Professor of Biology and Microbiology
Tripathy, Suvranta, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Assistant Professor of Physics
Wang, Jin, PhD, University of Queensland (Australia), Associate Professor of Physics
Xhabija, Besa, PhD, University of Windsor, Associate Professor of Biology and Biochemistry
Zhang, Zhi "Elena", MD, PhD, Wesleyan University, Associate Professor of Biology

Department of Social Sciences

Anderson, R. Warren, PhD, George Mason University, Associate Professor of Economics
Bawardi, Hani, PhD, Wayne State University, Associate Professor of History
Borquez, Julio, PhD, University of Michigan, Associate Professor of Political Science
Czap, Hans, PhD, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Associate Professor of Economics
Czap, Natalia, PhD, Moscow State University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Professor of Economics
Hershock, Martin, PhD, University of Michigan, Professor of History
Hickey, Georgina, PhD, University of Michigan, Professor of History
Howell, Sarah  (Sally), PhD, University of Michigan, Professor of History
Koumpias, Antonios, PhD, Georgia State University, Assistant Professor of Economics
Luxon, Emily, PhD, University of California College Park, Associate Professor of Political Science
Miteza, Ilir, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Professor of Economics
Muller, Anna, PhD, Indiana University, Professor of History
Pennock, Pamela, PhD, Ohio State University, Professor of History
Poling, Kristin, PhD, Harvard University, Associate Professor of History
Pyrozhenko, Vadym, PhD, Syracuse University, Associate Professor of Political Science
Rosano, Michael, PhD, University of Toronto, Associate Professor of Political Science
Rusch, Lara C., PhD, University of Michigan, Associate Professor of Political Science
Sanjian, Ara, PhD, University of London, Associate Professor of History
Sollenberger, Mitchel A., PhD, Catholic University, Professor of Political Science
Sun, Rusi, PhD, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Associate Professor of Political Science
Thomson, Dale, PhD, University of Maryland—Baltimore County, Professor of Political Science
Vecchiola, Carla, PhD, University of Michigan, Lecturer IV of History
Walters, Claudia, PhD, Michigan State University, Teaching Professor, Collegiate Lecturer and Lecturer IV of Geography