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Fine Arts & Humanities

The Fine Arts and Humanities Division seeks to cultivate people capable of critical discernment and aesthetic sensibility who engage their lives with thoughtful and joyful purpose. We encourage students in their study of art, music, communication, literature, and religion to develop the knowledge and skills to speak and write effectively, to think carefully about their lives and the broader society, to have a critical eye and ear, to confront injustice creatively, and to seek lives of meaningful service.

The faculty of the Fine Arts and Humanities Division invites students to join the soulful joy of creating beauty, making music, telling stories, exploring the diverse experiences of humanity, and searching the mystery of the divine. Our field of inquiry is the rich vastness of human life. We discover and express art, song, literature, and faith. We gather to share the fullness of human life, ask questions about life’s meaning, and seek ways to live together in light of the journeys of our ancestors and our present challenges.

We invite our students to appreciate, celebrate, and make art, music, poetry, and stories.  We call our students to delight in how art, music, and language draw upon, describe, and inform human experience. We hope our students will be open to sacred visions of how life ought to be.

In the Fine Arts and Humanities, we explore the contours of our souls as we seek a more soulful life. We engage in the soul work of music and art, critical thinking, clear writing, and persuasive speech.

We hope that through our classes, students will enter the lifelong task of living fully human lives. Attuned to the soul, embracing the rich interplay of inner and outer lives, we join our students in the quest for meaning and purpose in life.

Areas of Study:

Fine Arts and Humanities offers areas of study in Art, English, Humanities, Foreign Languages, Journalism and Mass Communication, Music, Philosophy, and Religion.

Available Majors:

Art, English, Journalism and Mass Communication, Music, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Religion, all leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Religion is also available as a BA or AA degree through the Accelerated Studies for Adult Professionals (ASAP) program.

Contact:

Dr. Peter R. Gathje

Chair, Fine Arts and Humanities

(901) 435-1311
peter_gathje@loc.edu

Academic Programs

  • Art
  • English
  • Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Music
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Religion

Program Details

Courses – Online or in-person
Credits – 120 credits are required for each major at LeMoyne-Owen College
Tuition – Learn More

Degree Awarded – Bachelor of Arts in Art, English, Journalism and Mass Communication, Music, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Religion
Admission Requirements – Learn More

Career Opportunities for Students in Fine Arts and Humanities

Students in Fine Arts and Humanities have a wide range of career opportunities depending on their interests, skills, and willingness to explore creative and intellectual fields. Here are some potential career paths:

  1. Art Careers
  • Visual Artist – Painter, sculptor, illustrator, or multimedia artist
  • Graphic Designer – Work in branding, digital marketing, or advertising
  • Animator – Work in film, gaming, or advertising
  • Photographer – Fashion, documentary, commercial, or fine art photography
  • Art Director – Oversee creative projects in media, advertising, or film
  • Museum/Gallery Curator – Manage art collections and exhibitions
  • Art Teacher/Professor – Teach in schools, colleges, or workshops
  • Art Therapist – Use art as therapy in healthcare or counseling
  1. English Careers
  • Writer/Author – Fiction, poetry, journalism, blogging, podcasts
  • Editor – Work for publishing houses, magazines, or websites
  • Screenwriter – Write scripts for film and TV
  • Copywriter – Advertising, marketing, and branding
  • Translator/Interpreter – Work in publishing, diplomacy, or international business
  • Lawyer – an English degree is excellent preparation for law school
  1. Journalism and Mass Communication Careers
  • Journalist – Print, broadcast, or digital media
  • Public Relations Specialist – Manage brand image and media relations
  • Social Media Manager – Handle digital marketing and content creation
  • TV/Radio Broadcaster – Work as a host, producer, or researcher
  • Content Creator/YouTuber – Develop educational or entertainment content
  1. Music Careers
  • Musician/Singer – Professional musician that performs live and/or records in a studio
  • Composer/Songwriter – Writes music for artists, films, or commercials.
  • Music Director/Conductor – Leads orchestras, choirs, or bands.
  • Music Producer/Engineer – Oversees music production and recording.
  • Artist Manager – Handles the career of musicians.
  • A&R (Artists & Repertoire) – Finds and develops new talent.
  • Concert Promoter – Organizes and markets live events.
  1. Religion Careers
  • Pastoral leadership in a church – be a pastor in a congregation
  • Lead a Nonprofit Organization – found a nonprofit to address a social need or become a leader in an already existing nonprofit
  • Professor – teach in college, university, or seminary
  • Lead a Cultural Policy Analyst – Work on policies and programs
  • NGO Worker – Promote cultural and humanitarian causes
  1. Entrepreneurship & Freelancing
  • Freelance Artist/Designer – Sell artwork, take commissions, or work on projects
  • Creative Entrepreneur – Start a business in arts, culture, or design
  • Cultural Policy Analyst – Work on policies and programs
  • NGO Worker – Promote cultural and humanitarian causes in a nongovernmental organization
  • Lead a Nonprofit Organization – found a nonprofit to address a social need or become a leader in an already existing nonprofit

Degree Overview

The Fine Arts and Humanities Division offers the following degree programs: 

  • Art
  • English
  • Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Music
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Religion

Art

A student majoring in Art may select from two different concentrations: Graphic Design and Studio Art. Graphic Design creates visual images to communicate in a variety of contexts such as marketing, businesses, non-profit organizations, churches, schools, or political campaigns. Studio Art creates visual artworks from a variety of artistic methods and materials such as painting, drawing, or sculpting. In both concentrations, students gain practical skills, and the theoretical and historical knowledge needed to excel as artists.

English 

A student majoring in English may select from several different concentrations: Creative Writing, Literature, Professional Writing, and Rhetoric and Digital Communication. All of the concentrations build upon core courses in English that offer knowledge and skills in literature and composition. The concentration in Creative Writing addresses the creative writing process within the areas of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Literature focuses on classic and contemporary forms of literature and literature analysis. Professional Writing prepares students for communicating in a variety of contexts and forms within the world of business and nonprofits. Rhetoric and Digital Communication examines the interplay between written and visual methods of communication within various settings. 

Journalism and Mass Communication 

Students in Journalism and Mass Communication gain the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to communicate in the contexts of print, television, radio, and digital media. Through classroom and internship experiences, students are exposed to the history of mass communication and its ever-changing landscape, along with current practices in a variety of media. Students emerge prepared to communicate effectively drawing upon different types of media.

Music 

A student majoring in Music can choose from the following concentrations: Traditional Music, Music Technology and Production, and Sacred Music. The concentration in Traditional Music allows students to focus on a particular musical instrument, along with music theory and composition. Music Technology and Production prepares students for work in the music industry with knowledge and experience with the various technologies for musical production and the field of music production. 

Interdisciplinary Studies

A student majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies crafts a degree that combines study from two of the wide variety of academic majors offered at LeMoyne-Owen. Interdisciplinary Studies encourages students to follow interests that draw upon the strengths of two different academic disciplines in order to put them into creative and critical dialogue with each other. Thus, a student may create an interdisciplinary degree in Religion and Business, or Art and Psychology, or Music and Biology, or English and Sociology. In this program, a student works closely with a faculty advisor to draw upon the two areas of study with the aim of integrating their relationship.

Religion 

A student majoring in Religion can choose from two concentrations: Ministry, or Academic Study of Religion. Students who choose the Ministry concentration gain a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies, along with courses in preaching, pastoral care, pastoral leadership and administration, and worship. Students in the Academic Study of Religion add to the solid foundation in biblical and theological studies with further courses in religion that provide additional historical and cultural studies of religion.

What You Will Learn

No matter what major you choose from within the Fine Arts and Humanities Division, you will be prepared both personally and professionally for active engagement in the world and your chosen field of work. Our graduates acquire expertise in creativity, critical thinking and communication. The faculty of the Fine Arts and Humanities Division are committed to the academic and personal well-being of each student. The faculty serve as mentors who offer students guidance within their chosen field of study and facilitate growth in knowledge and experience. Students are prepared for a lifetime of engagement with their area of study.

Faculty

Dr. Peter R. Gathje

Division Chair; Professor

Dr. Seth Davis

Assistant Professor

Dr. Ashley Keith Davis

Assistant Professor - Music

Dr. Lora Gubanov

Assistant Professor

Christie Harper

Assistant Professor

Zhixin “Cathay” Walker

Assistant Professor - Art

Dr. Linda M. White

Associate Professor

Courtney Spencer

Assistant Professor - English

Dr. Mary Ann Chongson

Assistant Professor - Music

Charlotte Bush, JD.

Assistant Professor - English

Cheryl Cole

Instructor - Journalism & Mass Communications

Dr. Linda White

Associate Professor - English

Roderick Thompson

Assistant Professor - Art

Student Performance Data

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Spring 2022 DATA & Retention Rate

73

Job Placement

18

Grad School

82

ASAP

90

Traditional Programs

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