A university education in the twenty-first century must be responsive to the complexities and challenges of a constantly changing world.  Central to the mission of the College of the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is fostering an appreciation and understanding of the value of lifelong intellectual pursuit.  The College is committed to a liberal arts curriculum that broadens the mind and encourages students to become active, engaged, compassionate participants in our global society.  We are uniquely situated in the Central Valley of California at the interface of rural and urban communities of extraordinary ethnic diversity.  Our students benefit from this fertile environment by gaining the opportunity to study the historical and contemporary context of culture, society, place and language.