The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES, ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (HASS) provides an imaginative and distinctive approach to Rensselaer’s 200-year old founding mission "to apply science to the common purposes of life."  HASS is home to five academic departments—Arts; Cognitive Science; Economics; Communication and Media; and Science and Technology Studies (STS)—each of which combines a unique breadth and depth of scholarly expertise to create innovative educational programs and pursue interdisciplinary research.  HASS offers majors and minors in Economics, Cognitive Science, Communications, Electronic Arts, Philosophy, and Psychology, as well as innovative interdisciplinary programs like Electronic Media, Arts and Communication (EMAC); Design, Innovation, and Society (DIS); Electronic Arts (eARTS); and Games & Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS)—all designed to equip you with the practical skills and cultural understanding you’ll need to succeed in a technologically centered global economy. 

Message from the Dean

"What is the role of the Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences in the 21stCentury technological research university?  The answer is simple:  We are seekers.  We seek to understand the very nature of our humanity.  We seek to improve the quality of life.  We seek to preserve our world.  We seek truth through artistic innovation..."

Featured News

Heather Dewey-Hagborg's DNA-Derived Portraits in NY Times

Arts grad student Heather Dewey-Hagborg's life-size 3D masks, created from "found DNA," are attracting national attention.  See her work on campus in the Spring Arts show, West Hall Gallery, oepning this Sunday 6–8 PM.

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News Icon for Heather Dewey-Hagborg's DNA-Derived Portraits in NY Times

Arts grad student Heather Dewey-Hagborg's life-size 3D masks, created from "found DNA," are attracting national attention.  See her work on campus in the Spring Arts show, West Hall Gallery, oepning this Sunday 6–8 PM.


FULL STORY
Rave Reviews for "Spontaneous Suites for Two Pianos" by Arts Prof David Arner & Connie Crothers

"Anyone who follows dual keyboardists like Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia or Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson will be staggered by the work here. Completely improvised, the nine interlocking suites expose almost all variations of what can be extracted from 176 keys." 

FULL STORY
News Icon for Rave Reviews for "Spontaneous Suites for Two Pianos" by Arts Prof David Arner & Connie Crothers

"Anyone who follows dual keyboardists like Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia or Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson will be staggered by the work here. Completely improvised, the nine interlocking suites expose almost all variations of what can be extracted from 176 keys." 


FULL STORY
Rensselaer Hosts Conference on “Assistive Technology” for the Arts

Saturday June 8, 12 noon – 5 pm in EMPAC Studio 2. Conference supported by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Free and open to the public.

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News Icon for Rensselaer Hosts Conference on “Assistive Technology” for the Arts

Saturday June 8, 12 noon – 5 pm in EMPAC Studio 2. Conference supported by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Free and open to the public.


FULL STORY

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