News - College of Arts & Letters

A man speaks into a microphone before a seated audience during the College of Arts & Letters Colloquium 2026, with welcome slides projected behind him.

College Begins 2026-27 Academic Year with New Programs, People, and Possibilities

September 3, 2026

A new academic year brings new beginnings and Fall 2026 marks an especially significant moment for Michigan State University’s College of Arts and Letters. Students are returning to a college that has grown in scope, with new academic programs, newly housed majors, and expanded opportunities. The year also brings a new slate of performances, exhibitions, and other creative and academic experiences.

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More than a Residency: SOLHOT 60+ Creates Space for Art and Sisterhood

September 2, 2026

When Sharon Simeon helped create a glass vessel at the Flint Institute of Arts, the other SOLHOT 60+ artists gathered around to watch and support her. They cheered as the hot glass expanded, held their breath when the piece nearly fell, and applauded when it was complete. “The women were so supportive. When it was over, they applauded. There were…

A group of 12 new faculty and staff members pose together for a photo in a meeting room at Michigan State University.

News

College Welcomes 20 New Faculty and Staff Members

August 31, 2026

With the start of the Fall 2026 Semester, the College of Arts and Letters is welcoming 20 new faculty and staff members whose talents, experiences, and perspectives will contribute to the college’s teaching, research, creative activity, and student support. New faculty and staff members will be recognized during the College of Arts and Letters' 2026 Faculty and Staff Welcome Reception on Monday, Sept. 28.

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News / Philosophy / Programs

Philosophy and the Sciences: New Major Bridges Scientific Inquiry and Philosophical Thought

August 28, 2026

Michigan State University is expanding opportunities for students to explore the connections between science and philosophy with a new undergraduate major launching in Fall 2026. The program will challenge students to consider not only what science can tell us, but also how scientific knowledge is produced and the ethical and societal questions surrounding scientific discovery.

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Digital Humanities / Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / News

Kristen Mapes Brings Years of Experience to Role as Digital Humanities Director

August 27, 2026

Kristen Mapes is leading Digital Humanities in Michigan State University’s College of Arts and Letters as its new Director, following a year as Interim Director. Mapes began her term on July 1, 2026, succeeding Kathleen Fitzpatrick, who served as Director of Digital Humanities from 2017 to 2024.

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News / Philosophy / Programs / Publishing, Editing, and Authorship

Philosophy and Law: New Major Connects Critical Thinking with Careers in Law and Beyond

August 26, 2026

Beginning in Fall 2026, Michigan State University students interested in law, policy, public service, and related careers will have a new way of preparing for their futures. The Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Letters is launching a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Law that combines the study of law, justice, and contemporary ethical issues with…

Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / News

College Celebrates 29 Faculty Members Who Earned Promotions

August 24, 2026

This year, 29 faculty members within the College of Arts and Letters received promotions. Their achievements will be celebrated during the 2026-27 academic year at promotions ceremonies hosted by the Office of the Provost. This year’s group marks another milestone for the college as the first to include faculty from the School of Residential Community-Engaged Arts and Humanities (RCAH), which integrated with the College of Arts and Letters on July 1, 2026.

Theatre

MSU Department of Theatre’s 2026-27 Season Explores the Art of ‘Becoming’

August 21, 2026

The Michigan State University Department of Theatre’s 2026-27 Season, with the theme “Becoming,” features nine productions that examine moments of change and the question of who we are, who we are told to be, and who we choose to become. The 2026-27 productions explore characters who discover who they are, challenge expectations, confront impossible choices, resist pressure to conform, and imagine new futures for themselves and others.

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Community Outreach / English / Faculty / Faculty / Lansing-East Lansing Impact / Michigan Impact / News / Programs / Religious Studies

MSU Fellowship Helps Michigan Teachers Rethink Genocide Education

August 19, 2026

As artificial intelligence and social media reshape how students evaluate information, teaching about genocide and mass atrocities has grown more complex. Teachers in Michigan are required to spend at least six hours on genocide curriculum during grades 8-12. They must navigate not only changing technology but also shifting geopolitical events and a generation of students who see the world differently…

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Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / News

Faculty Voice: The Role of Empathy in Teaching

August 11, 2026

Associate Professor Amy Simon is the William and Audrey Farber Family Chair in Holocaust Studies and European Jewish History. She holds a joint appointment with James Madison College and the Department of History in the College of Social Science and is a core faculty member of the Michael and Elaine Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel in the…