Carleton College was established under the guidance of Henry Marshall Tory in 1942. Tory began the college to provide evening classes to wartime workers, but also with a firm belief in a broader future and the unique advantage offered by its capital location.

In 1945, the college began offering full-time studies and the Faculty of Arts and Science was established. The next few years saw the creation of a number of Bachelor of Arts programs, as well as several honours programs. In the decades that followed, arts and science programming grew, as did the university. In 1997, the faculty was renamed the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is now established as an integral part of Carleton University. Today, the faculty offers 30 areas of studies at graduate and undergraduate levels and garners world-class instructors renowned for their cutting-edge research and influential writings. The unique capital advantage Tory recognized at Carleton’s conception is now benefiting thousands of arts and social sciences students. Situated within a city rich in museums, embassies, libraries and international associations, Carleton – Canada’s Capital University – provides a clear advantage.

FASS at a glance

Founded
1945

Dean
John Osborne

Location
The Office of Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is located in Paterson Hall. The various departments, institutes, schools and colleges are housed in six buildings: Loeb Building, Dunton Tower, Paterson Hall, St. Patrick’s Building, the Life Sciences Research Centre, the Social Sciences Research Building, and the Visualization and Simulation Building.

Students (part- and full-time)
Undergraduate…….. 6,110
Graduate………………. 778
Total ………………….. 6,888

Academic programs
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Humanities, Bachelor of Arts Honours, Bachelor of Arts Combined Honours, 14 master’s and nine doctoral programs.

Academic plan
In 2008, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences developed an Academic Plan, intended both as a vision statement and as a specific guide for priorities and development over the next five years (2008-2013).

Co-op
Four undergraduate programs offer a co-op option. Other types of work experience are offered through 15 practica.

Faculty and staff
318 faculty and 68 administrative staff