It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at Hawassa University! It is an honor to represent over 222 dedicated, inspiring, creative and path-breaking faculty members and staff that serve the college through teaching, research, community engagement, engagement in collaborative projects, and support services.

Before the 18th century, human perception of society lingered at a superstitious and instinctive level guided only by hearsay. However, the progress of modern science has enabled great thinkers to use methods of reason, observation, comparison, control and experimentation to study the social issues faced by mankind. The 18th century marks the first time the concept of‘social science’appeared in mankind’s knowledge-base. Social scienceis a field of study that examines human activities using objective and scientific methods. Society is made up of people; so, the nature of people is central to societal concerns. Human thoughts and activities such as demands, values, faith, judgment, decision making, cooperation and conflict make life rich yet complicated. Therefore, the scientific analysis provides us with a way to understand our social lives rationally, and leaves us with useful guidance and advice; these are the fundamental reasons for the rise of the social sciences.

Studying the humanities and social sciences enriches our students’ cultural sensitivity and cultivate their sense of social responsibility and community engagement. The humanities and social sciences examine human values and form an essential aspect of education and research that solves challenges the global community faces. Understanding human complexity is central to cultivate our talented students to unleash their full potential, tackle the needs of our ever changing world and make positive impact in society.The study of humanities and social sciences fosters critical thinking, creative expression and intellectual curiosity. 

These disciplines provide you with the ability to grapple with important challenges facing our society and help to shape thinking about social justice and our response to pressing social issues at local, national and international levels. Studies in social sciences and humanities are creative, engaged and interdisciplinary by nature, and enable you to sharpen your communication and analytical skills through rigorous scholarship and inquiry. I am dedicated to the belief that the programs offered in the humanities and social sciences are the best preparation for the fierce urgency of the contemporary world. 

As one of the founding colleges of Hawassa University, established in 2006, our college offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.The departments that make up our college include Sociology, Psychology, English Language and Literature, Anthropology, History, Sidaamu Afoo and Literature, Geography and Environmental Studies, Journalism and Communication, Chinese Language and Literature, and Theatre and Film Arts. The undergraduate and postgraduate courses we offer have been designed to equip our learners with critical discernment, information literacy, theoretical knowledge, and other relevant skills in rapidly evolving globalized societies to develop an understanding of current and historical issues.Our students stand out in the crowd having acquired the knowledge and skills to effect change in all aspects of contemporary society.In classrooms, laboratories, studios and on stage, students are prepared for a variety of careers, and they are equipped to prosper in an unpredictable future. Our student-centered learning approach and innovative curricula encourage students to apply the principles they have learnt far beyond the walls of the college by engaging with members of their communities in order to bring about thoughtful, positive, and sustainable change in the world. Delivering research-led learning, practical knowledge, multicultural competence, and global awareness is the hallmark of our college’s education programs.

To sum up, we play a pivotal role in guiding students on a journey of self-discovery while helping them become critical thinkers, effective communicators, best educators, in-depth researchers and creative problem solvers in this fast changing world and competitive job market. Our faculty members are renowned researchers, scholars and dedicated staff and experienced academic advisors — all of whom share a commitment to excellence and student success.They are also engaged in research and projects that connect them directly to the local community, government institutions and non-government organizations.

For additional information about our departments, programs, curricula and faculty, please visit our website: www.hu.edu.et.