FACULTY OF ARTS & SCIENCE

ABOUT US

Established in 2009, the Faculty of Arts and Science (hereafter FAS) is the fourth and the youngest faculty of the University of Aruba. The embedding of the FAS within the University of Aruba impacts the Aruban society in multiple ways and it strengthens the role of the university as a change agent in the surrounding society, for the sake of development. Set up as a multi-study faculty, the FAS contributes to the diversity in student population, teaching staff and study programs.

The FAS aims to offer a substantial expansion of the possibilities for higher education in Aruba, as well as the expansion of research and social services in the field of social-cultural studies and humanities.

EDUCATION

Information for prospective students

General

The FAS – being the youngest faculty of the University of Aruba – offers a distinctive academic program which:

• develops the student’s intellectual and personal potential to its maximum;
• encourages the development of team work competences;
• enables the discovery of new knowledge and values while providing opportunities to acquire established knowledge and values;
• fosters the individual’s critical support to society’s development.

The FAS is contextualized through 4 transversal lines: Diversity, Identity, Sustainability and Social action and Civic participation. These four transversal lines are conceptualizations of the developmental perspective that is the binding element of the faculty, its focus and its orientation.

The FAS has cooperation agreements with different universities, such as: the University of Utrecht (USBO), the University of Arizona, the University of the Netherlands Antilles (UNA), and other universities in the region. The teaching staff not only consists of local teachers, but also of visiting professors from various other universities as well. The majority of the literature is in English and Dutch. Most of the time, the courses are taught in English; dependant on the nature of the module this could also be Dutch or Papiamento.

Candidates meeting the admission requirements can register by using a registration form which is available at the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) at the University of Aruba or by clicking here. Candidates who have reached the age of twenty-three and do not meet the admission requirements can be admitted by the Minister of Education after having demonstrated through an admission exam (Colloquium Doctum) to have sufficient general knowledge and aptitude for the program.

For more information about student life at the University of Aruba, financial information, admission requirements and/or exchange/internship possibilities, please review our study guides (Study-guide OGM 2011-2012, Study-guide SW&D 2011-2012) (English only) or contact the Coordinator of the Office of Student Affairs, at (297) 588-9946 ext. 257.

Academic programs

Bachelors Degree in Organization, Governance and Management, B.A.
The 4-year undergraduate (Bachelors) program Organization, Governance and Management (OGM) is an interdisciplinary scientific study and represents a joint venture between the academic fields of organizational sciences and public administration. The study is oriented towards governance, organizational development, managerial theories and practices, business processes, research, context and inter-cultural concepts, using social science as binding glue. This program offers students a broad academic perspective and specific professional skills in understanding, supporting and managing organizations. The program culminates in a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) degree.

The full-time 4-year program is a scientific, research-based program, emphasizing developmental principles, values and theories regarding the four curriculum areas: organization, governance, management and research. Students will be extensively trained to study, analyze and understand practical organizational problems, within cultural contexts, organizational contexts, and relevant developments in societies.

This program prepares students for management positions in a wide array of governmental and non-governmental social service agencies. OGM provides both the academic preparation and practical experiences that students will need to enter and succeed in a professional field of diversity and multiple developmental challenges. A graduate in Organization, Governance and Management may be employed in different areas such as human resources, policy, organizational research and development, quality management, process management, planning, and supporting staff positions in public organizations.

Admission requirements:

• E.P.I. level 4, HAVO, VWO or equivalents
• Bachelors Degree in another field
• Colloquium Doctum
• A minimum final score of 500 for the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent test
• A minimum final score of 1000 for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

Bachelors Degree in Social Work and Development, B.A.
While Aruba is confronted with various socio-economic challenges, the profession of Social Work in Aruba is considered young and evolving and welcomes individuals with drive and initiative. The FAS, therefore, offers an exciting and well-balanced academic program in Social Work and Development.

This academic program is tailored for those passionate and fascinated in acquiring knowledge of human and social behavior and developing competencies to empower vulnerable individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities in our society. The main goal of this program is to contribute to the continuous improvement of the quality of life of the Aruban and the global community.

The Bachelor Arts degree in SW&D is a four (4) year full-time program offered in the FAS which positions and trains individuals to become competent professional social workers ready to work in a diverse, multi-cultural and multi-lingual society. Graduates may find careers in a wide array of foundations, governmental, non-governmental social service agencies and also in private sector organizations. Social workers have a variety of specialized options in the field which includes clinical, medical, community, youth, policy and advocacy among others.

Admission requirements:

• E.P.I. level 4, HAVO, VWO or equivalents
• Bachelors Degree in another field
• Colloquium Doctum
• A minimum final score of 550 for the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent test
• A minimum final score of 1200 for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

Papiamento
The main goal of this three-year Master program is the study of the Papiamento language and its literature, both in their theoretical aspects and in their applications. The overall aim of the program is to train students to do research and situate issues concerning the Papiamento language in the Aruban society, as well as to engage in the scientific language planning of Papiamento; based on a thorough knowledge and mastery of the Papiamento language, as well as a profound understanding of its meaning in current and future Aruban society.

After fulfilling their study, the students are able to investigate and situate relevant linguistic and literary research topics in an autonomous way and to communicate their findings and insights effectively. This aim implies a specific command of Papiamento and a general command of Dutch, Spanish, and, particularly, English as a prerequisite for research and scientific communication. It also implies a good grasp of research procedures, including a systematic methodological training and experience of research work, e.g., through the writing of an MA thesis under the supervision of qualified professors.

Building on the Papiamento Second Grade (Tweede Graads) diploma of IPA, or on an equivalent language study diploma from another study center, and on the first part (the Preparatory Phase) of the program, the Master program emphasizes the development of a sound theoretical and methodological framework for research, the ability to take part in critical debates and dialogues about data and research findings, the stimulation of independent scientific thinking and the ability to set up a framework for language policy and language planning.

Admission requirements:

• The Master program Papiamento Language and Literature is subject to general regulations concerning entry requirements of the University of Aruba.
• To enter the Preparatory Phase all students with an IPA HBO-diploma as Teacher of Papiamento Second Grade (Tweede Graads) or with an equivalent language study from another study center are eligible.
• The knowledge of the Papiamento language is essential; therefore students with an equivalent language study, but not specialized in Papiamento, are required to prove their Papiamento competencies by means of an entrance examination.

Certificate programs
The non-degree certificate program allows professionals to follow courses in their specific areas of interest.

Admission requirement:

• Age over 20 years

For more detailed information, please review our study guides (Study-guide OGM 2011-2012, Study-guide SW&D 2011-2012) (English only) or contact the faculty Administrator, at (297) 582-3901 ext. 307.

EDUCATION

Information for current students

• News & Events
• General (Re-) Application Form 2011-2012
• Study-guide OGM 2011-2012
• Study-guide OGM 2011-2012 (view online)
• Study-guide SW&D 2011-2012
• Study-guide SW&D 2011-2012 (view online)
• Literature list 2011-2012
• Class schedules
• Mid-terms & Finals schedules

RESEARCH & SOCIAL SERVICES

Besides education, research and social services are the main tasks of the university as grounded in the ‘Landsverordening Universiteit van Aruba (LUA)’. As a young faculty, the FAS does not have a long history in the field of research and social services. This will change in the upcoming years when the FAS starts its own research program.

Research is an important part of the curriculum of the FAS programs, while students are encouraged to undertake social service activities as part of their education. The programs attend to the development of competencies directly related to the professional and contextual orientation of the student. Thus, they promote the role of the ‘researcher’ as one of the qualities of the future professional. By implementing research assignments in the modules we aim to have students experience some basic research. For example, in January 2010, students presented the results of their research connected to the project ‘Political and social awareness as reflected in Aruban and Caribbean songs.’ We also actively facilitate PhD research of our FAS lecturers, emphasize the relevance and importance of (other independent) research projects and other research assignments that are part of the research oriented focus and orientation of the FAS.

For the future we foresee that more lectures, seminars and workshops will be organized accessible to the public. The topics may be related to all kinds of issues of governance, social work, development, language, organization, and management.

For more detailed information about research and social services activities or opportunities by the FAS, please contact the faculty Dean at paula.kibbelaar@ua.aw.

CONTACT US

Address: J. Irausquinplein 4
P.O. Box 5
Oranjestad
Aruba
Tel.: (297) 582-3901 ext. 307 (information regarding FAS programs)
Tel.: (297) 588-9946 ext. 257 (information regarding admission requirements)
Fax: (297) 583-1770
E-mail: paula.kibbelaar@ua.aw