Arts and Humanities

Serving as the university’s gateway for exploring cultural connections across borders, identities and time, the Department of Africana and American Studies operates in a unique niche between theory and practice, research and social engagement, and humanity and the environment.

The Department of Art prepares students for the real-world practice of visual art and scholarship. We unite the disciplines of fine art, design and emerging practices with art history and visual theory to equip students with an interdisciplinary approach to investigating and creating the visual world.

Through its unique blend of critical inquiry, analysis, and experiential learning, the program builds a student's capacity to identify and solve the problems inherent in the areas of arts management, production, and cultural policymaking

For nearly three decades the Asian Studies Program has been the nexus of Asia-focused research and study at the University at Buffalo

Classics is centered around the study of ancient Mediterranean civilizations. With a long-held reputation for innovative research and superior instruction, the UB Department of Classics carries particular strength in the areas of Roman culture, Greek history, archaeology and digital classics.

For more than fifty years the Department of Comparative Literature has been known for theoretical and philosophical studies of literature and culture from Ancient Greece to 21st century. We have created a vibrant intellectual community of internationally recognized faculty and talented graduate students from all over the world.

The Department of English offers a liberal arts experience within a large public university. Our students discover the power of the English language through vigorous exploration of British, American and Anglophone literary traditions as well as film studies, journalism, creative writing, global film, popular culture, mythology and folklore.

The Department of Global Gender and Sexuality Studies promotes critical thinking and understanding of today's diverse, multicultural world through research and teaching on feminism, women, gender and sexuality. Originally formed in 1972, we are one of the first women’s studies programs in the United States.

The Department of History is dedicated to the belief that the study of the past is foundational not only to a sound education, but to a full and active life. Engaging with the past gives us the tools to understand and, when necessary, confront the issues we face today.

The Department of Jewish Thought examines the central questions of human identity through the lens of the Jewish tradition. By centering on the intellectual resources of Judaism from antiquity to the present, students learn to combine the latest theoretical approaches with millennia-long tradition to address challenges of modern society.

The mission of the Department of Media Study is to conduct research and provide educational programs in film and media production as well as theory. Renowned for its pioneering contributions to the field, the department has expanded to encompass emerging practices in addition to our existing strengths in film and video production.

The Department of Music offers a community where creativity thrives and musical talent is nurtured at every level. Whether you dream of performing center stage, composing bold new works or exploring the world of music history and theory, you’ll learn from faculty who are accomplished performers, composers, scholars and innovators. Here, your passion for music becomes a path to lifelong growth.

All Romance languages—like French, Italian, and Spanish—trace their roots back to Latin. In the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, students don’t just learn to speak another language; they also explore literature, culture, linguistics, film, media and history. It’s a well-rounded way to build one of today’s most valuable skills and the ability to communicate across cultures in our increasingly connected world.

The UB Department of Theatre and Dance engages emerging artists, scholars and audiences dedicated to sustaining and innovating the performing arts. Our diverse programs integrate rigorous, cross-disciplinary training, critical understanding and impassioned creation supported by close faculty mentorship and developed in collaboration with world-renowned guest artists.