The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers unique academic and professional experiences for students in all of its undergraduate and graduate programs. Students are invited to dive deep into exploring their fields outside the classroom by attending panels and participating in discussions with scholars, authors and other influential figures from Nashville and beyond. The college also offers opportunities to gain professional experience toward career goals through programs such as Tower Creative Communications, the Belmont Literary Journal and the Speech and Debate team. Plus, our students land prestigious internships off campus too, gaining resume-building experience from companies and organizations in Nashville as well as cities across the U.S. and around the world.
- Internships
- Humanities Symposium
- Tower Creative Communications
- Belmont Literary Journal
- Speech and Debate Team
- Individual Events (IE) - prepare speeches or cuttings from poetry, fiction and play
- Parliamentary Debate - limited preparation team debate
- 1-3 hours of class credit
- Thrill of competition
- Polished public speaking skills
- Knowledge of politics and great literature
- Life-long friendships
- Social events
- Travel the country
- 2022 Alex Jordan and Jace Wilder NFA Duo Interpretation Semifinalists
- 2022 Jasmine Pettus: NFA Poetry Interpretation Quarterfinalist
- 2022 Alisa Osborne: NFA Informative Speaking Quarterfinalist
- 2021 Alex Jordan and Aaron Kleinschmidt: NCCFA National Duo Champions
- 2019 Alexander Baynum: NCCFA Overall National Speech Champion
A degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) can prepare you for a number of careers. One important step down the path to a successful career is gaining valuable work experience through internships. Completing internships allows students to apply what they’re learning in their courses, while also giving them opportunities to network, gain relevant skills and get clarity on potential career paths. In short, internships are a vital learning opportunity that also help make students more marketable and successful employees.
According to recent data, 82 percent of CLASS graduates participated in internships during their time at Belmont, and across the University, 44 percent of graduates noted that they obtained or found their current employment from an internship they had while at Belmont. Clearly, an education from Belmont can take you “from here to anywhere,” and internships are an important part of the journey.
Every fall semester for the past 20 years, the School of Humanities, with the support of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, has organized and presented a week-long series of interdisciplinary talks, panel discussions and activities on a topic which engages with a central aspect of the human experience. Past symposia have focused on subjects ranging from fairy tales to food, time to technology, Benjamin Franklin to the lunar landing, democracy to otherness, travel to home. In addition to presentations by featured speakers from across the country - including writers, philosophers, social reformers and academics from a wide range of disciplines - presentations and panels by Belmont faculty and students have consistently provided most of the events, involving participants from across the campus. Most events are offered for WELLCore credit. Additional activities coordinated in conjunction with the symposia in years past have included an international film festival, art exhibits, an astronomical viewing, service projects and field trips to local and regional museums. Recordings can be accessed through the Belmont Library Open Commons at the Belmont Digital Repository.
Visit this page to watch past symposia sessions.
Tower Creative Communications is the nationally affiliated, student-run strategic communication agency at Belmont University. Established in 2006 as a professional development initiative of Belmont’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Tower Creative strives to deliver excellent communication strategies and tactics to meet actual needs, solve real problems and, ultimately, advance their clients’ missions.
The agency welcomes a diverse group of student associates—from any major or minor—with knowledge and skills in public relations, marketing, management, audio/video production, graphic design, photography, social media management, web design and writing. Working together, associates sharpen their skills, build their portfolios and bolster their confidence while serving the communication needs of on- and off-campus clients.
The Belmont Literary Journal recently celebrated its 40th birthday; since its inception, it has been a showcase for the writing and art of Belmont University's student body, as each issue is made up of work from the Belmont community. The editorial team, which is composed entirely of students, is led by a faculty advisor, but the content published each year is selected, edited and promoted solely by student-editors. For the last several years, The Belmont Literary Journal--which is created in a course within the English Department, ENW 3680--has made its home online and can be found at www.belmontlitjournal.com; each issue is also designed by students and published for the entire world to view.
Who we are:
Students with varying majors and interests: future lawyers, aspiring broadcasters, theatre enthusiasts, people seeking to conquer their fear of public speaking and people looking for a fun and challenging extra curricular activity.
What we do:
Both IE and Debate students travel to weekend tournaments and participate in rounds of competition with students from colleges and universities all over the United States. All travel expenses are covered by the university. We practice one hour a week and travel to approximately four weekend tournaments each semester. Our season begins in August and ends in April.
Why join the Speech & Debate team?
Team Recognitions
Noteworthy Individual Recognitions
Contact:
Ryan Greenawalt, Director of Forensics
1900 Belmont Blvd
Nashville, TN 37212
Email Ryan Greenawalt
Resi Manaj, Director of Debate
1900 Belmont Blvd
Nashville, TN 37212