Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences

Explore. Connect. Create. The Department of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) at South Dakota Mines invites students to explore new ideas, connect across disciplines, and create in meaningful ways. With more than ten academic fields represented, HASS helps students expand their perspectives beyond STEM—integrating creativity, communication, and critical thinking into every aspect of their education.

HASS courses give students the opportunity to uncover the roots of computing in the Victorian era, debate philosophical and ethical issues in science and technology, and examine how culture shapes innovation. Through dynamic discussions and collaborative projects, students strengthen connections between science and society. The department also serves as a creative hub on campus, with courses in art, music, and humanities alongside the Apex Gallery and Music Center, where students showcase and develop their artistic talents.

HASS provides the foundation for communication, analytical, and ethical reasoning skills essential to success at South Dakota Mines and beyond. The department offers general education courses in written and oral communication, social sciences, and the arts and humanities, along with degree programs such as the Associate of Arts in General Studies and the Bachelor of Science in Science, Technology, and Society (STS). The STS program bridges science, engineering, and the humanities—preparing graduates for impactful careers in law, environmental studies, policy, business, and more. Learn more about the department and its programs by visiting our blog, The Novum.

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Meet Our Faculty and Staff

Department Overview

Students in the Department of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences enhance their education through involvement in student organizations that foster creativity, collaboration, and leadership. These experiences help build communication and teamwork skills valued across industries and graduate programs.

HASS helps every Mines student develop the essential skills needed to communicate, think critically, and understand the world around them. Through general education courses in written and oral communication, social sciences, and the arts and humanities, our department provides the foundation for success in any field.

 

Gibson, Jonathan. (2024). Trauma, early life stress, and mindfulness in adulthood. BMC psychology, 12(1), 71.

 

Showler, Paul. (2024). The moral status of social robots: A pragmatic approach. Philosophy & Technology, 37(2), 51.

 

Showler, Paul. (2024). Putting the Pragmatic Account of Moral Status to Work: a Reply to Gordon. Philosophy & Technology, 37(3), 78.

 

Tellmann, Bryce. D. (2024). Memories on Steel and Vinyl: The Northern Pacific Railway and the Sound of Memory. International Journal of Communication, 18, 18.

 

Tidwell, Christy. "Haunted Earth: Genre, Preservation, and Surviving the End of the World in Jeff VanderMeer’s Hummingbird Salamander." Studies in American Fiction, vol. 50 no. 1, 2023, p. 253-273. Project MUSE.

 

Pritchard, Kayla. (2023). Unclear Motherhood: Ambiguity and Role Conflict Among Double Mothers. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 64(2-4), 130-155.

 

Thomas, Evan & Haugtvedt, Erica. (2023). Serial characterization as a feminist ethics of care in Better Call Saul. Journal of Popular Television, 11(3), 245-260.

 

Van Nuys, Frank. 2023. “The Politics of Nature: ‘Conserving, Protecting, and Improving’ Wildlife and Parks during the ‘Age of Norbeck,” in Old Trails and New Roads in South Dakota History, edited by Jon K. Lauck (Center for Western Studies, Augustana University).

 

Haugtvedt, Erica. Transfictional Character and Transmedia Storyworlds in the British Nineteenth Century. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 2022.

 

 

 

Academic Excellence

Prepare to be inspired by the cutting-edge curriculum, research, practical applications, and visionary thinking that these esteemed professors bring to the field. Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery and advancement as you learn.

Kyle W Knight

Dr. Knight is a sociologist with expertise in environmental issues. He has taught a variety of sociology courses over the years and currently teaches Society and Technology. In his classes, he challenges students to develop skills that help them make sense of their social world as well as to succeed in their chosen careers.

Haley S Armstrong

A multifaceted musician, Dr. Armstrong has served as a conductor for the U.S. Air Force bands around the world and brings a unique perspective to teaching music. Her current research includes collaborating with Metallurgical Engineering and Computer Science faculty and students to develop instruments and platforms that combine the arts and engineering in ways unique to the talented students at SD Mines.

 

Have more questions?

Department Head:
Dr. Kyle Knight
(605) 394-2481
Kyle.Knight@sdsmt.edu