Opportunities under new UQ Arts structure

The University of Queensland is to develop new areas of teaching and research such as Islamic and Buddhist Studies, contemporary art and cross-cultural analysis under a reorganisation of its Arts Faculty.

The new structure, which comes into effect this year, involves transforming the Faculty's nine departments, one school and one centre into four new schools.

These schools will be called:

 The School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics (including four new departments of History, Philosophy, Studies in Religion and Classics and Ancient History);
 The School of English, Media Studies and Art History;
 The School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies (including two new Departments of Asian Languages and Studies, and French, German, Russian and Spanish and Applied Linguistics); and
The School of Music.

Executive Dean of the Arts Faculty, Professor Alan Rix said the aim of the new structure was to allow new ideas and new disciplines to emerge, while at the same time preserving UQ Arts' traditional strengths.

'These four schools makes best use of cross-disciplinary teaching and help us keep at the forefront of research as well as ensuring efficient administration,' Professor Rix said.

'The School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics, for example, will provide many opportunities for combining teaching in the various areas, developing research linkages and generally bringing together these core humanities disciplines.

'It is expected that new offerings will emerge that link the four areas and build new programs of interest to students in area such as Islamic and Buddhist Studies,' he said.

The new Heads of Schools are:

 Professor Philip Almond for the School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics
 Associate Professor Richard Fotheringham for the School of English, Media Studies and Art History
 Associate Professor Nanette Gottlieb for the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies
 Associate Professor Philip Bracanin for the School of Music

'This new structure will foster a climate of innovation in teaching and research,' Professor Rix said.

For more information contact Professor Alan Rix on 07 3365 1822 or Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications on 07 3365 1088