Online Archives Search

The Faculty of Arts was created at the 9th November, 1959 meeting of Council, to be effective from 1st January, 1960 (resolution 59/204ii). The initial meeting of the Faculty occurred on 24th February 1960, with Professor Morven Brown as Dean. In the beginning, the Faculty had five schools - English, History, Philosophy, Sociology and Librarianship. On 10th December, 1990 Council changed the name of the Faculty of Arts to the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (resolution CL90/108ii). In 2013 the Faculty, under Dean Professor James Donald, consisted of five schools and seven Centres. Subordinate agency: School of History (2) - 11/03/1963 - 31/01/2007 One of the schools within the Faculty Subordinate agency: French-Australian Research Centre - 10/07/1985 - 31/05/1992 Subordinate agency: School of History and Philosophy of Science (1) (1966 - 1988) / School of Science and Technology Studies (1988 - 2002) / School of History and Philosophy of Science (2) (2002 - 2007) - 09/05/1966 - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: School of Librarianship (1959 - 1992) / School of Information, Library and Archive Studies (1992 - 1999) - 13/07/1959 - 11/05/1970 Subordinate agency: School of Education (1966 - 1990) / Education Studies (1991 - 1999) / Education (2) (1999 - ) - 11/01/1966 - 11/05/1970 Subordinate agency: School of Education (1966 - 1990) / Education Studies (1991 - 1999) / Education (2) (1999 - ) - 01/01/1997 Subordinate agency: Department (1967 - 1968) / School (1968 - 2007) of Social Work - 01/01/1997 - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: School of Political Science (2) (1964 - 2000) / Politics & International Relations (2000 - 2007) - 01/08/1964 - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: School of French - 22/01/1968 - 31/12/1994 Subordinate agency: School of German (1968 - 1979) / School of German Studies (1979 - 1990) - 22/01/1968 - 10/12/1990 Subordinate agency: School of Spanish (1968 - 1970) / School of Spanish & Latin American Studies (1971 - 1994) - 22/01/1968 - 31/12/1994 Subordinate agency: Department of Music - 01/01/1983 - 05/02/1990 Subordinate agency: School of Philosophy - 01/01/1960 - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: School of English - 01/01/1960 - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: School of Sociology (1960 - 2003) / Sociology & Anthropology (2003 - 2007) - 01/01/1960 - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: School of Drama (1966 - 1985) / School of Theatre Studies (1985 - 1990) - 11/03/1963 - 05/02/1990 Subordinate agency: School of Performing Arts - 05/02/1990 - 29/03/1993 Subordinate agency: School of Media & Communications - 19/04/1999 - 31/12/2004 Subordinate agency: School of Media, Film & Theatre - 01/01/2005 - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: School of Social Sciences & International Studies (2007 - 2011) / School of Social Sciences (2012 - ) - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: School of English, Media & Performing Arts (2007 - 2011) / the Arts and Media (2012 - ) - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: School of History and Philosophy (2007 - 2011) / School of Humanities (2012 - 2013) - 31/01/2007 - 30/06/2013 Subordinate agency: School of Modern Language Studies (1995 - 2007) / Languages & Linguistics (2007 - 2011) / International Studies (2012 - 2013) - 01/01/1995 - 30/06/2013 Subordinate agency: School of Russian - 01/11/1967 - 31/12/1982 Subordinate agency: School of Social Science & Policy - 10/02/1992 - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: School of Western European Languages - 17/02/1963 - 22/01/1968 Subordinate agency: Centre for Olympic Studies - 07/05/1996 - 31/03/2004 Subordinate agency: Centre for European Studies - 14/11/1995 - 31/12/2007 Subordinate agency: Centre for South Pacific Studies (1987 - 2003) / South Pacific Studies Resource Centre (2003 - 2006) - 24/06/1987 - 31/12/2006 Subordinate agency: UNSW - UTS Centre for Research on Provincial China - 04/11/1997 - 26/07/2005 Subordinate agency: Centre for Intercultural Jewish Studies - 22/05/1997 - 10/11/2000 Subordinate agency: Korea-Australasia Research Centre (KAREC) (2000 - 2011) / Korea Research Institute (2011 - ) - 20/06/2000 Subordinate agency: Communications Law Centre - 05/08/2003 - 30/06/2005 Subordinate agency: Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) - 17/02/2002 - 30/06/2007 Subordinate agency: Centre for Refugee Research - 02/02/1999 Subordinate agency: Research Centre for the Study of Ageing & Retirement - 03/03/1999 - 31/12/2005 Subordinate agency: Centre for the History of Health & Medicine - 05/11/1997 - 15/02/1999 Subordinate agency: Social Relations of Disability Research Network (SRDRN) - 01/04/1997 - 31/12/2003 Subordinate agency: National Centre in HIV Social Research (NCHSR) (1990 - 2013) / Centre for Social Research in Health (2013 - ) - 01/01/1999 Subordinate agency: Gifted Education Research, Resource & Information Centre (GERRIC) - 04/06/1997 - 19/02/2013 Subordinate agency: Centre for Cross Cultural Social Work Education - 01/07/1997 - 31/12/1998 Subordinate agency: Public Sector Research Centre - 13/01/1988 - 03/02/2004 Subordinate agency: Centre for Gender-Related Violence Studies - 12/11/1997 Subordinate agency: Social Welfare (c. 1976 - 1989) / Social Policy Research Centre (1990 - ) - 05/08/2003 Subordinate agency: Contemporary Asia Centre - 04/06/1986 - 31/05/1992 Subordinate agency: Centre for Interactive Cinema Research (iCinema) - 01/01/2007 Subordinate agency: Centre for Cognitive Science - 06/05/1987 - 01/06/1992 Subordinate agency: Department of General Studies - 13/05/1963 - 13/03/1972 Subordinate agency: Journalism and Media Research Centre - 04/09/2008 Subordinate agency: Aboriginal Research and Resource Centre (ARRC) - 01/01/1995 - 31/12/2003 Subordinate agency: Social Science Degree Committee - 21/03/1975 - 11/09/1984 Subordinate agency: Australian Theatre Studies Centre - 14/02/1985 - 25/05/1995 Subordinate agency: Disability Studies and Research Centre (DSARC) - 14/07/2008 - 31/12/2010 Subordinate agency: Women's Studies Centre - 04/11/1987 - 01/06/1992 Subordinate agency: School of Humanities and Languages - 01/07/2013 Subordinate agency: School of History and Political Science - 08/05/1961 - 11/03/1963 Subordinate agency: School of Political Science (1) - 01/01/1960 - 08/05/1961 Subordinate agency: Department of Political Science - 11/03/1963 - 31/07/1964 Subordinate agency: School of History (1) - 01/01/1960 - 08/05/1961 Subordinate agency: School of German & Russian Studies - 10/12/1990 - 31/12/1994 Subordinate agency: Department of Russian (1983 - 1987) / Russian Studies (1987 - 1994) - 01/01/1983 - 10/12/1990 Subordinate agency: School of Music & Music Education - 29/03/1993 - 31/01/2007 Subordinate agency: Department of Dramatic Art (1959) / Drama (1960 - 1966) - 11/03/1963 - 09/05/1966 Subordinate agency: School of Theatre & Film Studies (1993 - 1997) / Theatre, Film & Dance Studies (1997 - 1998) / Theatre, Film & Dance (1998 - 2004) - 29/03/1993 - 31/12/2004 Subordinate agency: Department of Social Science & Policy - 05/02/1990 - 10/02/1992 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/01/1960-

When the University began teaching its Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960 students were required to complete a sequence of two subjects in science. Most chose to undertake a sequence of two subjects offered by the School of Philosophy called Scientific Thought. (The University of New South Wales c. 1961: 78) This requirement was generally unpopular (O'Farrell, P. UNSW A Portrait: 90) and was eventually removed by Council on 9 November 1970. (resolution 70/221) On 9 May 1966 Council decided that the Department of History and Philosophy of Science would become its own independent school with Professor J B Thornton becoming the foundation professor of History and Philosophy of Science and head of school. (resolution 66/86) Professor Thornton had also been foundation professor of Philosophy at the university. (59/182) On 11 May 1987 Council decided to change the name of the school to the School of Science and Technology Studies effective from 1 January 1988 (resolution 87/52). The rationale was that it reflected a broadening of activities encompassing history and philosophy of science, social studies of science and technology, and science and technology policy. (Uniken 17 July 1987: 2) At the Council meeting on 22 July 2002 Professor McConkey, President of the Academic Board, reported that the School of Science and Technology Studies wished to revert to its former name, the School of History and Philosophy of Science, as its current name was not meaningful to school-leavers and undergraduates. Council approved the change (resolution CL002/62). In 2006 the School of History and Philosophy of Science described its role as follows: Our course structure uniquely integrates the traditional HPS areas of history and philosophy of science, technology and medicine with contemporary issues in environmental studies, technology policy and the history and politics of contemporary biosciences. HPS offers critical perspectives on science, technology and environment for undergraduate science as well as humanities and social science students. The international research profile of the School is particularly high in the history and sociology of science, eco-humanities and philosophy of mind/cognitive studies. (http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/schools/ Accessed 12 September 2006) As part of a Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences restructure, the School of History & Philosophy of Science was disestablished effective 31 January 2007. It was amalgamated with the schools of Philosophy and History to form the new School of History and Philosophy (6 February 2007 Academic Board papers). Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 09/05/1966-31/01/2007

In May 1963 it was decided that a chair in political science would be advertised and when it was filled, the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts would become a school once more (Council 11 May 1963, 63/60). This occurred on 13 July 1964 with the appointment of Professor Douglas McCallum (resolution 64/120), who began work in August 1964. On 10th December, 1990 Council changed the name of the Faculty of Arts to the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (resolution CL90/108ii). On 26 June 2000 the school was renamed the School of Politics & International Relations (CL000/39b). As part of a Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences restructure, the School of Politics & International Relations was disestablished effective 31 January 2007. It was amalgamated with the schools of Social Work, Sociology & Anthropology and Social Science & Policy to form the new School of Social Sciences & International Studies (6 February 2007 Academic Board papers). A rough list of the heads of the school follows. Please note that some of the dates (particularly in the latter years) are fairly rough as they were mainly obtained from the UNSW calendar: 1964 - 1978 - Douglas McCallum 1978 - 1981 - Preston King 1981 - 1986 - Douglas McCallum 1986 - 1988 - Frederick Mediansky 1988 - 1990 - Tony Palfreeman 1990 - 1992 - Elaine Thompson 1992 - 1995 - Conal Condren 1996 - 1998 - Stephen Fortescue 1999 - 2001 - Robert Steven 2002 - 2004 - Marc Williams 2005 - 2007 - Gavin Kitching Controlling Organisation: UNSW - c. 01/08/1964-31/01/2007

In May 1961 the schools of History and Political Science were amalgamated to form the School of History & Political Science in the Faculty of Arts (Council 8 May 1961, 61/68). Within the school the disciplines made up two separate departments - the Department of History and the Department of Political Science. In March 1963 the two departments were separated again, but whereas the School of History became a school, political science remained the Department of Political Science - though now under the control of the Dean (Council 11 March 1963, 63/3). By May 1963 it was decided that a chair in political science would be advertised and when it was filled, the department would become a school again (Council 11 May 1963, 63/60). This occurred on 13 July 1964 with the appointment of Professor Douglas McCallum (resolution 64/120), who began work in August 1964. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 08/05/1961-c. 31/07/1964

This series consists of the Booklet Leaflet Collection of the School of Political Science (1) (1960 - 1961) / Department of Political Science (1961 - 1964) / School of Political Science (2) (1964 - 2000) / Politics & International Relations (2000 - 2007). The material is typed, and includes booklets and other material as released by the Schools / Department, which contains information about courses offered and public discussions of the School of Political Science Consultative Committee.

The School of Social Sciences & International Studies was established as part of a Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences restructure, effective from 31 January 2007. It was created out of the amalgamation of the schools of Social Work, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Anthropology and Social Science & Policy (6 February 2007 Academic Board papers). On 1 November 2011 the Academic Board recommended that the name of the school be changed to the School of Social Sciences effective from 1 January 2012 (resolution AB11/141). This was approved by the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the Academic Board on 15 November 2011 (file 2011/06825). Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 31/01/2007-

At the beginning of 1960 the Faculty of Arts was formed and at that time the Department of Government became the School of Political Science (Council 9 November 1959, 59/204). But (due mainly to the absence of an appointment of a professor of political science) in May 1961 the school was amalgamated with the School of History to become the School of History & Political Science (Council 8 May 1961, 61/68). Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/01/1960-08/05/1961

In May 1961 the schools of History and Political Science were amalgamated to form the School of History & Political Science in the Faculty of Arts (Council 8 May 1961, 61/68), under the direction of the Professor of History, JHM Salmon. Within the school the disciplines made up two separate departments - the Department of History and the Department of Political Science. In March 1963 the two departments were separated again, but whereas the School of History became a school, political science remained the Department of Political Science - though now under the control of the Dean (Council 11 March 1963, 63/3). The School of History and Political Science therefore ceased to exist from this time. Subordinate agency: Department of Political Science - 08/05/1961 - 11/03/1963 Subordinate agency: Department of History (2) - 08/05/1961 - 11/03/1963 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 08/05/1961-11/03/1963

In March 1963 the History and Political Science departments in the School of History & Political Science were separated, with the School of History once again becoming an independent school in the Faculty of Arts (Council 11 March 1963, 63/3), under the Professor of History, JHM Salmon. He was followed by Professor Frank Crowley in 1966. On 10th December, 1990 Council changed the name of the Faculty of Arts to the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (resolution CL90/108ii). As part of a Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences restructure, the School of History was disestablished effective 31 January 2007. It was amalgamated with the schools of Philosophy and History & Philosophy of Science to form the new School of History and Philosophy (6 February 2007 Academic Board papers). Subordinate agency: Local History Co-ordination Project (1986-1989) / Community History Program (1989-1994) / Centre for Community History (1994-2002) - 01/03/1986 - 30/06/2002 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 11/03/1963-31/01/2007

On 8 July 1957 Council appointed Professor Morven Brown as Professor of Sociology and head of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences (resolution 57/69). Although Professor Brown took up duties on 1 February 1958, sociology did not become a discipline at the university until 1960. This occurred when, at the 9th November, 1959 meeting of Council, the Faculty of Arts was created, to be effective from 1st January, 1960 (resolution 59/204ii) and Sociology became one of the foundation schools within this new faculty, with Professor Morven Brown at its head. On 10th December, 1990 Council changed the name of the Faculty of Arts to the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (resolution CL90/108ii). On 25 August 2003 the school was re-named the School of Sociology & Anthropology (Council resolution CL03/74). As part of a Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences restructure, the School of Sociology & Anthropology was disestablished effective 31 January 2007. It was amalgamated with the schools of Social Work, Politics & International Relations and Social Science & Policy to form the new School of Social Sciences & International Studies (6 February 2007 Academic Board papers). Subordinate agency: Department of Sociology, Culture & Communication - 03/08/1995 - 30/06/1998 Subordinate agency: Department of Sociology & Social Anthropology - 03/08/1995 - 30/06/1998 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/01/1960-31/01/2007