MSU College of Arts and Letters

It’s kinda chic to be in the MSU College of Arts and Letters. 💚🤍

Michigan State University is helping educators in Michigan meet the complex challenge of teaching about genocide and mass atrocities in the age of AI and social media through its Holocaust and Genocide Curriculum Teacher Fellowship. This yearlong program brings together middle school and high school teachers to explore new approaches using the arts and humanities to build curriculum around difficult subjects.

Read more: https://cal.msu.edu/news/msu-fellowship-helps-michigan-teachers-rethink-genocide-education/

Michigan State University faculty members in Romance and Classical Studies and Philosophy talk about Christopher Nolan's movie "The Odyssey" and its adaptation from the original piece of Greek literature via The State News.

MSU professors say Christopher Nolan's ‘The Odyssey’ was never going to be accurate - The State News The adaptation has drawn a massive audience — regardless of whether they have read Homer's original epic — spurring debate over authenticity when adapting classic literature. 

Michigan State University Department of Religious Studies Associate Professor Laura Yares talks about how the MSU Holocaust and Genocide Curriculum Fellowship prepares teachers with new entry points to teaching about historic atrocities in the midst of AI and misinformation via WKAR - Public Media from Michigan State University.

Michigan teachers grapple with AI in the classroom, whether to work with it or without it A recent NPR/Ipsos poll found a majority of teachers have concerns about the impact of AI on their students' critical thinking skills.

Did you know Michigan State University has had six names since its founding in 1855?

For the last 85+ years, the Michigan State College marker at the Abbot Road entrance to campus has welcomed students, faculty, and alumni to East Lansing. That gift from the Class of 1938 continues to welcome Spartans today.

The limestone sculpture was created by artist Samuel Cashwan and pictures a man and woman with a horse and sheaf of wheat symbolizing agriculture and a fluted column symbolizing the cultural arts.

The fall semester starts soon, Spartans! Whether you’re new or returning to East Lansing, welcome home. Welcome to State.

Amy Simon, a core faculty member of the MSU Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel in the College of Arts and Letters, reflects on how empathy reshaped her teaching and why it has become essential when leading students through difficult, painful subjects. Simon is also the William and Audrey Farber Family Chair in Holocaust Studies and European Jewish History at MSU.

Read more: https://cal.msu.edu/news/faculty-voice-the-role-of-empathy-in-teaching/

Michigan State University Associate Professor LeConté Dill led visitors and residents in creating poems as part of her Artist in Residence on Mackinaw Island. Dill teaches in the Department of African American and African Studies and her most recent book of poetry, "Soul Survivors," was released in February 2026.

LeConté Dill Digs Into Mackinac History - Mackinac Island Town Crier Gathering Islanders and visitors alike, poet and Artist in Residence Dr. LeConté Dill guided the group to create their own poems based on photographs of the Island during a workshop Wednesday, July 22. Circled around the table in the Station 256 Conference Room, participants looked at some guidelin...

Across Michigan, the College of Arts and Letters is putting the arts and humanities to work. From supporting teachers and preserving Michigan's Indigenous languages to creating public art, designing inclusive experiences, and expanding opportunities through community partnerships, the college is helping shape Michigan's future. Today, in recognition of Arts, Culture, and Humanities Day in Michigan, we're celebrating some of the many ways this work is making a difference.

Read more about the statewide impact of MSU's College of Arts and Letters: https://cal.msu.edu/news/arts-and-humanities-in-action-how-msus-college-of-arts-and-letters-is-shaping-michigans-future/

Elena Ruíz, Professor of Philosophy and founder and director of the Research Institute for Structural Change at Michigan State University, has worked side by side with two Detroit organizations — WHEAT and Sara's House — to expand services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Together they've securing nearly $900,000 in funding and established the first paid staff positions in either organization's history.

This work earned Ruíz two 2026 MSU University Outreach and Engagement awards: the Community Engagement Scholarship Award and the Distinguished Partnership Award for Community-Engaged Research.

Read More: https://cal.msu.edu/news/msu-institute-director-honored-for-community-led-partnership-supports-survivors-of-gender-based-violence/

Michigan State University students participated in an iron pour at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit with other peers from Cranbrook Art Academy, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. These types of collaborative learning events help build a professional network of artists across the state of Michigan.

Read more: https://cal.msu.edu/news/msu-sculpture-students-learn-metal-casting-build-creative-networks-in-michigan/