Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University

Infobox_University
name = Faculty of Arts
Chulalongkorn University
established = 1917
calendar = Semester
president = Dr.Theeraphan Leungthongkam
city = Bangkok, Thailand
former_names = Faculty of Arts and Science
free_label = Journal
free = Journal of Arts
colors = Grey color box|grey
website = [http://www.arts.chula.ac.th www.arts.chula.ac.th]
nickname =



image_size =
motto =
mottoeng =

Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University was established in 1917. It is one of the first 4 faculties of the university. Its former name is "Faculty of Arts and Science". At the time of establishment, the first 2 missions of the faculty were to teach the students humanities and sciences and to produce secondary school teachers. In 1934, the faculty started to offer a bachelor degree of Arts. Nowadays, there are many programs in undergraduate, graduate and doctor of philosophy.

History

On March 26, 1916, H.M. King Vajiravudh had the Civil Service College elevated to the status of a university and named it after his father, Chulalongkorn. In the subsequent year, H.R.H. the Prince Rangsit of Chainat, who was the first Director-General of the University Affairs Department in the Ministry of Education, established the Faculty of Arts and Science together with other faculties in the University, namely, Engineering, Medicine and Political Science.

During its initial stages, the Faculty of Arts and Science placed emphasis on the instruction of courses related to Pre-Medicine—Chemistry, Biology and Physics and students could also take classes in English, French and History. In 1928, it offered a three-year program to grant a secondary-school teaching certificate. During the first two years, students in the program had to take classes required for graduation from the Faculty of Arts; these included Thai, Pali, English, French, History, Dhammavipak and Mathematics. Later, German was added to the program. In their third year, they had to fulfill requirements in pedagogy. In 1930, a three-year program in Science was launched. Students were made to take courses in Science during their first two years and complete the requirements in pedagogy in the third year before they could be granted with a certificate.

By royal decree, the Faculty of Arts and Science was divided in 1933. The Faculty of Arts was then sub-divided into the Division of Arts and the Division of Teachers’ Training. In the same way, the Faculty of Science was sub- divided into the Division of Science and the Division of Teachers’ Training. However, within the same year, the two faculties were merged once again and its structure was separated into nine divisions, namely, the Documentation Division and Library, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Thai and the Oriental Languages, Modern Languages, Geography and History and Teachers’ Training.

The program was further developed to offer a Bachelor’s degree in 1934. The number in the first batch of graduates from the Faculty of Arts was 33. Subsequently, a Master’s degree program was established in 1942 and two students graduated with an M.A. in 1944.

In 1943, the Faculty of Arts and Science was divided but continued to be under the administration of the same dean. In 1948, the Faculty of Arts had its name changed to the Faculty of Arts and Education and, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, it offered a Bachelor’s degree in Education. During this time it consisted of four divisions—Thai and the Oriental Languages, Foreign Languages, Geography and History and Education.

In 1950, the Faculty of Arts was entirely separated from the Faculty of Science and its administration was undertaken by its own staff. In 1955, the Division of Library Science was established in the Faculty of Arts. Two years later, the Division of Education was promoted to become the Faculty of Education. In 1961, the Faculty of Arts was restructured and separated into six divisions: Thai, Eastern Languages, English, Western Languages, Geography and History and Library Science. Two divisions –Philosophy and Dramatic Arts, were founded in 1971 and 1975 respectively. In 1975, Geography was separated from History. All divisions were later changed to the departmental status.

At present, the Faculty of Arts consists of eleven departments, namely, Thai, English, History, Geography, Library Science, Philosophy, Dramatic Arts, Eastern Languages, Western Languages, Linguistics and Comparative Literature.

Departments

Academic Programs

Buildings

Mahachulalongkorn Building

Mahachulalongkorn Building (Thai: มหาจุฬาลงกรณ์) or "Tewalai" (Thai: เทวาลัย), a building with traditional architectural style, was designed by a german architect from ministry of Interior named Dr.Karl Dohring and an English architect from ministry of Education named Mr. Edward Healey; The 2 architects mixed an ancient art from Sukothai and Sawankaloke with the western art. It was built in 1914 to be an office of the university.

On January 3, 1915, King Rama V went to the university for the opening of this building. And on March 26, 1916, the king renamed the university from the former name, "Kharatchakarnponlaruan" School (Thai: ข้าราชการพลเรือน), to the new name, "Chulalongkorn" University (Thai: จุฬาลงกรณ์). The building was the first building and used to be an office of the university and named "Banchakarn" (Thai: บัญชาการ) before renamed to "Aksorasat" 1 (Thai: อักษรศาสตร์) then "Mahachulalongkorn" respectively.

The Association of Siamese Architects under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (ASA) considered this building as the best conserved building in 1987.

The Arts students also believe that the students who take a photo with a Phaya Naga at the stairs of the building won't graduate.

Aksorasat 2 building

This building is used to be an office and a library of the faculty

Borommaratchakumaree Building

This building was named after Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The area of this building used to be "Aksorasat" 3 building. In front of the building, there are 4 pillars which used to be the pillars of "Aksorasat" 3 building. The Arts students believe that the students who get on the space between those 4 pillars won't graduate; no one gets on it if not necessary as a result. The building is now the main building of the faculty. Most departments of the faculty are here.

Mahachakrisirindhorn Building

This building was named after Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The area of this building used to be "Aksorasat" 4 building and a canteen of the faculty. This 9-floor building is now being built and supposed to be the new main building of the faculty.