The interdisciplinary major in the humanities enables students to broaden their understanding of themselves and their interaction with the world, providing a high standard for understanding of their cultural and intellectual heritage while giving them the tools to use that knowledge as lifelong learners. Students explore how individuals and groups understand their existence, their place within their cultures, and their responsibility to others and the physical world. They learn how to express this understanding—by studies in literature, language, history and through creative and expressive art—and define their own meaning of humanness within an increasingly technological and diverse world. The interdisciplinary curriculum draws on art, art history, cultural history, literature, language, literature, music, philosophy and religious studies, and theater.
objectives
The student who graduates with a major in the humanities will be able to
G Compare and contrast the cultural traditions and value assumptions that underlie the history of specific cultures. G Identify the ethical content of cultures and societies and how they interact with an individual’s self-understanding and behavior.
G Analyze and compare cultures and their social and material artifacts from multicultural perspectives using interdisciplinary and critical perspectives.
G Read critically, write and speak effectively, and engage in independent research on abstract topics.
degree Requirements
A degree with a major in humanities requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 33 credits for the major (indicated by F); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).
requirements for the humanities Major
Coursework for a major in humanities includes the following:
G Required foundation courses (12 credits): HUMN 100, PHIL 100, HIST 115 (or HIST 116), and ARTT 205 (or MUSC 210 or THET 110)
G Arts breadth course (3 credits): Chosen from ARTH 370 or ARTH 371
G Literature breadth courses (6 credits): Chosen from COMM 380, and any upper-level English or foreign-language literature course
G Philosophy and religion breadth courses (6 credits): Chosen from any 3-credit PHIL courses
G Supplemental major course (3 credits): Any upper-level ARTT, ARTH, ENGL, HIST, or PHIL course.
G Required capstone course (3 credits): HUMN 495
Recommended Sequence
The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BA in humanities. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.
Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found on p. 67.
Credits First Courses
(to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses. LIBS 150 Information Literacy
and Research Methods 1 WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing 3 MATH 103 College Mathematics 3
or a higher-level math course
introductory Courses
(to be taken within the first 30 credits)
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues 3 or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities
BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology 3 and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology 1 or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing 3
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing GVPT 170 American Government 3
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences
IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems 3 or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
HUMN 100F Introduction to Humanities 3
Foundation Courses
(to be taken within the first 60 credits)
PHIL 100F Introduction to Philosophy 3
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)
NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science 3 or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences
HIST 142 Western Civilization II 3 or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age 3 or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/ computing
HIST 115F World History I 3
or HIST 116 World History II
SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication 3 or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing or speech
ARTT 205F Art Appreciation 3
or MUSC 210 The Impact of Music on Life or THET 110 Introduction to the Theatre
Additional Required Courses
(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses) WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository
and Research Writing 3 or other course to fulfill the
upper-level advanced writing requirement ARTH 370F History of World Art I 3
or ARTH 371 History of World Art II
or other arts breadth course for major (see Requirements for the Major)
COMM 380F Language in Social Contexts 3 or other literature breadth course
for the major
(see Requirements for the Major)
PHIL 110F Thinking for Yourself 3
or other philosophy and religion breadth course for the major (see Requirements for the Major)
ENGL 433F American Literature: 1914 to the Present 3
or other communication/literature breadth course for the major (see Requirements for the Major)
PHIL 336F Ideas Shaping the 21st Century 3 or other philosophy and religion
breadth course for the major (see Requirements for the Major)
PHIL 348F Religions of the East 3 or other supplemental major course
(see Requirements for the Major)
Capstone Course
(to be taken in the last 15 credits)
HUMN 495F Humanities Seminar 3 minor and/or Elective Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits
along with required major courses) 46 total credits for BS in humanities 120
HUmAniTiEs mAJoR CoURsEs
F Required for the major