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.

The student who graduates with a Major in Humanities will be able to

• Compare and contrast the cultural traditions and value assumptions that underlie the history of specific cultures.



• Identify the ethical content of cultures and societies and how they interact with an individual's self-understanding and behavior.



• Analyze and compare cultures and their social and material artifacts from multicultural perspectives using interdisciplinary and critical perspectives.



• Read critically, write and speak effectively, and engage in independent research on abstract topics.

A degree with a major in humanities requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major (indicated by Δ); 41 credits in general education requirements; and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Coursework for a major in humanities includes the following:

• Required foundation courses (12 credits): HUMN 100, PHIL 100, HIST 115 (or HIST 116), and ARTT 205 (or MUSC 210 or THET 110)
• Arts breadth course (3 credits): ARTH 370 or ARTH 371
• Literature breadth course (6 credits): Chosen from COMM 380 and any upper-level English or foreign-language literature courses
• Philosophy and religion breadth course (6 credits): Chosen from any 3-credit PHIL courses
• Supplemental major courses (3 credits): Any upper-level ARTT, ARTH, ENGL, HIST, or PHIL course
• Required capstone course (3 credits): HUMN 495

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the Major in Humanities. Since some recommended courses fill 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 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 the GER page.

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests are required for MATH and WRTG courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 106 Finite 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 a foreign language course
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement

Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement

WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the communications/writing requirement

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to satisfy the first behavioral and social sciences requirement

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Applications Software

Δ HUMN 100 Introduction to the Humanities (3)

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

Δ PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy (3)

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
orSOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
Or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
orASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)

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 arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement

Δ HIST 115 World History I (3)
or HIST 116 World History II

SPCH 110 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or WRTG 288 Standard English Grammar, Usage, and Diction
or other course to fulfill the communications/writing or speech requirement

Δ ARTT 205 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 Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the communications/upper-level advanced writing requirement

Δ ARTH 370 History of World Art I (3)
or ARTH 371 History of World Art II
or other arts breadth course for the major

Δ PHIL 110 Thinking for Yourself (3)
or other philosophy and religion breadth course for the major

Δ COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts (3)
or other literature breadth course for the major

Δ ENGL 433 American Literature: 1914 to the Present (3)
or other literature course for the major

Δ PHIL 336 Ideas Shaping the 21st Century (3)
or other philosophy and religion breadth course for the major

Capstone Courses (to be taken in last 15 credits)

Δ HUMN 495 Humanities Seminar (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)

Total credits for BA in Humanities: 120