Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Arts in Humanities: History of Culture

The humanities include the disciplines which study philosophy, religion, history, literature, and the arts. The BA in Humanities: History of Culture serves students who want to major in more than one Humanities discipline, using interdisciplinary methods of investigation.

Program Overview

The department supports study of cultural history on a global level, including Europe and the Americas, East Asia, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and predominantly Islamic areas. Its courses give attention to historical development and cross-cultural interaction, both in the past and in the modern period. Students learn to analyze individual works of the humanities and to relate them to social and cultural developments.

Curriculum

The department's curriculum includes some courses called "Humanities" (HUMA) and others called "Religion" (REL). The small size of classes and seminars in the Humanities: History of Culture BA program encourages close relationships between students and faculty. Working closely with faculty, students learn to formulate problems clearly, to consider and evaluate different methods and concepts, to do efficient and thorough research, and to write clearly, concisely, and effectively, culminating in work in rigorous senior seminars, with the option of writing an individually advised senior thesis.

Major Requirements

Humanities: History of Culture, B.A.

• Five courses (23-25 credits) under advisement from:
  • HUMA 110, 121, 122, 123, 243, 271, 273, 275, 276, 277, 278, 281, 290
  • REL 231 (or HRNS 219), 232, 233, 234, 265, 283, 290
  • These may include a maximum of two from the following: HNRS 103, 104, 105, 106
  • The selected 100-level and 200-level courses must cover at least two different regions of the world.
• HUMA 302 – Methods of Interdisciplinary Study (5 credits)
• Four courses (20 credits) under advisement from:
  • HUMA 321, 322, 323, 325, 327, 329, 360, 362, 372, 390
  • REL 303, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 336, 338, 340, 341, 342, 345, 375 (or EAST 375), 378, 380 (or EAST 380), 382 (or EAST 382), 390
• Choose one of the following options:
  • Thesis Option (16 credits):
    • Two courses (10 credits) from: HUMA 421, 422, 423, 425, 427, 429, 490; REL 424, 426, 428, 490
    • HUMA 498 – Readings for Research in Humanities (3 credits)
    • HUMA 499 – Research in Humanities (3 credits)
  • Non-Thesis Option (15 credits):
    • Three courses (15 credits) from: HUMA 421, 422, 423, 425, 427, 429, 490; REL 424, 426, 428, 490

Objectives

The learning objectives for the Humanities: History of Culture BA program are designed to ensure that students gain a comprehensive understanding of the humanities and develop critical thinking, research, and writing skills.

Conclusion

The Bachelor of Arts in Humanities: History of Culture is a rigorous and interdisciplinary program that prepares students for a wide range of careers and graduate studies. With its focus on cultural history, critical thinking, and effective communication, this program provides students with a deep understanding of the humanities and the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.