Marcia Folsom, Chair and Professor
Mary Battenfeld, Associate Professor
Jama Lazerow, Professor
Jenne Powers, Assistant Professor and Director of the Writing Center
Joyce Hope Scott, Associate Professor
Swen Voekel, Associate Professor
Scott Votel, Instructor and Director of Composition Programs
Phillip Weiss, Assistant Professor
Lee Whitfield, Associate Professor
Richard Williams, Instructor

Available Programs of Study:

• B.A., Humanities
• Minors, History, Humanities, Literature, Philosophy, Writing

B.A. / Humanities / 36-40 credits

Humanities is a multidisciplinary major based in history, literature and philosophy. The major introduces the origin of “humanities” as the study of human experience and culture, and explores its evolving meaning over time. Students in the major focus in one of the three Humanities disciplines as they consider questions of value, identity, and meaning in the histories, literatures, philosophies, religions, and arts of different cultures. An aim of the Humanities major is to develop in students an appreciation not only of their own intellectual heritages but also of their cultural legacies of other peoples. In Humanities courses, students are also encouraged to explore the changing lives of women, people of color, and working people throughout the world.

The Humanities major complements professional preparation for careers working with children and families, and for all careers in which an understanding of the past, analytical skills, and excellent writing are necessary. It provides a lens through which students can view, reflect on and understand human culture and experience. Study in the Humanities provides the intellectual basis for a full, rich life.

Requirements (36 credits)

HUM 201

Introduction to the Humanities

4 credits

One Global Perspectives Course	4 credits
One Humanities or Art History course at the intermediate or advanced level	4 credits
One Integrated Course	4 credits

Focus in History, Literature, or Philosophy 16 credits

HUM 450

Research Seminar in the Humanities

4 credits

 

Global Perspectives Courses:

These are courses based in Asian, African, or Latin American cultures.

AST 290	W. African History, Culture and Spirituality	4 credits
HIS 215	Africa and its Global Encounters	4 credits
HIS 270	Human Rights as World History	4 credits
LIT 226	Literature and History of the Caribbean	4 credits
LIT 225	African Literature	4 credits
MUS 240	World Music Traditions	4 credits
PHL 215	Asian Thought	4 credits
THE 305	African and Caribbean Theatre	4 credits

Integrated Courses:

These are courses that integrate at least two disciplines.

AST 160	American Identities	4 credits
AST 215	Political and Social Change in America	4 credits
HIS 194	Europe in the Age of Discovery	4 credits
HIS 208	Twentieth Century European History	4 credits
HIS 240	The Holocaust	4 credits
HUM 210	Russian History through Literature	4 credits
LIT 226	Literature and History of the Caribbean	4 credits
LIT 225	African Literature	4 credits
LIT 240	The English Renaissance	4 credits
LIT 270	The American Renaissance	4 credits
LIT 262	Shakespeare	4 credits
LIT 263	The Epic: Heroes and Monsters	4 credits
LIT 301	Medieval Literature: Epic and Romance	4 credits
PHL 240	Great Ages and Ideas of the Jewish People	4 credits

Focus (16 credits)

Students select a focus in one of the following disciplines: literature, history, or philosophy. At least 4 credits in the focus must be at the advanced level.

Humanities Major Without Professional Major / 40 credits)

Students who choose to major in the Humanities without a professional major follow the requirements for the 36-credit major as listed above and must also complete an one additional course in the focus at the intermediate or advanced level

Suggested Course Sequence- Humanities Major -36 or 40 credits

First Year

HUM 201

Introduction to the Humanities (4 cr.)

	Successful completion of the WLCE
Second Year	Global Perspectives Course (4 cr.)
	1-2 courses in Focus (4-8 cr.)
Junior Year	Humanities or Art History course at the intermediate or advanced level (4 cr.)
	Integrated Course (4 cr.)
	1-2 courses in Focus (4-8 cr.)
Senior Year	1-2 courses in Focus (4-8 cr.)

HUM 450

Research Seminar in the Humanities (4 cr.)

Minor in Writing / 16 credits

The minor in Writing is open to all students looking to complement their primary field of study. Students in the program may choose courses from a variety of departments and disciplines in both creative and professional writing. These courses may count for the minor after students have completed English 111 and the Wheelock Literacy and Communication Exam (WLCE).

Course Requirements: three courses from the following list, one of which must have an ENG designation (12 credits), and the writing capstone.

ENG 220	Writing for Social Change	4 credits
ENG 201	Creative Nonfiction	4 credits
LIT 150	Introduction to the Short Story	4 credits
LSC XXX	Science Writing	4 credits
THE XXX	Storytelling	4 credits
THE XXX	Playwriting	4 credits
ENG 401	Writing Minor Capstone	4 credits