Humanities
Students may seek either an academic major or minor in humanities.
Major in Humanities
The humanities major offers a multidisciplinary study of global humanities that integrates topics in the arts, history, language and culture, literature, and philosophy and religion. The humanities major provides a broad perspective on human behavior, thought, and values and focuses on American, Asian, and European cultures. The integrated humanities major encourages thinking across traditional disciplines.
Objectives
The student who graduates with a major in humanities will be able to
- Demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for the cultural traditions, major ideas, and historical developments of the human experience.
- Explain and critically assess the interrelationships of the arts, history, language and culture, literature, and philosophy.
- Understand the major historical and cultural forces that influence and control American, Asian, and European societies.
- Develop interdisciplinary and multicultural perspectives for analyzing and comparing the arts, history, language and culture, literature, and philosophies.
- Apply critical reasoning, judgment, and choice.
- Write and speak effectively and clearly.
- Use computers for communication and research.
Degree Requirements
A degree with a major in humanities requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 30 credits for the major (indicated by
); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 49 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:
- Required foundation courses (6 credits): Chosen from HUMN 100, 102, or 351
- Arts breadth course (3 credits): Chosen from HUMN 334 and any 3-credit ARTT, ARTH, MUSC, THET, and dance courses
- Language and linguistics breadth course (3 credits): Chosen from COMM 380, and any 3-credit foreign language (not literature) course
- Literature breadth course (3 credits): Chosen from ENGL 303 and any 3-credit English or foreign-language literature courses
- Philosophy and religion breadth course (3 credits): Chosen from HUMN 311, 312, 348, 349, 350, 351, and any 3-credit PHIL course
- Supplemental major courses (12 credits of which at least 6 must be HUMN): Chosen from HUMN and other courses listed for the arts, language, literature, and philosophy breadth course requirements
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 in the General Education Requirements.
Humanities Major Courses
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 102 Classical Foundations (3)
Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)
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
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
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 general
education requirement in communications/upper-level intensive writing
ARTH 370 History of World Art I (3)![]()
or other arts breadth course for major
(see Requirements for the Major)
COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts (3)![]()
or other language and linguistics
breadth course for the major
(see Requirements for the Major)
ENGL 303 Critical Approaches to Literature (3)![]()
or other literature breadth course
for the major
(see Requirements for the Major)
HUMN 311 Workplace Ethics (6)![]()
or other philosophy and religion breadth
course for the major
(see Requirements for the Major)
HUMN 336 Ideas Shaping the 21st Century (3)![]()
or other supplemental major course(s)
(see Requirements for the Major)
Three supplemental major courses (9)![]()
(see Requirements for the Major)
Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (49)
Total credits for BS in humanities (120)
Minor in Humanities
The humanities minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by providing an integrated curriculum for enrichment and exploration of culture and ideas, as well as a broad perspective on human behavior, thought, and values across traditional disciplines.
Objectives
A student graduating with a minor in humanities will be able to
- Describe and interpret some of the cultural traditions and interplay of cultural elements in human experience around the world.
- Interpret some of the major cultural forces that influence and control society.
- Think critically about real-world issues.
- Write and speak effectively and clearly.
Requirements for the Minor
A minor in humanities requires the completion of 15 credits in humanities, chosen from any courses applicable to the humanities major.
At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level HUMN courses (numbered 300 or above). Courses may not duplicate those used to meet the requirements for the major. Prerequisites apply for all courses.
For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor’s degree, students should refer to their major and Bachelor’s Degrees.
Information based on the UMUC Europe Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2009. (pdf 4.9MB)
Last updated: 13 August 2008
