Humanities (HUMNS.BA)

Logo

History, Political Science, and Humanities

Humanities students explore western literature, philosophy, music and fine arts within their historical contexts and in relation to modern institutions and cultures. Students can choose to specialize in classical studies, modern and contemporary studies, or philosophy.

Degree Checklist

For a check list of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.

General Education Requirements - Total Hours: 53

Click here for the General Education Core requirements

This program requires six hours of foreign language at the intermediate level.  Nine hours in the category of Exploring the Humanities are fulfilled by HUMN 202, HUMN 301, and PHIL 241.

Religion Requirements - Total Hours: 15

Three hours of the Biblical Faith and Lifestyle requirement are fulfilled by:

HUMN 495 - Christianity and the Humanities Credit Hours: 3

This course is intended to define the humanities in the context of worldviews and explore one's calling to and practice of the humanities from a Christian perspective.

Prerequisites

HUMN-201 and  THEO-230

Specialty Area Requirements

HUMN 202 - The Rise of Europe Credit Hours: 3

An integrative survey of the historic foundations of Western culture and its artistic, dramatic, literary, and musical representations from the fall of Rome through the Renaissance.

Prerequisites

ENGL-105, ENGl-106, or ENGL-110
HUMN 301 - Foundations of the Modern Credit Hours: 3

An integrative survey of the historic foundations of Western culture and its artistic, dramatic, literary and musical representations from the Renaissance to c. 1850.

Prerequisites

ENGL-105, ENGL-106, or ENGL-110
HUMN 302 - Modern Western Culture Credit Hours: 3

An integrative survey of the historic foundations of Western culture and its artistic, dramatic, literary and musical representations from c. 1850 to the present.

Prerequisites

ENGL-105, ENGL-106, or ENGL-110
HUMN 345 - Humanities Methodology and Research Credit Hours: 3

This course will examine different strategic methodologies for understanding the human condition as it has been represented by the various humanities disciplines throughout western culture, from the ancient period to the modern age. The course will equip students with a firm grasp of research skills necessary for studying the humanities at the graduate level. This course is required for all Humanities majors.

Prerequisites

HUMN-201
HUMN 495 - Christianity and the Humanities Credit Hours: 3

This course is intended to define the humanities in the context of worldviews and explore one's calling to and practice of the humanities from a Christian perspective.

Prerequisites

HUMN-201 and  THEO-230

COLLATERAL REQUIREMENTS

PHIL 241 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

A survey of the types of philosophy (the chief schools and movements) and the basic problems of philosophical thought. Emphasis is placed on modern philosophical trends and their treatment of the basic quests within humanity.

Prerequisites

None

Emphasis in Classical Studies - 21 Total Hours

The Classical Studies concentration will prepare students for careers in law, teaching, and curatorship, as well as for graduate study in classics, Ancient History, and Medieval Studies. The Foundation of the program is a sequence of courses offering introductory and intermediate level instruction in Latin. LATN 211 and LATN 212 are required of all Humanities Majors with the Classical Studies emphasis. LATN 311 and LATN 312 are offered upon demand and may be used to satisfy the intermediate language requirement for the BA.

LATN 211 - Beginning Latin I Credit Hours: 4

Latin 211 is an introduction to fundamental latin vocabulary, morphology (word forms), and principles of syntax. We shall cover roughly the first twenty-nine chapters (over half) of Wheelock's Grammar in the first semester.  The primary goal of this class is reading proficiency in the Latin Language. To that end, examinations will test students' knowledge of the vocabulary, morphology, and the ability to read Latin with preparation and at sight.
LATN 212 - Beginning Latin II Credit Hours: 4

LATN 212 is a continuation of the introduction to a fundamental Latin vocabulary, morphology (word forms), and principles of syntax.  The primary goal of this class is reading proficiency in the Latin language through the introduction of select passages of classical Latin literature.

Prerequisites

LATN 211
LATN 311 - Intermediate Latin I Credit Hours: 3

LATN 311 is an introduction to the works of major authors of Latin prose, which deepens facility in the identification of morphological and syntactical features of the Latin Language, as well as ease of translation of these works.  The primary goal of this class is facility in reading and analyzing Latin prose literature in it's original language.

Prerequisites

LATN 211 and 212
LATN 312 - Intermediate Latin II Credit Hours: 3

LATN 312 is an introduction to the works of major authors of Latin Poetry, which deepens facility in the identification of morphological and syntactical features of the Latin Language, as well as ease of translation of these works. The primary goal of this class is reading proficiency in classical Latin poetry.

Prerequisites

LATN, 211, 212, 311

In Addition

Additionally, the Classical Studies concentration will require 15 hours chosen from the following, 12 of which must have the designation HUMN:

PHIL 341 - Major Thinkers in Ancient Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

This course offers an in-depth treatment of selected major philosophers of ancient Western philosophy.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241 
PLSC 371 - Ancient Political Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

A focused study of key themes of political theory (power, authority, legitimacy, obligation, citizenship, etc.) in major ancient philosophers and thinkers. Offered as part of the Political Theory sequence.
HIST 424 - Rome and the Early Church Credit Hours: 3

A study of early church history and thought in the context of the classical culture of Rome from the late Republic until 476 C.E. Special emphasis will be given to church/state relations after the New Testament era.
HUMN 351 - The Age of Pericles: Greek Thought & Literature Credit Hours: 3

 An intermediate level course dedicated to the investigation of the literature and ideas that flourished during the high point of the classical period of ancient Greece (roughly the second half of the fifth century BC).  The primary goal of this course is to provide a solid grounding in one of the greatest epochs of intellectual and literary history in the world.  

Prerequisites

HUMN-201, ENGL-110
HUMN 353 - Late Antiquity Credit Hours: 3

 An intermediate level course dedicated to the period known as Late Antiquity (which includes the era sometimes called the Later Roman Empire, Early Byzantium, or the early medieval period) and investigation of the literature and ideas that flourished during this complex period of world history.  The course begins with the so-called "Third Century Crisis" and reaches to the time of Justinian (6th century AD) and the survival of the Roman Empire in the East.  

Prerequisites

ENGL-110, HUMN-201
HUMN 493 - Special Topics in the Humanities Credit Hours: 3

Courses presenting various topics and themes in humanities. The courses will focus on learning content from an interdisciplinary style, incorporating such areas as art, philosophy, literature, music and history. Repeatable for credit.

Emphasis in Modern and Contemporary Studies - 21 Total Hours

The Emphasis in Modern and Contemporary Studies will allow students to focus on the relationship between literature, film, philosophy, popular Culture, and art in the contexts of the later Nineteenth, Twentieth, and twenty-first centuries. The concentration may serve students who wish to apply to graduate programs in Cultural Studies, Critical Theory, or in more traditional programs in Modern and Contemporary Literature

HUMN 381 and HUMN 382 will be required of all Humanities majors with the Modern and Contemporary Studies Emphasis

HUMN 381 - Modernism Credit Hours: 3

This course will introduce students to the philosophical roots, historical contexts, and cultural products of cultural modernsim. In doing this, studetns will read, view and discuss novels, poetry, films, and visual art produced in Europe and America between the World Wars

Prerequisites

English 110
HUMN 382 - Postmodernism Credit Hours: 3

In this course, students will develop a complex understanding of Postmodern art, literature, theory and culture. With a starting point of poststructuralist theory, the course will ask whether the cultural movement/stage called "Postmodernism" is a break from or a continuation of modernism

Prerequisites

English 110

In Addition

Additionally, the Modern and Contemporary Studies emphasis will require 15 hours chosen from the following, 6 of which must have the designation HUMN:

ENGL 448 - Modern Literature Credit Hours: 3

Selection and examination of representative authors who wrote between 1850 and World War II.

Prerequisites

ENGL-300
PHIL 342 - Major Thinkers in Modern Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

This course offers an in-depth treatment of selected major philosophers of modern Western philosophy.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241.
HIST 347 - Modern Europe Credit Hours: 3

A study of Europe from 1815 to the present. Special emphasis will be placed on the roles of liberalism, conservatism, nationalism, socialism, imperialism, the industrial revolution, the world wars, and the cold war in shaping Europe today.
HIST 498 - Special Topics in History Credit Hours: 3

Courses which focus on intensive study of selected topics, including research in the materials of history and the writing of analytical reports.  
HUMN 493 - Special Topics in the Humanities Credit Hours: 3

Courses presenting various topics and themes in humanities. The courses will focus on learning content from an interdisciplinary style, incorporating such areas as art, philosophy, literature, music and history. Repeatable for credit.

Emphasis in Philosophy - 21 Total Hours

HUMN 493 - Special Topics in the Humanities Credit Hours: 3

Courses presenting various topics and themes in humanities. The courses will focus on learning content from an interdisciplinary style, incorporating such areas as art, philosophy, literature, music and history. Repeatable for credit.

In Addition

Choose 15 Hours from the following Courses.

PHIL 242 - Introduction to Logic and Critical Reasoning Credit Hours: 3

Focuses on the analysis of arguments expressed in natural language and introduces students to formal deductive logic and informal fallacies of reasoning. Especially recommended for students who plan to pursue graduate studies and those who want to sharpen their critical reasoning skills.

Prerequisites

None
PHIL 341 - Major Thinkers in Ancient Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

This course offers an in-depth treatment of selected major philosophers of ancient Western philosophy.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241 
PHIL 342 - Major Thinkers in Modern Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

This course offers an in-depth treatment of selected major philosophers of modern Western philosophy.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241.
PHIL 351 - Philosophy of Human Nature Credit Hours: 3

This course offers an intensive study of prominent theories of human nature and related philosophical problems, such as the mind-body problem; the unity, purpose and dignity of human nature; the emotions and their interplay with intelligence and volition; the origin and nature of human evil; and the human person in and with/against society.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241.
PHIL 361 - Philosophy of Religion Credit Hours: 3

This course undertakes a critical analysis and evaluation of reasoning about God. Topics covered include a philosophical analysis of the concept of God, arguments for God's existence, the relation between faith and reason, the problem of evil, and God's relation to morality and the meaning of life.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241.
PHIL 371 - Philosophical Ethics Credit Hours: 3

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the philosophical study of morality through the analysis of major ethical works in the history of Western philosophy and leading paradigms in contemporary moral philosophy.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241.
PLSC 371 - Ancient Political Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

A focused study of key themes of political theory (power, authority, legitimacy, obligation, citizenship, etc.) in major ancient philosophers and thinkers. Offered as part of the Political Theory sequence.
PLSC 372 - Modern Political Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

A focused study of key themes of political theory (authority, tyranny, obligation, Church and State, citizenship, etc.) in major modern philosophers and thinkers. Offered as part of the Political Theory sequence.