Unlike the required curriculum for other majors, which is typically quite specific, the list of courses to complete the HBA major is highly variable. Students have a great deal of freedom to choose courses that suit their interests and needs. Humanities 120 and Philosophy 111, courses in the General Education Core, provide freshman HBA students with an introduction to critical thinking, reading, and writing and an appreciation of the fine arts. Once they have chosen an area of concentration, HBA students should also begin to take lower-division courses in that area.
A humanities minor (21-23 credits) requires the completion of HUM 300, and five additional courses from the different disciplines listed above for the humanities major. If the student's major is within the humanities (e.g. English or History), then the minor cannot include courses from that department.
This team taught (Faculty and Student Services) first year course required of all new first year students explores the transition of the first year student to the new college setting. Material covered is designed to equip new students with the knowledge and skills to help them have a successful academic and social first year at college. Understanding learning styles, reflecting on social decision making, exploring community/campus resources and a first year reading and discussion will all be part of this fun and interactive class.
This course examines the functions and form of the fine and performing arts. Included in this course are requirements to attend gallery exhibits, concert events, and theatre productions.
In this course students study different answers to (and ways of asking) a basic question: What does it mean to be human? The course focuses on up to six different points in time and places on the map; these may vary from semester to semester. Some of the ways to unpack the course questions are as follows: What is Justice? How is mortality experienced? What is the relationship between humans and their gods or God? What are the rights, privileges or responsibilities of human beings? What are the values that guide human choices? What do humans consider beautiful or ugly, melodious or cacophonous? The course focuses on specific artifacts (e.g. texts, artwork, music) from those six periods, taking the time to analyze the artifact and the people that produced it. Discussion of some artifacts may be guided by guest lecturers who are scholars/artists in relevant fields. (Prerequisites: ENG 102/107/110, PHL 111 and HUM 120)
In this course, we will go on a journey while asking a basic question: What does it mean to be human? The course starts on campus, but moves to Budapest, through Bratislava, Prague, Theresienstadt (Terezin), and Vienna, then ends back on campus. While there will be traditional “tours” some days, much of the time the focus will be on specific places and/or artifacts. You will be expected to take the time to explore those places/artifacts and the people that created them in depth. One of your primary responsibilities will be simply to keep your eyes (and minds) open and ask lots of questions. Assignments will include a journal, a reflective essay (due after the return to campus) and a researched presentation about something we visit during the trip.
In this capstone experience, students go back to the basic question that guided HUM 300: What does it mean to be human? The capstone is a “synthesis” experience, organized around writing and conversation and can include preparation for or debriefing from the Internship or Thesis. The students will be responsible for the selection of topics and/or artifacts that become the focus of the experience. (Prerequisite: HUM 300 and at least 40 credits toward the BA)
Required for students choosing the Humanities Thesis option in the Humanities Major. Students will have the opportunity to create a formal and publishable work that may be used in their portfolios for entry into employment or graduate school. Must be a senior. Available every semester and taught as an independent study course.