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Humanities

The Humanities major consists of a balanced group of courses in literature, philosophy, and history. The program is designed for the individual who hungers for that liberal learning which enhances and enriches life, sharpens analytical skills, and builds the ability to communicate with greater facility. In a society concerned with values, self-realization, and independence in thinking, this degree gives mature adult students coherent intellectual training with the aim of increasing their knowledge and understanding of the human condition.

The Humanities major is grounded in a series of four chronological Integrative Studies Across Cultures courses which examine the fundamental theme: "The Human Person in Relation to Critical Aspects of Existence." Six aspects, or sub-themes explore the ways in which human beings relate to nature, work and leisure, family, community, inner self, and God(s). Upon this interdisciplinary and chronological foundation are laid 12 carefully constructed and interrelated courses (4 each in Literature, Philosophy, and History) in which the student learns the specialties of each discipline within the generalist structure of humanistic themes. Students who desire a concentration in English, History, or Philosophy may take six (6) courses in the desired discipline and three (3) courses in the other two.

Completing the edifice of the Humanities major is the Senior Colloquium in Integrative Studies Across Cultures, which allows the student to explore and synthesize a selected topic in a major paper merging interdisciplinary study and ways of thinking.

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Bachelor of Arts in Humanities

Pre-requisites for the Major:

  • 1 lower division course in Literature

  • 1 lower division course in Philosophy or Religious Studies

Major Requirements:(39 upper-division units)

The complete ISAC sequence (12 units)
  • ISAC 101 The Ancient World
  • ISAC 102 The Premodern World
  • ISAC 103 The Modern World
  • ISAC 104 The Contemporary World
English (12 units) - 4 of the follwing courses:
  • ENGL 120 Fiction G.E./ LBST
  • ENGL 121 Poetry G.E./ LBST
  • ENGL 151 Children’s Lit G.E./LBST
  • ENGL 133 Am. Lit: Self Images
  • ENGL 175 Lit. in Translation (French, Spanish)
Philosophy/Religious Studies (12 units) - 4 of the following:
  • PHIL/RLST 120 Moral Choices
  • PHIL/RLST 140 Human Person
  • PHIL/RLST 122 Social/Polit. Thought
  • PHIL/RLST 175 World Wisdom Trads
  • RLST 110 Hebrew Scriptures
  • RLST 115 New Testament
Arts (3 units) - 1 of the following:
  • ARTS 177 Asian Art/Phil G.E
  • ARTS 178 Modern Art Hist. G.E.

Humanities majors will write a senior essay connecting their work in the various Humanities fields as part of their ISAC senior colloquium.

Appropriate substitutions for the courses listed above may be approved by the advisor.

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The Humanities major serves as the foundation for many areas of graduate study, including English, History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. In addition, it can be the basis for careers in business, law, management, teaching, librarianship, research, and professional writing. The Humanities major, one of the most enriching personally, can be effectively combined with career preparation by selecting a minor such as Communication or Business.

English Faculty

Patricia McLaughlin McMahon, Ph.D.
Yale University
Professor of Drama, Communication, English
510-436-1231
mcmahon@hnu.edu

Katherine Cogan Kovach, M.A.
Holy Names University
Instructor of English
510-436-1281
kovach@hnu.edu

History Faculty

Deborah Church, SNJM, Ph.D.
University of Hawaii
Associate Professor of History
510-436-1135
church@hnu.edu

Scott Haine, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Assistant Professor of History
510-436-1543
haine@hnu.edu

Christine Nahuanani Patrinos, snjm, PhD
University of Hawaii
Assistant Professor of Political Science
510-436-1027
patrinos@hnu.edu

Martivon Galindo, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Assistant Professor of Spanish
510-436-1318
galindo@hnu.edu

Philosophy Faculty

Sheila O'Neill Gibson, Ph.D.
University of Toronto
Professor of Philosophy
510-436-1015
gibson@hnu.edu

Robert Simons, M.F.A.
California College of Arts and Crafts
Professor of Art
510-436-1587
simons@hnu.edu

Irene Woodward, CFC, Ph.D.
Catholic University of America
Professor of Philosophy
510-436-1071
woodward@hnu.edu

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