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.
Format - The Weekend College
Courses in Weekend programs are scheduled on a trimester system. There are three trimesters in each academic year and each trimester is 14 weeks in length including pre-assignments and final assignments. Most courses meet on alternate weekends for a total of six class meetings. Courses in the semester program are also open to students in the Weekend College.
Career Options
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.
Curriculum
Preparation for the Major
- ENGL 20 Fiction or ENGL 21 Poetry or Comparable 3-unit English course
- HIST 17A or B U.S. History: Survey or HIST 6 World Politics and Geography or Comparable 3-unit History course
- PHIL 2 Logic or PHIL 40(W) The Human Person or Comparable 3-unit Philosophy course
Major Requirements (36 upper-division units in addition to ISAC courses)
Methodology (3 units)
- ISAC 101 The Ancient World
- ISAC 102 The Premodern World
- ISAC 103 The Modern World
- ISAC 104 The Contemporary World
- ISAC 195(W) Senior Colloquium
- ENGL 114(W) Shakespeare
- ENGL 120 Fiction
- ENGL 122(W) Dramatic Literature
- ENGL 133 American Literature: Self Images
- HIST 124(W) Contemporary Europe
- HIST 126 The City as a Cultural Phenomenon
- HIST 169(W) Cultural History of Asia
- HIST 170 United States: Social and Cultural History
- PHIL 140(W) The Human Person
- PHIL 156 Ethics at Work or PHIL 151 Ethics: Friendship
- PHIL 164 Philosophy Through Films
- PHIL 175 World Wisdom Traditions or PHIL/ARTS 177 Asian Art and Philosophy
(W)=Intensive writing class.
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