B.A.
Humanities
The Humanities Major is designed to build on the Dominican Curriculum, providing direction and focus for students interested in pursuing a broad-based study of the Humanities. A grade of C or higher is required for any course used to fulfill major requirements.
Like the Dominican Curriculum, the Humanities program grows out of some of the overarching traditional goals of a liberal education. The heart of the program is a Humanities Core, which is required of all Humanities students. The Humanities Core, drawing on courses from several different disciplines, is designed to strengthen (1) students’ know-ledge of Western cultural history, (2) their awareness of ethical judgments and social values, (3) their appreciation of cultural differences, and (4) their taste in aesthetic experiences.
In addition to the Humanities Core, students also complete 18 semester hours in one of six areas of specialization — English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, History, Art, or World Language & Culture.
The capstone of the Humanities Major is the Writing and Research in Humanities course (HU 472). This course, taken in your senior year, builds on other courses in the Humanities Sequence. The course focuses on the development of a senior research project. Normally the project culminates in a formal essay presented to the Humanities faculty; imaginative nontraditional projects such as the preparation of a performance or an exhibit are also possible when, in the judgment of the faculty, they offer comparable challenges and benefits.
Areas of Specialization
Specialization in Art
The specialization requires 18 semester hours in Art in addition to any Art courses taken in GEC and the Humanities Core. The 18 semester hours consist of the Art minor requirements. See Art minor.
Specialization in English
The specialization requires 18 semester hours in English in addition to any English courses taken in GEC and the Humanities Core. The 18 semester hours consist of the English minor. See English minor.
Specialization in World Language & Culture
The specialization requires 18 semester hours in Spanish, including at least 12 semester hours above the intermediate level (SP 221–222).
Specialization in History
In addition to the specialization described here, the University offers a separate major program in History. Consult History section for program details. The specialization requires 18 semester hours in History in addition to any History courses taken in GEC and the Humanities Core. The 18 semester hours consist of the History minor requirements. See History minor.
Specialization in Philosophy
The specialization requires 18 semester hours in Philosophy in addition to any Philosophy courses taken in GEC and the Humanities Core. The 18 semester hours consist of the Philosophy minor requirements. See Philosophy minor.
Specialization in Religious Studies
The specialization requires 18 semester hours in Religious Studies in addition to any courses taken in GEC and the Humanities Core. The 18 semester hours consist of the Religious Studies minor requirements. See Religious Studies minor.
Spanish
The basic and intermediate courses in Spanish develop the students’ fluency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing the language and introduce them to the culture, literature, and history of Spain and Latin America. For students who wish to perfect this knowledge or choose Spanish as a concentration, a minor in Spanish is available, as is a specialization in World Language and Culture within the Humanities Major. (See “Humanities” section above.)
Degrees and Certificates
-
Humanities,
Courses
HU 110: Introduction to Humanities
Credits 3This course focuses on establishing a basic understanding of the humanities as a discipline and on the history and nature of human creative and intellectual expression. It encourages students to learn the critical thinking process to evaluate works of art in the humanities and explores a variety of disciplines and common themes. Students explore the interrelationship of cultural history, philosophy, literature and the arts using class trips, readings, discussions, research and critical writings or creative projects.
HU 225: Introduction to Gender Justice
Credits 3This interdisciplinary course explores the complex intersections of gender and justice. By drawing on various disciplines such as literature, history, philosophy, art, and cultural studies, students will gain a deepened understanding of how gender has been constructed, represented, and experienced. Students will examine ways in which societal norms, power structures, and historical contexts shape gender identities, roles, and experiences. The course will foster an understanding of various forms of injustice related to gender and explore potential avenues for positive change.
HU 252: Topics in Humanities
Credits 3Covers Antiquity through the Early Middle Ages. Emphasis is placed on improving critical reading skills in comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference, argumentation, and criticism across disciplinary lines, as well as expressing these skills in speech and writing.
HU 362: Readings in Humanities
Credits 3Covers the High Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Emphasis is placed on improving reasoning and writing skills necessary for advanced critical analysis.
HU 472: Writing and Research in Humanities
Credits 3Seventeenth Century through the Present. Emphasis is placed on advancing oral and written skills for engagement in intellectual discourse through discussion seminars and by writing and presenting a well-reasoned interdisciplinary major research paper in the humanities.