UMUC Europe - Humanities

The humanities major offers a multidisciplinary study of global humanities that integrates topics in the arts, history, language and culture, literature, and philosophy and religion. The humanities major provides a broad perspective on human behavior, thought, and values and focuses on American, Asian, and European cultures. The integrated humanities major encourages thinking across traditional disciplines.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in humanities will be able to

Demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for the cultural traditions, major ideas, and historical developments of the human experience.
Explain and critically assess the interrelationships of the arts, history, language and culture, literature, and philosophy.
Understand the major historical and cultural forces that influence and control American, Asian, and European societies.
Develop interdisciplinary and multicultural perspectives for analyzing and comparing the arts, history, language and culture, literature, and philosophies.
Apply critical reasoning, judgment, and choice.
Write and speak effectively and clearly.
Use computers for communication and research.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in humanities requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 30 credits for the major (indicated by ); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Humanities Major

Coursework for a major in humanities includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BA in humanities. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found on the GER page.

First Courses
(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and English composition courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)
or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses
(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature,
or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software

HUMN 102 Classical Foundations (3)
or HUMN 120 America in Perspective

Foundation Courses
(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

HIST 142 Western Civilization II 3
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or WRTG 288/288X Standard English Grammar, Usage, and Diction
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing or speech

HUMN 351 Myth and Culture (3)
or HUMN 120 American Perspective

Additional Required Courses
(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/upper-level intensive writing

ARTH 370 History of World Art I (3)
or other arts breadth course for major (see Requirements for the Major)

COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts (3)
or other language and linguistics breadth course for the major (see Requirements for the Major)

ENGL 303 Critical Approaches to Literature (3)
or other literature breadth course for the major (see Requirements for the Major)

HUMN 350 The Religious Quest (6)
or other philosophy and religion breadth course for the major (see Requirements for the Major)

Note: If a 3-credit course is used to fulfill this requirement, another 3-credit HUMN or breadth course must be taken to complete major requirements.

HUMN 336 Ideas Shaping the 21st Century (6)
or other supplemental major course(s) (see Requirements for the Major)

A supplemental major course (3)
(see Requirements for the Major)

Minor and/or Elective Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (49)

Total credits for BA in humanities (120)

Minor in Humanities

The humanities minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by providing an integrated curriculum for enrichment and exploration of culture and ideas, as well as a broad perspective on human behavior, thought, and values across traditional disciplines

Objectives

The student who graduates with a minor in humanities will be able to

Describe and interpret some of the cultural traditions and interplay of cultural elements in human experience around the world.
Interpret some of the major cultural forces that influence and control society.
Think critically about real-world issues.
Write and speak effectively and clearly.

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in humanities requires the completion of 15 credits in humanities, chosen from any courses applicable to the humanities major.
At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level HUMN courses (numbered 300 or above). Courses may not duplicate those used to meet the requirements for the major. Prerequisites apply for all courses.
For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor’s degree, students should refer to their major and bachelor's degree requirements.

Last updated: 24 January 2008