UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Humanities

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in humanities.

Major in Humanities

The interdisciplinary major in the humanities enables students to broaden their understanding of themselves and their interaction with the world, providing a high standard for understanding of their cultural and intellectual heritage while giving them the tools to use that knowledge as lifelong learners. Students explore how individuals and groups understand their existence, their place within their cultures and their responsibility to others and the physical world. They learn how to express this understanding—by studies in literature, language, history and through creative and expressive art—and define their own meaning of humanness within an increasingly technological and diverse world. The interdisciplinary curriculum draws on art, art history, cultural history, literature, language, music, philosophy and religious studies and theater.

Objectives

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

  • Compare and contrast the cultural traditions and value assumptions that underlie the history of specific cultures.
  • Identify the ethical content of cultures and societies and how they interact with an individual's self-understanding and behavior.
  • Analyze and compare cultures and their social and material artifacts from multicultural perspectives using interdisciplinary and critical perspectives.
  • Read critically, write and speak effectively and engage in independent research on abstract topics.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in humanities requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 46 credits in the minor, electives and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Humanities Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for the humanities includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill al 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 and advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

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

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

  • EDCP 101 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
  • LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or higher-level math course

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

  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
  • Both 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 biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
  • 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 behavioral and social sciences requirement
  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
  • ‡HUMN 100 Introduction to the Humanities (3)

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

  • ‡PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
  • 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 arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) or other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement
  • ‡HIST 115 World History I (3) or HIST 116 World History II
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or WRTG 288/288X Standard English Grammar, Usage and Diction or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
  • ‡ARTT 205 Art Appreciation (3) or MUSC 210 The Impact of Music on Life or THET 110 Introduction to Theatre

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 communications/ upper-level advanced writing requirement
  • ‡ARTH 370 History of World Art I (3) or ARTH 371 History of World Art II (arts breadth course for the major)
  • ‡ PHIL 110 Thinking for Yourself (3) or other philosophy or religion breadth course for the major
  • ‡COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts (3) or other literature breadth course for the major
  • ‡ENGL 433 American Literature: 1914 to Present (3) or other literature breadth course for the major
  • ‡PHIL 336 Ideas Shaping the 21st Century (3) or other philosophy and religion breadth course for the major
  • ‡PHIL 348 Religions of the East (3) or other supplemental major course

Capstone Course (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (43)

Total credits for BA in humanities: 120