Humanities

Undergraduate Programs

Description

The Humanities Program offers an interdisciplinary approach to examine the common issues, ideas, and themes that run throughout different cultures and throughout human history. The program uncovers the creative side of the human spirit and crosses the boundaries of the shared human experience--the places where dreams meet reality, art meets science, and technology meets nature.

By studying literature, arts, history, science, architecture, and philosophical and religious traditions from ancient to contemporary times, students are able to understand their connections to each other and to the world.

A Humanities degree provides the essential skills that employers are looking for today: communication, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and global awareness. The major and minor offered by the Humanities Programs help students to become deep thinkers, connection makers, and problem solvers. Students will improve their writing skills and expand their critical thinking skills, as well as sharpen their understanding of different human perspectives.

Majors

 Program Locations Total Credits
Humanities BA BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • Mankato
 120

Minors

 Program Locations Total Credits
Humanities Minor 20

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Admission to Major is granted by the department. Minimum university admission requirements are:

  • a minimum of 32 earned semester credit hours.
  • a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (“C”).

Contact the program for application procedures.

GPA Policy. Candidates for a major in Humanities must maintain a 2.5 grade-point average in the major.

P/N Grading Policy. Humanities core courses taken for a major or minor in Humanities may not be taken on a P/N basis.

Contact Information

230 Armstrong Hall
College of Arts & Humanities

www.mnsu.edu/humanity

Faculty

Director
  • Gwen Westerman, Ph.D.
Faculty

100 Level

Credits: 4

An introduction to Humanities and its themes of study, including an exploration of the diversity of world cultures and multiple forms of creativity and expression. aspects of interactions among peoples across the world. Students will think critically about and increase their understanding of diverse human perspectives and global relationships.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Credits: 4

An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of the Western Humanities, from ancient times through the Renaissance. Artistic, philosophical and religious forms of cultural expression are considered within their social and historical contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Credits: 4

An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of the Western Humanities, from the Renaissance to the present. Artistic, philosophical and religious forms of cultural expression are considered within their social and historical contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Credits: 4

An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of the humanities, as expressed through the cultures and traditions of the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and East Asia. Artistic, philosophical and religious forms of cultural expression are considered within their social and historical contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Credits: 4

An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of the humanities, as expressed through the cultures and traditions of sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific region. Artistic, philosophical and religious forms of cultural expression are considered within their social and historical contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

200 Level

Credits: 2-4

Explores the critical analysis of written, visual, and/or msucial texts; considers these texts from a variety of cultural and historical contexts; and analyzes issues that engage basic questions of human existence for individuals and societies. May be repeated when topic changes.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Credits: 4

Explores the critical analysis of written, visual and/or musical texts; considers these texts from a variety of cultural and historical contexts; and analyzes issues that engage basic questions of human existence, for individuals and societies. May be repeated when topic changes.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Credits: 2-4

Historical or cultural periods, beliefs, or movements within the larger Western traditions of Europe and the Americas and the expressions of these traditions through the visual, literary, and performing arts and other forms. May be repeated when topic changes.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Credits: 4

Historical or cultural periods, beliefs, or movements within the larger Western traditions of Europe and America and the expressions of these traditions through the visual, literary and performing arts and other forms. May be repeated when topic changes.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Credits: 4

Cultural and artistic traditions of groups that have experienced discrimination or exclusion in U.S. society and how these groups express themselves through the visual, literary and performing arts and other forms. May be repeated when topic changes.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

Historical or cultural periods, beliefs, or movements of one of more groups outside Europe and America and the expressions of these traditions through the visual, literary and performing arts and other forms. May be repeated when topic changes.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

300 Level

Credits: 1-4

Independent reading in the Humanities. Three options: 1) selected readings in Classical Humanities; 2) selected readings in Environmental Humanities; and 3) student-selected readings in Humanities. Requires permission of Humanities Program Director.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Topics in Humanities will be a variable-title course that explores special topics in common issues, ideas, and themes that run throughout different cultures and throughout human history. May be repeated with different topics.

Prerequisites: none

400 Level

Credits: 4

Intensive study of a topic related to the field of Humanities. Topics vary and engage students in issues of cultural and artistic periods, trends, theories, expression, and/or global or historic connections.

Prerequisites: HUM 282W

Credits: 4

An individual project by Humanities Majors that will demonstrate an ability to use interdisciplinary methods to draw together different areas of study in focusing on a specific topic, problem or concern. Requires approval of the Humanities Director or designated advisor. Prereq: Admission to college as Humanities major.

Prerequisites: Admission to college as Humanities Major 

Credits: 1-4

An applied work and learning experience in the field of interdisciplinary Humanities.

Prerequisites: HUM 282W, advanced standing in Humanities and consent of instructor.

Credits: 1-4

Interdisciplinary study in an area for which the student has basic preparation.

Prerequisites: Approval of faculty.