Humanities

Program Director
Molly McClain, Ph.D., History

Faculty Coordinators
Florence M. Gillman, Ph.D., Theology and Religious Studies
Juliana Maxim, Ph.D., Art History
Marianne R. Pfau, Ph.D., Music
Michael F. Wagner, Ph.D., Philosophy
Jacques M. Wendel, Ph.D., Languages and Literatures
Irene Williams, Ph.D., English

The idea of the humanities, as the ideal of a liberal education, has a long and distinguished history which predates the modern distinction between various humanities disciplines — e.g., literature, art, philosophy, etc. In general, ‘humanities studies’ refers to a course of study which illuminates and examines human history, culture, and values while also contributing to their expression and development — and to the intellectual, creative, and spiritual development of the individual student as well. The humanities are generally thought of today in terms of their component disciplines. These disciplines are thus both academic and practical. They investigate and interpret human experience and achievement in their many diverse forms — our history and languages, our art, music, drama and literature, and our philosophical and spiritual aspirations. They also articulate and inspire our own humanity, both culturally and individually.

The interdisciplinary humanities major allows students to design a program of study (in consultation with a faculty advisor) that draws upon the subject matters and methodologies of several different humanities disciplines. It thus appeals especially to students whose academic interests and goals cannot be satisfied by majoring in any single humanities discipline. Students in this major will benefit from the many and diverse strengths of the humanities disciplines here at the University of San Diego. In so doing, they will become aware of the interrelatedness of these disciplines and of the aspects of human endeavor and expression they each emphasize. The major provides a unique educational experience and seeks to foster an understanding of different areas of “humanistic” scholarship and achievement, a recognition and appreciation of the richness and character of human existence and potential, and a deeper awareness and refinement of the student’s own capabilities and passions.

Students majoring in interdisciplinary humanities will choose from three tracks available within the major: humanities studies, european studies, or asian studies. Given their interdisciplinary character, each track requires a total of 40 upper-division units to complete the major. This includes a 4 unit, two-semester senior seminar. The seminar is offered every year in a fall-spring format. Consequently, students planning a December graduation should take the seminar the previous year. Students in any of the three tracks must also satisfy all of the core curriculum requirements, unit requirements, and any other university and college requirements and regulations set forth in this Undergraduate Bulletin.

Students choosing the humanities studies track will declare an area of concentration in one of the university’s eight humanities disciplines: Art, English, Languages and Literatures, History, Music, Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, and Theatre Arts. Other guidelines pertaining to course selection in the humanities studies track are noted below. Alternatively, students may choose either the European studies or the Asian studies track. The requirements and course options for these two tracks are also stipulated below. Note that these two tracks include options from political science and/or sociology. However, where each stipulates a certain number of upper-division elective units ‘in the humanities disciplines,’ these must be taken from among the eight humanities disciplines listed above.

Special Note: Only upper-division units which would apply to satisfying the departmental major in a given humanities discipline may be applied to the upper-division requirements for the Interdisciplinary humanities major. This includes departmental restrictions on the use of units from practicums, activity classes, field experience, and the like. In addition, students are responsible for satisfying any prerequisites for particular courses in a given humanities discipline. Students selecting upper-division courses in art, music, or theatre arts are especially advised to consult the course listings or an advisor in that area.

Humanities Studies

Lower-Division Preparation

6 units of lower-division history.

Major Requirements

36 upper-division units in the Humanities disciplines, as follows:

a. At least 12, but not more than 18, of the 36 units are to be in a single Humanities discipline, termed the area of concentration;

b. No more than 9 units from any one of the other Humanities disciplines may be applied to the required 36 units; and,

c. The 36 units should include 1) a Classical studies course, and 2) a Medieval and/or Renaissance studies course as approved by the program director.

HUMN 490 and 495W (4 units)

European Studies

Lower-Division Preparation

6 units from HIST 102, 103, 108, 140, 170, 171.

A fourth-semester language course (or its equivalent) in French, German, Italian, or Spanish (depending on the upper-division linguistic focus chosen below)

Two semesters (second-semester or its equivalent) in a second European language (may include Classical Greek or Latin)

Major Requirements

9 upper-division units in French, German, Italian, or Spanish

6 units in history, chosen from the following courses:
HIST 311 Greek Civilization / 3 units
HIST 312 Roman Civilization / 3 units
HIST 321 The Fall of the Roman Empire, 250-1050 / 3 units
HIST 322 Castles and Crusades: Medieval Europe 1050-1450 / 3 units
HIST 323 Medieval Women / 3 units
HIST 324 Christians, Muslims, and Jews in Medieval Spain / 3 units
HIST 331 Renaissance Europe / 3 units
HIST 333 Europe 1600-1800 / 3 units
HIST 334 European Art and Architecture in Context / 3 units
HIST 340 World War I / 3 units
HIST 341 World War II / 3 units
HIST 346 Topics in Medieval and Early Modern Europe / 3 units
HIST 347 Topics in Modern Europe / 3 units
HIST 348 Modern France / 3 units
HIST 350 History of the British Isles / 3 units
HIST 351 Modern Britain / 3 units
HIST 353 Spain to 1820 / 3 units
HIST 354 Modern Spain / 3 units
HIST 355 Imperial Russia / 3 units
HIST 356 Russia Since 1917 / 3 units
HIST 357 Topics in Russian and East European History / 3 units

6 units in political science, chosen from the following courses:

POLS 355 Politics in Western Europe / 3 units
POLS 356 Politics in East-Central Europe / 3 units
POLS 362 Politics in the United Kingdom / 3 units
POLS 363 Politics in France / 3 units
POLS 364 Politics in Germany / 3 units
POLS 365 Politics in Russia / 3 units
POLS 372 Russian Foreign Policy / 3 units

6 units in philosophy and/or fine arts, chosen from the following courses:
ARTH 333 Modern Art: 1780-1920 / 3 units
ARTH 334 Art of the Twentieth Century in Europe and the Americas / 3 units
ARTH 338 City and Utopia: Introduction to History of Urbanism / 3 units
ARTH 345 The Avant-Garde and Mass Culture: Art and Politics / 3 units
MUSC 330 Music History I: Antiquity-1600 / 3 units
MUSC 331 Music History II: 1600-1830 / 3 units
MUSC 430W History of Medieval and Renaissance Music / 3 units
MUSC 431 History of Baroque and Classical Music / 3 units
MUSC 432 History of Romantic Music / 3 units
MUSC 433 History of Twentieth Century Music / 3 units
PHIL 467 Studies in Renaissance Philosophy / 3 units
PHIL 470 Studies in Ancient Philosophy / 3 units
PHIL 471 Studies in Medieval Philosophy / 3 units
PHIL 472 Studies in Modern European Philosophy / 3 units
PHIL 474 Studies in Contemporary Continental Philosophy / 3 units

9 upper-division elective units in the Humanities disciplines:
HUMN 490 / 1 UNIT and 495W / 3 units

Asian Studies

Lower-Division Preparation

HIST 130 Introduction to East Asia / 3 units
PHIL 175 Asian Philosophy / 3 units or
THRS 112 World Religions / 3 units

Intermediate Mandarin or Intermediate Japanese, or equivalent; or fourth-semester or equivalent in another Asian language

Major Requirements

12 units of Asian civilizations courses chosen from the following courses:

ECON 337 Economic Development of Asia / 3 units
HIST 364 Topics in Asian History / 3 units
HIST 365 History of China / 3 units
HIST 366 History of Japan / 3 units
HIST 367 Women in East Asia / 3 units
HIST 372 U.S.-East Asia Relations / 3 units
POLS 358 Politics in South Asia / 3 units
POLS 367 Politics in Japan / 3 units
POLS 368 Politics in China / 3 units
SOC 351 China in the 21st Century / 3 units

Asian civilizations courses offered by the languages and literatures department or appropriate upper-division topics courses in these disciplines.

12 units of Asian cultures courses from the following:

ENGL 364 Postcolonial Studies / 3 units
ENGL 494 Special Topics: Sanskrit / 3 units
MUSC 440 Topics in World Music / 3 units
PHIL 476 Asian Philosophy / 3 units
THRS 312 Hindu Faith and Practice / 3 units
THRS 314 Buddhist Faith and Practice / 3 units
THRS 315 Islamic Faith and Practice / 3 units

Asian literatures courses offered by the Languages and Literatures department or appropriate upper-division topics courses in these disciplines

12 units of electives in the Humanities disciplines:

HUMN 490 /1 UNIT and 495W / 3 units

Humanities Courses (HUMN)

490 Thesis Preparation Seminar / 1 UNIT
This course precedes the 3 unit HUMN 495W course. In this course, each student will identify a research topic that would integrate and apply his/her interdisciplinary experience in the Humanities major. This topic will lead, in HUMN 495W, to producing a senior thesis (a substantial research paper). Each student will consult with the instructor in identifying and developing a topic; produce a research prospectus and a research bibliography for the topic; and, as possible, begin collecting and outlining research material from the bibliography. A class presentation is typically required as well. Prerequisite: Senior or, for December graduates, junior standing in the Humanities major; or approval of the Humanities program director. (fall semester)

495W Senior Research Seminar / 3 UNITS
In this continuation course to HUMN 490, each student will complete the research phase of his/her thesis project; produce a working outline and at least one substantial draft of the senior thesis; and revise and finalize the thesis by the end of the semester. A formal presentation of results and highlights from the completed research and initial thesis draft is typically required as well. Prerequisite: HUMN 490. (spring semester)