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Interdisciplinary Humanities

What Are the Humanities?

In the 15th century, Renaissance scholars championed the humanities as a "return to the classics," in particular, the literature of ancient Greece and Rome. Newly established universities such as the University of Alcalá in Spain (1499) offered an innovative Liberal Arts curriculum that included language, art, architecture, history, philosophy, and literature. Their aim was to produce educated "Renaissance men and women."

Today, the humanities remain focused on the core Liberal Arts disciplines: Art, English, History, Languages and Literatures, Music, Philosophy, Theatre Arts, and Theology & Religious Studies. Students can design their own program of study or opt for one of the two tracks in the major: European Studies and Asian Studies. All students are required to take a 4-unit, two-semester senior seminar.