Discover the Interdisciplinary Humanities Curriculum
Interdisciplinary Humanities at USD provides students with a range of knowledge, perspectives, methodologies and skills that equip them well to develop persuasive arguments and strong presentations. Encouraging creativity and innovative thinking, interdisciplinary humanities prepare students to connect complex ideas in every workplace, from engineering to entertainment.
Major
The interdisciplinary humanities major is designed for curious students who ask open-ended questions and see the big picture. The study of the humanities, in all its variety and complexity, offers students the opportunity to explore their curiosity about the world, human nature, artistic innovation and great ideas — past and present.
Explore Interdisciplinary Humanities Courses
Learn more about what current courses are available here on our Courses page! Not all courses highlighted will be available every semester. Make sure to check course offerings on the registration portal for each upcoming semester.
Program Requirements
Each student declares their major(s) and minor(s) under a single catalog of record that is identified on the student's degree audit (available on Degree Works).
The program requirements below are based on the current course catalog and may not be applicable if a student is declared in an earlier catalog.
Find all previous course catalogs under on our Archived Catalogs of Record page.
46 units
Major
Major unit estimates include preparation for the major requirements as well as major unit requirements.
- Major
- Learning Outcomes
The Interdisciplinary Humanities Major
Preparation for Major
Select six units of lower-division courses from the following: | 6 | |
ARCH 121 | Introduction to Modern Architecture | |
ARCH 136 | The Year 1500: A Global History of Art and Architecture | |
ARCH 221 | Architecture and Theory since 1945 | |
ARTH 101 | Introduction to the History of Art | |
ARTH 133 | Introduction to Art History I | |
ARTH 134 | Introduction to Art History II | |
ARTH 144 | Introduction to Cinema | |
CHIN 140 | Topics in Chinese Literature and Culture | |
ENGL 220 | Studies in Genre | |
ENGL 226 | Studies in Literary Traditions | |
ENGL 236 | Studies in World Literature | |
FILM 101 | Introduction to Cinema | |
HIST 110 | World History Topics | |
HIST 128 | African American History | |
HIST 150 | Topics in Comparative History | |
HIST 170 | Big History: From Cosmos to Cannibals | |
HIST 171 | Modern World History | |
HIST 180 | Great Moments in Time | |
HIST 200 | The Historian's Craft | |
LANG 140 | Topics in Language, Literature and Culture | |
LANG 141 | Topics in Literature and Cultural Diversity-Domestic Focus | |
LANG 142 | Topics in Literature and Cultural Diversity–Global Focus | |
LATN 147 | The Invention of Love in Roman Literature | |
MUSC 101 | American Music | |
MUSC 103 | Music for the Stage | |
MUSC 106 | We Shall Overcome: Singing for Justice, Freedom and Peace | |
MUSC 109 | Introduction to Sonic Arts | |
MUSC 120 | Fundamentals of Music Theory | |
MUSC 130 | Music in Society | |
MUSC 140 | Music in World Cultures | |
PHIL 110 | Introduction to Philosophy | |
PHIL 111 | Philosophy of Human Nature | |
THEA 101 | Script Analysis | |
THEA 111 | Theatre and Society | |
THEA 220 | Fundamentals of Theatrical Design | |
THRS 110 | Exploring Religious Meaning | |
THRS 112 | Introduction to World Religions | |
THRS 113 | World Religions in San Diego | |
THRS 114 | Introductory Studies in Catholic Theology | |
THRS 203 | Topics in Religious Studies | |
Total Units | 6 | |
Major Requirements
40 upper-division units in the humanities. | ||
Choose an emphasis from among the following Humanities departments. You must take at least 12 units but no more than 18 units in this department. | 12-18 | |
Art, Architecture + Art History | ||
English | ||
History | ||
Languages, Cultures and Literatures | ||
Music | ||
Philosophy | ||
Theatre | ||
Theology and Religious Studies | ||
In addition to the emphasis, you must take 18-24 units in the Humanities departments listed above. No more than 9 units may be taken in any one department outside your emphasis. Coursework must be selected in consultation with the program director. | ||
Additional Upper-Division Units | 24-18 | |
Senior Capstone | ||
HUMN 490 | Thesis Preparation Seminar | 1 |
HUMN 495 | Senior Research Seminar | 3 |
Total Units | 40 | |
You must take 18-24 units in the Humanities departments listed above. No more than 9 units may be taken in any one department outside your emphasis. Coursework must be selected in consultation with the program director and include a course in
Ancient world studies from the following list:
ANTH 390, ANTH 391, ENGL 494, GREK 499, HIST 102, HIST 311, HIST 312, HIST 321, LATN 499, PHIL 470, POLS 301, THRS 353, THRS 385, THRS 388
2. Pre-modern world (~1500-1800) studies from the following list:
ANTH 339, ANTH 362, ENGL 300,ENGL 330, ENGL 331, ENGL 335, ENGL 337, ENGL 338, ENGL 340, ENGL 341, ENGL 420, FREN 320, HIST 103, HIST 109, HIST 321, HIST 322, HIST 324, HIST 331, HIST 346, HIST 382, ITAL 320, ITAL 410, ITAL 420, MUSC 330, MUSC 331, PHIL 467, PHIL 471, SPAN 422, SPAN 423
Additional courses may be used to satisfy requirements in the Interdisciplinary Humanities major.
Consult the Program Director for information about these courses.