Humanities

Humanities majors engage in interdisciplinary study of the circumstances and lives of humans in the past, of literature, the English language and the arts, and of ethical problems and systems of thought in order to understand and interpret the world today. Students also acquire essential intellectual skills through close analysis of texts, critical thinking, and expository writing. The study of humanities offers preparation for any profession that requires knowledge and understanding of humanity and society, or that involves proficiency with communication and the organization of information. 

Humanities Courses

ART_HIST 230-CN Introduction to American Art (1 Unit)  

Survey of art and architecture in cultural context, from the art of conquest to contemporary production.

ART_HIST 250-CN Introduction to European Art (1 Unit)  

Leading centers and artists of Europe from the later Middle Ages to the 19th century. Architecture, sculpture, painting, and graphic arts in relation to their social and cultural settings.

ENGLISH 210-B British Literary Traditions II (1 Unit)  

Chronological survey of British literature in its cultural contexts from the late 18th century to the 20th century.

ENGLISH 270-A American Literary Traditions I (1 Unit)  

Chronological survey of American literature from the Puritan era to the Civil War. Previous literature course strongly recommended. Students should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or completed equivalent writing courses prior to enrolling.

ENGLISH 270-B American Literary Traditions II (1 Unit)  

Chronological survey of American literature from the aftermath of the Civil War to World War I. Previous literature course strongly recommended. Students should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or completed equivalent writing courses prior to enrolling.

ENGLISH 285-DL Topics in Literature and Culture (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 300-CN Seminar in Reading and Interpretation (1 Unit)  

Close reading of literary works in the light of various perspectives in literary study.

ENGLISH 310-CN Studies in Literary Genre: (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 312-CN Studies in Drama: (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 313-CN Studies in Fiction: (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 323-CN Chaucer (1 Unit)  

The Canterbury Tales, read in Middle English. Students should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or completed equivalent writing courses prior to enrolling. Meets the pre-1830 literature requirement for English Writing majors.

ENGLISH 324-CN Studies in Medieval Literature: (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 339-CN Special Topics in Shakespeare: (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 348-CN Studies in Restoration and 18th-Century Literature (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 353-CN Studies in Romantic Literature: (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 357-CN 19th-Century British Fiction (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 363-CN 20th-Century Fiction (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 365-CN Studies in Postcolonial Literature (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 368-CN Studies in 20th-Century Literature (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 371-CN American Novel (1 Unit)  

Writers such as Cooper, Alcott, Chopin, Hawthorne, Melville, Poe, Twain, James, Howells, Crane, Dreiser, and Wharton. Content varies. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

ENGLISH 377-CN Topics in Latina and Latino Literature (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 378-CN Studies in American Literature: (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 383-CN Studies in Theory & Criticism: (1 Unit)  

Topics in theory and criticism related to the study of literature and culture. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 385-CN Topics in Combined Studies (1 Unit)  

Special topics in literature and related disciplines. Students should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or completed equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 385-DL Topics in Combined Studies (1 Unit)  

Special topics in literature and related disciplines. Students should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or completed equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 386-CN Studies in Literature and Film (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Students who enroll should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

ENGLISH 392-CN The Situation of Writing (1 Unit)  

The sociology of writers, writing, publication, dissemination of literature, and reading. Students should have fulfilled the SPS writing requirement or taken equivalent writing courses.

HISTORY 250-A Global History: Early Modern to Modern Transition (1 Unit)  

The early-modern to modern transition.

HISTORY 250-B Global History: Modern World (1 Unit)  

The modern world. HISTORY 250-A is not a prerequisite for HISTORY 250-B.

HISTORY 392-CN Topics in History: (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

HISTORY 395-CN Trailer Seminar (1 Unit)  

Students research and complete a term paper on a topic of choice. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

PHIL 110-CN Introduction to Philosophy (1 Unit)  

Fundamental problems and methods of philosophy.

PHIL 264-DL Professional Ethics (1 Unit)  

An introduction to philosophical and moral issues in professional ethics.

PHIL 269-DL Bioethics (1 Unit)  

Ethical analysis of a variety of issues such as the human genome project, genetic therapy, cloning and stem cell transplantation, human and animal research, reproductive technologies, and the allocation of resources.

PHIL 364-DL Business and Professional Ethics (1 Unit)  

Examines a variety of ethical issues relating to contemporary business from a philosophical perspective.

PHIL 390-CN Special Topics (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.