Humanities Program Description
Humanities surveys our human legacy from the late Paleolithic to current times. Students engage in global cultures as they survey history, art, architecture literature, music, drama and philosophy. Students compare their own cultural history in the context of global understanding. Other HUMA courses such as World Religions, The New Testament, Mythology and Hero's Journey also fulfill general education requirments, and introduce students to many disciplines within the liberal arts.
Humanities courses meet AA degree credit and transfer to CSU, CSU General Education and IGETC and UC Transfer course list.
Program Emphasis
Humanities courses emphasize core knowledge about human endeavors. Students explore what it means to be human, and how humanity shapes its legacy. Instruction emphasizes critical thinking such as text analysis, analysis of art forms including function, purpose, aesthetic ideals, and political context. Creative work and project-based learning are encouraged. Instruction focuses on specific cultural context within the the context of larger historical patterns. Students acquire essential learning tools for transfer and upper division coursework in the liberal arts.
Program Outcomes
Students who complete humanities general education courses will be able to:
- express understanding and appreciation of cultural and artistic expression
- articulate an understanding of the complex relationships between the arts and their cultural, historical, and economic contexts.
- evaluate the various elements of artistic works
Career Options
Employers expect employees to appreciate diversity, work within culturally diverse environments, and consider various perspectives as they relate to the workplace and surrounding community. Students with humanities coursework may pursue careers in many fields, not only specific to the liberal arts, but also in technical fields, digital humanities, finance and sciences. About a quarter of the graduates in the labor force hold degrees in the humanities. Some potential careers include:
- Teaching - liberal arts instruction, k-12 through college
- Communications, mass media, digital humanities
- Arts, graphic design, illustration, creative arts
- Museum curator, docent, collections expert, educator
- Theater, management, artistic directors, actors, set design
- Analyst
- Researcher
- Entertainment industry
- Government affairs
- Non-profit sector
- Social Service
Humanities Course Offerings
101 Introduction to the Humanities I - 3 hours lecture, 3 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Advisory: English 101 or Milestones R60/W60
This interdisciplinary course is designed for students interested in meeting general education requirements in humanities. The course develops students’ understanding and appreciation of humankind’s cultural heritage from the Upper Paleolithic (ca. 40,000 BCE) to approximately 1400 CE. A survey is made of the literature, philosophy, music, painting, architecture, and sculpture of both Western and non-Western civilizations. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC.
102 Introduction to the Humanities II - 3 hours lecture, 3 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Advisory: English 101 or Milestones R60/W60
This interdisciplinary course is designed for students interested in meeting general education requirements in humanities. The course develops students' understanding and appreciation of humankind's cultural heritage from approximately 1400CE to the present time. A survey is made of the literature, philosophy, music, painting, architecture, and sculpture of both Western and non-Western civilization. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC.
103 Introduction to the New Testament - 3 hours lecture, 3 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Advisory: English 101 or Milestones R60/W60
This course provides an introduction to the history and culture of the New Testament period (First Century C.E.), methods of critical analysis of Biblical materials, and the content of the New Testament. It also examines the impact of the New Testament on western culture. This course may be of interest to students of history, literature, anthropology or those with a general interest in biblical studies. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC.
106 World Religions - 3 hours lecture, 3 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Advisory: English 101 or Milestones R60/W60
This course is an introduction to the basic elements of the religions of the world, their similarities and differences, and their impact on believers and society. The course includes a study of the historical development, doctrines, rituals, sects, and scriptures of the major religions of the world. Some analysis of ancient religious traditions and tribal religious beliefs and practices may be included. This course is intended for all students interested in humanities and the study of world religions. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC.
201 Mythology - 3 hours lecture, 3 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Advisory: English 101 or Milestones R60/W60
This course introduces students to the major images and themes of the myths of widely separated peoples of the world throughout history. By analyzing various archetypal patterns found in the great civilizations and tribal cultures of the world, students understand both the uniqueness of each culture's world view and the commonality of human mythological conceptions. Literature and the arts are used to demonstrate these cultures' mythic ideas. This course meets GE and CSU requirements. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC.
202 Mythology: Hero's Journey - 3 hours lecture, 3 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Advisory: English 101 or Milestones R60/W60
Analysis of the hero's journey, internal and external, as reflected in myths of the world, with consideration of such phenomena as the "shadow," the "double," the "other." Also, exposure to art in which the hero's journey is thematic. AA/AS; CSU; UC.