Humanities & Arts Courses

We are committed to helping students develop both a knowledge of, and an ability to think critically about, the humanities and arts. We also seek to foster the skills and habits of inquiry necessary for such learning: analytical thought, clear communication, and creative expression. Such an education, we believe, provides a crucial foundation for responsible and effective participation in a complex world.

The courses listed below are general humanities courses and are intended to provide conceptual introductions to the major disciplines within the humanities. Students will encounter the basic methods of critical analysis and discussion required for the future investigation of the specific area they choose for their humanities and arts requirement. These courses emphasize patterns of thought, methods of inquiry, appropriate vocabulary, and critical attitudes needed to appreciate most fully various areas in the humanities; they are not intended as surveys or historical overviews. Consequently, in each course the subject matter used to develop and illustrate key concepts and approaches will change regularly. Practice in analytic thinking and writing will be a significant part of each course. The skills generated by these courses will greatly aid students in developing their themes and will be essential for the completion of the Humanities and Arts Requirement.