The B.A. in Comparative Humanities
The B.A. degree in Comparative Humanities is designed to give students both breadth and depth in cross-cultural, interdisciplinary studies in the humanities. Core courses in the major enable students to study intensively the heritage of the West and the cultural traditions of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. At the next level, students examine the convergence of these various cultures in either "The Nineteenth Century" (the rise of colonialism) or "The Twentieth Century" (wars and revolutions and the emergence of "The Third World").
Additional perspective on how the disciplines carve up the world of knowledge and offer powerful methodologies for understanding it can be found in the cluster of courses, "Disciplinary Perspectives". Students interested in a disciplinary focus within the Comparative Humanities degree should take the appropriate course in this group and use the upper-division elective requirement to expand study in the chosen discipline.
Two electives give students the opportunity to follow a particular interest in more depth, and the Senior Seminar provides an opportunity for focused research on a topic within the core curriculum.
The B.A. in Philosophy and Religion
The Philosophy and Religion degree gives students grounding in the traditional issues, content, and methods of these disciplines while emphasizing a broad global perspective. At the introductory level students take courses in disciplinary foundations and methods, as well as general surveys in the disciplines. The major then requires the study of philosophy and religion within specific cultural contexts
with opportunities for students to engage with Western, Islamic, African and Asian systems of thought and value.
Given the common ethical and normative concerns of the two disciplines, students take an ethics course that has both an applied and a multicultural perspective. Upper division electives allow students to do more in-depth and specialized work on issues and topics of their choosing. Students with a particular interest in some area of applied ethics, such as the environment, issues of race and gender,
health, and social policy, may choose elective courses from outside the major in consultation with an advisor.
Successful completion of the degree will give students an understanding of the role of philosophical principles and religious systems in current ethical and political debates, as well as an understanding of the existential issues common to all humankind. The courses enhance critical thinking, analytical skills and the ability to make independent and informed ethical judgments. The Philosophy and Religion major is excellent preparation for many career paths and is especially recommended for students preparing for law school.
Minors
The department supports interdepartmental minors in Pre-Law, Global Studies, and African American Studies.
