Humanities

The purpose of this course is to further students understanding of Western Civilization as evidenced by the humanities of the ancient period in the cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The Humanities are usually defined as including literature, philosophy, religion, and the fine arts. We will be examining selected examples of these, crossing disciplinary boundaries to look for relationships between them in the context of their historical time periods, as well as looking for relationships between the periods themselves. In that sense, we will be engaged in inter-disciplinary study. You will also be developing your critical skills through reading of, writing about, and discussion of primary and secondary sources.

The purpose of this course is to further students understanding of Western Civilization as evidenced by the humanities of the Medieval to Renaissance periods. The Humanities are usually defined as including literature, philosophy, religion, and the fine arts. We will be examining selected examples of these, crossing disciplinary boundaries to look for relationships between them in the context of their historical time periods, as well as looking for relationships between the periods themselves. In that sense, we will be engaged in inter-disciplinary study. You will also be developing your critical skills through reading of, writing about, and discussion of primary and secondary sources.

This course will examine major trends in ideas and the arts since 1500 C.E. Topics will include the origins and results of religious divisions, the advent of modern science and rationalism, the Baroque, Classic, and Romantic periods of art and music, and the cultural impact of modernism. The course uses primary written sources as well as audio and visual materials.

This course examines the historical development, the fundamental doctrines and beliefs, the practices, institutions and cultural expressions of the worlds religions. The course also explores some of the essential differences and similarities which exist among these religious traditions, and points to the uniqueness of each of them. In this course we will be exploring many of the worlds major religions, focusing on seven (Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) that have been classified as world religions. We will also study Native American and indigenous African religions.

This course will provide an academic examination of the Christian tradition. Readings will be drawn from a variety of sources in this tradition. Some of the themes we will discuss include the religious heritage of the early Hebrews, the rise of Messianic Judaism, the birth of Christianity, the Patristic era, the Medieval synthesis, the impact of the Reformation, and Christianity in the modern era.

This is an overview of the human quest for knowledge as it has manifested itself through the ages. While the theory of knowledge - or epistemology- has traditionally been thought of as a branch of philosophy, this class will take a broad, interdisciplinary approach. It will be of interest to students of literature, the sciences, and those who are pursuing degrees in other fields.

A study of different topics in the humanities. See current course schedule for topic listing when offered.

An independent study designed primarily for Honors Program students to allow more in-depth or comprehensive study for students concurrently enrolled in humanities course(s).

A study of different topics in the Humanities. See current course schedule for topic listing when offered.