Humanities, B.A. (Capital)

Program Description

This major helps students appreciate, understand, and interpret relationships among the arts, ideas, media, and values that have shaped Western and world cultures. Students are taught to become active learners who can synthesize, interpret, and communicate knowledge and experience through writing, speaking, and creative expression in a variety of media. The School helps students meet these goals by offering a range of interdisciplinary and discipline-based courses in the arts, art history, communication studies, English, history, literature, music, philosophy, theatre, and writing. The course of study includes interdisciplinary courses which examine topics and time periods from the perspectives of multiple Humanities disciplines. These courses engage students in cross-disciplinary critical thinking and analysis and prepare them for work in an increasingly interdisciplinary world. Students also choose two Humanities subfields to investigate in greater depth, choosing from history and global cultures; the visual and performing arts; philosophy and religious studies; and literature and writing. Students are also encouraged to combine this major with a minor in such fields as business administration, writing, and communications. The Humanities major prepares students for careers in the arts, arts administration, business, corporate communications, government, teaching, museum work, and law, as well as providing a foundation for graduate study in a liberal arts field.

What is Humanities?

Humanities is an area of study that focuses on combined studies and research in the humanities subjects as distinguished from the social and physical sciences, emphasizing languages, literatures, art, music, philosophy, religion, creative and professional writing, theater, history, and global cultures.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You are interested in critical thinking and interdisciplinary analysis.
• You are drawn to literature and the arts.
• You want to prepare for a professional field such as medicine or law.
• You want a career in the arts, teaching, communications, business, government, or museum work.

Entrance to Major

Entry to the Humanities major requires the completion of 27.1 or more credits and a 2.00 or higher cumulative grade-point average.

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities, a minimum of 120 credits is required:

3 of the 24 credits for Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements are included in the Requirements for the Major, General Education, or Electives and 0-12 credits are included in Electives if world language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.

Requirements for the Major

At least 36 of the last 60 credits must be earned at Penn State, according to University Policy 83-80.

To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
HUM 100N	Foundations in the Humanities: Understanding the Human Experience	3
HUM 200N	Explorations in the Humanities: The Quest	3
HUM 300N	Interpretations in the Humanities	3
HUM 400N	Expressions in the Humanities	3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select two Humanities (HUM) courses of the following:		6
HUM 150N	World Mythologies in the Arts
HUM 311N
HUM 410	Religion and Culture
HUM 430	Philosophy and Literature
HUM 453	Texts and Culture
HUM 460	Thematic Studies
HUM 461
HUM 491	Seminar in Interdisciplinary Humanities
HUM 494	Research Project
HUM 495	Internship
HUM 496	Independent Studies
HUM 497	Special Topics
HUM 499	Foreign Studies
Supporting Courses and Related Areas 1
Select 12 credits in one of the four following areas and 9 credits in a second area:		21
History and Global Cultures
HIST, CMLIT, and SPAN courses
CAS 271N	Intercultural Communication
ENGL 486	The World Novel in English
ENGL 488
INTST 100	Introduction to International Studies
Performing and Visual Arts and Art History
ART, ARTH, INART, MUSIC, AND THEA courses
COMM 215	Basic Photography for Communications
COMM 241	Graphic Design for Communications
COMM 242	Basic Video/Filmmaking
COMM 250	Film History and Theory
Philosophy and Religious Studies
PHIL and RLST courses
Literature and Writing
ENGL and CMLIT courses
COMM 230W	Writing for Media
COMM 260W	News Writing and Reporting
COMM 332	Reporting
COMM 346	Writing for the Screen I
COMM 474	Depth Reporting
Select 12 credits from AMST, ART, ARTH, CAS, CHNS, CMLIT, COMM, ENGL, FR, HIST, HUM, INART, MUSIC, PHIL, RLST, SPAN, or THEA and/or 12 credits that can be used toward a minor in an area of the student's interests		12

¹

At least 15 credits of supporting courses must be at the 400 level.

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

• Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
• Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

• Arts (GA): 3 credits
• Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
• Humanities (GH): 3 credits
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
• Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

• Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

• GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
• GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

• United States Cultures: 3 credits
• International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

B.A. Degree Requirements

World Language (0-12 credits): Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one world language in addition to English. This proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or course work. See the Placement Policy for Penn State World Language Courses.

B.A. Fields (9 credits): Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, World Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (may not be taken in the area of the student's primary major; world language credits in this category must be in a second world language in addition to English or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language). Credits must be selected from the list of approved courses.

World Cultures (0-3 credits): Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the University Cultural Diversity (US/IL) requirement.​

Program Learning Objectives

• Think critically about materials from varied Humanities disciplines and points of view.
  • Write analytical and interpretive essays that effectively integrate the perspectives of two or more Humanities disciplines.
  • Comprehend, interpret, and evaluate visual and written texts.
• Write and speak clearly and persuasively about complex subjects involving multiple Humanities disciplines and perspectives.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use spoken, written, and visual language to communicate complex ideas.
  • Employ a wide range of strategies to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences.
• Understand the methods, approaches, and significant content of several disciplines within the Humanities.
  • Identify and assess a variety of interpretive methods in the Humanities.
  • Effectively employ a variety of the interpretive methods in the Humanities in written work and oral presentations.
  • Explain and analyze the relationship between texts and the historical periods that produced them.
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct in-depth research in the Humanities.
  • Locate, evaluate, and interpret major scholarship in the Humanities.
  • Demonstrate understanding of significant questions and problems in the Humanities.
  • Integrate source materials effectively into essays on a variety of topics.
• Apply and extend the understanding of goals 1 through 4 effectively in internships, employment, further academic or professional study, creative work, or voluntary activity after graduation.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Harrisburg

Adam Gustafson, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building, W355
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6675
arg18@psu.edu

Fayette

Lindsey Simon-Jones
Associate Professor of English
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4249
lmj133@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

Humanities, B.A. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

Select course in first subfield, (1) for the subfield of history and global cultures, select from HIST, CMLIT, SPAN (all courses with those prefixes), CAS 271 COMM 350, ENGL 486, ENGL 488, INTST 100; for the subfield of performing and visual arts and art history, select from ART, ART H, INART, MUSIC, THEA (all courses with those prefixes), COMM 215, COMM 241, COMM 242, COMM 250; for the subfield of philosophy and religious studies: select from PHIL, RL ST (all courses with those prefixes) for the subfield of literature and writing, select from ENGL, CMLIT (all courses with those prefixes), COMM 230W, COMM 260W, COMM 332, COMM 346, COMM 474.    

²

Select course in second subfield (2), for the subfield of history and global cultures, select from HIST, CMLIT, SPAN (all courses with those prefixes), CAS 271, COMM 350, ENGL 486, ENGL 488, INTST 100; for the subfield of performing and visual arts and art history, select from ART, ART H, INART, MUSIC THEA (all courses with those prefixes), COMM 215, COMM 241, COMM 242, COMM 250; for the subfield of philosophy and religious studies: select from PHIL, RL ST (all courses with those prefixes) for the subfield of literature and writing, select from ENGL, CMLIT (all courses with those prefixes), COMM 230W, COMM 260W, COMM 332, COMM 346, COMM 474. 

³

Select HUM required course (3), select from HUM 150, HUM 311, HUM 410, HUM 430, HUM 453, HUM 460, HUM 461, HUM 491, HUM 494, HUM 495, HUM 496, HUM 497 or HUM 499. 

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Bachelor of Arts Requirements:

Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.

Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in World Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as World Cultures courses.

Program Notes

Students must complete a 3-credit course in "United States Cultures (US)" and a 3-credit course in "International Cultures (IL)." 

Career Paths

The Humanities major prepares students for careers in the arts, arts administration, business, corporate communications, government, teaching, museum work, and law. Penn State Harrisburg's Career Services office provides numerous resources for students, including: assistance with resumes and interview preparation online resources for finding full or part time, and co-op/intern positions strategies and information on attending and getting the most out of job/intern fairs information and guidance in preparing for graduate study at Penn State or elsewhere.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE HUMANITIES PROGRAM

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

The Humanities major also provides a foundation for graduate study in a liberal arts field, including Penn State's Master of Arts in Humanities program.

Contact

Harrisburg

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Olmsted Building, W356
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6596
dzs640@psu.edu

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/humanities/humanities-ba

Fayette

2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4249
lmj133@psu.edu

https://fayette.psu.edu/academics/baccalaureate/humanities