If you are thinking of careers in fields such as teaching K-12, public service, environmental ethics, diplomacy, professional writing or editing, race relations or conflict resolution, the Humanities major offers an excellent undergraduate preparation. The curriculum covers the required content area for language arts and social studies for middle School and High School teachers.
Due to its breadth and rigor, the Humanities major also well prepares students for graduate programs in areas such as education, law, journalism, history, philosophy, literature, religious studies, communication, art history, international affairs, and anthropology.
Students in the major “travel the world through time,” investigate the greatest works of religion and literature, reflect on the most profound works of philosophy, experience the exceptional works of art, and come to understand cultural differences. They complete a solid General Education sequence, an interdisciplinary Classics Core, and a choice of concentrations in Literary, Cultural or Global Studies. All students present a Senior Project on a topic of special interest.
Graduates of our Humanities major commonly cite personal and professional growth in areas such as enhanced curiosity and compassion, openness and flexibility, imagination and self-confidence, writing and speaking skills. They experience increased ability to work constructively with diverse perspectives, to appreciate a wider variety of artistic expression, and to devise new and better ways of engaging the world. The Humanities major furnishes students with the kind of knowledge and skills that will enable them to stand out in their career of choice.
Student Testimonials
The Humanities program forces us to think always beyond our individual realities, and in doing so, our lives become richer and more dynamic. We investigate things more closely--we question things more rigorously.—Amy Blackledge
My goal when I graduate is to help change the world is some way large or small. Without knowing the roots of the other cultures of the world, how could I know how to be a change agent for the better?! I have to know where humanity has come from in order to help it advance for the better, right? Besides that it's just darned interesting, and I love the class every Saturday! —Dave Pirtle
When something changes, enriches, and enhances your life to such a degree that you feel as if you have awakened from a long sleep, one can only think of it in terms of something precious, something golden. Not only have I learned more about cultures, writing, thinking, and humanity through the ages, I have a new view of myself and of the world.—Kay Bosse
I can honestly say that my degree from Midwest opened career doors on more than one occasion since moving to Pentagon in 1999. This job makes the fourth promotion, and is considered 'executive level'. The knowledge and skills taught at Midwest provide me with the ability to make a difference.—Patrick E. Fox
I feel I have been given a gift, a little package, which holds within it an infinite amount of possibilities. I have been given the tools to travel around the world and through the ages. My journey into the classics is precious to me and will continue long after the program has ended.—Tammy Reed
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Requirements for the Humanities Major.
