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Humanities Major
There are three tracks to choose from in the HWC major. All three have basic requirements in common while encouraging individual interests and curriculum planning.
The Humanities major requires a total of 30 credit hours. The following courses (9 credit hours) are required of all majors.
HWC 110 / 111 Introduction to Humanities
HWC 325 Theory & Method in Interdisciplinary Studies
HWC 424 Senior Seminar in HWC (Senior essay project)
All other courses taken toward the major must be from HWC’s approved list of courses or by permission of the HWC undergraduate coordinator.
Track #1
Civilization in a Global Context. This track studies aspects of the cultures of Western civilization and of one non-Western civilization (e.g. Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or Latin America). It is designed to provide the student with knowledge of diverse civilizations and with methods for investigating their differences and commonalities. 21 credit hours, to include the following:
- HWC 206, Contemporary Western Civilization
- HWC 430, European Civilization in World Context
- At least two additional courses in aspects of the cultures of Western Civilization, one of which must be an HWC course.
(Consult approved list of courses or an HWC advisor. )
- At least three courses in aspects of the cultures of the non-Western civilization selected
- The Senior Essay is to be a comparative and integrative study of a topic that bridges the two civilizations studied.
Track #2
World Literatures. Literary-critical studies of both Western and non-Western literatures, designed to provide the student with knowledge of diverse literary traditions and with methods for investigating their differences and commonalities. 21 credit hours to include the following:
- Two courses in the “Masterpieces of World Literature” series: HWC 304, 308, 312; plus one additional literature course among the following:
-the third HWC Masterpiece of World Literature course
-any other HWC literature course upon approval from an advisor
-a course in American, British or Irish literature (or any other English Language or literature course)
- Two courses in the literature of a non-English-language European culture in translation (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc.). Students possessing a reading knowledge of one of the European languages are strongly encouraged to take one of the literature courses in the original language. (Consult approved list of courses with an HWC advisor or the HWC website).
- Two courses in the literature of a non-Western culture in translation. Students possessing a reading knowledge of a non-Western language are strongly encouraged to take one of the literature courses in the original language. (Consult approved list of courses or an HWC advisor.)
Note: the Senior Essay (HWC 424) is to be a comparative literary-critical study of a topic common to two different literary traditions.
Note: Sharing course work (credit hours) between the HWC World Literatures track and another major is restricted to 6 hours.
CULTURES OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION COURSES (EXAMPLES)
AMS 310 American Culture 1600-1876
AMS 312 American Culture 1877 to the present
CLSX 330 Greek Literature and Civilization
CLSX 340 Roman Literature and Civilization
HIST 322 The World of the Middle Ages
HIST 343 The Holocaust in History
HIST 425 History of the Mediterranean World
HIST 513 Early Medieval Culture
HIST 515 The Crusades in Cross-Cultural Perspective
HWC 510 Science, Technology and Society
HWC 530 Study of a Culture:_______
HWC 570 Men and Masculinities
HWC 575 Studies In: Body, Self and Society
EURS 302 European Culture & Society 1945 to the Present (Study Abroad)
FREN 335 France & the French
ITAL 335 Italy & the Italians
PHIL 384 Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 386 Modern Philosophy from Descartes to Kant
REL 372 Religion in American Society
SLAV 340 Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East Central Europe
SLAV 502 Introduction to Russian Culture and Society
SPAN 300 The Origins and Development of Spanish-American Culture
TH&F 380 American Popular Culture of :__________
WGSS 320 From Goddesses to Witches: Women in Pre-modern Europe
WGSS 321 From Mystics to Feminists: Women's History in Europe 1600 to the Present
Non-English-language European literature courses (examples):
FREN 405 French Literature in Translation
HIST 420 Dante’s Comedy
HWC 500 Topics in: ____ (when topic is a non-English-language European
literature)
GERM 420 German Literature in English Translation
SLAV 144 Survey of Russian Literature in Translation
SLAV 516 Film Adaptation of Polish & Czech Literature
Non-Western literature courses (examples):
AAAS 333 Introduction to Caribbean Literature
AAAS 340 Women in Contemporary African Literature
AAAS 355 African Theatre and Drams
AAAS 432 Francophone African Literature
AAAS 433 Islamic Literature
EALC 316 Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
EALC 318 Modern Chinese Literature in Translation
HWC 500 Topics in: _____ (when topic is a non-Western literature)
Track #3
Foundations of Law in Society. This track is designed to give students an interdisciplinary background in diverse civilizations while providing an opportunity to explore the origins of legal traditions and the study of law in a global humanistic context. It may help students identify an interest in studying the law, but does not provide a guarantee of admission to Law School. The following courses (9 hours credit) are required of all majors. Of the remaining 21 required hours, 18 must be at the 300-level or above.
HWC 110 Introduction to Humanities
HWC 325 Theory and Method in Interdisciplinary Studies
HWC 424 Senior Seminar. The senior essay is to be a comparative study of a topic or issue that integrates the humanities and the law.
- HWC 328 Introduction to Law and the Legal Profession
- HWC 430 European Civilization in World Context
- At least two additional courses in aspects of the cultures of Western civilization, one of which must be an HWC course
- At least two courses in foundations of law and civilization selected from relevant disciplines with approval of the HWC major advisor (see addendum #1)
- One course in non-Western culture at the 300-level or above (see addendum)
Foundations of Law courses (examples):
POLS 511 The Judicial Process
POLS 617 Legislatures in the United States
POLS 684 International Law: The State and the Individual
POLS 685 International Law: War, Territory, and Diplomacy
ANTH 675 Anthropology of Law
PHIL 674 Philosophy of Law
HIST 653 American Constitutional History to 1887
HIST 654 American Constitutional History Since 1887
HIST 373 The Supreme Court and Religious Issues (REL 373)
HIST 504 Canon Law, English and Continental
HIST 517 Foundations of European Law
HIST 542 English Law, Historical and Comparative Aspects
EALC 380 Law and Society in Traditional China
LA&S 206 Indian Law and Legislation
LA&S 208 Tribal/Federal Government Relations
PCS 120 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
PCS 550 Classics of peace Literature
PCS 555 Topics in Peace and Conflict Studies
PCS 565 Literature of Human Rights
Can I get a scholarship?
The program administers the Donna Evans Kingsbury scholarship for women in the humanities.
For information about other scholarships based on academic merit, diversity, major, and residence, write or call the University of Kansas, Office of Admissions and Scholarships, KU Visitor Center, 1502 Iowa St., Lawrence, KS 66045-7576, (785) 864-3911, www.admissions.ku.edu.
For information about grants, loans, and other need-based financial aid, write or call the University of Kansas, Office of Student Financial Aid, Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 50, Lawrence, KS 66045-7535, (785) 864-4700.
What can I do with a degree in Humanities and Western Civilization?
Writing and critical thinking skills will give you a competitive edge in any field. Your ability to understand cultural issues and relationships between ideas will help you in business, journalism, marketing, library science, government and public service, social services, or international relations. The HWC majors provide excellent preparation for graduate study and teaching and offer exciting options for double majors with other fields of study.
Where can I get more information?
Write or call the University of Kansas, Humanities and Western Civilization Program, Bailey Hall, 1440 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 308, Lawrence, KS 66045-7574, (785) 864-3011, e-mail: hwc@ku.edu.
Why should I choose KU's Humanities and Western Civilization Program?
- Your Overall Education. The overall quality and breadth of your education is one great reason for coming to KU. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers hundreds of courses and has excellent teachers. You will meet many international students and teachers who bring a cultural richness to campus and who will introduce you to the diverse viewpoints and customs so important to your undergraduate education. Concerts and shows in the Lied Center Series bring outstanding performers to KU each year.
- The Writing Program. HWC is a pioneer in writing across the curriculum at KU. In 1992, the program began a collaborative effort with KU’s Writing Center to devise an intensive writing experience for undergraduates in Western civilization. The writing component will help you accomplish the learning goals of Western civilization classes. It also reinforces the training in composition skills that you received in your required English courses and includes opportunities for peer tutoring and extracurricular writing workshops.
- Study Abroad. HWC students can take Western Civilization I and II along with a course in European studies and a course in the history of art for a total of 12 credit hours. The group spends half the semester in Florence, Italy, and half in Paris, France, where they experience European history, art, and culture — both ancient and modern — first hand.
- Resources. The Humanities and Western Civilization Program offers a variety of enrichment activities. Museum visits, a lecture series, and a film series are among the resources available. KU’s museums and libraries rank among the best on college campuses. KU hosts lectures, film series, theatre and music programs, distinguished visitors, and cultural activities that will broaden your awareness.