Humanities — History of Culture Concentration, Thesis, BA

Department of Liberal Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

69-71 credits

Introduction

The humanities include the disciplines which study philosophy, religion, history, literature, and the arts. The B.A. in Humanities, History of Culture Concentration, Thesis, attracts students who want to major in more than one Humanities discipline, using interdisciplinary methods of investigation.

The department supports study of cultural history on a global level, including Europe and the Americas, China, Japan, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and predominantly Islamic areas. Its courses give attention to historical development and cross-cultural interaction, both in the past and in the modern period. Students learn to analyze individual works of the humanities and to relate them to social and cultural developments.

The small size of classes and seminars in the Humanities B.A. programs encourages close relationships between students and faculty. Working closely with faculty, students learn to formulate problems clearly, to consider and evaluate different methods and concepts, to do efficient and thorough research, and to write clearly, concisely and effectively, culminating in work in rigorous senior seminars as well as a senior thesis written under direction of two faculty members.

For information or advisement, contact the Liberal Studies Office.

Why Consider a History of Culture Concentration, Thesis, in the Humanities Major?

Students in this major acquire skills broadly applicable to professional careers. These include problem solving, critical thinking, research skills, integrative skills, and written and oral communications skills. These skills are developed to an even higher level when applied to the writing of a senior thesis. While preparing students for knowledgeable participation in civic life, they also provide solid foundation for careers in both public and private settings. Graduates have gone on to a variety of professional graduate schools and fields of work, including teaching, law, library science, archive administration, and research and administrative positions with business and non-profit organizations. The major has also proved to be excellent preparation for graduate academic programs in literature, history and the study of religion.

Students who plan a career in secondary education should contact the department for advising as soon as possible.

Contact Information

Program Advisor Sean Murphy Bond Hall 160 360-650-4870 Sean.Murphy@wwu.edu

Academic Department Manager Bond Hall 152 360-650-3030

Sample Careers

Attorney | Teacher | Professor | Librarian | Writer | Business Administrator | Historian | Non-Profit Organization Administrator | Congressional Aid | Research Assistant | Editor | Lobbyist

Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

 

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

An average grade of B in Liberal Studies courses is required for admission to LBRL 302. (NOTE: LBRL 302 is ordinarily offered spring quarter only.) LBRL 302 is prerequisite to LBRL 421, LBRL 422, LBRL 423, LBRL 424 and LBRL 425. LBRL 498 (3 credits) should be taken with a Liberal Studies faculty member in the quarter prior to enrolling in LBRL 499 (3 credits), to prepare for the latter. It is recommended that students undertake study of a foreign language concurrently with the major.