University Catalog

Humanities (HUMA)

Courses

HUMA 2301. HUMANITIES I. 3 Hours. (TCCN = HUMA 1301)

An interdisciplinary study of the basic cultural patterns and traditions that inform our thinking. Provides a cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary introduction to the humanities, including literature, history, and philosophy. Credit may not be received for both PHIL 2301 (the predecessor course) and HUMA 2301.

HUMA 3300. MEDICAL HUMANITIES. 3 Hours.

Explores the ethical, historical, literary, philosophical, and religious dimensions of medicine or health. Includes instruction in art, cultural studies, economics, ethics, history, literature, medical anthropology, philosophy, religion and spiritual thought, science and technology, visual art, and writing.

HUMA 3301. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH METHODS. 3 Hours.

Research methods required for reading and writing across disciplinary lines in the humanities. Background information and reading in authors (for example, A.O. Lovejoy, Josiah Royce, LeRoy Ladurie, and Kenneth Burke) who have taken a wide cultural perspective; bibliographical and research methods; and techniques for writing major term papers and undergraduate theses involving more than one discipline.

HUMA 3340. TOPICS IN HUMANITIES. 3 Hours.

In-depth treatment of an issue or topic in or relevant to the humanities tradition. May be repeated for credit with permission of the department.

HUMA 3350. CLINICAL MEDICINE AND THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. 3 Hours.

This is a survey course aimed at exploring the human experience through the lens of the different medical specialties and diverse patient perspectives. The course employs a variety of learning aids, such as videos, narratives, and visits by relevant professionals.

HUMA 3360. AMERICAN HEALTHCARE THROUGH FILM. 3 Hours.

This course explores current issues in American healthcare through the lens of film. Each class will include a movie and associated discussion pertaining to that theme. The final project will include a brief, student produced film with written synopsis, created with a home device such as a cell-phone, related to a current health issue.

HUMA 4191. CONFERENCE COURSE IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES. 1 Hour.

This course is an independent study offering students an opportunity for in-depth study of a specific topic in the medical humanities. Requires permission of the department chair and the instructor.

HUMA 4291. CONFERENCE COURSE IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES. 2 Hours.

This course is an independent study offering students an opportunity for in-depth study of a specific topic in the medical humanities. Requires permission of the department chair and the instructor.

HUMA 4301. CULTURE AND IDEAS. 3 Hours.

The way basic ideas of culture have been analyzed and applied in the humanities, recognizing that cultural analysis is not limited to a single discipline or perspective. Authors from the Classical and Renaissance periods who have sought to understand the interrelation of cultural development, the production of cultural artifacts (the fine arts, literary and dramatic arts, history), and philosophy. The work of major cultural analysts in a critical and historical context.

HUMA 4302. SOCIAL AND POLITICAL THEORY. 3 Hours.

Examination of the major social and political theories that have shaped Western thought. Topics may include the concept of the social, the role of the individual, the public/private distinction, and gender relations. Focus on particular theorists as well as issues.

HUMA 4391. CONFERENCE COURSE IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES. 3 Hours.

This course is an independent study offering students an opportunity for in-depth study of a specific topic in the medical humanities. Requires permission of the department chair and the instructor.

HUMA 4395. INTERNSHIP IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES. 3 Hours.

Supervised internship through which students apply the academic skills they have acquired in medical humanities and bioethics courses. Interns work at an approved business, academic, or non-profit site that focuses on an area of medical humanities or bioethics. This course is intended to be completed as one of the final courses for the minor in Medical Humanities and Bioethics but is not required to earn the minor. Prerequisite: HUMA 3300 and PHIL 3319. Permission of director Medical Humanities and Biomedical Ethics is required.

HUMA 5300. CONCEPTUAL BASES OF THE HUMANITIES. 3 Hours.

Introduces students to fundamental concepts, methods, and issues central to the humanities. Particular attention will be given to a variety of epistemological approaches in humanistic inquiry, to theories of interpretation as applied to cultural constructs, and to recent issues and problems in the humanities. Required of all MA candidates in the humanities.

HUMA 5303. APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF CULTURE. 3 Hours.

Examination of the theories and methods by which culture and society have been studied. Discussion of the relationship among natural scientific, social scientific, and humanistic methodologies. Fulfills Foundation requirement.

HUMA 5304. CULTURAL STUDIES. 3 Hours.

The study of how elements of culture, particularly texts, practices, and material objects, are interconnected with structures of power. Topics may include analyses of cultural studies in various humanities disciplines, theoretical approaches to cultural studies, and the relationship between cultural studies and the traditional humanities disciplines. Fulfills Foundation requirement.

HUMA 5306. CRITICISM, LANGUAGE, AND HISTORY. 3 Hours.

This course examines the ways in which linguistics, literary criticism and history have intersected in 20th century thought. Areas of analysis may include anthropology, historiography, poetics, rhetoric, semiotics, and/or structuralism. Fulfills Foundation requirement.

HUMA 5307. TOPICS IN GENDER STUDIES. 3 Hours.

Analysis of the role of gender studies in the humanities disciplines. Topics may include examination of the methods and conclusions of gender analysis in history, the social sciences, philosophy, or literary criticism. Fulfills Foundation requirement.

HUMA 5391. CONFERENCE COURSE IN THE HUMANITIES. 3 Hours.

HUMA 5392. TOPICS IN THE HUMANITIES. 3 Hours.

Selected topics of interdisciplinary interest. May be repeated for credit when subject matter changes.

HUMA 5398. THESIS. 3 Hours.

The graduate student must be registered for this when in consultation over the thesis with the supervisory committee.

HUMA 5698. THESIS. 6 Hours.

The graduate student must be registered for this course (a) when in consultation over the thesis with the supervisory committee and (b) in the semester or term in which the Master of Arts degree will be conferred.

HUMA 6391. READINGS IN THE HUMANITIES. 3 Hours.

Supervised individual study for students preparing for the comprehensive examination. May be repeated for credit.