Humanities

A history major studies how people, societies, institutions, and ideas change over time, using critical analysis of primary and secondary sources to interpret the past. Students learn research methods, archival work, historiography, and argumentation, developing the ability to evaluate evidence, contextualize events, and construct well-sourced narratives. Specialized courses in political, social, cultural, economic, and transnational history offer depth in particular regions, periods, or themes while sharpening reading, writing, and oral communication skills. Through synthesizing complex information, identifying patterns and causation, and applying historical perspectives to contemporary issues, students gain problem-solving, project-planning, and strategic-thinking abilities. Independent research, internships, and collaborative work further prepare graduates for roles that require critical reasoning, clear communication, and goal-oriented planning—skills valuable for academia, policy, archival work, education, consulting, and other careers that demand flexible, expert advising.

A philosophy major studies fundamental questions about knowledge, reality, morality, and reason, learning how to analyze complex arguments, identify assumptions, and construct clear, well-supported positions; students read historical and contemporary texts across areas such as epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, logic, and political philosophy, develop skills in critical thinking, precise writing, and careful interpretation, and practice applying conceptual tools to real-world problems in law, medicine, business, and public policy; coursework and seminars teach methods of argumentation and evaluation, encouraging intellectual curiosity, ethical reflection, and the ability to synthesize diverse perspectives, while independent projects and discussions build oral communication, research design, and the capacity to formulate nuanced solutions—Flexible, expert advice when you need it. Book hourly support across a range of topics—from planning to problem-solving. This focused consultation will help clarify your goals, map out next steps, and identify opportunities for growth.

A sociology major studies how societies are organized, how social relationships and institutions shape individual behavior, and how patterns of inequality and change emerge across time and place. Students learn foundational theories from thinkers such as Durkheim, Weber, and Marx and apply those frameworks to examine family structures, education systems, work and occupations, race and ethnicity, gender, class, crime, and urban life. Coursework introduces research methods including survey design, interviews, ethnography, and statistical analysis, teaching students how to collect, analyze, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data. Training in social theory and methods equips students to identify social patterns, assess causes and consequences, and evaluate public policies and institutions. Classes emphasize critical thinking, data literacy, argumentation, and writing, asking students to connect empirical findings to broader social questions and ethical considerations. Through fieldwork, projects, and group discussions, sociology students develop skills in observation, research design, data presentation, and collaborative problem solving, preparing them for careers in social research, public policy, nonprofit work, human resources, community development, and other roles that require understanding social dynamics and evidence based decision making.

An anthropology major studies human beings across time and space, examining biological evolution, cultural practices, languages, and archaeological remains to understand how societies form, change, and interact. Students learn methods for collecting and analyzing data, including participant observation, ethnographic interviewing, laboratory analysis of bones and artifacts, and statistical or qualitative techniques for interpreting findings. Coursework covers human evolution and genetics, social and cultural theory, linguistic variation and communication, and archaeological methods for excavating and dating material culture. Through fieldwork projects, laboratory exercises, and critical readings, students develop skills in cross-cultural comparison, ethical research practice, evidence-based argumentation, and clear written and oral presentation. Graduates are prepared to apply their knowledge in roles such as cultural resource management, public policy, museum curation, international development, education, and research that require cultural sensitivity, analytical thinking, and the ability to synthesize diverse types of evidence.

A gender studies major examines how gender shapes individual identities, social roles, institutions, and cultural practices, drawing on theories and methods from sociology, anthropology, history, literature, political science, and psychology; students learn to analyze the social construction of gender, intersections with race, class, sexuality, disability, and nationality, and how power, privilege, and inequality operate in public policy, law, media, education, and the workplace. Coursework typically covers feminist theory, queer theory, masculinity studies, reproductive rights, gender and labor, and gendered violence, while research methods include qualitative interviews, ethnography, textual and media analysis, and quantitative data interpretation. Students also gain critical thinking, written and oral communication, and advocacy skills, enabling them to design research projects, evaluate policies through an equity lens, create inclusive organizational practices, and pursue careers in education, public health, social services, law, government, nonprofit leadership, journalism, and cultural institutions.

A world religion major studies the beliefs, practices, histories, and social roles of religious traditions across the globe, combining textual analysis, ethnography, historical context, and comparative methods to understand how religion shapes and is shaped by culture, politics, and human experience. Students learn to read sacred texts critically, interpret ritual and artistic expressions, and examine how religious identities form and change over time. Coursework covers major traditions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, along with indigenous and new religious movements, and may include language study, fieldwork, and archival research. The major develops skills in critical thinking, cross-cultural communication, qualitative research, and ethical reasoning, preparing graduates for careers in education, non-governmental organizations, public policy, museum curation, and interfaith work, as well as for advanced study in theology, religious studies, anthropology, or law.

A classics major studies the languages, literature, history, philosophy, art, and material culture of ancient Greece and Rome to understand how those civilizations shaped later Western and global traditions. Students learn to read ancient texts in the original languages—primarily Latin and ancient Greek—gaining precise translation skills, attention to grammar, and sensitivity to rhetorical and poetic techniques. Coursework explores literary genres such as epic, lyric, drama, historiography, and philosophy, while seminars examine cultural practices, political institutions, religion, and daily life through literary evidence, inscriptions, archaeology, and artifacts. Training emphasizes critical reading, textual analysis, historical interpretation, and argumentation, often requiring close comparison of sources and engagement with scholarly debates. Many programs also introduce comparative and reception studies, showing how classical texts have been interpreted, adapted, and used across time and cultures. Graduates develop strong writing, research, and analytical reasoning skills that apply to careers in education, law, journalism, public policy, museums, and archival work.