Major - B.A. Humanities
History of Culture | Religion & Culture
The two concentrations for a B.A. in Humanities provide interdisciplinary study of the humanities (philosophy, religion, history, literature and the arts) in Western and other civilizations. The major emphasizes critical reading, analysis and writing and culminates in a senior paper written under advisement. It provides skills and habits of mind which have proved broadly useful in a variety of professional careers, in both public and private settings, and it prepares students for knowledgeable participation in civic life. The major has proved to be excellent preparation for graduate study in law, library science, history, English, comparative literature, and religion.
Important notes on the B.A. Humanities major, for both concentrations
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 a prerequisite for LBRL 417a-e. LBRL 400 (2 credits) should be taken with a liberal studies faculty member in the quarter prior to enrolling in LBRL 499, to prepare for the latter. It is recommended that students undertake study of a foreign language concurrently with the major.
For information or advisement, contact the Liberal Studies Office.
Area of Concentration, History of Culture
61-70 credits (including core courses)
The History of Culture Concentration focuses on how cultures change. Students acquire a substantial knowledge of religious, philosophical, literary and aesthetic movements in Western civilization. Students also acquire some knowledge of works of the humanities in at least one other civilization or culture, and of its history. Students learn to analyze individual works of the humanities and to relate them to social and cultural developments. Students become familiar with methodological issues in the humanities and in cultural history, and learn to use methods appropriate to different kinds of problems.
Core
23-25 credits
- One course from:
LBRL 121 - The Western Tradition I: The Ancient World (5)
HNRS 103 - Major Cultural Traditions I (4)
- One course from:
LBRL 122 - The Western Tradition II: Medieval and Early Modern Europe (5)
HNRS 104 - Major Cultural Traditions II (4)
- LBRL 123 - The Western Tradition III: Modern World (5)
- LBRL 302 - Methods of Interdisciplinary Study (5)
- LBRL 498 - Readings for Research in Humanities (2)
- LBRL 499 - Research in Humanities (3)
Concentration
38-45 credits
- One course (4-5 credits) from
LBRL 231 - Introduction to the Study of Religion
LBRL 243 - Art and Ideas
LBRL 301 - Historical Methods in the Humanities
LBRL 303 - Methods in the Study of Religion
- Two courses (8-10 credits) from
LBRL 271 - Humanities of India
LBRL 272 - Religion and Society in China and Japan
LBRL 273 - Art and Society in China and Japan
LBRL 275 - Humanities of Japan
LBRL 276 - Humanities of Africa
LBRL 277 - Humanities of China
LBRL 278 - Humanities of Islamic Civilization
LBRL 281 - Representations of Otherness
LBRL 360 - China and the Emerging World Economy: From Antiquity to the
Early Modern
LBRL 362 - Islam and Muslims in the Indian Ocean World
LBRL 372 - Postcolonial Novels: Art, Rhetoric and Social Context
- Two courses (10 credits) from
LBRL 421 - Senior Seminar: Approaches to Cultural History
LBRL 422 - Senior Seminar: Literary Traditions in Western Culture
LBRL 423 - Senior Seminar: Self, Culture, and Society
LBRL 424 - Senior Seminar: Social Change in Cross-Cultural Contexts
- Four courses (16-20 credits) under advisement from
LBRL 321 - Between Renaissance and Inquisition: Censorship and Religious
Conflict in Spain's Golden Age
LBRL 323 - The Romantic Paradox: Love, Life and Death
LBRL 325 - Surveillance, Voyeurism and the Culture of Suspicion
LBRL 332 - Universal Religions: Founders and Disciples
LBRL 333 - Religion in America
LBRL 334 - Hebrew Bible and the Religion of Ancient Israel
LBRL 336 - New Testament and Early Christianity
LBRL 338 - Mysticism
LBRL 340 - Sufism: The Islamic Mystical Tradition
LBRL 360 - China and the Emerging World Economy: From Antiquity to the
Early Modern
LBRL 362 - Islam and Muslims in the Indian Ocean World
LBRL 372 - Postcolonial Novels: Art, Rhetoric and Social Context
LBRL 375 - Buddhism
LBRL 378 - Religion and Society in India
LBRL 478 - Renewal and Reform in the Islamic World Since the Eighteenth
Century
Or other appropriate upper-division courses in Humanities and Social Sciences, under advisement.
Note: LBRL 360, 362, and 372 may be counted in one group only.
Area of Concentration, Religion and Culture
63 - 71 credits
The Religion and Culture Concentration provides scholarly, critical, non-sectarian study of religions. Students study religious beliefs, practices, identities and organizations, and how they have influenced and been influenced by other aspects of society and culture. The concentration includes a broad survey of Western civilization as a basis for understanding its religious traditions. Students also become familiar with religious traditions in non-Western civilizations, and with their modern interactions and changes. Students study the origin, history, and methods of the academic study of religion as it has developed in Europe and North America. They are introduced to methodological issues in the study of religion, and learn to use methods appropriate to different kinds of problems.
Core
23-25 credits
- One course from:
LBRL 121 - The Western Tradition I: The Ancient World (5)
HNRS 103 - Major Cultural Traditions I (4)
- One course from:
LBRL 122 - The Western Tradition II: Medieval and Early Modern Europe (5)
HNRS 104 - Major Cultural Traditions II (4)
- LBRL 123 - The Western Tradition III: Modern World (5)
- LBRL 302 - Methods of Interdisciplinary Study (5)
- LBRL 498 - Readings for Research in Humanities (2)
- LBRL 499 - Research in Humanities (3)
Concentration
40-46 credits
- LBRL 231 - Introduction to the Study of Religion (5)
- Two courses (8-10 credits) from:
LBRL 271 - Humanities of India
LBRL 272 - Religion and Society in China and Japan
LBRL 278 - Humanities of Islamic Civilization
LBRL 283 - Religion and Globalization
LBRL 340 - Sufism: The Islamic Mystical Tradition
LBRL 375 - Buddhism
LBRL 378 - Religion and Society in India
- LBRL 303 - Methods in the Study of Religion (5)
- Three courses (12-16 credits) from:
LBRL 301 - Historical Methods in the Humanities
LBRL 321 - Between Renaissance and Inquisition: Censorship and Religious
Conflict in Spain's Golden Age
LBRL 332 - Universal Religions: Founders and Disciples
LBRL 333 - Religion in America
LBRL 334 - Hebrew Bible and the Religion of Ancient Israel
LBRL 336 - New Testament and Early Christianity
LBRL 338 - Mysticism
LBRL 375 - Buddhism
LBRL 378 - Religion and Society in India
LBRL 478 - Renewal and Reform in the Islamic World Since the Eighteenth
Century
Or other appropriate upper-division courses in the Humanities & Social Sciences, under advisement.
- Two courses (10 credits) from:
LBRL 421 - Senior Seminar: Approaches to Cultural History
LBRL 422 - Senior Seminar: Literary Traditions in Western Culture
LBRL 423 - Senior Seminar: Self, Culture, and Society
LBRL 424 - Senior Seminar: Social Change in Cross-Cultural Contexts
Note: LBRL 375 and 378 may be counted in one group only.