Adult Degree Completion Program in Humanities and Cultural Studies (BA)
The Humanities and Cultural Studies major offers students the opportunity to study the meaning of the human condition by critically examining the values, systems, and productions of a variety of cultures. Throughout the program, students explore the fundamental questions that have shaped various cultures within the global human community while learning to apply knowledge of cultural difference as as a resource for challenging and changing dominate world views. Students do so through multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary coursework in a program that brings together art history, history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, and socio-cultural ethnic studies. In order to gain depth in a particular field of study, students also choose a 15-unit concentration.
The hallmarks of a student completing this major are: competence in critical analysis and synthesis across disciplines, advanced skills in written and spoken discourse, heightened self-knowledge, deep curiosity, and a love of learning. Graduates in this program are well-prepared for the rigors of graduate school; many go on to advanced programs in law, social work, non-profit management, business management, arts administration, journalism, teaching, and ministry.
The curriculum has special features to prepare students for success in the workplace and in civic life. Internships and service-learning are integral to the coursework. The development of a career plan is part and parcel of the student’s formal advising process. The senior project, conducted under the guidance of a faculty member, is developed with future goals in mind. Many students also spend a semester abroad in order to develop cultural competency in a second culture, and a number choose to teach abroad after graduation.
Students are encouraged to declare a minor and/or a second major. Where appropriate, coursework from the minor or second major can be applied to the student’s concentration.
Program Learning Outcomes
The student should demonstrate the ability to:
- Critically analyze philosophic, historic, literary, artistic, and musical texts in cultural context in order to facilitate inquiry into the enduring questions of humankind.
- Apply knowledge of cultural difference as a resource for challenging dominant world views.
- Apply appropriate (inter-)disciplinary skills and knowledge from the humanities and cultural studies to a substantial research inquiry in alignment with their future goals.
- Articulate life and career goals within a framework of the humanities based on a sense of personal and civic responsibility.
Adult Degree Completion Program in Humanities and Cultural Studies (BA) Requirements
The Dominican educational philosophy, which prizes the fruitful intersection of self, community, service and reflection, guides the Humanities and Cultural Studies curriculum. The major’s plan of study complements the broad general education liberal arts curriculum by providing greater depth in the key humanities disciplines via foundational coursework and electives in the major. The multidisciplinary coursework inspires students to consider key social, cultural, personal, and historical interconnections from multiple perspectives. Finally, the capstone courses ensure that students thoughtfully engage important social issues at considerable intellectual depth.
General Education Policies
A maximum of 9 units earned for a GE requirement can be applied to a requirement for the major. A maximum of 12 transfer units may be applied to the major. These courses must have earned a ‘C-’ or higher. Of the 12 allowed transferable units, a maximum of 6 units may be applied toward foundational requirements and a maximum of 6 units may be applied to electives in the major.
Foundational Courses (15 units)
Art History (3 units)
Any 3 unit Art History course that provides a global perspective or covers a broad time period. 1 unit courses may not be used as a substitute.
History (3 units)
Any 3 unit History course that provides global context and covers more than a single time period. 1 unit courses may not be used as a substitute.
Language (3 units)
Any 3 unit language course other than English, including American Sign Language. Students with four years of language taken at the high school level are encouraged to challenge their language course through the language department or take a CLEP or Excelsior exam.
Literature (3 units)
3 units of upper division literature involving literary analysis. The 1.5 unit genre and ethnic literature courses may be used in combination for a total of 3 units. Creative writing courses do not satisfy this requirement.
Philosophy (3 units)
Select one 3-unit course from the following:
Electives in the Major (12 units)
Students take courses of their choosing, drawing from any one or more of the Humanities and Cultural Studies disciplines and/or Education (EDUC and/or LS) courses.
Electives Policies
For electives in the major, a total of three 1 unit upper division courses may be used in lieu of one 3 unit upper division course once.
Under certain circumstances students may apply up to 6 units of independent study toward their concentration, with the approval of the Chair of Humanities and Cultural Studies and the Dean of Art, Humanities and Social Sciences, allowing for the greatest flexibility in individualized learning. Students may also apply 3 units of upper division SCS Portfolio credit, earned through ENGL 3442 Critical Inquiry and Reflective Writing, in consultation with their academic advisor.
Adult Degree Completion Program in Humanities and Cultural Studies Capstone Requirements
Select one of the following: (1-3 units)
| HCS 4996 | Internship/Career Exploration:Humanities | 0.50 to 3.00 units |
| or | |
PHIL 3510
| | |
| or | |
| any other Service Learning course | |
All of the following:
Total Credit Hours: 38-41