Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities, B.A.
Contact
Jonathan DeCoster, Ph.D.
Associate Teaching Professor, School of Arts and Humanities
jdecoster@une.edu
Michael J. Cripps, Ph.D.
Director, School of Arts and Humanities
mcripps@une.edu
Mission
The major in Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities challenges students to understand and evaluate human values, cultures and ideas as they are expressed in the various humanities disciplines. Students think critically about the disciplines themselves (their similarities, differences, characteristic questions and approaches) and the circumstances under which a specific disciplinary approach will best promote understanding of human phenomena. The major thus requires students to cross disciplinary, historical and cultural boundaries; to practice critical and creative thinking; to ask complex questions and resolve interpretive problems, and to develop strong communication skills. Introductory and capstone courses enable students to match disciplinary breadth with longitudinal depth, seeing their intellectual development over time and showcasing their learning through a student-designed independent project. The program also helps students understand and respond to public perception of the humanities as a key step in translating their academic experience into career readiness.
Major Description
The Interdisciplinary Studies Major (ISH) is designed for students who are interested in more than one humanities discipline, recognize the value of looking at complex issues and phenomena from multiple perspectives, and enjoy the reading, thinking, expression and discussion of human experience that the humanities provide. With the freedom to develop thematic clusters or simply enjoy the breadth of knowledge, students pursue coursework in at least three humanities disciplines, while advanced coursework and internship possibilities bring depth and practical application to their studies.
A capstone seminar bridges the worlds of school and work by giving students the opportunity to develop an independent project, reflect on their education through a curated ePortfolio, and translate their academic experience into career readiness.
The flexible, 36-credit curriculum makes ISH an ideal candidate for double-majoring with social and natural science programs as well. By developing independence of mind, self-direction, critical thinking and analytic skills, and a continuing desire to learn, ISH graduates leave UNE prepared for a broad spectrum of careers or graduate and professional education.
HuMed
UNE’s HuMed program is for undergraduate students who have an affinity for history, literature, or philosophy, and a demonstrated aptitude for the natural sciences to pursue their passions on the pathway an advanced degree in specified health professions.
For information about HuMed, please contact the Director of the School of Arts and Humanities or speak with an advisor.
Honors Program
We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant scholarly, creative, or experiential activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor.
Admissions
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Transfer Credit
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Financial Information
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more tuition and fee information, please consult this catalog’s Financial Information section.
Curricular Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Nor'easter Core Requirements | ||
| Nor'easter Core Requirements | 40 | |
| Program Required Courses | ||
| LIL 120 | Introductory Arts and Humanities Seminar (or three credits from list A (below)) 1 | 3 |
| LIL 320 | Topics in Arts & Humanities | 3 |
| LIL 420 | Arts & Humanities Capstone | 3 |
| LIL 495 | (Internship in Liberal Studies) | 3 |
| Select one Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities Concentration (below) 2 | 12 | |
| 12 Credits from List A or List B (below) 2 | 12 | |
| Open Elective Courses (Students complete open elective credits as necessary to meet the University’s 120-credit minimum for graduation. The total number of elective credits required will depend on the student’s completed program, core, and other degree requirements.) | 44 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
LIL 120 Introductory Arts and Humanities Seminar is a required course for new, first-year students in the School of Arts and Humanities.
- 2
In total across the concentration and the electives, no more than 12 credits can have the same prefix, and at least 12 credits must be taken at the 300- or 400-level.
A minimum average GPA of 2.0 in the major is required.
Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities Concentration Options
Health Humanities Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Intro to Biological Anthro | ||
| Medical Anthropology | ||
| Forensic Anthropology/Human Rights | ||
| Plagues and Populations | ||
| Narrative Medicine & Writing | ||
| Topics in Literature & Health | ||
ENV 328 | (Environmental Pollution: Wildlife/Human Health) | |
| History of Drugs in the Americas | ||
| Revolutionary Medicine | ||
| History of Medicine & Empire | ||
| History of Gender and Sexuality in Latin American History | ||
| Bio-Medical Ethics | ||
| Philosophy of Biology | ||
| Politics of Public Health | ||
| Sociology of Food and Health | ||
| Medical Sociology | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Environmental Humanities Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Plagues and Populations | ||
| Archaeological Field Methods in New England Prehistory | ||
| The Archaeology of New England | ||
| Nature Films | ||
ENG 398 | (Literature of Climate Change) | |
| Literatures of the Sea | ||
| Lit, Nature & the Environment | ||
| Women and the Environment | ||
| Nature Writers w/ Field Lab | ||
ENV 334 | (Contemporary Nature Writing ) | |
ENV 344 | (Environmental Ethics ) | |
| Env Hist of New Eng Seminar | ||
PHI 330 | ( Environmental Philosophy ) | |
PSC 306 | (Environmental Politics ) | |
| Climate Change & Society | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Open Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Credits from any combination of the following: | 12 | |
Any ARH course | ||
Any ENG course | ||
Any HIS course | ||
Any LIL course | ||
Any PHI course | ||
Any REL course | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Elective Course Options
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| List A: Humanities Discipline Electves | ||
Any ARH course | ||
Any ENG course | ||
Any HIS course | ||
Any LIL course | ||
Any PHI course | ||
Any REL course | ||
| List B: Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities Electives | ||
| Beginner Arabic I | ||
| The Archaeology of New England | ||
| Art History Survey I | ||
| Art History Survey II | ||
ARH 260 | (Renaissance & Baroque Art ) | |
| Art in the Modern World | ||
ARH 333 | (Moroccan Theatre/Social Ch) | |
| Evolution of Television | ||
| Evolution of Documentary Film | ||
| Topics in Digital Storytelling | ||
| Women and Film | ||
| Lit, Nature & the Environment | ||
FRE 101 | (Basic French ) | |
FRE 301 | (Advanced French ) | |
| Women in the Ancient World | ||
| Women in the Modern World | ||
MUS 216 | (History of American Popular Music ) | |
MUS 220 | (History of Jazz ) | |
| Power & Knowledge: Inventing Traditions | ||
| Intro to Political Theory | ||
| Politics of Evil | ||
PSC 300 | (Egypt Through the Eye of Mahfouz ) | |
| Middle E.& N. Africa thru Film | ||
REL 276 | (Religion in Human Traditions I ) | |
REL 278 | (Religion in Human Traditions II ) | |
| Basic Spanish | ||
| Intermediate Spanish | ||
SPA 310 | (Advanced Spanish I ) | |
SPA 497 | ( Independent Study in Spanish ) | |
WRT 111 | (Topics in Creative Writing) | |
| Creative Writing: Poetry | ||
| Creative Writing: Short Fiction | ||
| Fiction Writing Workshop | ||
Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.
Academic and Technical Standards
Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities majors are required to maintain an e-Portfolio that archives their course and other relevant writing which they will deliver in an oral presentation to the faculty during their senior year.
The Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities Program requires an overall minimum 2.0 GPA in the major.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize, describe, and apply methods, materials, and/or insights from at least two humanities disciplines to the analysis of issues, problems, or questions introduced in coursework and/or independent reading and research.
- Find, evaluate, and integrate a variety of primary and secondary sources of information in order to reach informed conclusions about problems and issues.
- Communicate ideas orally and in writing.
- Assess their own learning through the development and presentation of a capstone revision project.