PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Charles L. Kargleder, Ph.D.

The interdisciplinary humanities program allows qualifies students to design their own majors through a combination of the various humanities departments (English, foreign languages, fine and performing arts, history, philosophy, theology). The program consists of thirty upper-division hours: either six in each of three humanities departments or nine in each of two departments; three in one of the same departments or a different humanities department (double majors may take a course outside the humanities); six in program electives; and three in a synthesis paper (HUM 495), which will enable the student to integrate the major program around an idea or methodology. A student may demonstrate speech competency by passing CMM 150, or 312, or through a certified proof of competency.

Suggested patterns of integration are cultural (e.g., American or European Studies), a history of ideas (a study of the historical growth and development of major ideas such as justice, freedom, or nature), or an original pattern of integration. The latter is reserved for those students who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

Those wishing to apply for admission to a major in this program should consult with the program director (either of languages and literature or of philosophy and theology) in the spring semester of the sophomore year. Applicants will be assigned to a faculty adviser who will aid in the development of the proposal of study for the junior and senior years. Those submitting proposals should take into account the availability of courses, tentative plans for the synthesis paper (HUM 495), and the required distribution of courses within the humanities. Formal approval of the proposal by the chair will constitute admission to the major.