BA in Humanities

Units required for Major: 39
Total units required for BA: 120

Program Description

The Department of Humanities and Religious Studies offers an integrated approach to the study of world cultures from ancient times to the present. In our courses, students undertake interdisciplinary study of core ideas, ideals, and values. The Humanities – known by Renaissance thinkers as studia humanitatis (“studies of humanity”) -- explore such subjects as literature, history, philosophy, religion, the visual arts, music, drama, and film. Religious Studies focuses on beliefs and practices of the world’s religions in their historical and cultural contexts. Employing the methods and insights of disciplines such as history, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and philosophy, Religious Studies approaches its subject matter with empathy while avoiding assumptions or judgments about religious truth claims.

The BA in Humanities provides a strong interdisciplinary foundation in world cultures while also allowing students the opportunity to focus their studies on a specific era – such as the ancient, medieval, or modern eras – or on culture in a particular region.

Students in all five available programs acquire concrete skills in critical thinking, analysis, research, writing, and organization that lead to attractive careers throughout the job market. Many of our students prepare for careers in teaching at the elementary level (as part of a Liberal Studies major program) or secondary level (as part of a single subject credential program in English/Humanities). Others pursue postgraduate study in the Humanities, History, Theology, and related fields in preparation for careers in teaching at the community college and university levels or in library, museum, or curatorial work. Humanities majors are also well-prepared for careers in government and fields such as law and counseling, which require interaction with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Program Requirements

Required Lower Division Courses (12 Units)
HRS 10Arts and Ideas of the West: Ancient to Medieval 13
HRS 11Arts and Ideas of the West: Renaissance to Modern 13
HRS 70Arts and Ideas of Asia: Ancient to Medieval 13
HRS 71Arts and Ideas of Asia: Medieval to Modern 13
Required Upper Division Courses (9 Units)
HRS 105Approaches to the Humanities3
One course in the HRS 190 Seminar in Humanities and Religious Studies series3
HRS 195Seminar in Humanities3
Required Areas of Study (9 Units)
Select at least one from each of the categories A, B, and C:9 - 18
A. Ancient - Renaissance
The Culture of Classical Greece 1
The Culture of Classical Rome 1
Medieval Culture 1
Renaissance 1
B. Enlightenment - Postmodern
Baroque and the Enlightenment 1
Romanticism and Revolution 1
Birth Of The Modern 1
Global Crossings: Art and Culture 1945 to Present 1
Images Of America 1
C. Global/Non - Western
Introduction to Islamic Cultures 1
Introduction to the East Asian World 1
The Classical Culture of China 1
Modern Japanese Literature and Culture 1
Supporting Courses (9 Units)
Select up to three of the following with approval of HRS faculty advisor:0 - 9
Approaches to Religious Studies
Classical Mythology 1
World Mythology 1
Multicultural America 1
American Space and Identity 1
Hollywood and America 1
The Film 1
Contemporary Issues in Film 1
Women in Film and American Culture 1
Fantasy and Romance 1
Experimental Offerings in Humanities and Religious Studies
Special Problems
Total Units39
1

Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.

Note: With approval of HRS faculty advisor, a student may select up to two courses from the following departments: Art, English, Foreign Languages, History, Philosophy, or Theatre and Dance.

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units)
B1 - Physical Science3
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5)1
B4 - Math Concepts3
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area C: Arts and Humanities (3 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities 20
C1/C2 - Area C Course 20
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 20
Area D: The Individual and Society (6-9 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 30 - 3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units37-40
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Required in Major; also satisfies GE.

3

Department offers students a "select form the following" option:

  • If student chooses to take HRS 185, they will meet upper division Area D.

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6-9 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI) 20 - 3
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (9-12 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) 30 - 3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 46
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Department offers students a "select form the following" option:

  • If student chooses to take HRS 132 or HRS 168/HIST 168, they will meet the Writing Intensive (WI) graduation requirement.
3

Department offers students a "select form the following" option:

  • If student chooses to take HRS 161 or HRS 168/HIST 168, they will meet the Race and Ethnicity (RE) graduation requirement.
4

If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html 

The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.

Humanities, BA: 4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
HRS 10
Arts and Ideas of the West: Ancient to Medieval 3
or Arts and Ideas of the West: Renaissance to Modern
or Arts and Ideas of Asia: Ancient to Medieval
or Arts and Ideas of Asia: Medieval to Modern
3
HRS 11
Arts and Ideas of the West: Renaissance to Modern 3
or Arts and Ideas of the West: Ancient to Medieval
or Arts and Ideas of Asia: Ancient to Medieval
or Arts and Ideas of Asia: Medieval to Modern
3
HRS 21 First Year Seminar: Becoming an Educated Person 3
GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 3
GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 3
 Units15
Second Semester
HRS 70
Arts and Ideas of Asia: Ancient to Medieval 3
or Arts and Ideas of the West: Ancient to Medieval
or Arts and Ideas of the West: Renaissance to Modern
or Arts and Ideas of Asia: Medieval to Modern
3
HRS 71
Arts and Ideas of Asia: Medieval to Modern 3
or Arts and Ideas of the West: Ancient to Medieval
or Arts and Ideas of the West: Renaissance to Modern
or Arts and Ideas of Asia: Ancient to Medieval
3
GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking (HRS 60 recommended) 2 3
GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units15
Year 2
First Semester
HRS 105 Approaches to the Humanities 3
ENGL 20 College Composition II 3
GE Area 3A - Arts 2 3
GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
Humanities Areas of Study, Group A - Ancient-Renaissance 3 3
GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 3
GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 1
GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 3
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
Year 3
First Semester
Humanities Areas of Study, Group B - Enlightenment-Postmodern 3 3
Upper Division Humanities Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
 Units16
Second Semester
Humanities Areas of Study, Group C - Global/Non-Western 3 3
Upper Division Humanities Elective 3 3
Writing Intensive (HRS 168 recommended) 3 3
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
Year 4
First Semester
HRS 190 Seminar in Humanities 3 3
Upper Division Humanities Elective 3 3
Upper Division Humanities Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
HRS 195 Seminar in Humanities 3
Upper Division Humanities Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
 Total Units123

Humanities, BA: 2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
HRS 105 Approaches to the Humanities 3
Humanities Areas of Study, Group A - Ancient-Renaissance 3 3
Upper Division Humanities Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 3
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
 Units16
Second Semester
Humanities Areas of Study, Group B - Enlightenment-Postmodern 3 3
Upper Division Humanities Elective 3 3
Writing Intensive (HRS 168 recommended) 3 3
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
Year 2
First Semester
Humanities Areas of Study, Group C - Global/Non-Western 3 3
HRS 190 Seminar in Humanities 3 3
Upper Division Humanities Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
 Units15
Second Semester
HRS 195 Seminar in Humanities 3
Upper Division Humanities Elective 3 3
Upper Division Humanities Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units15
 Total Units62
1.

Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.

2.

Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.

3.

Please see an academic advisor for elective options.