Humanities Major (B.A.)

The UNH Manchester Humanities program focuses on the world’s great cultures and how humans interact with the world. Students take an interdisciplinary approach in studying works from an array of regions and time periods, exploring how cultural productions emerge from a rich social environment. Drawing from history, literature, art, philosophy, politics, and the sciences, the Humanities program not only provides foundational skills in the true liberal arts tradition but also gives students the flexibility to design a program of study keyed to their own interests.

The program attracts highly motivated students who wish to assume significant responsibility for the content and direction of their studies. Individually designed programs may cover the full range of student interests: for example, the social and ethical implications of genetic engineering or the examination of a historical period through study of its literature, arts, history, philosophy, and sciences. Humanities students develop skills of analysis, critical assessment, and effective communication, completing their major with two capstone seminars. The first seminar, explores the nature of creativity through the lives and works of individuals such as Leonardo da Vinci, Kathe Kollwitz, Mozart, Freud, Einstein, and Georgia O'Keeffe. The second seminar, explores current social and political issues with a focus on developments in public policy, science, and business, and their impact on social values.

A Humanities major or minor can complement work in other majors such as English Teaching, Business, Communication Arts, Psychology, or Computing Information Systems. Humanities majors find employment in a wide range of fields or pursue graduate study in subjects such as law or education.  The skills and knowledge developed through the major are important in virtually all social and career responsibilities.

For more information, contact Phillip Deen, program coordinator or the UNH Manchester Office of Admissions at (603) 641-4150.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH Manchester undergraduate students will develop individual academic plans with their professional advisor during the first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

For the Humanities major at UNH Manchester, students must complete a minimum of 128 credits and satisfy the University's Discovery Program and foreign language requirements, and students must complete 40 credits with a minimum grade of C in each course in the major.

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This is an approved program of study designed by the student in consultation with a faculty advisor. In addition to courses available on the Manchester campus, students may, with prior approval, use courses from area colleges and the University's Durham campus. The concentration is made up of two Humanities courses (HUMA prefix) at the 600 or 700 level and three courses from any relevant discipline at any level.

Students will be able to:

• Think critically, and across disciplines, in analyzing and comparing works produced within given cultures or historical periods.
• Conduct and present multidisciplinary research in written, oral, or other forms.
• Identify and evaluate primary and secondary sources appropriate for research within the humanities.