UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM IN HUMANITIES AND ARTS
152 Humanities
Instructional Building; (949) 824-9290
Catherine Liu, Co-Director (Humanities)
James
Penrod, Co-Director (Arts)
Core Faculty
Stephen Barker, Department of Drama
David Brodbeck, Department of Music
Martha Gever, Department of Studio Art
Catherine Liu, Departments of Film and Media Studies, Comparative Literature, and English
Lynn Mally, Department of History
Ian Munro, Department of Drama
Carrie J. Noland, Department of French and Italian
James Penrod, Department of Dance
Frank B. Wilderson III, Departments of African American Studies and Drama
The major in Humanities and Arts allows motivated students to create their own interdisciplinary major with one focus in the School of Humanities and the other in the School of the Arts. Students work toward a critical and historical mastery of aesthetic theories and practices while learning about the process of making creative work. A humanist background will equip them to participate more effectively as artists, citizens, and critics in a world where critical thinking and creativity are vital to success in a variety of work environments.
Humanities and Arts students are given the opportunity to work closely with faculty from different academic disciplines. They are able to design a highly individualized course of study and have the opportunity of completing a senior project thesis with one of the Humanities and Arts affiliate faculty. This major's focus on the connection between practice and analysis distinguishes it from the broader and more diverse scope of more general interdisciplinary programs. The scholarly work of many UCI faculty in the Humanities and Arts lies at an intersection between the two academic units, and the major translates this intellectual and creative activity into a coherent curriculum and projects current forms of scholarship and artistic practice into the classroom.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
There is a steadily growing market in private industry for students whose training combines skills sharpened by both the Humanities and Arts. Business demands graduates with strong writing and analytic skills, talents stressed in the Humanities. This major promotes creativity and confidence, as well as putting original ideas into practice, something emphasized in the Arts. Graduates of this program will be very attractive to teacher-training programs, academic Ph.D. programs, and businesses in creative industries. Graduates may find work in professional fields directly allied with the Arts, including museum work, art foundations, art criticism, journalism, theatre, and the entertainment industry.
The UCI Career Center provides services to students and alumni including career counseling, information about job opportunities, a career library, and workshops on resume preparation, job search, and interview techniques. See the Career Center section for additional information.
Application Process for the Humanities and Arts Major
New students are not admitted directly to the Humanities and Arts major. Continuing students apply to change their major to Humanities and Arts no earlier than the fall quarter of their sophomore year. Complete information about changing majors to Humanities and Arts is available at http://www.changeofmajor.uci.edu. Students must submit a transcript and meet the change-of-major criteria for each of the two departments they propose to combine. In addition, a program of study, approved by the designated faculty member in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts and in the School of Humanities, is required for admission to Humanities and Arts. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the Humanities Student Affairs Office early in their decision to apply to Humanities and Arts.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE
University Requirements: See pages 56–62.
School Requirements: See pages 255–256.
Requirements for the Major
Humanities 1A-B-C; one lower-division survey in a specialization in the Arts, chosen from Dance 90A-B-C, Drama 40A, B, C, Music 14A-B-C, Studio Art 9A, B, C; six units of "studio courses" in Dance, Drama, or Studio Art or six units of "ensemble courses" in Music; Humanities and Arts 100 (taken to satisfy upper-division writing), 101; 16 additional units of upper-division Humanities courses and 16 additional units of upper-division Arts courses focusing on a specific theme, region, or period, chosen with the approval of the Humanities and Arts faculty advisors. (Students must have their proposed program of study approved by their advisors each year.)
It is expected that students will choose their courses from one major in the Humanities and one major in the Arts. Students with well-developed interests can shape their curriculum more precisely to their needs.
Residence Requirement for the Major: At least five upper-division courses required for the major must be completed successfully at UCI.
Courses in Humanities and Arts
100 The Arts in Theory and Practice (4). Writing seminar explores writings on art from different times and cultures. How have artists and critics in different cultural contexts tried to explain the principles and theories that guide their work? How can students use their concepts to assess art works? Prerequisite: satisfactory completion of the lower-division writing requirement. Same as Arts and Humanities 100.
101 Topics in Arts and Humanities (4). This interdisciplinary course examines themes relevant to both the Arts and the Humanities. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Same as Arts and Humanities 101.
199 Independent Study (1 to 4). Directed reading and research in consultation with a faculty member. Substantial written work required. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and approval of Faculty Advisor. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.