Humanities Degree

An IW Humanities Degree is designed to help students sharpen skills in inquiry, analysis, communication, and creative problem-solving; it develops in students flexible, contextual thinking informed by nuances in social, cultural, and historical influences; it cultivates social, verbal, visual, and informational literacies; and it encourages lifelong learning inspired by curiosity, scholarship, passion, and a concern for social justice.

Students involved in our program will:

Develop the knowledge and skills to be successful
Cultivate a knowledge base suitable for admittance into graduate study programs
Expand global cultural awareness through levels of engagement

Students choosing to pursue a Humanities Degree will complete a Humanities core and then select either an existing concentration in Art, English, Music, or Social and Cultural History or work with faculty to create a personalized, interdisciplinary concentration. All Humanities majors will complete both a freshman Humanities seminar class and a senior Humanities capstone class designed to place their Humanities studies within a contemporary context that stresses real-world relevance and application of Humanities-based skills to the 21st-century challenges of work and global citizenship. Students choosing a Humanities minor will complete five courses from a list of Humanities offerings and the same senior capstone experience.

This program includes:

Hands-on experiential learning
Internships with community organizations and businesses
Student-faculty research projects
Developing critical thinking and communication skills
Building relationships within the field and community at large
Applying a unique understanding of Humanities

Humanities Degree Requirements

Core Requirements

Complete all of the following in the Humanities Degree:

HUM 101 Introduction to the Humanities
Any 200 or 300-level English Class
ENG 311 Power Writing for Careers and Lives
ART 203 Art Appreciation
MUS 225 Survey of Musical Literature
Any 200 or 300 Level History Class or Art 381,382 or Music 353
HUM 409 Junior Year Project Seminar
HUM 498 Internship
HUM 499 Senior Project Capstone Seminar

Choose one (1) of the following:
WS 300 Global Issues
WS 315 Social Justice and Service
WS 380 Global Health Care
Any ENG 300 Level Course

No more than 6 hours can count for both Wesleyan Studies and Humanities Core
Choose 9 hours of emphasis in one of the following areas:

Area 1: Art (Studio)

Choose three (3) courses from the following:

ART 201 Basic Studio and Design 2-D
ART 207 Photography
ART 215 Painting I or ART 225 Painting II
ART 216 Ceramics I or ART 226 Ceramics II
ART 219 Drawing I or ART 229 Drawing II
ART 259 Printmaking I
ART 381 History of Art I or ART 382 History of Art II

Area 2: English

Choose three (3) courses, at least two at the 300-level, from the following:

ENG 281/381H (WI) – English for Humanities Majors: The Self
ENG 282/382H (WI) – English for Humanities Majors: Society
ENG 283/383H (WI) – English for Humanities Majors: The Environment
ENG 284/384H (WI) – English for Humanities Majors: Technology/Media
ENG 285 /385H (WI) – English for Humanities Majors: Truth and Beauty

Area 3: Music

For the Humanities Degree, complete courses from the following that will equal 9 credits (at least 3 credits must be from the Applied Music pool):

Applied Music
Private Instruction: MUS 121, 122, 221, 222
Instrument Courses: MUS 113, 115, 117, 118, 119, 120
Ensembles: MUS 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110
MUS 357 Instrumental Conducting
MUS 358 Choral Conducting

Music Theory/Literature
MUS 141 Music Fundamentals or MUS 142 Elementary Harmony
MUS 143 Aural Skills I
MUS 328 Materials of Music
MUS 353 History of Music
MUS 354 History of Music

Students must complete all core and area requirements in the Humanities Major. View All Minors >> All degree requirements are subject to change. Please see the current Undergraduate Course Catalog for degree requirements.

Humanities in Action

Design Magazine is the annual creative writing and art publication of Iowa Wesleyan University, providing students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to publish original creative work since 1955.

Career Opportunities in Humanities

Depending on your chosen concentration here is a list of potential career avenues. Refer to your specific concentration for more information.

Advertising Manager
Technical Writer
Artist
Human Resource Specialist
Event Organizer
Public Relations Manager
Editor
Linguist
Graphic Designer
Travel Agent
Copywriter

Sales Representative
Social Worker
Archaeologist
Psychologist
Content Strategist
News Reporter
Development Coordinator
Admissions Counselor
Youth Minister
Content Manager
Proofreader

Career Outcomes

2021 Median Pay

Advertising & Promotions

Technical Writer

Film and Video Editor

GET INVOLVED

Art Club

The Art Club is open to any majors at any skill level as the desire is to improve and create with individuals at their own pace.

Get Involved

Voices of IW

Voices of IW seeks to provide an outlet for the IW community to share their stories, ideas, and advice to provide inspiration and knowledge to help improve the lives of others.

Check it out