Department of Humanities

Course and Program Listings

The Department of Humanities offers majors in art, classics, communication, English, philosophy, organizational leadership, and teacher certification in English language arts. In addition, the general studies major is also provided by the College of Arts and Sciences. Minors are offered in art, communication, English, French, philosophy, Spanish and creative writing . World language courses are offered through the department. An integrated arts and sciences honors program is also offered through the Department of Humanities.

Communication (COM)

The Department of Humanities offers a major in communication. All courses in the four areas of elective study, advertising/public relations, communication studies, journalism, and broadcast media, are designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic communication processes and prepare them for a wide range of career options in which communication skills are required.

Students will demonstrate the skills necessary to 1) simplify complex information, 2) write for print and broadcast media, 3) make effective oral presentations, 4) research information from written, electronically-stored, and verbal sources, and 5) learn communication skills from a variety of teaching methodologies.

English (EN)

Philosophy for the English Area

The program of studies in English is designed to acquaint students with the great works of the western literary tradition, especially British and American writing; to encourage them to see the relevance of these works to their personal experiences; to relate their own moral and ethical choices to situations encountered in the great works; to provide experiences in each course that will help them to think critically, constructively, and analytically; and to express their ideas in effective and grammatically correct spoken and written English.

Objectives for the English Area

The student will demonstrate the ability to: 1) formulate a thesis, develop an outline, and write an essay of a prescribed length that is relatively free of errors; 2) express ideas utilizing effective vocabulary, varied sentence structure, well-developed paragraphs, and appropriate transitions; 3) locate and utilize information from a variety of sources; 4) analyze assigned literary works, showing an understanding of various literary genres and styles; 5) relate the literature to the economic, social, political, religious, philosophical, and aesthetic movements of the period during which it was written; and 6) demonstrate knowledge of literary works on objective and subjective examinations.

World Languages

Philosophy for the World Languages Area

The use of language is a basic characteristic of humankind and necessary to the healthy building of community(ies). The study of more than one language is essential to a well-rounded liberal arts program and an extremely useful skill in our global society. The program of studies in the World Languages Area offers students the opportunity to learn one or more modern languages; to acquire marketable communicative skills in the modern languages; to become acquainted with the customs, traditions, music, film, art, and literature represented by the linguistic cultures; and to develop a global concept to view the world from an enlightened perspective. There are two guiding principles of the World Languages area. The first, in the context of UM being a Christian college, is that “He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands”, referring to God’s love extending way beyond our local and national borders. The second belief is that “Anyone Can Be A Grassroots Diplomat”, and that we all have the power to make positive interactions with those who are different from us, locally and internationally.

Objectives for the World Languages Area

Appropriate to his or her potential level of achievement, the student will demonstrate the ability to: 1) respect and value “that” and “who” is Other and Different; 2) understand, read, write, and speak the language; 3) use the language as a tool for self-expression, orally and in writing, with correct usage and grammar; 4) understand and appreciate the different values, traditions, and customs represented by the linguistic cultures; and 5) demonstrate knowledge of the history, literature, and the arts of these linguistic areas as a tool for ongoing individual research beyond the courses.

Placement for the World Languages Area

College-level world language courses move at a quicker pace and require more communication at all levels in the language than most high school courses provide. Furthermore, the world language area builds in a methodical and consecutive order, using the same materials throughout, for the 101, 102, 201, 202 sequencing. For this reason, students entering from high school with one to three years of a language are encouraged to begin at the 101 level for review of concepts and a high level of success at the college level. Students with four or more years of language study prior to college are encouraged to begin at the 201 level for review of intermediate and higher level concepts before going on to content-based courses at the 300 level or above. If unsure of the level, a student should contact the World Languages Area Head for proper placement. It is not recommended that a student begin the study of two different world languages in one year.

Requirements for a Minor in a World Language

Students minoring in a world language will be required to complete eighteen hours in the same language; at least six semester hours must be numbered 300 or above.

Requirements for a Supporting Area

For a supporting area, students are required to take six hours above the 202 level in one language. Three of these hours must be numbered 300 and above.

Language Requirement for Native Speakers of French or Spanish

Native speakers of French or Spanish are those who not only speak the target language at home but also grew up in French-speaking or Spanish-speaking cultures and attended school in the target language. Using this definition, students who are native speakers of French or Spanish should fulfill the language requirement for a B.A. with a different language, and in some instances, English may be the appropriate World Language for these students.

Language Requirement for Heritage Speakers of French or Spanish

Heritage speakers of French or Spanish are students who were exposed to native French speakers or Spanish speakers in their home environment but did not “grow up” in French-speaking or Spanish-speaking communities and did not attend school (i.e. most subjects) in the target language. These students have good oral and auditory skills but need further grammar explanation and understanding of how to write in the language in a standard form. These students should speak directly with the World Language Area head to decide the level of French or Spanish to begin, if the student chooses to fulfill the language requirement for a B.A. in the heritage language. A heritage speaker may elect a minor in the target language, with the approval of the World Language Area head. The requirements for the French minor or Spanish minor are the same for Heritage Speakers.

World Language Requirement.

To fulfill the requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree, students will normally complete twelve semester hours in the same world language. With special permission, students may complete the requirement in two different world languages. Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance majors take 6 hours of a world language plus diction courses. Others may take one year of a modern world language and one year of a biblical language if permission is granted. Students should review the section above entitled “Placement for the World Languages Area”. CLEP hours in a world language may be counted only to satisfy the world language requirement.

Philosophy (PY)

Philosophy for the Philosophy Area

The program of studies leading to a major in philosophy is designed to acquaint students with the great philosophical works of Western culture; to introduce them to non-Western philosophical traditions; to give them a familiarity with the dominant modes and major schools of philosophical thought; to provide experience in philosophical thinking, speaking, and writing; and to enable them to judge the theory and practice of philosophy in terms of moral and spiritual values.

Objectives for the Philosophy Area

The student will demonstrate: 1) an understanding of the nature and methods of philosophic thought and discourse; 2) the ability to engage in philosophic discourse both in class and on written assignments; 3) an understanding, on written assignments and examinations, of the major schools of philosophic thought and the major figures associated with those schools; 4) the ability to express ideas effectively, grammatically, and correctly on written assignments and exams; and 5) the ability to relate the major ideas of the philosophic tradition to moral and spiritual standards of conduct.

University of Mobile Honors Program

In keeping with University of Mobile’s emphasis upon academic excellence, the department of humanities offers an integrated, interdisciplinary honors program centered in the liberal arts. This program, with its two-year sequence of interdisciplinary seminars and optional upper-division thesis component, provides a coherent, rigorous course of study that challenges students to come to a stronger understanding of themselves and their intellectual and spiritual inheritance.

The heart of the Honors Program is a cycle of four interdisciplinary seminars (EN 111H , EN 112H , EN 211H , and EN 212H ) providing an in-depth introduction to western civilization. Honors students take the seminars in place of the four English courses in the core curriculum (EN 101 , EN 102 , EN 201 , and EN 202 ). One of these four seminars will be offered each academic period (semester): 1) Ancient; 2) Medieval to Renaissance; 3) Enlightenment to Romanticism; 4) Twentieth Century.

In order to receive Honors designation on their diploma and transcript, students must complete the four seminars, take a minimum of nine hours of other courses designated as honors sections, and have the equivalent of three hours of foreign language. An additional honors course may be substituted for one of the seminars with special permission. The transcript will distinguish each honors course taken with the honors (H) designation as part of the course number or the word “honors” in the course title, regardless of whether or not the student completes the program.

In order to receive Honors with Thesis designation on their diploma and transcript, students must select an advisor and two other faculty readers, have a thesis proposal approved by the program director, complete a minimum of three (3) thesis hours total (EN 497H and EN 498H ) and defend the finished thesis in an oral examination. Complete guidelines are available from the program director.

The Director of the Honors Program works with deans and faculty across academic areas to assure adequate opportunities for students to earn honors credit by taking honors sections of courses appropriate to their areas of study. In courses carrying the Honors designation, the syllabus will indicate whatever extra work is required beyond what is normally required of students in a regular section of the course. At the instructor’s discretion, extra work may include leading discussion groups, giving a substantial oral presentation, or conducting a more in-depth research project than would ordinarily be required.

In order to participate in the program, students must have an ACT score of 27 or above (or special permission) and enroll in the lower division honors seminar. For more information about applying to and participating in the honors program, please contact the program director.

University of Mobile and Oxford Study Abroad Program

University of Mobile offers study at Oxford University through the Oxford Study Abroad Program. Students may take courses ranging from three weeks to a full semester. The program is extremely flexible, offering studies in all UM subject areas. Interested students should contact the Department of Humanities.

Programs

Major

Minor

Courses

Career Services

Communication

English

English Honors

EN 497H Honors Thesis Research

French

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