2014-2015 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog & Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Department of Humanities
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 Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
The Department of Humanities offers a major in art, communication, English, humanities, leadership and cultural studies, 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, humanities, leadership and cultural studies, philosophy and Spanish. Modern foreign language courses are offered through the department. An integrated humanities 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.
Humanities Major
Purpose of Humanities Program of Studies
The purpose of the program of studies in the humanities is to provide an interdisciplinary study for students who desire a traditional humanities curriculum in preparation for graduate studies in fields such as humanities, philosophy, education, and professional fields such as law or medicine.
Philosophy for the Humanities Area
The program of study in the humanities is designed to acquaint students with the varieties of human, moral, spiritual, and aesthetic expression. The program is interdisciplinary by design but located squarely within the traditional fields of the humanities, incorporating the study of literature, philosophy, foreign languages, and the fine arts. It seeks to compare and contrast Western and Judeo-Christian modes of expression with those of non-Western cultures in order to reveal the differences and similarities among the world’s peoples and to increase students’ sense of compassion for and understanding of their fellow human beings. The mission of the program is as follows: to develop in students a fuller understanding of the nature of the human being; to prepare them for meaningful lives and successful careers as responsible, informed members of global society; to teach them how to combine critical thinking and religious awareness in a responsible way; and to encourage them in the pursuit of academic excellence and service at all levels.
Modern Foreign Languages
Philosophy for the Modern Foreign Languages Area
The use of language is a basic characteristic of mankind. The study of more than one language is essential to a well-rounded liberal arts program. The program of studies in the Modern Foreign 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, and literature represented by the linguistic cultures; and to develop a global concept to view the world from an enlightened perspective.
Objectives for the Modern Foreign Languages Area
Appropriate to his or her potential level of achievement, the student will demonstrate the ability to: 1) understand, read, write, and speak the language; 2) use the language as a tool for self-expression, orally and in writing, with correct grammar and usage; 3) understand and appreciate the different values, traditions, and customs represented by the linguistic culture; and 4) demonstrate knowledge of the literature and the use of the language as a tool for research.
Placement for the Modern Foreign Languages Area
Students entering from high school with one or more units in a foreign language are encouraged to enroll at the 102 level or above. If unsure of the level, they should consult the foreign language specialist for proper placement. Students with foreign language experience other than in the classroom may enter a course at the appropriate level determined by test and/or interview. It is not recommended that a student begin the study of two different foreign languages in one year.
Requirements for a Minor in a Modern Foreign Language
Students minoring in a foreign language will be required to complete eighteen hours in the same language; at least six semester hours must be at 300 or above.
Requirements for a Supporting Area
For a supporting area, students are required to take six hours above the 202 level in language. Three of these hours must be numbered 300 and above.
Language Requirement for Native Speakers of French, Spanish, or German
Native speakers of French, Spanish, or German may, with permission of the modern foreign language faculty and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, fulfill the foreign language requirement in their language, beginning at the level deemed suitable by the foreign language faculty. Students must take at least 6 hours upper level courses in their native language. They may also choose to complete six hours of coursework in English courses above 202 and beyond the 12 hours required in the core, or twelve hours of coursework in a second foreign language. Native speakers may not take courses at the 100 or 200 levels in their native language. A native speaker may not elect a minor in his or her native language.
Foreign Lanquage Requirement.
To fulfill the requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree, students will normally complete twelve semester hours in the same foreign language. With special permission, students may complete the requirement in two different foreign languages. Bachelor of music in vocal performance majors take any 6 hours plus diction courses. Others may take one year of a modern language and one year of a biblical language if permission is granted. Students entering with advanced placement or CLEP credit hours, high school credits, or foreign language experience outside the classroom may fulfill the language requirement by completing any modern foreign language course numbered 202 or above. This does not apply to courses in Hebrew or Greek as foreign languages or to courses in the modern foreign languages numbered 297, 298, 397, 398, 497, and 498 except when courses so numbered carry at least three hours credit. CLEP hours in a foreign language may be counted only to satisfy the language requirement.
Philosophy (PY)
Philosophy for the Philosophy Area
The program of studies leading to a minor 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 the 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 six 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 second reader (one of whom must be on the honors faculty), have a thesis proposal approved prior to the thesis semester, take EN 498H (3 hours) during their senior year and defend the finished thesis in an oral examination. Complete guidelines are available from honors program faculty.
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
The 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.
Leadership and Cultural Studies
The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Leadership and Cultural Studies develops proficiency in communication, critical thinking, and interpersonal relations. The emphasis in communication includes composition, the arts, logic, and counseling. Critical thinking involves studies in philosophy, world politics, and religion, as well as ethics and psychology. Interpersonal preparation adds consideration of world conflict and its resolution, and investigations into traditions of leadership.
Admission Requirements for the Major in Leadership and Cultural Studies
- Meet or exceed all University of Mobile admission requirements as provided in this catalog.
- Make application for the LCS program after completing 50 hours of core curriculum courses.
- Have attained the age of 21 or older.
ART (Studio) (AR)
Philosophy for the Art Area
The program of studies in art is designed to educate students to become professional practitioners in art; to make them visually literate; to impress upon them the personal and social importance of art; to give them an understanding of the facets of our physical, social, and moral environment and a code of behavior and thought based upon Christian principles. In achieving meaningful contact with the art world, the art student develops self-expression in the creative process. The creative process fosters growth, change, expansion of ideas, understanding, and potential.
Objectives for the Art Area
The student will demonstrate the ability to: 1) appreciate and understand various periods of art from prehistoric times to the present day; 2) apply a working knowledge of the creative elements of two-dimensional and three-dimensional design in a personal, expressive way; and 3) recognize that one of the best methods of learning is through the visual process, and evaluate and analyze his or her own work and that of others in that context.
ProgramsMajor- Art, B.A.
- Art, Graphic Design Concentration, B.A.
- Communication, B.A.
- Communication, B.S.
- English Language Arts, Secondary Certification, B.A.
- English, B.A.
- General Studies, B.S.
- Humanities, B.A.
- Leadership and Cultural Studies, B.S.
MinorCoursesArtCommunicationEnglishFrenchPage: 1
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