Department of Humanities & Philosophy
Department Chair: Jeff Andersen
Department Secretary: Euleza Hymas (208) 496-2103
Department Faculty: Jeff AndersenRick DavisJason FloraRodney MatsonBrian MerrillVaughn Stephenson

 
For information on Philosophy courses, refer to the Philosophy section of the catalog.
Forming  the  basis  for  every  other  academic  discipline,  the  minor  in  Humanities  compliments  majors  in  the  English,  and  Social  sciences,  and  prepares  students  for  a  lifetime  of  enjoyment  in  the  arts.
 



Minor in  Humanities (109)
Rationale for a Minor in Humanities Our curriculum prepares students who do not continue their education beyond the Bachelor's Degree for life-long appreciation and enjoyment of good music, literature, art and architecture. It provides students with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills which would complement majors in the arts, literature, social sciences, education, and business. Students with a Humanities background are sought after for graduate programs in medicine, law, and business, as well as in the humanities and social sciences.


Minor Requirements

 Take 1 Course

 HUM 101
 HUM 101H

AND
      Take 1 Course

      HUM 201
      HUM 201H

     AND
      Take 1 Course

      HUM 202
      HUM 202H


AND
Humanities 385 Travel studies in Humanities offered to participants on the annual European tour may substitute for the senior seminar. For tour details contact the Department of Humanities & Philosophy.
 Take 1 Course

 HUM 385
 HUM 497R


AND
Language Requirement: Minors in humanities must complete a modern foreign language course at or above the 202 level or complete a classical language course (Ancient Greek, Latin, or Biblical Hebrew) at or above the 102 level.


AND
 Take all of these courses

 HUM 266
 HUM 333

AND
      Take 1 Course

      HUM 342

     OR
      Take 1 Course

      ANTH 310
      ANTH 340
      ANTH 341
      ANTH 342
      ANTH 343
      ANTH 344
      ANTH 345
      ANTH 346
      ANTH 347
      ANTH 348
      ANTH 349
      ANTH 350




Minor in  Philosophy (124)
A minor in philosophy is an excellent preparation for professional and graduate education and for careers in business and industry. Philosophy will prepare you to think through complex issues and to clearly articulate and rationally defend your ideas--abilities highly valued in the world of study and work. Philosophy students also tend to excel on standardized tests like the LSAT for law school, the MCAT for medical school, and GRE for graduate programs. But philosophy also enriches our lives as we begin to tackle the most profound and intriguing questions about truth and meaning.


Minor Requirements

 Take 1 Course

 PHIL 110
 PHIL 110H

AND
      Take 1 Course

      PHIL 201
      PHIL 201H

     AND
      Take 1 Course

      PHIL 202
      PHIL 202H


AND
 Take all of these courses

 PHIL 205
 PHIL 497R


AND
 Take 2 Courses

 PHIL 313
 PHIL 313H
 PHIL 314
 PHIL 315
 PHIL 315H


AND
Language Requirement: Minors in philosophy must complete a modern foreign language course at or above the 202 level or complete a classical language course (Ancient Greek, Latin, or Biblical Hebrew) at or above the 102 level. Minors are encouraged to complete this requirement in a language in which there is a significant body of philosophical literature. These languages are French, German, Ancient Greek, and Latin.


 
Course Descriptions

HUM 101 Introduction to Humanities (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Arts requirement.
Designed to give students a broad overview of painting, sculpture, music, literature, architecture and film. The course examines how the arts reflect humanity's attempt to find meaning and fulfillment in life.
 
HUM 201 The Arts in Western Culture: Pre-Historic to Renaissance (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Arts requirement.
A study of the development of Western civilization, examining the art, architecture, music, and literature of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Medieval Europe [3000 BCE to 1400 AD] within historical, religious, and philosophical contexts.
 
HUM 202 The Arts in Western Culture: Renaissance to Modern (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Arts requirement.
A study of the cultural development of Western civilization as expressed through art, architecture, music, and literature from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods [1400AD-present].
 
HUM 266 American Humanities (3:3:0)
This survey course examines American art, architecture, music, literature, and film within a historical context. Students encounter the greatest American cultural achievements and discover the diverse influences that molded the arts in America.
 
HUM 290R Independent Study (1-2:0:0)
Directed studies for Europe Travel Program with individualized instruction on a topic in the Humanities.
 
HUM 333 Spirituality in the Arts (3:3:0)
Prerequisite: Humanities 201 & 202 or Art 201 & 202
This course explores spiritual themes and concepts in art, architecture and music. Topics may include the nature of worship, art as an approach to the Divine, or religious symbolism.
 
HUM 342 Humanities of the Islamic World (3:3:0)
Survey of Islamic civilization including fundamental Islamic beliefs, historical development, art, architecture, music, literature and science. Students discover the cultural roots of current conflicts between Islam and the West.
 
HUM 385 Independant Study (1-3:0:0)
Prerequisite: Except for extenuating circumstances, students should take Humanities 101, 201, and 202 before registering for this course.
This self-study course allows one-to-one contact with a faculty member who helps focus and direct student inquiry.
 
HUM 497R Senior Seminar (3:3:0)
Prerequisite: Senior Status
This senior-level seminar takes an inter-disciplinary approach to topics in the Humanities as selected by the instructor. Topics may include period studies (such as the Renaissance) topical approaches (such as the concept of the hero) or theoretical or methodological studies in the Humanities.
 
PHIL 110 Introduction to Philosophy (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Letters requirement.
Introduction to philosophical thought through reasoning on such topics as ethics, reality, and knowledge. Practice articulating, assessing, and rationally defending positions on philosophical issues. Includes examination of major philosophical texts.
 
PHIL 201 Ancient & Medieval Philosophy (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Letters requirement.
Prerequisite: None but an inquiring mind and a willingness to study hard and participate actively.
An examination through leading texts of the historical development of western philosophy from Greek antiquity through the Middle Ages.
 
PHIL 202 Modern Philosophy (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Letters requirement.
An examination through leading texts of the historical development of western philosophy from the Renaissance to the present.
 
PHIL 203 History of Religious Thought (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Social Science requirement.
A survey of the development of religious thought from ancient times to the beginning of Christianity, including Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek, Israelite and Canaanite religions.
 
PHIL 204 History of Religious Thought (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Social Science requirement.
A survey of the development of Christian religious thought from Christ to the modern era.
 
PHIL 205 Introduction to Logic (3:3:0)
Informal and formal logic, including syllogistic, propositional, and first-order predicate logic, and quantification theory.
 
PHIL 313 Introduction to Ethics (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Letters requirement.
Introduction to and evaluation of major ethical theories and their application to contemporary moral issues. Emphasizes practice in moral reasoning.
 
PHIL 314 History and Philosophy of Science (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Letters requirement.
Prerequisite: Completion of Physical Science GE class and its associated lab.
Discusses the philosophical assumptions of modern science, criteria for theory selection, and traces their historical development. Describes the historical development of basic ideas in science.
 
PHIL 315 Philosophy of Religion (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Letters requirement.
Introduction to reasoning on philosophical issues regarding the existence and nature of god, religious experience, faith, religious knowledge, and the religious life.
 
PHIL 497R Topics in Philosophy (3:3:0)
Intensive study of a philosophical period, figure, or topic through close readings of primary and secondary texts. Includes a major research and writing project.