Applied Humanities, B.A.

The Applied Humanities, BA provides students with an understanding of how the Humanities inform and enhance human life. The program takes on a multidisciplinary approach, reframing timeless Humanities skills and knowledge in terms of contemporary workforce needs.

The program focuses on developing transferable, career-related skills, including cross-cultural dialogue, media literacy, ethical reflection, and leadership capacity, while also fostering an appreciation for the intrinsic value of the Humanities. This is achieved through a scaffolded program of community engagement, which aims at strengthening campus-community relationships while fostering habits of civic engagement. The community-based learning embeds a targeted career curriculum, preparing students with professional assets and a future-ready self-understanding. Hence, the Applied Humanities education prepares students to use Humanities knowledge and methods in practice as well as in theory.

Students can choose to take courses in one of three areas of emphasis: Technology & Human Values, Health Humanities, and Social Responsibility: Humanities for Organizational Leadership. All students in the major are required to complete 300 hours of community-based learning and 6-8 units of a language other than English at the college level. The major offers a project-based, community-engaged capstone, culminating in a summative portfolio.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major does not include a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course. Students must take a GWAR certified writing intensive course to fulfill the requirement.

Major Academic Plans, Applied Humanities, B.A.

Program MAPs represent recommended or possible pathways toward degree completion in four years (or two years for transfer students). Please see an advisor and use the DARS planner to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.

Applied Humanities, B.A. MAP

Applied Humanities, B.A. Transfer MAP

Requirements for the Major (41-49 Units)

Core Courses (17 Units)

Take all of the following courses.

HUM 101S - Applied Humanities Units: 3
HUM 103 - Applied Storytelling Units: 3
SP 121S - Issues in Community Volunteering Units: 1
HUM 205 - Navigating Change Units: 3
PHIL 309B - Perspectives: Humanities/Science/ Social Science Units: 3
HUM 490S - Applied/Service Learning Capstone Experience Units: 4

Emphasis Areas (18-24 Units)

Take 6 courses in one of the following emphasis areas. At least 9 units in the emphasis area must be upper division.

Community-Based Learning (300 Hours)

Students in the Applied Humanities, BA are required to complete 300 hours of community-based learning throughout the major. This requirement can be met during the semester and/or during breaks, including summer. Involvement in community-based learning is part of the major’s career curriculum and provides opportunities for hands-on learning as well as the development of career skills. The introductory and required courses in the major prepare students for culturally responsible community involvement.

To meet this requirement, students can take Humboldt courses with a service-learning component locally or abroad. In addition, the YES Program or College Corps on campus offer a wide array of community involvement opportunities. For additional questions regarding this requirement, contact a major advisor.

Language requirement (6-8 Units)

Students in the major are required to take two semesters of a language other than English at the college level. For additional questions about this requirement, contact a major advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Applied Humanities graduates will be able to gather, evaluate, and employ information in multiple genres of source material.
Applied Humanities graduates will demonstrate professionalism in presentation, communication, and collaboration.
Applied Humanities graduates will be able to analyze foundational humanities texts and apply their analysis to real-world circumstances.
Applied Humanities graduates will be able to articulate the value of the humanities in developing effective leaders.
Applied Humanities graduates will develop skills and abilities necessary to succeed within their chosen emphasis area / professional pathway.