Academics

Humanities

BA • Major

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The Humanities program examines the ideas, values and creative works of earlier cultures and their later influence, through multiple disciplines of the humanities, such as literature, history, art, philosophy, religion and mythology. If you have a broad interest in the liberal arts, then the Humanities major may be for you!

You will examine the culture, ideas and values of earlier cultures both in their original time periods and as they were borrowed and transformed by later ages. Learn how the classical past has been used as an ideal by modern cultures – including American culture – and how western culture has developed its own particular views about itself as being distinctly different from non-western cultures. You may find yourself looking at history, cultures and the status quo in new ways!

Design Your Own Major
A highly flexible program, the Humanities major gives you tremendous choice in designing your own course of study. Together with your advisor, you can choose from a wide spectrum of courses from different disciplines to chart your own course! The array of interesting and challenging classes will sharpen your critical-thinking skills and prepare you to pursue opportunities in virtually any field after graduation. See the curriculum.

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Add Distinction to Your Major

Take just a few additional courses to add the distinction of a concentration to your degree.

Comparative Mythology and Literature

The cultural importance and continuity of mythology and literature has a central place in the Humanities curriculum. If you want to focus further on the study of myth and literature, across a range of cultures and periods, the concentration in Comparative Mythology and Literature brings a special emphasis to your major, and adds a special distinction to your degree.

By taking a small number of additional key courses, you will develop a deeper familiarity with the myths and literatures of different cultures, and gain important tools for understanding, interpreting and comparing them. And a specialization within your major looks great on your resume and will set you apart during job interviews!

See the curriculum.

Get Your Teacher Certification

Elementary Education

Humanities with Teacher Certification in Elementary School Teacher in Grades K-6 (BA)

If you want to become a teacher after you graduate, you can choose to major in Humanities and also earn certification to teach in elementary schools. This option is also ideal for students interested in New Jersey teacher certification who are applying to Montclair with transfer credits in any of the Humanities disciplines.

Students who wish to pursue K-6 teacher certification in Elementary Education must apply and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Once admitted, students will be matriculated into the BA in Elementary Education program as a second major.

See the curriculum.

Combined Programs

A Combined degree program enables undergraduate students to enroll in graduate courses in their senior year, which can be counted toward the completion of both their bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements. The ability to take these “swing courses” allows students to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a shortened period of time, typically within five years. The Humanities program offers two combined programs:

  • BA/MBA in Humanities
  • Combined BA/MAT with Teacher Certification in Grades K-6 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities
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Career Opportunities

  • Human Resources
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Sociologist
  • Teacher
  • Researcher
  • writer


Related Programs

In addition to the Classics major and minor, the Classics and General Humanities department at Montclair State University offers a dynamic array of related programs in Latin and Greek, Myth Studies, Archaeology, and Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations.

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Office of Undergraduate Admissions

The office of Undergraduate Admissions will guide you every step of the way on your journey from learning about the University and its offerings, to applying for a program through to acceptance and enrollment.

Classics and General Humanities

The Classics and General Humanities Department offers programs that aim to examine the culture, ideas and values of earlier civilizations with a view to promoting an understanding of the recurrent patterns but also enormous diversity of human culture. These investigations aim to prepare students to become engaged citizens capable of bringing a historical and critical perspective to bear on questions that beset modern societies.
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Wherever you learn—on campus or online—Montclair State University offers the programs, community and support to help you reach your goals. Take the next step today.

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