Humanities

  • BA
  • Major
Students talking with laptops in front of them.

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.

Add Distinction to Your Major

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

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

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.

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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

Career Opportunities

Human Resources
Interpersonal Communication

Sociologist
Teacher

Researcher
Writer

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Undergraduate Admissions Office

Whether you’re looking to begin an application, have questions about transferring to Montclair or trying to check your application status, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is pleased to help you in any way we can.

Department of Classics, Humanities and Philosophy

We bring together disciplines dedicated to examining the human experience through culture, history, ideas and critical inquiry.