The Division of Humanities offers degrees and minors in ENGLISH Journalism Emphasis (BA) , Journalism (Minor) , Literature Emphasis (BA) , Literature (Minor) , Creative Writing Emphasis (BA) , English 5-9 (BS ED) , English 5-Adult (BS ED) ; HISTORY History (BA) , History (Minor) , Social Studies 5-Adult (BS ED) ; PHILOSOPHY History of Philosophy (BA) , Philosophy (Minor) ; and SPANISH Spanish (BA) , Spanish (Minor) , Spanish 5-Adult (BS ED) , Spanish PreK-Adult (BS ED) , as well as General Studies courses in English, History, and Philosophy; Journalism courses; and courses in French, German, and Spanish for students in various degree programs.
Courses in the Division of Humanities are designed to increase understanding of and appreciation for languages and literature, to hone critical thinking, reading, and writing skills, to foster multicultural awareness, and to prepare students to participate more effectively within a democratic society.
Programs
English
The English degree programs prepare students for careers and for graduate study in education, journalism, and other fields that require expertise in writing, close reading, and critical thinking.
The English minor programs are designed to enhance any degree program by strengthening crucial critical-thinking and communication skills.
Students pursuing a degree in English may select the B.A. English - Journalism Emphasis , Literature Emphasis or Creative Writing Emphasis and/or B.S. in Education English 5-9 or English 5-Adult . Formal admission into any English degree program is contingent upon the following: (1) completion of ENGL 205 with a grade of C or better, and (2) satisfactory completion of program entrance-level assessment requirements. Graduation from any English degree program is contingent upon fulfillment of program exit-level assessment requirements.
Students who major or minor in English or select a teaching content specialization in English must earn a grade average of at least 2.50 in all work attempted in English and, when applicable, in journalism at Concord. In addition, the student must earn a grade of C or better in each required English course and, when applicable, in each required journalism course.
Modern Languages
Benefits Of Language Study For All Students
With the increasing internationalization of our population, and a growing appreciation of our cultural and ethnic diversity, we recognize that languages other than English are not really "modern" to the United States. In addition to many Native American and immigrant languages, Spanish is spoken as a first or second language by an estimated 35 million people in the U.S., and by over 350 million people in 20 countries in the world.
Given our own national demographic needs and constant evidence of the global and interdependent nature of environmental and economic problems in our world, the acquisition of modern language skills is assuming ever greater urgency, in order to foster clearer communication and better understanding in diplomacy, ecology, business and economics.
In certain states and in most U.S. cities, a practical knowledge of Spanish has become essential to practice careers such as medicine, law and law enforcement, social work, nursing, and teaching. Spanish on the transcript can be a deciding factor in hiring decisions.
French is still an international language, favored in diplomacy and business, and is spoken by an estimated 130 million people in 37 countries and territories.
German, the most widely spoken language in Europe, is recommended or required by many U.S. university graduate programs in biology, physics, chemistry, linguistics, religious studies, and art history, since cutting-edge research in these fields is often published in German books and scholarly journals.
Coursework in Spanish, French, and/ or German can serve the needs of Concord University students in various fields by enabling them to:
- meet graduation requirements for undergraduate degree programs requiring modern language courses
- meet requirements for graduate programs
- pursue personal interest in or professional need for acquaintance with one or more of these languages
- fulfill up to two Concord University General Studies course requirements:
In certain cases, a two-semester sequence of courses in the same modern language can be substituted for up to two General Studies courses. Both courses in this two-course sequence must be passed before General Studies credit can be awarded. Modern language courses can be used to substitute for no more than one General Studies course per Academic Division.
Students entering Concord with no high school credit in a particular language may substitute the 101-102 sequence of courses in that language for up to two General Studies courses.
Students entering Concord with one year of high-school credit in a language may take the 101-level course in that language for credit toward graduation, but not for General-Studies course substitution purposes. A two-course sequence in that language that begins at the 102- or 110-level (or higher) may be substituted for up to two General Studies courses.
Students entering Concord with two or more years of high school credit in a particular language may take the 101-102 course sequence (or the 110-level course) in that language for credit toward graduation, but not for General-Studies course substitution purposes. A two-course sequence in that language beginning at the 201-level (or higher) may be substituted for up to two General Studies courses.
Students fulfilling modern language program requirements MAY take 101 and 102 of a language studied in high school to fulfill program requirements, but may NOT substitute for general studies requirements with the same language.
A second year of college-level language study is especially valuable, for it includes review, reinforcement, and enhancement of skills all too often forgotten after only one year of study. And it is usually only at this level that one begins to get a "feel" for the language and the culture it embodies, and to be able to use the language as a tool for further learning.
Since language learning is far more efficient if continuous between high school and college courses, and/or between semesters or years at the college level, it is wise not to postpone enrollment in language courses.
History
Understanding the development of civilizations in various times and places allows us to analyze and appreciate the modern milieu and its potential futures. The study of history encompasses politics, economics, science and technology, culture and social relationships, perspectives, ideas, values, and attitudes. A degree in the discipline will prepare a person for a broad range of careers and graduate training in the historical professions, in historical preservation, in education, law, the social sciences, business, and other professions.
The degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in history requires successful completion of 120 semesters hours, including (1) the Program of General Studies which must include six hours of one foreign language; (2) courses within the history program OR the history of philosophy program as outlined below; and (3) a program of electives or a minor as worked out with the student's adviser.
Classroom, on line, distance, or television courses at institutions outside of the West Virginia state systems: Approval of substitutions for major requirements must be with the consent of the Department of History and Philosophy.
Within the program, the following three sets of requirements must be met for the degree:
(a) History Major Foundational Survey Requirements
(b) History Major Advanced Courses Requirements
At the discretion of the student, and in conjunction with advising by history faculty, eighteen hours of upper level (300s and 400s designation) history electives must be completed. In addition, of the eighteen hours, at least three hours must be in American history, at least three hours must be in European history, and at least three hours must be designated non-Western history courses.
Designated non-western history courses are:
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(c) History Major Senior Thesis
A capstone senior thesis course is required. Such courses are always designated as 400 level. One of the following courses will be offered during the spring semester of every academic year as the designated capstone course. (Other 400 level courses may be offered during the academic year, but will not be designated as capstone courses and cannot be taken to fill the capstone requirement, unless extraordinary circumstances meet both instructor and departmental approval.)
History Minor Requirements
18 hours
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- Twelve hours of history electives
Philosophy
The Philosophy Program explores the fundamental problems of knowledge, truth and reason, the nature of reality, existence, meaning, and value, ethical conduct, and aesthetic phenomena. It develops the analytical, critical, and communication skills applicable to a wide range of disciplines in the Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Professional Degree Programs. It encourages self-discovery and responsible, effective civic engagement.
The Philosophy Program provides practical training for a wide range of careers including philosophy, religion, law and public service.
Students may pursue a major in History of Philosophy or a minor in Philosophy . The Program also works closely with other Divisions and Professional Degree Programs to enable students to pursue a second major or a minor in philosophy to support their career objectives.
Spanish
Like other programs within the Division of Humanities, the Spanish program is designed to increase understanding of and appreciation for language and literature, to expand critical thinking, reading and writing skills, to foster multicultural awareness, and to prepare students to participate more effectively as global citizens. More particularly, the Spanish program is designed to provide the student with linguistic competency in Spanish and cultural literacy- an awareness of Hispanic history, social practices, and literary traditions that will enable the student to function in Spanish speaking societies.
The Spanish major prepares students for graduate study in Spanish or Comparative Literature or for teaching careers in elementary or secondary schools. The Spanish major and minor open the door to careers in business, public administration, social work, personnel administration, public relations, or any other occupation involving extensive contact with Spanish speakers, whether in the United States or abroad.
Students in the Spanish Program may seek the following: (1) Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Spanish; (2) B.S. in Education degree with a Spanish certification; or (3) a minor in Spanish.
