Department of Humanities

The Department of Humanities offers degrees and minors in ENGLISH , Literature Emphasis (BA) , Literature (Minor) , Creative Writing Emphasis (BA) , Professional Writing Emphasis (BA) , and, English 5-Adult (BS ED) ; HISTORY History (BA) , History (Minor) , Social Studies 5-Adult (BS ED) ; PHILOSOPHY Philosophy (Minor) , as well as General Education courses in English, History, and Philosophy; and courses in French, German, and Spanish for students in various degree programs.

Courses in the Department 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 - Literature Emphasis , Creative Writing Emphasis or Professional Writing Emphasis and/or B.S. in Education 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 Education course requirements:

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 General Education Program which must include six hours of one foreign language; (2) courses within the history 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:

HIST 316 History of the Russias (3)
(see instructor for arrangements)
HIST 331 Asian Philosophy (3)
HIST 335 Ancient East Asia (3)
HIST 375 History of World Religions (3)
HIST 412 Slavery in the Atlantic World (3)
HIST 418 Modern East Asia (3)

(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.)

HIST 412 Slavery in the Atlantic World (3)
HIST 414 American Cultures (3)
HIST 415 European Social History, 1400-1900 (3)
HIST 418 Modern East Asia (3)
HIST 450 Seminar in History (3)

History Minor Requirements

18 hours

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 minor in Philosophy . The Program also works closely with other Departments and Professional Degree Programs to enable students to pursue a second major or a minor in philosophy to support their career objectives.