Contact Information

Contact Information
Division
Liberal Arts
Dean
Patrick Marasso
Associate Deans
Soni Verma, Maria Villasenor
Location
Division Office
W 107, Rocklin Campus

Overview

The study of Humanities offers an approach which integrates the arts, literature, history, music, philosophy and other disciplines. The program focuses on the culture of human civilization from classic antiquity through the Middle Ages and Renaissance to the Modern Era. The objective of the Humanities is to give a sense of wholeness to human experience.

Faculty

Jason File

Professor, Humanities

B.A., University of California, San Diego
M.A., University of North Carolina

Johnnie D. Terry

Professor, Humanities/Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies/Philosophy/Women and Gender Studies

B.A., San Diego State University
M.A., San Diego State University

Degrees/Certificates

Humanities—Asian Studies

AA Degree

The AA degree in Humanities—Asian Studies provides preparation for upper-division course work in Humanities at a four-year university. The degree will guide students to examine the Asian experience through its ideas (philosophy), through its commitment to its culture, traditions and rituals (religions) and through its applied practices (the disciplines for self-development of body/mind health, meditation and martial arts). Courses are offered which provide opportunities for self-discovery and the construction of a coherent outlook and critical reason. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements. Students must fulfill the following major requirements with grades of “C” or better, complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable semester units (12 of which must be completed at Sierra College) with a grade point average of at least 2.0 and complete one of the following three general education patterns:

Required Courses

HUM 0001Introduction to Humanities I3
HUM 0002Introduction to Humanities II3
HUM 0003Introduction to Asian Humanities3
Select 10-12 units from the following:10-12
History of Islamic Art
History of Traditional East Asia
History of Modern East Asia
World Religions
Elementary Japanese - Level I
Basic Self Defense
Fundamentals of Yoga
Introduction to Meditation
Introduction to Asian Philosophy
Total Units19-21

Humanities—Diverse Perspectives

AA Degree

The AA degree in Humanities—Diverse Perspectives provides preparation for upper division course work in Humanities at a four-year university. The Humanities—Diverse Perspectives AA degree pattern guides students through a series of courses that focus specifically on examining History, Art, Architecture, Philosophy, Drama, Literature and Music from diverse perspectives. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements. Students must fulfill the following major requirements with grades of “C” or better, complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable semester units (12 of which must be completed at Sierra College) with a grade point average of at least 2.0 and complete one of the following three general education patterns:

Required Courses

HUM 0001Introduction to Humanities I3
HUM 0002Introduction to Humanities II3
HUM 0003Introduction to Asian Humanities3
Select 12 units from the following:12
History of Women in Art
History of Asian Art
History of Islamic Art
Introduction to LGBTIQ Literature
Literature by Women
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
History of Traditional East Asia
History of Modern East Asia
Classical Roots of the Contemporary Western World
Introduction to Women, Gender and Religion (also WMST 0003)
World Religions
Introduction to Mythology
Introduction to Atheism
Introduction to LGBT Studies/Queer Theory (WMST 0002)
Queer (LGBTIQ) Film History
Introduction to Asian Philosophy
Introduction to Philosophy of Women in Western Cultures
Total Units21

Humanities—General

AA Degree

The AA degree in Humanities—General provides preparation for upper division course work in Humanities at a four-year university. The degree acquaints students with the relevant eras, ideas, ideals, values and terminology endemic to the field as expressed in art, music, drama, literature, philosophy and religion. The Humanities—General AA degree pattern affords students the widest array of Humanities coursework from which to choose to satisfy transfer institution requirements. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements. Students must fulfill the following major requirements with grades of “C” or better, complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable semester units (12 of which must be completed at Sierra College) with a grade point average of at least 2.0 and complete one of the following three general education patterns:

Required Courses

HUM 0001Introduction to Humanities I3
HUM 0002Introduction to Humanities II3
HUM 0003Introduction to Asian Humanities3
Select 12 units from the following:12
Visual Communication (also COMM 0012)
Art Appreciation
Survey of Western Art I: Prehistory through the Middle Ages
Survey of Western Art II: Renaissance Traditions
Survey of Western Art III: Modern through Contemporary
History of Women in Art
History and Aesthetics of Photography (also PHOT 0010)
History of the Arts of Africa, the Americas, and Oceania
History of Asian Art
History of Islamic Art
Critical Thinking and Writing about Literature
Introduction to LGBTIQ Literature
Introduction to Literary Criticism and Critical Concepts
Literature by Women
Introduction to Drama as Literature
American Literature - Beginnings through Civil War
American Literature - Civil War to the Present
Introduction to Poetry
Introduction to Shakespeare (The Drama)
Introduction to the Novel
Introduction to the Short Story
American Film Masterpieces
International Film Masterpieces
The Filmed Novel
The Documentary Film
Children's Literature (also HDEV 0044)
Young Adult Literature
English Literature
English Literature
World Literature
World Literature
Literature of Science Fiction
Western Civilization to 1715
Western Civilization since 1715
Classical Roots of the Contemporary Western World
Introduction to Women, Gender and Religion (also WMST 0003)
World Religions
Introduction to Mythology
Introduction to Atheism
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
Introduction to the New Testament
Introduction to LGBT Studies/Queer Theory (also WMST 0002)
Queer (LGBTIQ) Film History
Music Appreciation
Introduction and History of Jazz
Survey of Music History and Literature to 1750
Survey of Music History and Literature from 1750 to Present
Introduction to Music: History of Rock and Roll
Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics
Introduction to Critical Thinking
Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality
Philosophy of Religion
Introduction to Asian Philosophy
History of Ancient Greek Philosophy
History of Modern Philosophy
Introduction to Philosophy of Women in Western Cultures
Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy
Introduction to Environmental Ethics
Introduction to the Philosophy of Science
Introduction to Theatre
Total Units21
 

Courses

Understanding course descriptions

HUM 0001. Introduction to Humanities I

Units: 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduction to the western cultural tradition through a survey of its religion, art, philosophy, literature, music, and architecture; covers prehistory through the Middle Ages. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0002. Introduction to Humanities II

Units: 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduction to the western cultural tradition through a survey of its religion, art, philosophy, literature, music, and architecture; covers the Renaissance through the modern world. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0003. Introduction to Asian Humanities

Units: 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Survey of the religion, art, philosophy, literature, music, and architecture of Asia - from prehistory to the present - with an emphasis on India, China and Japan. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0005. Classical Roots of the Contemporary Western World

Units: 3
Formerly known as HUM 300G
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
An examination of the Classical World's influence on the Contemporary Western World with special emphasis on theology, body image, love and sex, gender roles, democracy, conceptions of the good life, and entertainment based upon evidence from the art, architecture, literature, and philosophy of the Classical World. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0009. Introduction to Women, Gender and Religion

Units: 3
Also known as WMST 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Religion from a feminist perspective through a cross-cultural examination of major religious traditions of the East and West, as well as tribal faith practices. Emphasis on the historical role of women and gender in rituals, sacred texts, institutional structures, doctrine and religious iconography with respect to the impact on contemporary women regarding faith, politics and identity. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0010. World Religions

Units: 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Interdisciplinary survey of the beliefs and practices of the world's major religious traditions; focuses on primal religions, Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0015. Introduction to Mythology

Units: 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
The major elements of western mythology, its history and development as part of the human experience and its influence on art, literature and politics. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0017. Introduction to Atheism

Units: 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduction to the philosophy of atheism, its historical roots, major thinkers, and expressions in art, literature and philosophy. Includes history of free inquiry and thought, secular humanism, humanistic ethics and scientific naturalism. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0020. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible

Units: 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduction to the texts of the Hebrew Bible ("Old Testament" or "Torah") and associated writings from the Ancient Near East. Analyzes the texts in their historical and cultural context, and surveys their various genres (poetry, prophecy, law, mythology, history, wisdom, etc.) Explores the relationship between Hebrew Scriptures and archaeology, literature, history, current Biblical scholarship, and women's studies. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0021. Introduction to the New Testament

Units: 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduction to New Testament literature in its cultural and historical context. Employs methods of critical analysis of Biblical materials, surveying issues related to their authorship, genre and content. Explores the historical Jesus, literary depictions of Jesus in the gospels, the career and writings of the apostle Paul, the structure and beliefs of the early Christian church, and Christian apocalypticism. Emphasizes the impact of the New Testament on western culture. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0028. Independent Study

Units: 1-3
Designed for students interested in furthering their knowledge at an independent study level in an area where no specific curriculum offering is currently available. Independent study might include, but is not limited to, research papers, special subject area projects, and research projects. See Independent Study page in catalog. (CSU, UC-with unit limitation)

HUM 0095. Internship in Humanities

Units: 0.5-4
Designed for advanced students to work in an area related to their educational or occupational goal. Provides new on-the-job technical training under the direction of a worksite supervisor, allowing students to expand knowledge and skills in the chosen field. Mandatory orientation session and faculty approval to determine eligibility. One unit of credit is equal to each 60 hours of non-paid work, or each 75 hours of paid work. Students may earn up to a total of 16 units in internship courses (any course numbered 95 and PDEV 94). (CSU-with unit limitation)

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)

  • Critically evaluate cultural artifacts (e.g., a work of architecture, music, art, literature, philosophy) using the disciplinary language of the Humanities.
  • Analyze past cultural achievements in the context of present day intellectual expressions.
  • Evaluate a cultural artifact in the context of the historical era in which it was produced.
  • Create clear, cogent and coherent essays on topics relevant to the discipline of Humanities.