Humanities
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA in Humanities, an undergraduate certificate in World Literature, and a graduate certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies. The Humanities major is an interdisciplinary program that gives students the freedom to create a course of study uniquely shaped to their interests. The Department of Humanities offers two tracks: Global Humanities and Peace and Conflict Studies.
Sample of Related Skills
- Demonstrate knowledge of the contributions of significant Western thinkers to ongoing intellectual debate about moral, social, and political alternatives
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically about moral, social, and political arguments in the Western intellectual tradition, evaluating the logic of these arguments and relating them to the historical and cultural context
- Consider moral, social, and political issues from an interdisciplinary perspective
- Identify characteristics of Western Civilization and its influence on the modern world through multiple cognate areas of liberal arts
- Apply fundamental concepts to describe the development of Western Civilization over a significant period of time (critical thinking)
Popular Career Paths
Law: The skills learned within this major like logical and critical thinking and the writing abilities gained offers a great path into the law profession. There is a variety of options within the profession including public defender, criminal defense, corporate law and many more.
Education: Offers you the ability to educate, research, and advise in all levels of education. Research and communication skills are very important to this career path.
Writing/Editing/Publishing: Involves careers in newspapers and magazines, book publishing, freelancing, arts and entertainment, and radio and television.
Religion: The skills attained from a humanities and western civilization major is a great path into religion. Further education within this profession is required and prepares you for this career path much more extensively. Clergy member and church administration are two of the most common professions within the career.
Business/Public Relations: Many businesses need help within the area of public relations which is all about their image and how they are viewed from the public’s point of view. Written and analytical skills are very important within this career path.
Arts: Involves careers in museums, libraries, and galleries that connect your studies in humanities and western civilization with the general public.
Jobs to Consider
- Advertising Copywriter
- Art Acquisition Specialist
- Art Librarian
- Business Analyst
- Communications Specialist
- Community Affairs Coordinator
- Copywriter
- Editorial Assistant
- Document and Procedures Analyst
- Fact Checker
- Freelance Writer
- Fundraiser
- Historian
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Legislative Aide
- Lobbyist
- Media Relations Executive
- Mediator
- Minister
- Museum Curator
- Newspaper Editor
- Paralegal
- Policy Analyst
- Promotion Specialist
- Proofreader
- Public Relations Executive
- Publicist
- Public Information Officer
- Publishing Assistant
- Researcher
- Sales/Marketing Analyst
- Sales Representative
- Teacher/Instructor
- Technical Writer
- Translator
- Writer/Author
Places to Seek Employment
- Advertising Agencies
- Churches
- Colleges & Universities
- Corporate Businesses
- Elementary/Middle/High Schools
- Federal, State, & Local Government Agencies
- Law Firms
- Libraries
- Museums/Galleries
- Newspapers/Magazines
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Public Relations Firms
- Publishing Companies
- Research Institutions
Explore More Career Resources
American Association for State and Local History Career Center - provides job listings for state and local historical organizations
American Historical Association - various careers, with descriptions, within different industries for history majors to consider; also includes job listings, fellowships, and other professional association.
American Library Association - career information and job listings for libraries
American Society for Bioethics and Humanities - full-time job opportunities in research, bioethics and education
Chronicle of Philanthropy - a top journal for non-profit professionals; includes job listings and career information for new professionals
Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes Employment Opportunities - provides job listings, fellowship and other funding opportunities, as well as a searchable directory of humanities centers and institutes across the country and world
Humanities and Social Sciences Job Guide (H-Net) - provides job listings in history and the humanities, social sciences, and rhetoric and composition
KU Hall Center for the Humanities - coordinates special events and programs focusing on the humanities and social sciences.
Non-Profit Connect - full-time, part-time, internship, and volunteer listings with non-profits in the KC-metro area
PeaceCorps - federal service program that currently sends US volunteers to serve abroad in over 75 countries
American Bar Association - information and tips on preparing for law school
American Philosophical Association - offers several different links to associations and societies related to philosophy as well as journals related to the field
Humanities Resource Center Online - provides a comprehensive listing of related humanities organizations in areas such as governmental & national organizations, international organizations, library associations, museums, and higher education associations
National Humanities Alliance - the group works to bolster undergraduate humanities enrollments, promote public engagement with the humanities, and increase funding for the humanities.