Overview
Humanities Research Fellows is a cohort-based major gathered around an interdisciplinary group of faculty. These outstanding faculty members are dedicated to helping high-ability students build individualized courses of study that are focused, flexible, and grounded by research-based continuity.
With a focus on the contemporary importance of the humanities for understanding and engaging the major challenges we face today, Humanities Research Fellows majors will also have the opportunity to explore cutting edge interdisciplinary developments in digital humanities, medical humanities, public humanities, and environmental humanities. The major is flexible enough to serve those seeking to go on to medical or law school, while remaining focused on the human flourishing those professions are designed to champion.
Focused
The Humanities Research Fellows major is focused on the contemporary importance of the humanities for understanding and engaging the major challenges we face today. To facilitate a common conversation within the cohort, students take a common core that builds a solid general humanities foundation.
Flexible
Humanities Research Fellows have exceptional flexibility in selecting the trajectory of their coursework and research:
- At least 42 hours of humanities electives can be taken in Art and Art History, Classics, Communications, English, Film and Digital Media, Great Texts, History, Interdisciplinary Programs, Modern Languages and Cultures, Philosophy, Religion, and Theatre.
- An additional 47 hours of electives are entirely open, which can be organized either around a student’s interest in a particular theme or topic, or to satisfy the requirements of a second major.
Research-based
Fellows in the program share a series of courses that prepare them for individualized research, beginning with a special section of English 1310 (Writing and Academic Inquiry) in the first year and a Humanities Lab in the second year –– all of which culminates in a Humanities Capstone research project in the final year. Throughout the program, a faculty team advises and assists students in finding research opportunities with appropriate faculty across the humanities.