The faculties of these three departments have created a program of humanistic studies distinctly interdisciplinary yet informed and directed by the specific humanities disciplines involved. The goal of the program is to encourage students to develop an understanding of themselves and their culture through an exploration of the ways in which mankind orders experience. These courses follow the shared humanistic approaches and methodologies of the separate disciplines, but being team-taught, they encourage students to ask questions and find solutions through a comparative and multidisciplinary approach. The period studies requirement provides an introduction to the methodologies of the separate disciplines and gives students a sense of the interrelationship among the diverse offerings of the separate departments. Unlike the interdisciplinary core courses which integrate course content, students are encouraged to discover these interrelations for themselves.
Special emphasis is placed on critical thinking, logical expression of thought, and writing skills.
Five Courses by Contract to be chosen by the student with the advice of a committee of faculty members. These courses may be selected from the offerings of the three departments or from other humanities or university offerings. After an initial grounding in the content and methods of study of the Basic Humanities program, students have the opportunity to construct an advanced program of study with the advice of a committee of at least two faculty members, each from a different discipline involved in the program. A contracted program may be structured on the basis of chronological period, comparative cultures, traditional academic discipline, theme, or topic. Further information may be obtained from any faculty member in Classical Studies, Philosophy, or Religious Studies.