Humanities
Director: Omar Swartz, JD, PhD
Assistant Program Director: Lorna Hutchison, PhD
Program Assistant: Angela Beale
Office: Student Commons 3203
Telephone: 303-315-3565
E-mail: masterhs@ucdenver.edu
Website: https://clas.ucdenver.edu/mhmss/
Overview
The Master of Humanities degree program offers graduate interdisciplinary studies designed for recent university graduates or those who have graduated less recently and are now seeking intellectual enrichment, career change or preparation for a PhD or professional school. Some students are teachers or other professionals seeking additional training to expand their expertise. Many enroll in the program for the sheer satisfaction of intellectual enrichment. It is ideal for students whose professional and personal obligations require flexibility and accessibility. Whether they are part-time or full-time students, students are able to pursue their interests across disciplinary boundaries and enroll in courses from a number of departments. Students who pursue the Master of Humanities will take courses from disciplines traditionally included in the category of liberal arts, such as literature, philosophy, history, communication, fine arts, art history, theatre and music. But they may also include appropriate coursework from the social sciences or other areas. Each student’s program is supervised by an MH faculty advisor.
Requirements for Admission
General rules for graduate admission, as well as the following apply to admission into the MH program:
- evidence of a bachelor's degree
- an official copy of transcripts from all community colleges, colleges, and universities attended
- overall GPA of at least 3.2 out of 4.0
- a 15-20 page writing sample
- three letters of recommendation (at least two from academic sources)
- appropriate undergraduate training or professional background, or experience that provide evidence of ability to pursue the MH degree
- a typed statement specifying the goal of advanced study in the humanities expressed in clear, correct, and effective English. Applicants should provide a statement of their background (education and experience) and its relevance to their proposed interdisciplinary graduate work, and why this graduate program is relevant to their interests.
- standardized test scores are not required, but will be considered if submitted
After meeting all other requirements for admission, applicants may be required to have an interview to discuss their interest in the program and their plans for study.
Provisional Admission
Applicants may be admitted as provisional-status graduate students if their GPA is low and their complete record indicates a high probability of success.
NOTE: Prospective students are in no way required to pursue graduate courses as a non-degree student in order to merit acceptance to the MHMSS program. Taking graduate courses at CU Denver does not guarantee a prospective student acceptance into the MHMSS program.
Up to 12 semester hours of CU Denver graduate-level work taken as a non-degree student or taken from another university may be accepted by the program once a student has been admitted to the program. For further information on non-degree graduate student status, see the Information for Graduate Students section of this catalog. In the case of CU Denver graduate students transferring to the MH program, previous coursework may be accepted as appropriate to the MH plan of study.
International Students
International students must also meet CU Denver requirements for international admission. See the Information for International Students section of this catalog or call 303-315-2230 for further information.
Faculty
Assistant Professor:
Margaret L. Woodhull, PhD, University of Texas, Austin
Associate Professor:
Omar Swartz, PhD, Purdue University, JD, Duke University
Clinical Assistant Professor:
Lorna Hutchison, PhD, McGill University
Humanities (HUMN) Courses
HUMN 5000 - 19th and 20th Century Continental Philosophy (3 Credits)
A seminar on key problems and thinkers in the nineteenth & twentieth century continental philosophical traditions and their contemporary significance. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 4000/5000 and SSCI 5000. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
HUMN 5025 - Foundations and Theories of Interdisciplinary Humanities (3 Credits)
Exposes the beginning graduate student to exemplary works and methodologies of disciplines oriented to humanities and social sciences, such as philosophy, sociology, history, communication, fine arts, and literature. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with SSCI 5025. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall.
HUMN 5101 - Pragmatism: Classical American Philosophy (3 Credits)
The most significant philosophical tradition born in the United States is pragmatism. Examines several of the most important classical works of this tradition, the influence of thinkers who have helped pragmatism, and the contemporary relevance of this tradition. Figures who may be included in this course are: Emerson, Pierce, Royce, James, Dewey, Mead, Rorty. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 4101, 5101, SSCI 5101. Term offered: fall. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall.
HUMN 5220 - Art, Beauty, and Aesthetic Criticism: Philosophy of Art (3 Credits)
What makes something a work of “art”? How should art be interpreted or evaluated? Can we really debate about “taste” or beauty? Why do we call some people "artists" or some experiences “aesthetic"? Where does creativity come from? This course investigates such questions, offering a range of historical and contemporary answers, and examines the social, political, and philosophical roles of art in contemporary society. Methods of engaging these questions may include multimedia technologies as well as individual and group field trips to local art venues. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 4220 and PHIL 5220. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
HUMN 5242 - Medicine, Health Care, and Justice: Bioethics (3 Credits)
Anyone entering a medical profession must confront tough ethical issues and dilemmas. These often arise suddenly, so practitioners best preparation is to think ahead about what will likely occur. This course introduces students to a variety cases and philosophical theories useful to healthcare careers. For example, What is “health” and who determines it? Is there a right to health care? How should medical scarcity (vital organs, vaccines, supplies, etc.) be addressed? What duties are owed to patients by healthcare providers, and why? On what grounds may medical treatment be demanded — or refused? The goal of the class is to train students to be nimble and imaginative in how they reason about the difficult cases they will face in their career. Suggested prerequisite one or two previous courses in philosophy, and a minimum grade of C in each course are strongly recommended; if the student lacks this coursework, consult with the professor prior to registration. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 4242, PHIL 5242, SSCI 5242. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall.
HUMN 5251 - Introduction to Legal Studies (3 Credits)
A survey of the United States legal system, including lawmaking powers, jurisdiction, court procedures, professional ethics and major principles of business law, contracts, estates and probate, family law, property and torts. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 4251/SSCI 4251/SSCI 5251. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall.
HUMN 5325 - First Amendment: Theory and Context (3 Credits)
First Amendment jurisprudence including free speech/responsibility, sedition/seditious libel/dissent, prior restraints, time/place/manner restrictions, hate/intimidating speech, defamation, privacy/security tensions, intellectual property/public good, advertising, corporate speech, sexual expression, and public status of religion. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 4325, SSCI 4325, SSCI 5325, PSCI 4325 and PSCI 5325. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Spring.
HUMN 5430 - How to think green: Environmental Ethics (3 Credits)
Is it wrong to extinguish a species? What makes cruelty to animals wrong? Do trees have rights? Is the earth a resource we can use any way we want? Is vegetarianism a more ethical way to live — or just another lifestyle choice? As citizens of the world, we are bombarded by such questions. Understanding what is fundamental clarifies thinking and coordinates action. This course introduces ethical theories relevant to problems such as animal and species welfare, deforestation, pollution, climate change, and the sustainability of the planet. By examining multiple perspectives, students gain confidence judging which issues and data are significant and deciding what kind of world we should create with our actions and inactions. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 3430, PHIL 5430 and SSCI 5430. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
HUMN 5540 - Law, Diversity and Community in United States History (3 Credits)
Engaging extensive primary and secondary source material, course applies an interdisciplinary approach to diversity and conflict that often surrounds the quest for economic, moral and social inclusion in the United States. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with SSCI 5540. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall.
HUMN 5600 - Questioning Religious Belief and Practice: Introduction to Philosophy of Religion (3 Credits)
Does God exist? Can the existence of God be proved? When is believing on faith acceptable? How or why is there a “problem of evil”? What are the attributes of a "god" and how can they be known, if at all? What is the relation of God to the world we experience? How does morality relate to religious belief and practice? The goal of the course is to broaden and deepen our understanding of key philosophical debates within religious traditions as we study prominent thinkers in the history of philosophy. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 4600, PHIL 5600, RLST 4060, RLST 5060, PHIL 5060, and SSCI 5600. Term offered: summer. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Summer.
HUMN 5660 - Visual Arts: Its Past, Present, and Interpretations (3 Credits)
Provides graduate-level interdisciplinary study in the historiography, methodologies, and theories used to understand how visual arts, including painting, sculpture, photography, film and performance art influence the making of culture. Students gain critical skills for analyzing a variety of visual and aesthetic products of culture. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 4660, IDST 4660, IDST 5660. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
HUMN 5720 - Sex, Gender, and Visual Representation (3 Credits)
Studies sexuality, gender and identity representation from classical antiquity through the present in the visual arts. Uses the literature of visuality, feminism, race and queer theory. Explores representations of femininity, masculinity and androgyny and their reinforcement and challenge to gender-identity norms. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 4720, IDST 4720, IDST 5720, WGST 4720, WGST 5720. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
HUMN 5770 - Viewing Empire: The Art of Imperial and Colonial Propaganda (3 Credits)
Western empires disseminate political, social, economic & cultural practices through complex interplay of cultural practices. Visual production is a complex site for meaning making within imperialism. Examines how visual discourses operated to create meaning for audiences, through focus on postcolonial critique. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 4770, IDST 4770, IDST 5770, SSCI 4770, SSCI 5770, WGST 5770, WGST 4770, SJUS 4770, SJUS 5770. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
HUMN 5833 - Existentialism (3 Credits)
Examines one of the most influential movements in recent European thought, beginning with existentialism's 19th century roots, and continuing on to the existentialist philosophers of the 20th century. Figures covered may include Dostoyevsky, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre and de Beauvoir. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 3833, PHIL 5833, and SSCI 5833. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Spring.
HUMN 5840 - Independent Study: HUMN (1-3 Credits)
Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the Graduate School for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max Hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
HUMN 5880 - Directed Research (1-6 Credits)
Students will engage in original research projects supervised and mentored by faculty. Students must work with faculty prior to registration to develop a proposal for their project and receive permission to take this course. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max Hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
HUMN 5920 - Philosophy of Media and Technology (3 Credits)
A philosophical examination of interrelationships between contemporary media, technology, and their impacts upon character of contemporary life and values. Topics may include ethics, epistemology, democracy, advertising, media literacy and criticism. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 4920, 5920, SSCI 5920. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
HUMN 5933 - Philosophy of Eros (3 Credits)
What does it mean to understand philosophy as an erotic activity? This question will be examined, first by studying Plato's dialogues-such as Lysis, Symposium and Republic-and then by reading texts from Sigmund Freud, Michael Foucault and others. Cross-listed with PHIL 4933, WGST 4933/5933 and SSCI 5933. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
HUMN 5939 - Internship (1-6 Credits)
Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max Hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
HUMN 5950 - Master's Thesis (1-8 Credits)
Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 8 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP
Repeatable. Max Credits: 8.
Additional Information: Report as Full Time.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
HUMN 5960 - Master's Project (1-8 Credits)
Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 8 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP
Repeatable. Max Credits: 8.
Additional Information: Report as Full Time.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
HUMN 5984 - Topics: Interdisciplinary Humanities (3 Credits)
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Term offered: fall, spring. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
HUMN 6010 - Methods and Theories of Feminism and Gender (3 Credits)
This course provides graduate-level interdisciplinary study in historiography, methodologies and theories of women's, gender, and sexuality studies and considers how culture is constructed around these categories. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with WGST and SSCI 6010. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.