“The humanities—including the study of languages, literature, history, jurisprudence, philosophy, comparative religion, ethics, and the arts—are disciplines of memory and imagination, telling us where we have been and helping us envision where we are going.”
The Heart of the Matter – A Film
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Cultural Studies (the BA in HCS) grants students solid foundations in the interdisciplinary study of cultures and meanings. Our award-winning faculty members are lead scholars in the various fields of studies, including race, gender, ethnicity, literature, philosophy, religious studies, cross-cultural communications, heritages studies, as well as other specializations. Included is studying how human cultures have produced meaning in the past and continue to do so, reflecting critically on these productions, and learning relevant perspectives and meaningful interpretations that contribute to responsible engagement with the many different cultural expressions we encounter today.
Theoretically grounded, culturally diverse, and academically relevant, Humanities and Cultural Studies enables students to understand the production of meaning by human cultures and to focus on particular cultural or critical areas for more sustained study and applications. Throughout the degree program, students learn to read and think critically, write and argue persuasively, and engage in relevant research in the Humanities while developing their own skills of critical evaluation and constructive engagement. Our program is recognized for bringing online teaching expertise to students interested in our distinct courses. Our students are successful applicants to graduate schools, study abroad programs, teaching scholarships, and research internships.
The degree in Humanities and Cultural Studies is for students who are interested in obtaining key competencies in the liberal arts, such as thinking critically about the world we live in, who want to examine how meaning is generated, disseminated, and produced in social, political and economic spheres within a given culture, and who wish to combine historical, literary, artistic, philosophical, and related critical approaches in their interdisciplinary study. Students pursuing this degree will learn solid research skills, will know how to read, think, and write critically, how to engage in research effectively, and they will thus develop necessary and usable skills in an increasingly culturally diverse and politically complex world.
What Can I do with a Humanities Degree?Honors in the Major
Students considering graduate school are strongly encouraged to apply for Honors in the Major. Requirements are outlined in the undergraduate catalog requirements.
Related Program
UCF also offers a minor in Humanities and Cultural Studies.