New humanities major, minors, and concentrations
March 6, 2025
Last week's CAS Bulletin included an overview of the business addressed at the winter meeting on Feb. 24. The meeting also featured information about three new academic opportunities for our students:Medical and Health Humanities
Medical and Health Humanities is an interdisciplinary program studying historical, philosophical, literary, linguistic, and religious issues in health and medicine through topics such as the history of medicine, medical racism, disability studies, bioethics, and narrative medicine. Students will learn not only how cultural and social contexts determine individual health and well-being but also how medicine and health care are practiced both within and outside dominant biomedical and public health paradigms. While a health science (BS) degree focuses primarily on the scientific aspects of health, including biology, physiology, and clinical practice, a health humanities (BA) degree emphasizes the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of health to provide a deeper understanding of the human experience within healthcare contexts. Medical and Health Humanities pairs well with other majors and programs including the Biomedical Sciences minor, which prepares students for medical or other health professional schools.
Public Diplomacy
Public Diplomacy is a dynamic, interdisciplinary field of inquiry and practice that brings together critical perspectives from the humanities and social sciences to promote respect for diversity, peace, and stability globally. The field encompasses both public communication and information management—especially combatting disinformation—and applied cultural work. Leading with culture, this field centers positive agendas for broad, diverse audiences with the goal of building international trust, respect, and shared values across diverse communities. Its goals include the promotion of civil society through person-to-person exchange and cultural programs, often in arenas such as sport, art, or performance with reduced language barriers. It fosters communication outside of traditional diplomatic channels and supporting international relationships that lend stability at times of political transition.
Applied Humanities
The Applied Humanities concentration provides students with essential workplace knowledge and skills that will complement their study in the humanities. Students will acquire foundational knowledge in data analytics, budgeting, and organizational structure and theory. They will also develop skills for non-academic writing. Any program in the humanities will be able to add this concentration as an option for their majors.
