John Cabot University: the Academic Experience

Bachelor of Arts in Humanistic Studies in Rome

Students who are following the pre-Spring 2018 major, can review the requirements here.

How can we understand humans' different ways of life and thinking?

Humanities students learn to appreciate and analyze cultures by exploring literature, art, history, philosophy, and religion. For instance, they might examine Homer's poetry or Plato's ethics, study sacred paintings or modernist architecture, analyze the workings of slavery or the rise and fall of fascism, or evaluate James Joyce's writing or Andy Warhol's pop art. By exploring such cultural products, they learn to understand the distinctive objects, approaches, and debates in the relevant fields and how to connect, compare, and theorize about them. They may also choose to concentrate on one or more specific fields, developing their own interests and expertise and taking advantage of the University's unique location in Rome, Italy, and the Mediterranean. The cultural knowledge that they gain and the reading, analysis, and research skills that they develop provide the basis for a wide range of graduate studies and careers.

We offer numerous merit-based Presidential Scholarships and need-based Assistance Grants.

Learning Outcomes for the Humanistic Studies Major

Requirements for the Degree (as of Spring 2018)

A. The Proficiency and General Distribution Requirements of the University (the General Distribution Humanities Requirements will also be satisfied by taking the core courses listed below).

B. Core Curriculum (7 courses)

  • PH 101 Introduction to Philosophical Thinking
  • PH 235 Ethics
  • Two of the following: HS 200 Doing History, AH 240 Introduction to Art Historical Thinking, EN 215 Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theories, CMS 300 Foundations in Critical Media Studies 
  • One AH course or literature course (other than EN 215, if taken) 
  • HM 460 Research and Writing in the Humanities
  • HM 480 Senior Thesis 

The University requires an overall minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all courses taken at the University with no more than two grades lower than C- in core courses required for the major.

C. Major Electives 
10 courses in the fields of HS, CL, ARCH, AH, literature (including EN, IT, and ITS), RH, MUS, PH, and RL, including at least 4 300-level courses and at most 2 100-level courses.

Students are encouraged to select their major electives according to a coherent plan developed with their advisor, and also encouraged to take courses in other fields, pending the approval of their advisor and the Chair of the History and Humanities Department.

D. General Electives sufficient to give a total of 120 credits.