Welcome to Core Humanities at the University of Nevada

The humanities component of the Core Curriculum at the University of Nevada is comprised of three courses required for graduation of all undergraduate students.  These courses have two important goals:

• As the introductory humanities core courses, they provide students the experience of working with the basic tools of the humanities disciplines: clear writing, close reading of primary texts, practice with oral expression of serious ideas, awareness of modes of discourse, sensitivity to cultural differences, understanding and evaluating the past, and reflecting upon the cultural implications of arts, technologies, and scientific discoveries.
• As interdisciplinary courses in the traditions of the West, they expose students to the cultural diversity that finds expression in the modern West, and they also make students aware of the great diversity of sources from which our cultural legacies derive and show the richness of the historical debate over the ideas that continue to shape us as Americans.

The required courses are:

• Core Humanities 201: Ancient and Medieval Cultures. This interdisciplinary course critically surveys the cultures of th Near East, Greece, Rome and the European Middle Ages. The text-based course examines the cultural and historical origins of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and explores the roots of philosophy and science. Through texts and images, concepts like heroism, justice, and romantic love are treated.
• Core Humanities 202: The Modern World. Through texts, images, and music, this course traces Europe’s legacy in shaping world ideas, institutions, and cultures from the early modern era to the present. Cultural artifacts of the Renaissance, the reformation, the Enlightenment, the period of revolution and romanticism, and the twentieth century are examined and discussed. Students will study such topics as the development of science and industry, political revolutions, colonialism, postcolonialism, and globalization.
• Core Humanities 203: American Experiences and Constitutional Change. Identities, ideas, and institutions in America from initial European contact to the present inform the content of this interdisciplinary course. Students will critically explore such concepts as civil rights, liberty, individualism, federalism, environmentalism, urbanization, industrialization, and cultural diversity. Satisfies the U.S. and Nevada constitution requirements.

English 102, the Core Writing requirement, is a prerequisite of all Core Humanities courses. CH 203 satisfies the legislatively mandated U.S. and Nevada Constitution requirements.

Neal Ferguson named Director of the Core Humanities Program

Neal Ferguson of UNR's History Department has been named Director of the Core Humanities Program for a period beginning July 1, 2008. He replaces Phil Boardman, director since 1994, who will return to the English Department after a year's research sabbatical.

Ken Lucey named Sanford Distinguished Professor for 2008-2010

Ken Lucey, currently Chair of the Philosophy Department, has been named the Sanford Distinguished Professor of the Humanities for the next two academic years. The award means that Lucey will continue his involvement in Core Humanities teaching, will deliver public humanities lectures, and will focus some of his teaching and research interests on issues of aging. Support for this Professorship comes from the NEH/Core Humanities Endowment and from the Sanford Center for Aging.

Distinguished TAs for 2008-2009

Joshua Bahn, Lara Hansen, and Yuliya Kalnaus have been selected to be Distinguished TAs in the Core Humanities Program for 2008-2009. They will plan and conduct the August orientation sessions for new Discussion Leaders in the program, and will help mentor TAs during the fall. Selection for the award is based on faculty nominations and a strong record of effective teaching. Bahn is a student in the History master's program, specializing in Latin American studies. Hansen is a PhD student in English, with and emphasis on Shakespeare and textual editing. Kalnaus is focusing on the breakup of the Soviet Union in her History master's program.