Bachelor of Arts: Humanities Major (4-Year)

Number of credits required from Athabasca University: 30 credits.

Maximum credit awarded in this program for prior learning through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) processes: 9 credits.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of completing this program, students should be able to

• evaluate information for its relevance and reliability.
• employ consciously and systematically the tools, mechanisms and processes of critical thinking.
• articulate logical arguments based on relevant information.
• interpret and evaluate literary and artistic works carefully and sympathetically.
• analyze historical sources and evaluate the interpretative perspectives contained therein.
• recognize the ways in which knowledge and the arts are socially constructed and sanctioned.
• demonstrate familiarity with the methods and procedures of several humanities disciplines.
• demonstrate acquired knowledge in several humanities disciplines.
• perceive parallels and relationships in the evolution of philosophy, social and political thought, literature, music and the visual arts.
• describe major cultural movements and assess their strengths and weaknesses.
• show an awareness of diverse forms of knowledge and ways of understanding the human situation.
• accurately integrate data, research and insights from related disciplines.
• discuss significant debates and changing practices within the humanities disciplines.
• show some insight into the fundamental ethical, religious and social issues confronted by major thinkers in the humanities disciplines.
• demonstrate detailed knowledge of at least one specialized interdisciplinary field or area of knowledge within the humanities disciplines.
• plan and conduct broadly based, interdisciplinary research.
• communicate research results orally in a clear and effective manner.
• compose clearly written, structured and well-documented essays and reports.

Possible Career Options

• Civil Servant
• Research Project Manager
• Arts administrator
• Publisher and/or Editor
• Journalist
• Film/Television Producer
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher

Possible Further Education Options

At Athabasca University

• Master of Arts – Integrated Studies (MAIS)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education in Distance Education (MEd)
• Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Distance Education Technology
• Master of Counselling (MC)
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Counselling

At Other Educational Institutions*

• graduate studies in several humanities disciplines
• education: bachelors/master
• teaching English as a second language (TESL)
• library science
• social work
• law
• police studies

* Entrance requirements vary among educational institutions. It is the students’ responsibility to research the entrance requirements of other educational institutions.

Updated March 25, 2009