Humanities

Overview

The Humanities program of San Francisco State University students must complete a core of five courses (including a senior seminar) in basic methods of understanding culture through the humanities, and then choose combinations of courses in European, American, Asian and Middle Eastern/African, and Cross-Cultural Studies. Up to three appropriate courses in related departments such as ethnic studies, English, comparative and world literature, philosophy, art, and music may be included in the major with an advisor's approval.

Humanities majors learn to interpret, compare, and integrate various objects of humanistic study, such as literature, music, visual culture, comics and graphic narrative, architecture and urban space, philosophy, and cultural theory, as they explore the important questions that have faced human beings.

Career paths

The Liberal Studies major prepares students for future employment in a variety of fields, including education, government or public service, the arts, management, communications, humanities, and social sciences, and work involving multicultural communities. The teacher preparation emphasis provides the broad academic background necessary for teaching in an elementary classroom and as part of a student’s preparation for the CSET Multiple Subjects (California Subject Examinations for Teachers).  Additionally, LS students can take course-work satisfying the multiple-subject elementary subject matter waiver requirements, which replaces the CSET exams for entering a credential program (interested students should consult an LS adviser).  The major is also appropriate preparation for various professional and graduate programs such as business, counseling, law, librarianship, medicine, and for disciplinary or interdisciplinary graduate programs.