Brigham Young University. College of Humanities

The College of Humanities was not organized as a separate administrative unit until June of 1965. The college consisted of four areas: the Department of English, the Department of Languages, a small interdepartmental program in humanities, and another inter-departmental program in Latin- American Studies. The College of Humanities continues to play an important role on campus by fulfilling the mission for which it was designed: to prepare students with the skills and methods to deal independently and in depth with the major manifestations of human culture--language, literature, the arts, and ideas.

The college of Humanities was officially formed in 1965 and consisted of four areas, the Department of English, the Department of Languages and two smaller, interdepartmental programs in the Humanities and Latin-American Studies. Classical Studies did not become part of the college until 1971 after a reorganization that added several new departments. Two years before the reorganization that added Classical Studies, Comparative Literature was combined with the Humanities department to form the Department of Humanities and Comparative Literature. The term humanities refers to the study of human intellectual and artistic creativity and the record of human experience as seen in the arts, drawing from history, fine arts, literature, intellectual history, music, foreign languages, etc. Besides teaching the interrelatedness of the arts, the study of humanities emphasizes the relationships between the arts and other aspects of human culture and society. Classical Studies examine ancient Greek and Roman cultures-their languages, literature, history, religion, art, and philosophy. The major offers essential knowledge of philology, ancient history, archaeology, biblical studies, and the literary tradition of Western Europe, as well as traditional grounding in the Classics. Comparative Literature is the study of literature in its totality, acquainting students with literary study beyond the confines of any particular national tradition and with the relationship between literature and other areas of knowledge. Graduates from these programs going directly into the work force commonly find professional employment in education, business, government, tourism, library science, and civil or foreign service. Those going on to graduate school usually work toward the doctorate or attend professional programs in such disciplines as library science, law, business, public administration, and medicine.

The College of Humanities is designed to prepare students with the skills and methods to deal independently and in depth with the major manifestations of human culture--language, literature, the arts, and ideas.

The Dept. of Germanic and Slavic Languages is part of the College of Humanities. The humanities incorporate the study of the central expressions of human values: language, literature, philosophy, and artistic culture. But the emphasis is always on language, for language is the distinguishing mark of our humanity and the power that enables us to create a cumulative symbolic record of our experience. A knowledge of the humanities enables students to understand the present and the future from a historical perspective that includes the most profound original works of the men and women who have helped to shape our civilizations. Students also develop skills in critical reading and interpretation, analytical thinking, and writing. These insights and skills provide a foundation for careers in many different professions and for productive and rewarding lives as educated citizens.

The College of Humanities was organized as a separate administrative unit in June 1965. Bruce B. Clark was appointed as the first dean of the college. The College of Humanities continues to play an important role on campus and to fulfill the mission for which it was designed--to prepare students with the skills and methods to deal independently and in depth with the major manifestations of human culture--language, literature, the arts, and ideas.