Department Chair: Ollivier
Professors: Baumhover, Hall, Toth, Amador
Associate Professors: Cano, Griffin, Juszczyk, Heller, Russell, and
Wallet-Ortiz, Ollivier
Assistant Professors: Liebhart, Martinez
Majors: English, Spanish, Humanities
Minors: English, Spanish, Communication, Latin American Studies
The Humanities Department offers courses and programs which focus on human experience in its own terms - as in literature and philosophy. These courses and programs may be used as preparation for careers in law, government, and teaching, but they are also essential to the critical thinking, value formation, and political decision-making required of citizens in a democratic society. The courses are designed for students choosing electives as well as for majors and minors.
The humanities curriculum is meant to function as a complement to curricula which are excessively specialized on one hand and exclusively practical on the other. It is committed to the cultivation of a thoughtful, broad, historical perspective; knowledge as an end-in-itself; and an awareness of the special value of human beings and their experiences - past, present, and future.
Students pursing the B.A. degree are advised to begin studying a foreign language in year one of their curriculum.
The Humanities Department includes courses in developmental reading and writing, Chicano Studies, humanities, literature, philosophy, English language and composition, communication, and Spanish language and literature. There are also two honors societies in the Humanities Department: Sigma Tau Delta and Sigma Delta Pi.
Teaching Endorsement. See Education Advisor.
Developmental Reading and Writing
Undergraduate students new to WNMU are required to take the COMPASS placement test. COMPASS test scores are used to place students in appropriate university or developmental writing, reading and mathematics courses. Developmental Studies courses provide underprepared and “at risk” students with academic support to complete the transition from high school to college. They also provide academic support to non-traditional students who have been away from formal education for several years. Students must pass each developmental reading and/ or writing course with a “C” or better in order to move on to the next level.
Communication Minor
Communication courses are designed to develop understanding of formal and informal processes of human communication through study and practice of communication in a variety of professional and non-professional contexts.
COMM 200 Survey of Human Communication 3
COMM 370 Interpersonal Communication 3
COMM 373 Small Group Communication 3
COMM 400 Cross-Cultural Communication 3
COMM 474 Organizational Communication 3
COMM 479 Human Communication Systems 3
Minimum credit hours 18
Literature Courses
These courses in American, British and World Literature sharpen critical and aesthetic insights and promote understanding of the cultural heritage as revealed in literature. They provide a strong foundation in subject matter for prospective teachers of English in the elementary and secondary schools and equip majors for graduate study in English.
English Major
ENGL 201 Introduction to Literature 3
ENGL 296, 297 American Literature I, II 6
ENGL 298, 299 English Literature I, II 6
ENGL 440 Shakespeare 3
Electives (English) 18
Minimum credit hours (18 must be upper-division) 36
ENGL 101 and 102 are required but do not count as part of the English major. All courses in the major must be completed with a minimum grade of C.
English Major (BA)
Four-year Degree Completion Plan
Year 1
| Fall Semester Cr.Hrs. | Spring Semester Cr.Hrs. |
| ENGL 101 Comp & Rhet I 3 | ENGL 102 Comp & Rhet II 3 |
| Social Sci Elective 3 | COMM 110 Public Speaking 3 |
| SPAN 101 Begin Span I 4 | SPAN 102 Begin Span II 4 |
| Exp Arts Elective 3 | Exp Arts Elective 3 |
| Computer Elective 3 | History Elective 3 |
| 16 | 16 |
Year 2
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs. | Spring Semester Cr. Hrs. |
| ENGL 201 Intro to Lit (gen ed) 3 | ENGL 297 Amer. Lit. II 3 |
| ENGL 296 Amer Lit. I 3 | Upper-division elective in major 3 |
| SPAN 201 Interm Span I 3 | SPAN 202 Interm Span II 3 |
| Math Elective 3 | Math Elective 3 |
| Course in Minor 3 | Course in Minor 3 |
| MVSC 100 Con. of W & MS 2 | MVSC Elective 1 |
| 17 | 16 |
Year 3
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs. | Spring Semester Cr. Hrs. |
| ENGL 298 Eng Lit I 3 | ENGL 299 Eng Lit II 3 |
| Upper division elec. in major 3 | Upper-division elec. in major 3 |
| Course in minor 3 | Upper-division course minor 3 |
| Soc Sci Elective 3 | History Elective 3 |
| Lab Sci elective 4 | Lab Sci elective 4 |
| MVSC Elective 1 | Community Service 0 |
| 17 | 16 |
Year 4
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs. | Spring Semester Cr. Hrs. |
| ENGL 440 Shakespeare 3 | Upper-division elective in major 3 |
| Upper-division elec in major 3 | Upper-division elective in major 3 |
| Upper-division elec in major 3 | Upper-division course in minor 3 |
| Upper-division course in minor 3 | Upper-division course in minor 3 |
| Upper-division elective 3 | Upper-division elective 3 |
| Upper-division elective 3 | 15 |
| 18 |
English Minor
A minimum of 24 credit hours is required (12 must be upper-division) in addition to ENGL 101 and 102. The following courses are required: ENGL 296 and 297 (American Literature I and II), ENGL 298 and 299 (English Literature I and II), and ENGL 440 (Shakespeare).
Teacher Licensure Requirements (English)
ENGL 101 Comp & Rhet I 3
ENGL 102 Comp & Rhet II 3
ENGL 201 Introduction to Literature 3
ENGL 296 American Literature I 3
ENGL 297 American Literature II 3
ENGL 298 English Literature I 3
ENGL 299 English Literature II 3
ENGL 316 Traditional Grammar and Usage 3
ENGL 419 Advanced Composition 3
ENGL 450 Secondary English Methods 3
COMM 110 Public Speaking 3
RDG 460 Reading Skills in Secondary Education 3
Total: 36
For New Mexico teacher licensure the teaching field must consist of 24 credit hours, with at least 12 hours upper division.
Chicano Studies
Chicano Studies courses are designed to give students an insight into the Chicano culture by exposing them to language issues, history, art, music, politics, literature and other areas in which the Chicano has been impacted by the mainstream American culture and vice-versa.
Latin American Studies Minor
The Latin America Studies Minor is designed to allow students to focus their studies toward the Latin American arena and prepare for a career in this sphere. The minor is comprised of 18 hours from a specific list of courses. (See Latin American Studies Minor under Social Sciences for course list.) These courses deal exclusively with Latin American/Hispanic issues or have a sufficiently large module of study devoted to this region. At least 12 of the 18 hours must be at the upper division level. At least one upper division course is required in Political Science, Science or History and one in Spanish.
Spanish
Spanish offers a wide variety of courses in the Spanish language, literature and culture. These studies are practical since New Mexico lies at the gateway to Hispanic America, with the abundance of possible careers which such a situation implies. The study of Spanish is also intellectually broadening as it can provide much information about the cultural heritage of a large segment of our own population as well as the millions of our neighbors to the south.
Spanish Major
SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish I 3
and
SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish II 3
or
SPAN 213 Spanish for Spanish Speakers I 3
and
SPAN 214 Spanish for Spanish Speakers II 3
SPAN 240 Hispanic Culture 3
SPAN 308 Advanced Composition & Grammar 3
SPAN 423 Spanish Phonetics 3
SPAN 425 Applied Linguistics for Spanish Teachers 3
SPAN 350 Chicano Literature 3
SPAN 301 Spanish Literature I 3
or
SPAN 302 Spanish Literature II 3
SPAN 410 Spanish-American Literature I 3
or
SPAN 411 Spanish-American Literature II 3
300/400 level Elective 3
Minimum credit hours 30
SPANISH MAJOR (B.A.)
Four-year Degree Completion Plan
YEAR 1
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| ENGL 101 Comp & Rhet I 3 | ENGL 102 Comp & Rhet II 3 |
| Laboratory Science 4 | Laboratory Science 4 |
| History Elective 3 | History Elective 3 |
| SPAN 101* 3 | SPAN 102* 3 |
| Social Science Elective 3 | Social Science Elective 3 |
| MVSC 100 Concepts of Wellness 2 | Total Hours 16 |
| Total Hrs 18 |
YEAR 2
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| COMM. 110 Public Speaking 3 | SPAN 214 or 202 3 |
| Literature Elective 3 | Mathematics Elective 3 |
| SPAN 213 or 201 3 | Expressive Arts Elective 3 |
| Mathematics Elective 3 | Minor requirement 3 |
| Computer Literacy Elective 3 | Minor requirement 3 |
| Expressive Art Elective 3 | Movement Science Elective 1 |
| Total Hours 18 | Total Hours 16 |
YEAR 3
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| SPAN 240 Hispanic Culture 3 | SPAN 308 Advanced Comp. 3 |
| SPAN 423 Spanish Phonetics 3 | SPAN 302 or 411 Spanish or Spanish American Lit II 3 |
| Minor Requirement 3 | |
| Elective 3 | Minor requirement 3 |
| Elective 2 | Minor requirement 3 |
| Movement Science Elective 1 | Upper level elective 3 |
| Total Hours 15 | Total Hours 15 |
YEAR 4
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| SPAN 301 or 410 Spanish or | Upper level Spanish elective 3 |
| Spanish American Lit. I 3 | SPAN 350 Chicano Literature 3 |
| SPAN 425 Applied Linguistics 3 | Upper level elective 3 |
| Minor requirement 3 | Upper level elective 3 |
| Upper level elective 3 | Upper level elective 3 |
| Upper level elective 3 | Total Hours 15 |
| Total Hours 15 |
Total Hours = 128
Notes: SPAN 301 and 410 will be offered in the fall and spring of one year and SPAN 302 and 411 will be offered in the fall and spring of the following year. Depending on level of proficiency, students may be required to enroll in two semesters of 100 level Spanish before enrolling in SPAN 201.
*Spanish Speakers should take SPAN 213 and SPAN 214 in year one.
Spanish Minor
SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish I 3
and
SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish II 3
or
SPAN 213 Spanish for Native Speakers I 3
and
SPAN 214 Spanish for Native Speakers II 3
SPAN 240 Hispanic Culture 3
300/400 level Spanish Electives 9
Minimum credit hours 18
All Spanish majors must complete ENGL 101 and 102.
Teacher Licensure (Spanish)
Students seeking licensure for teaching in the elementary and secondary schools in the state of New Mexico must complete the following schedule of courses:
SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish I 3
and
SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish II 3
or
SPAN 213 Spanish for Spanish Speakers I 3
and
SPAN 214 Spanish for Spanish Speakers II 3
SPAN 240 Hispanic Culture 3
SPAN 308 Advanced Composition & Grammar 3
SPAN 423 Spanish Phonetics 3
SPAN 425 Applied Linguistics for Spanish Teachers 3
SPAN 350 Chicano Literature 3
SPAN 301 Spanish Literature I
or 3
SPAN 302 Spanish Literature II
SPAN 410 Spanish-American Literature I
or 3
SPAN 411 Spanish-American Literature II
300/400 level Elective 3 __
Minimum credit hours 30
Humanities Major
An interdisciplinary program combining history, literature, language, philosophy, art history, music history, and theater history, the humanities major provides a broad, integrated, general background of political and cultural history, aesthetic values and traditions, critical reading and thinking and writing, and is thus an appropriate preparation for graduate study in law and business. There is no minor required with a Humanities major.
I. Language and Literature Any six English and/or Spanish courses 18
exclusive of ENGL 101-102, SPAN 101-102, 151-152, 201-202, 251-252, 213, 214
II. History
HIST 111-112 (6)
HIST 201-202 (6) 18
Any two other history courses
III. Philosophy
Any two courses: 6
PHIL 100, 101, 200, 300, 400, 485
IV. Humanities
HUM 101, 102, 210
V. Art History
Any two courses: 6
ART 385-86-87-88
VI. Music History
Any two courses: 6
MUSC 213, 411-412
VII. Theater History
THR 325 3
*VIII. Bridge Courses (recommended for pre-law):
POLS 201 American National Government
POLS 202 American State Government
ECON 200 Basic Economics: Private Enterprise
ECON 315 Comparative Economic Systems
ECON 400 Women and the World of Work
ECON 407 History of Economic Thought
NOTE: A minimum of 24 credit hours in the Humanities major must be at the 300-400 level.
Humanities Major (BA)
Four-year Degree Completion Plan
Year 1
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs. | Spring Semester Cr. Hrs. |
| ENGL 101 Comp & Rhet I 3 | ENGL 102 Comp & Rhet II 3 |
| Social Sci Elective 3 | COMM 110 Public Speaking 3 |
| SPAN 101 Begin Span I 4 | SPAN 102 Begin Span II 4 |
| Exp Arts Elective 3 | Exp Arts Elective 3 |
| Computer Elective 3 | HIST 111 World Civ I 3 |
| 16 | 16 |
Year 2
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs. | Spring Semester Cr. Hrs. |
| Literature elective (Gen Ed) 3 | Upper-division English Course 3 |
| HIST 112 World Civ II 3 | HIST 201 American His I 3 |
| SPAN 201 Interm Span I 3 | SPAN 202 Interm Span II 3 |
| Math Elective 3 | Math Elective 3 |
| Philosophy Course 3 | HUM 101 Humanities I 3 |
| MVSC 100 Con. of W & MS 2 | MVSC Elective 1 |
| 17 | 16 |
Year 3
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs. | Spring Semester Cr. Hrs. |
| Upper-division Spanish Course 3 | HUM 210 Intro to Film 3 |
| HIST 202 American His II 3 | Upper-division History Course 3 |
| HUM 102 Humanities II 3 | Upper-division Spanish Course 3 |
| Soc Sci Elective 3 | Philosophy Course 3 |
| Lab Sci Elective 4 | Lab Sci elective 4 |
| MVSC Elective 1 | Community Service 0 |
| 17 | 16 |
Year 4
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs | Spring Semester Cr. Hrs. |
| Upper-division English Course 3 | Upper-division English Course 3 |
| Upper-division Spanish Course 3 | Upper-division Art History 3 |
| Upper-division Art History 3 | Upper-division Music History 3 |
| Upper-division History Course 3 | THR 325 Classroom Theater 3 |
| Upper-division Music History 3 | Upper-division elective 3 |
| Upper-division elective 3 | 15 |
| 18 |
Humanities Major (BS)
Four-year Degree Completion Plan
Year 1
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs. | Spring Semester Cr. Hrs. |
| ENGL 101 Comp & Rhet I 3 | ENGL 102 Comp & Rhet II 3 |
| Social Sci Elective 3 | COMM 110 Public Speaking 3 |
| Math Elective 3 | Math Elective 3 |
| Exp Arts Elective 3 | Exp Arts Elective 3 |
| Computer Elective 3 | HIST 111 World Civ I 3 |
| 15 | 15 |
Year 2
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs. | Spring Semester |
| Literature elective (Gen Ed) 3 | Upper-division English Course 3 |
| HIST 112 World Civ II 3 | HIST 201 American His I 3 |
| Soc Sci Elective 3 | Philosophy Course 3 |
| Math or CMPS (BS) 3 | Math or CMPS (BS) 3 |
| Philosophy Course 3 | HUM 101 Humanities I 3 |
| MVSC 100 Con. of W & MS 2 | MVSC Elective 1 |
| 17 | 16 |
Year 3
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs. | Spring Semester |
| Upper-division Spanish Course 3 | HUM 210 Intro to Film 3 |
| Upper-division Art History 3 | Upper-division Music History 3 |
| HIST 202 American His II 3 | Upper-division History Course 3 |
| HUM 102 Humanities II 3 | Upper-division Spanish Course 3 |
| Lab Sci elective 4 | Lab Sci elective 4 |
| MVSC Elective 1 | Community Service 0 |
| 17 | 16 |
Year 4
| Fall Semester Cr. Hrs. | Spring Semester Cr. Hrs |
| Upper-division English Course 3 | Upper-division English Course 3 |
| Upper-division Spanish Course 3 | Upper-division Art History 3 |
| Upper-division History Course 3 | THR 325 Classroom Theater 3 |
| Upper-division Music History 3 | Upper-division elective 3 |
| Upper-division elective 3 | Elective 3 |
| Elective 3 | 15 |
| 18 |
Languages
English language and composition courses focus on writing as a tool of effective communication as well as the structure and development of the English language. Spanish courses are designed to provide a basic knowledge of the structure of the language and to teach the student to understand, speak, read and write Spanish.
Philosophy
Philosophy courses serve to provide students with conceptual skills needed to think critically and to confront fundamental questions in their lives. Historical and contemporary approaches to problems are presented.
Pre-Law
Requirements for pre-law training vary among the law schools from three years to the completion of the bachelor’s degree. The American Bar Association does not recommend to the law schools exactly what courses should be included for pre-professional education. High on the list of courses recommended by leaders of the legal profession, however, are English language and literature, government, economics, American history, and English history. Majors in English, Spanish, and history are all recommended backgrounds for law school, as is the broader and less specialized Humanities Major.