Key Takeaways
- Humanities courses study culture, history, language arts, and ethics.
- Colleges require humanities classes because they strengthen your critical thinking skills and perspective.
- Humanities courses help students build career-ready abilities sought by employers such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.
What are humanities courses?
It’s a question almost always asked by new college students – especially after reviewing their graduation requirements. Nearly all institutions mandate them as part of general education coursework.
And to understand what you will learn, just look to the name.
What Is a Humanities Class?
Humanities courses study culture and how people understand the world and themselves.
In order to graduate, colleges generally require you to take two to four of these classes. Institutions do so because they strengthen critical thinking and broaden students’ worldview.
Humanities Course Examples
Humanities courses include:
- Literature and language: Subjects such as creative writing and English examine linguistics and societal narratives.
- History: These classes explore past events and cultural developments to help you better understand the world and improve analytical and research abilities.
- Art and music: Courses that highlight creative expression through visual design, performances, and song.
- Religious studies: Classes in these subjects explore how spiritual traditions influence communities around the world.
- Philosophy and ethics: In these courses, you will build strong reasoning skills from reflecting on morality, human behavior, and the meaning of life.
- Communications: Classes such as public speaking and media studies strengthen your verbal, written, and presentation capabilities.
Humanities Courses vs. Social Sciences
Both of these academic disciplines study human behavior and culture.
But their approaches differ.
Social sciences use quantitative and scientific methods to study people and society.
For example, a sociology researcher may collect information to examine how social media impacts teenage mental health and explain trends in their behavior.
Courses include:
- Anthropology
- Political science
- Geography
- Economics
Humanities classes tend to interpret findings based on more qualitative or theoretical perspectives.
Are Humanities Classes Hard?
Dr. Jeffrey Cole chairs the Humanities Department at Portage Learning, an accredited institution that offers online college courses.
He says the academic discipline reminds us that we are human beings.
“We live in a society that values doing,” Dr. Cole explains. “However, we’re not one dimensional. Besides your career, you might also be a parent, a spouse, or a child. You might become a school board member someday. The humanities speaks to that and helps to make you a more well-rounded person.”
Humanities classes challenge students in different ways than their other college courses. They emphasize analytical thinking, ethical reasoning, and cultural awareness rather than technical expertise.
“I keep in touch with one of my students, who graduated eight to 10 years ago,” Dr. Cole recalls. “He’s an engineer but he goes out with the salespeople, and he’s told me he’s able to do that because of his humanities background. He can actually engage with people.”
Skills You Develop From Humanities Courses
The top attributes employers look for in new graduates include:
- Problem-solving skills
- The ability to work in a team
- Strong written communication
You develop all of these capabilities in the humanities. The courses foster empathy and prepare you for a global business world by giving you insights into different beliefs and traditions. You refine other valuable skills such as:
- Leadership
- Research
- Self-awareness
- Active listening
“It’s incumbent upon those of us who hire people to look at someone’s complete background and not just say, ‘Oh, they majored in political science, that’s a waste,’” Dr. Cole says. “There’s a lot of skills that cross over.”
Online Humanities Classes
Portage Learning offers many of the common humanities classes colleges mandate for graduation.
The self-directed format saves you time and money. Credits earned transfer to more than 2,800 institutions nationwide. Courses offered include:
American History Through 1877
Study the origins of the United States of America, learning about the major events and people from the pre-Columbian era through Reconstruction following the Civil War.
In this class, you will also be introduced to the lesser known but important personalities and happenings.
American History II 1877-Present
Course topics trace the historical development of the country from the post-Reconstruction period through the early 2000s, including:
- Industrialization
- U.S. expansion
- The Civil Rights movement
- And more
“This class was not only challenging but allowed me to learn at my own pace,” Neslie L., a former student, writes. “It also allowed me to study the material without having the pressure of a test date. The tuition is great, and the professors are available to help.”
Global Religion and Culture
By the end of this course, you will understand the core beliefs, practices, and origins of the world’s major religions.
It aims to help students be aware of and considerate toward the diverse beliefs and differences they can encounter in the workplace.
Introduction to Ethics (Biomedical)
Wendy Evans took several classes through Portage to finish her nursing school prerequisites. She recommends this course the most.
“Introduction to Ethics was especially helpful because all of the examples and scenarios were relevant to the nursing field and are situations a nurse could realistically have to face at some point,” Wendy says.
Upon completion, you will be able to:
- Develop a thoughtful and useful framework for understanding classical ethics.
- Become more aware of current issues related to ethics in medical care.
- Articulate the ways in which the study of ethics can influence how we perceive society.
Introduction to Sociology
This class increases your awareness about the ways in which various aspects of social life shape how you see yourself, others, and the world.
As with all Portage Learning courses, you will enjoy a one-to-one relationship with your professor. You can message them via your student dashboard for clarification on class material or to ask questions. Faculty also provide regular feedback on your work and grade exams within 72 hours.
By the end of the course, you should be more discerning of the complexities of life and understand it more fully.
Can You Major in Humanities?
Yes, you can declare humanities as a major.
A bachelor’s degree in it focuses less on industry-specific knowledge and more on encouraging thoughtful idea development and analysis that apply to many careers.
However, the number of students pursuing the degree is declining.
According to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, in 2024 the nation’s universities conferred 165,489 humanities degrees — the smallest number awarded since 1991 and 30 percent below the recent high in 2012.
Students assume they won’t be able to get a job or a return on their investment.
Dr. Cole blames academia, in part, for that belief.
“We haven’t made a great case for the humanities,” he states. “They think literature is just reading books or learning about history. If you major in philosophy, you don’t necessarily get a job as a philosopher – but again, if you look at the skills that employers want, that humanities develop, those are at the top.”
To further reverse the trend, Dr. Cole encourages communities to invest in the humanities too.
“As taxpayers, as parents, we should be saying, ‘Hey, our kids really need this.’ We can speak more positively about the humanities, advocate with our representatives, and take children to museums.”
Humanities Careers
Even though fewer people major in humanities these days, it can open many career paths, such as:
- Human resource specialist
- Copywriter
- Social worker
- Consultant
- Attorney
- Legislative aide
“There’s such a range of options,” Dr. Cole declares. “One of the best doctors I ever had graduated with an English degree. He had to catch up for medical school, but he was so interesting and would just talk to you.”
He advises students to pursue their gifts.
“Be a human being, but also know that you do as well,” Dr. Cole explains. “I currently have a student who is a history and accounting major. History is her passion, but she also wants, and is good at, accounting, so she’s putting those two things together, and I know she will make something great of herself.”
Conclusion
If your college requires humanities classes as part of its coursework, the word itself reveals everything you will learn.
But should you find yourself still asking questions about the discipline – wanting to understand the people, ideas, and experiences that shape us – there may be only one way to truly find out: major in humanities and experience it firsthand.
“Humanities courses are valuable because of the way they help us think about and see the world,” Dr. Cole says. “You can help people come together and you know how to work cooperatively because you have to do those sorts of things in the courses.”
(Enroll in a humanities course that fits your schedule. Explore Portage Learning’s offerings and earn credit that transfers to more than 2,800 colleges and universities nationwide.)
Still looking for answers?
Check out the FAQs about this article below.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What are humanities courses in college?
Humanities courses study culture and how people understand the world and themselves. In order to graduate, colleges generally require you to take two to four of these classes. Institutions do so because they strengthen critical thinking and broaden students’ worldview.What subjects are considered humanities?
Some subjects that are considered humanities are:- Literature and language
- History
- Art and Music
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy and ethics
- Communications
