School of Humanities

Luis A. Iglesias, Ph.D, Interim Director
118 College Drive, Box 5037
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4319

Abney, Abra, Allen, Ball, Barron, Brewington, Bristol, Bruton, Capper, Carey, Casey, Chambers, Cochran, Foley, Follett, Franke, Gehlawat, Greene, Grivno, Haley, Harris, Haynes, Iglesias, Inman, Johnson, Jordan, Kinkopf, LaPierre, Lares, Luckhardt, Martin, Morgan, Mullican, Nuwer, Powell, Rempel, Ryan, Sellers, Slagle, Smithka, Stanback, Stur, Sumner, Swope, Tribunella, Ural, Valint, Weinauer, Wiest, Zelner

The school includes the disciplines of English, History, Philosophy, and Religion. Students may choose from degrees in English, English with licensure, history, social studies licensure, international studies, philosophy, and philosophy with a pre-law emphasis. The school also offers minors in English, history, philosophy, and religion. The school also houses the Center for Writers.

The Center for Writers

The Center for Writers, functioning under the aegis of the School of Humanities, offers undergraduates the opportunity to concentrate in poetry or fiction within the context of the basic English Bachelor of Arts degree. A cohesive sequence of workshop courses of increasing difficulty encourages student writers to locate and focus their talents and to observe and participate in the process of creative writing. A companion group of theory and literature courses places emphasis on contemporary and current writings, literary theory, and criticism in English and in translation. The Center sponsors two publications: Mississippi Review, a national journal of fiction, poetry and criticism; and Product, a student publication geared to publish and circulate within the university community the very best student writing.

English Program

The English program prepares undergraduate majors for careers in teaching, law, business and other fields that require communication skills. The department offers a Bachelor of Arts with or without secondary teaching licensure. In addition to programs in English education and literature, the department sponsors a concentration in creative or professional writing.

The English major is designed to cultivate both historical understanding and critical skills. In addition to the basic set of requirements, English majors can choose from a varied selection of electives and specialized options. For English minors and non-majors, our program provides all kinds of opportunities to explore the worlds of literature and culture. By design, the BA in English provides students with a comprehensive array of courses rooted in the conviction that the study of literature is committed to the development of reading, writing and thinking skills - all of which are necessary beyond disciplinary study and a requirement sought by employers in all professions.

The English major curriculum focuses on providing students with the necessary tools needed to develop their critical engagement with texts and their exploration of the dynamic field of English studies, covering a wide gamut of historical periods, geographical zones, and critical approaches. To this end, the course of study follows a coherent, yet flexible, sequence that begins with an intense survey of the critical approaches and questions germane to the study of literature in English. From there, the major requires students to take all four survey courses (American Literature I & II and British Literature I & II), which provide a broad but comprehensive outline of the major works, authors, and literary movements that constitute literary history. Our survey courses also introduce students, through the courses’ organization, to both the traditional and newer canons of the discipline. In addition, students are also required to take a course that exposes them to works by racially and ethnically diverse writers, thereby fully engaging their appreciation and understanding of the variety of voices and concerns found in Anglophone literary production.

Moving beyond the required sequence of courses, the student is allowed to explore the discipline and its array of period, subject, and generic topics - pursuing self-defined tracks that can be configured narrowly toward a specialization or comprehensively toward a generalist orientation. Either way, the curriculum is designed to fully engage students in their exploration of literature in English as a discipline while continually reinforcing the discipline’s core values of critical thinking and effective communication skills.

Students from any major may also earn a minor in English.

BA in English

Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in English must take the following:

ENG 340 - Analysis of Literature : It is strongly recommended that this course be taken before any 400-level courses A minimum grade of C is required in this course. (3 hours).
Four survey courses in British (ENG 350 , ENG 351 ) and American (ENG 370 , ENG 371 ) literature (12 hours)
One course in ethnic literature, chosen from ENG 312 , ENG 313 , ENG 372 , ENG 410 , ENG 411 , ENG 412 or ENG 473 (3 hours)
The ENG 400 - Senior Seminar must be taken in the final semester of course work. A minimum grade of C is required in this course (3 hours).
Fifteen hours of English electives, at least nine of which must be at the 400-level, so that total hours in English equal 36

BA in English with an Emphasis in Teacher Licensure

Students seeking a major in English teacher licensure must take the following courses, earning a grade of C or higher in all English courses and in all required professional education courses:

ENG 340 - Analysis of Literature : It is strongly recommended that this course be taken before any 400-level courses (3 hours).
Four survey courses in British (ENG 350 , ENG 351 ) and American (ENG 370 , ENG 371 ) literature (12 hours)
One course in ethnic literature, chosen from ENG 312 , ENG 313 , ENG 372 , ENG 410 , ENG 411 , ENG 412 or ENG 473 (3 hours)
ENG 400 - Senior Seminar (3 hours), taken the semester prior to ENG 494 and ENG 495
Fifteen hours of English electives, at least three hours of which must be in language study and three hours in writing, with nine of the total hours at the 400-level

Students pursuing a degree in English with licensure must take the following English methods courses: ENG 401 , ENG 402 , ENG 403 , as well as the ENG 491 - Secondary English Practicum . During the final semester, the student completes practice teaching in English, ENG 494 and ENG 495 .

In addition, required teacher education courses include the following 12 hours: CIS 302 , CIS 313 , REF 469 and SPE 400 . Students must consult an advisor in the School of Humanities and the current Bulletin for prerequisites and proper sequences of courses.

Students who complete the licensure program are eligible for a license through an CAEP-approved program.

Minor in English

Students pursuing a minor in English must complete a total of 18 hours in English courses at the 200, 300, or 400 level, at least 12 hours of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.

History Program

The program in history offers students the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in history, a BA history with licensure in social studies, or a BA in international studies. Students from any major may also earn a minor in history and music history, history, or international studies.

The study of history is intended to promote a responsible and informed citizenship, a heightened understanding of the human experience, and an appreciation of the achievements and variety of humankind. It also promotes career training. Indeed, the study of history is perhaps as valuable for the skills it helps to develop as for the information it imparts. History is an exacting discipline that fosters intellectual curiosity, analytical thought, research skills, ability to collect and analyze large amounts of data, clarity of expression, and disciplined work habits — qualities that are central to careers in academic, professional, public, business, government, non-profit, and service areas.

Surveys of history graduates indicate that history majors have built careers in a variety of professional areas. A large number are teachers at high schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities. Many are lawyers. A considerable number are stockbrokers, bankers, military officers, public servants, librarians and directors of libraries, archivists, museum professionals and even medical doctors. History majors can enter all these professions because their academic discipline fosters the writing, thinking, research, and analytical skills that make them marketable in a variety of professions.

The history program values international study and offers a variety of stimulating and academically challenging summer credit abroad courses in several foreign countries (HIS 495 , HIS 496 , HIS 497 , HIS 498 and HIS 499 ). Students are encouraged to enroll in these programs and may apply up to 12 hours of credit toward major requirements (but no more than six hours of credit in any area of course concentration).

To facilitate study abroad, the school annually (funds permitting) awards a scholarship to a deserving student for any Southern Miss summer abroad history course. Eligibility and application details are available through the School of Humanities.

BA in History

Students seeking a BA degree in history are required to complete 36 hours of history courses, including HIS 101 , HIS 102 , HIS 201 , HIS 202 , HIS 300 and HIS 400 . A minimum grade of C is required in each history course. Of the 18 remaining hours required for the major, no more than 12 hours of upper-division coursework can be selected from any one of the three following course areas: (1) United States history, (2) European history or (3) other (Latin American, Asia, Africa and other non-United States, non-European courses). Students who have satisfied the 36-hour major requirement are encouraged to take additional advanced courses in history in any area they prefer. History students who plan to pursue graduate study are highly encouraged to take a minor or double major in a liberal arts or social science discipline such as anthropology, English, religion or political science.

HIS 300 should be completed in the first semester of the junior year.

History majors with exceptional academic records may be awarded degrees with honors or highest honors. See the “General Information ” section of this Bulletin for full requirements.

Minor in History

Students pursuing a minor in history must take 21 hours of history courses. A minimum grade of C is required in all classes for the minor.

BA in History with Social Studies Licensure

Students seeking a BA degree in history with social studies licensure are required to complete 33 hours of history courses, including HIS 101 , HIS 102 , HIS 201 , HIS 202 , HIS 300 , HIS 310 , HIS 370 , HIS 375 ; one course chosen from HIS 331 , HIS 333 , and HIS 334 ; and either HIS 305 or HIS 307 . A minimum grade of C is required in each history course.

Students are also required to complete at least 12 hours of specified social science courses and 30 hours of teacher licensure courses. A minimum grade of C is required in all general education, major, and teacher education courses. Students with an ACT score of 21 or higher (SAT equivalent is 860) will be exempted from the PRAXIS I. The Social Studies Content and Principles of Teaching and Learning sections of the PRAXIS must be taken no later than the semester before student teaching and students must pass those exams to graduate.

BA in International Studies

The College of Arts and Sciences, in association with the Center for International Education, offers a multidisciplinary major leading to the BA in international studies. The program aims to provide students with the background necessary for careers with an international dimension in government, commerce, the media, international organizations, research, and teaching. It is also designed to prepare interested students for further studies in graduate or professional school.

The International Studies program requires a total of 45 credit hours to satisfy the requirements for a major. The hours are allocated as follows:

A 15-credit-hour core consisting of GHY 331 - Cultural Systems in the Environment or GHY 341 - Geography and World Political Affairs , HIS 424 - The World in the 20th Century or HIS 473 - U.S. Foreign Relations , PS 331 - World Politics , HIS 300 - Research Seminar , and IS 491 - Senior Seminar in International Studies
Twelve credit hours of courses in a geographical area of the student’s choice (Africa, Asia, Europe or Latin America) approved by the program director or by the relevant international studies area director
Twenty-one credit hours of general courses related to international affairs; these courses will be selected by the director of the program in collaboration with the student and will be based on the student’s particular interests; at least six credit hours should be completed, as part of a study-abroad program directed by the Center for International Education; with the program director’s approval, exemptions to the study-abroad requirement may be allowed for foreign students and in other special cases.

Minor in International Studies

Students pursuing a minor in international studies must complete 18 hours of coursework including: GHY331 or GHY341 ; HIS 424 ; PS 331 ; IS 491 ; and two other courses selected by the director in collaboration with the student.

BA in Philosophy

The philosophy program offers opportunities for engagement with historical and contemporary areas of philosophy and with the religious traditions of the world. We seek to enrich the educational experience of students at The University of Southern Mississippi by helping them to understand ideas and practices that have shaped our world and involving them in critical thinking about their own fundamental beliefs and values. For both students and the wider community, we seek to create learning opportunities that illuminate the ethical dimensions of professional activity and encourage thoughtful and responsible citizenship.

This major provides a strong grounding for students who are interested in pursuing graduate study in philosophy or religion. The major is also attractive to students who seek a broad liberal arts background in preparation for professional studies in fields such as law, medicine, theology or business.

Students pursuing a BA in philosophy must complete 33 semester hours in philosophy and religion courses, including PHI 151 - Introduction to Philosophy , PHI 253 - Logic , PHI 356 - Ethics , PHI 410 - Classical Philosophy , or PHI 412 - Modern Philosophy , PHI 480 - Philosophical Discourse , REL 131 - Comparative Religion and 15 semester hours of philosophy or religion electives. The major also requires 6 hours from English, history, or religion at the 300 level or above and a foreign language through course level 202.

Minor in Philosophy

Students pursuing a minor in philosophy must complete 18 hours of philosophy classes, including PHI 151 , PHI 253 , PHI 356 , and 9 more hours of the student’s choice.

BA in Philosophy with an Emphasis in Pre-Law

The major in philosophy with a pre-law emphasis requires 33 semester hours in philosophy and religion courses, including PHI 151 - Introduction to Philosophy , PHI 253 - Logic , PHI 351 - Critical Thinking , PHI 356 - Ethics , PHI 451 - Political Philosophy or PHI 453 - Philosophy of Law , PHI 480 - Philosophical Discourse , REL 131 - Comparative Religion and 12 semester hours of philosophy electives (or nine hours of philosophy electives and three hours of upper-level religion electives). Requirements in courses other than philosophy or religion include ECO 101 - Basic Economics , ENG 332 - Advanced Composition or ENG 333 - Technical Writing , PS 380 - Introduction to Law in American Society , PS 480 - United States Constitutional Law or PS 489 - U. S. Supreme Court and Civil Liberties , and a foreign language through course level 202.

Minor in Religion

Students pursuing a minor in religion must take 18 hours of religion courses, including REL 131 and PHI 372 . The remaining 12 hours must include at least three semester hours of coursework in an Eastern religious tradition and at least three semester hours of coursework in a Western religious tradition.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Non-degree