Explore Humanities, Art, and Social Sciences

Explore the many dimensions of the human experience, the forces that shape our communities, and the power of your own boundless imagination.

In humanities disciplines, you will explore what it means to be a human being, analyze cultural ideas and values, grapple with the significance of historical and literary texts, debate issues of morality, and articulate thoughts in new languages.  Whether you are studying philosophy, literature, languages or history, the humanities will help you to think deeply and critically about the human experience.  

The creative arts explore how artistic creations – whether they be paintings, poems, buildings or memoirs – stimulate our emotions, provoke our thoughts, and guide our actions and beliefs. You will create art and you will also ask such questions as:  Does art influence the path of a society? How do the social, political and economic contexts in which art is created shape both the creator and the creation?

And the social sciences focus on the study of the social life of human groups and individuals. Social scientists ask such questions as: Why do we act and believe as we do? How do we communicate with each other? How do we govern ourselves? How do we address the pressing social, political and behavioral problems of our day?

Interdisciplinary majors allow students to explore an area of study from a range of different disciplinary perspectives. Whether you select Race, Power and Resistance; Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Screen Cultures; or Legal Studies, you will take courses that cross departmental and even school boundaries, allowing you to investigate your area of interest through multiple lenses. Interdisciplinary majors are enormously flexible, permitting students great latitude as they chart their own path and work with faculty members in a wide array of fields.  

Pre-Professional Programs

If you are thinking about a career in medicine, the law, or teaching, get connected early by exploring these programs.

Learn More

“No one does anything all on their own. Writers have editors. Scientists have collaborators. Artists have workshops. Athletes have coaches. And we all had, have, and will continue to have teachers who guide us along the way. “ 

Dr. Anthony Jack, Harvard University

Advising for Explorers

While you explore the H&S Pathways, you will have dedicated faculty ready to help you explore the areas in which they have expertise. All students will be assigned to a faculty advisor who is ready and able to talk about specific courses, experiential learning within majors, career opportunities, graduate and professional school, and more. Faculty advisors will also assist you with interpreting college policies and procedures, understanding the Integrative Core Curriculum requirements, making use of campus resources, and learning to take ownership of your education by making academic decisions that align with your priorities, values, and interests.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE.

If you have questions about the Humanities, Art, and Social Sciences Pathways program or if you aren't quite sure if it's right for you, please reach out to us. We'd love to talk. 

Amy O'Dowd
aodowd@ithaca.edu or 607-274-3102
Maria DiFrancesco
mdifrancesco@ithaca.edu or 607-274-3547