Humanities

Humanities is an interdisciplinary academic field that encourages students to critically examine a diverse, interconnected, and changing world and their own lives within it by exploring human creativity past and present. Courses in Humanities offer students a creative, historical, and philosophical immersion in a number of different but overlapping fields of study: painting, sculpture, architecture, music, theater, literature, film, dance, etc. In addition to practicing critical skills for analyzing various forms of art, Humanities students are encouraged to develop an appreciation for the value of arts and ideas in their own lives and in society as a whole.

The Humanities Program at Las Positas College is in the Arts and Humanities Division and forms part of the Humanities Cluster along with Philosophy and Religious Studies. Humanities courses prepare those interested in majoring in Liberal Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, Cultural Studies, English, Art History, Film, Classical Studies, Philosophy, or Humanities for successful transfer to four-year institutions.

Degrees:

• AA - Humanities

Certificates of Achievement:

• Humanities

Humanities Courses

HUMN 2 - Introduction to Film Studies

3 units

Introduction to film aesthetics, styles, and devices, as well as film theory and critical approaches to film analysis. Overview of film history, in addition to film production, technology, and distribution. Emphasis on diverse responses to the art form of cinema and its impact on contemporary culture. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

HUMN 3 - Introduction to Humanities

3 units

Introduction to the analysis and appreciation of theater, film, music, poetry, architecture, and the visual arts (e.g. painting and sculpture). 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C2; IGETC: 3B.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

HUMN 4 - Global Cinemas

4 units

Global cinema traditions analyzed through historical, political, cultural, commercial, and artistic perspectives. Screenings and interpretation of representative films from a variety of national and cultural film traditions from around the world, including films from Latin American, U.S., Asian, European, African, and Middle Eastern contexts. 54 hours lecture, 54 hours laboratory. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C1, C2; IGETC: 3A, 3B.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

HUMN 6 - Nature and Culture

3 units

An examination of the aesthetic value of the natural environment leading to the development of an individual critical aesthetic of the natural world. Studies in visual art, including painting, photography, sculpture, land art, mixed media, film, literature, and music. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C2; IGETC: 3B.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

HUMN 10 - American Arts and Ideas

3 units

Humanities of the United States explored through major works of literature, painting, sculpture, architecture, film, music, philosophy, technology, religion, political and social institutions that reflect the values and meanings of the American cultural experience. Particular attention paid to the experience and contributions of various culture groups (African Americans, Asian-Americans, European-Americans, American Indians, and Latino Americans). 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C2; IGETC: 3B.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

HUMN 11 - Culture and the Arts I: Ancient World to the Renaissance

3 units

A survey of the artistic and intellectual accomplishments of human cultures from the Ancient to Early Renaissance Eras. Emphasis is on the study of ancient to medieval painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature, theater, religion, and philosophy from both Western and non-Western cultures. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

HUMN 12 - Culture and the Arts II: The Modern World

3 units

A survey of the artistic and intellectual accomplishments of human cultures from High Renaissance to Contemporary Eras, i.e. the Modern World. Emphasis is on the study of modern painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature, theater, religion, and philosophy from around the globe. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

HUMN 28 - World Mythology

3 units

Introduction to world mythology, including classical mythology, and the mythic themes recurring in literature, the visual arts, and music. Introduction to the major theories used to evaluate mythology. Exploration of myths about creation, destruction, gods, humans, heroes, tricksters, as well as their origins, variation, historical development, and full expression in ancient times and continued presence in the arts. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C2; IGETC: 3B.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

HUMN 29 - Independent Study, Humanities

0.5 - 2 units

For course information, see "Independent Studies". 27-108 hours laboratory.