Plan of Study – Humane Studies

Note: A Semester Hour (s.h.) is a unit of academic credit representing an hour of class (such as lecture class) or three hours of laboratory work each week for an academic semester. Most courses are two, three or four semester hours.

Humane Studies: Minor

Minor Courses (Minimum of 20 semester hours required.)

AGE 4040 Proposal Writing and Grant Administration (AGE*/EM/SOC/SW) (3 s.h.)

Students learn about the role of grants in agency funding and develop the basic skills needed to write a successful proposal to compete for funds from outside sources. Topics include: generating program ideas, researching funding sources; establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships; proposal planning and development; and the establishing and analyzing program metrics, administration, reporting, and accounting for funds and program deliverables.

HUM 3210 Do Animals Matter? (3 s.h.)

Examination of ethical, cultural, aesthetic, and societal conceptualizations of animals and their impact on human-animal relations as well as on uses, treatment, and legal standing of animals. Issues are discussed through the lenses of humanities and social sciences within the framework of the Franciscan tradition. This course includes an academic service-learning project.

HUM 3410 Sustainability: Vision and Values (HUM*/RST/SOC) (3 s.h.)

Interdisciplinary overview of the concepts of sustainability, including its origins in spiritual traditions and its environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Allows for individualized exploration of topics such as food systems, climate, public policy, renewable energy, and green building.

HUM 4300 Humane Studies (HUM*/SOC) (3 s.h.)

An exploration of the interface between social justice, animal welfare, and environmental protection through the lenses of humanities and social sciences. Current issues are discussed within the framework of the Franciscan tradition.

RST 3100 Franciscan Values, Social Justice, and Service (3 s.h.)

Study of the life and legacy of Francis of Assisi as a prism for exploring social justice issues and the key Franciscan values not only essential to the Catholic perspective on the world and human existence, but also relevant to the perspectives of other religious traditions of the world. Analysis of the implications for addressing ecological responsibility and the call to justice, peace, and respect for all persons.

SOC 1300 Introduction to Community Leadership (1 s.h.)

Introduce the skills needed for active civic engagement with the goal of positive community transformation. Exploration of civic engagement, community involvement, advocacy, and planned change.

SOC 3120 Diversity, Discrimination, and Social Justice (3 s.h.)

Issues of diversity, discrimination, and social justice with particular attention given to institutions that provide human services (sociology, criminal justice, nursing, gerontology, social work, psychology, education): how marginalized populations (e.g. race/ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, social class, medical/mental disability) are socially constructed; how these groups have been affected in the contexts of social stratification; institutional and structural discrimination; how economic, political, and cultural systems pose challenges to these marginalized groups; exploration of possible solutions.

SOC 3710 Special Topics in Sociology (1 s.h. (Not To Exceed 3 s.h.))

Analyses of current issues and topics from a sociological perspective. Normally offered in a weekend format.