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2016-2017 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Humanities MH
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► Graduate School Rules apply to this program
Requirements for Admission
General rules for admission into the Graduate School apply to admission into the MH program in addition to the following:
- evidence of a bachelor’s degree
- two official copies of transcripts from all community colleges, colleges, and universities attended
- overall GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0
- a writing sample
- three letters of recommendation (at least two from academic sources)
- appropriate undergraduate training or professional background, or indicators that supply evidence of ability to pursue the MH degree
- a typed statement specifying the goal of advanced study in the humanities expressed in clear, correct and effective English
- standardized test scores are not required, but will be considered if submitted
After meeting all other requirements for admission, applicants may be required to have an interview to discuss their interest in the program and their plans for study. For out-of-state applicants, an appropriate substitute for the interview may be determined by the director.
Provisional admission:
Applicants may be admitted as provisional-status graduate students if their complete record indicates a high probability of success.
Nondegree students:
Potential applicants may take CU Denver graduate-level courses as non-degree seeking students (unclassified student with a bachelor’s degree) if they:
- Wish to strengthen their record in order to demonstrate that they could successfully complete graduate-level courses in the program
-or-
- Wish to start coursework toward the program prior to completing their application, with the understanding that taking courses does not guarantee admission.
Up to 12 semester hours of CU Denver graduate-level work taken as a nondegree student may be accepted by the program once a student has been admitted to the program (the 12-hour limit also includes graduate work from another university). For further information on non-degree graduate student status, see the Information for Graduate Students section of this catalog. In the case of CU Denver graduate students transferring to the MH program, previous course work may be accepted as appropriate to the MH plan of study.
International Students:
International students must also meet CU Denver requirements for international admission. See the Information for International Students section of this catalog or call 303-315-2230 for further information.
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Degree Requirements
The Master of Humanities (MH) program is a 36-semester-hour program, of which 30 hours must meet all specifications of the Graduate School . Throughout their work toward the MH degree, students must maintain at least a B (3.0) average in all courses. A grade below B- will not be counted toward the degree.
Students may pursue a general MH degree or focus their studies and course work on one of two tracks: Philosophy and Theory OR Visual Studies or with the add-on of a Women’s and Gender Studies Graduate Certificate. Each option is detailed below. All courses credited toward the MH degree must be taken at CU Denver (a maximum of 12 graduate semester hours may be transferred from other institutions after matriculating into the MH program, subject to the MH director’s approval).
Each student’s program is supervised by an MH faculty advisor. All independent study, project and thesis contracts must be approved in advance by one of the program directors. A total of two independent study courses, two 4000-level undergraduate courses, and one internship may count toward the degree. Only one graduate-level online course (up to 3 hours) may be taken toward the degree. The rest must be 5000-level or above courses offered through various university departments. All students must pass an oral comprehensive exam on the project or thesis in order to graduate.
General Master of Humanities Degree
Students pursuing the general MH degree have the opportunity to fashion a course of study based on their individual interests and goals. Students complete three required core courses and, in consultation with a faculty advisor, choose two or three academic disciplines as areas of concentration. Students who select a thesis (6 semester hours) will submit a thesis proposal after completing 30 hours of course work. In the case of a project (3 semester hours), students will submit a project proposal after 33 hours. All students culminate with the completion of a final project or thesis and an oral exam defense of the final work. GENERAL MH REQUIREMENTS
Three Required Core seminars for the MH degree:
Electives
Additionally, students must complete a total of 21-24 semester hours comprising a coherent selection of courses from a variety of disciplines. All courses for the self-structured portion of the program must be selected with the approval of the MH program faculty advisor.
A total of two independent study courses and two 4000-level undergraduate courses taken when enrolled in the program may count toward the degree. All independent study contracts must be approved by the program director. The remaining course work must be 5000-level or above courses offered through various departments.
Students wishing to count credits accrued from a study abroad program while pursuing the MH must follow the rules of the Graduate School and must have approval of the program director in advance of studying abroad.
Students completing a project take 24 hours of electives, while thesis students complete 21 hours of electives.
Total: 21-24 Hours
Thesis or Project
A thesis (6 semester hours) or a final project (3 semester hours), which must include a substantial scholarly paper and may include a creative exercise involving at least two disciplines, must be completed at the end of the program. In order to proceed with a thesis or project, all students must submit to the program a proposal approved by their three faculty committee and the MH program director.
Oral Exam
An oral exam defending the project or thesis before a committee of three faculty members must be passed in order to graduate.
General MH Degree Total: 36 Hours
OPTIONAL MH TRACKS
Students may also focus in one of the tracks in the Master of Humanities program: Philosophy and Theory or Visual Studies. Tracks allow students to concentrate their studies in a more specifically defined field of interest. In addition to these tracks, MH students may also pursue a Women’s and Gender Studies Graduate Certificate in conjunction with the MH degree and/or one of its tracks. In addition to the three MH core required courses, students must fulfill the minimum track or graduate certificate requirements and must complete a total of 36 credit hours in order to complete the degree. These are detailed in the track descriptions that follow:
Philosophy and Theory Track
The philosophy and theory track in the Master of Humanities degree program offers students an interdisciplinary approach to studying philosophy, critical theory and related theories of criticism and analysis in various humanities disciplines. Students who pursue this concentration may focus their course work variously in philosophy, social theory, literary theory and criticism, cultural criticism, intellectual history and political theory. In this track, students develop analytic skills that allow them to integrate knowledge and modes of thinking that reflect the demands of critical inquiry.
By combining philosophical theory and critical thinking in one interdisciplinary track, students will be prepared to pursue advanced academic or professional degrees, secondary and higher education teaching, careers in art and literature, criticism, law, media and other careers with demand for critical thinking.
Beyond the required core MH courses (9 hours), a minimum of 21 credit hours in philosophy/theory-related work must be completed. This must include one required methodology course to be determined with the Master of Humanities advisor; 12-15 credit hours of philosophy/theory-related courses; and 3-6 hours of project or thesis work on a philosophy/theory-related topic.
TRACK REQUIREMENTS
Required Core MH Courses (See description above)
Total: 9 hours
Additional Requirements
- Philosophy/theory methods course (3 hours). Must be approved by the Master of Humanities Director or Associate Director
- Minimum of 12-15 credits of focused course work in philosophy/theory related courses (see suggested electives below)
- 3 credit project or 6 credit thesis on a visual studies topic, written in consultation with the required three person committee
Total: 21 hours
Visual Studies Track
The visual studies track in the Master of Humanities program offers students focused studies in disciplines that apply critical analysis to our visual world, such as art history, museum studies, film studies, new media studies and cultural studies. In a world whose work forces and creative citizenry are focused on the growth and use of visual technologies, visual literacy with sophisticated analytic skills is critical. Successful engagement with an image-driven and technological society necessitates an understanding of the use and encoding of imagery. The visual studies track provides students with the critical tools for engaging with advanced history, concepts and philosophies especially centered on visual culture, art history, visual communication studies, film studies and new media studies.
Areas of application for such studies include museum and cultural institutions, curatorial and research positions, arts administration, non-profit community-based organizations, advertising, promotion and marketing. The program is likewise relevant for students interested in pursuing doctoral work in related fields. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to enter the job market immediately, or they may use this track as a steppingstone toward a Ph.D. or another advanced degree.
Beyond the required core MH courses (9 hours), a minimum of 21 credit hours in visual studies-related work must be completed. This includes one 3-credit methodology course in visual studies, and 12-15 credit hours of visual studies-related courses; and 3-6 hours of project or thesis work on a visual studies-related topic.
TRACK REQUIREMENTS
Required Core MH Courses (see descriptions above)
Total: 9 hours
Additional Requirements
Visual studies methods course, chosen from the following list (substitutions must be approved by the Master of Humanities director or associate director). If not taken for the methods requirement, any of these may be taken as an elective.
- Minimum of 9-12 credits of focused course work in visual studies-related courses (see suggested electives below)
- 3 credit project or 6 credit thesis on a visual studies topic, written in consultation with the required three person committee
Total: 18 hours
Note: Students interested in pursuing doctoral work in related fields are strongly encouraged to develop foreign language competency in one or two of the following languages: French, German, Spanish, or a language related to the preferred area of study.
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