Divisions & Faculty Business Administration Natural Sciences & Mathematics Social Sciences Teacher Education

Humanities Division Chairperson: Dr. Robert D. Murray, 845-398-4125

Art Discipline
Communication Arts Discipline
English Discipline
Romance Languages
Philosophy/Religious Studies
Performing Arts

Bachelor of Arts or Science degrees are awarded in the areas of art, communication arts, English, modern languages, philosophy, and religious studies. All students majoring in the humanities must complete the following general education requirements:

The art programs prepare students for careers and/or graduate study in the fine arts, graphic design, art therapy and art education. Internship opportunities are available, with leading corporations, institutions, design studios and advertising agencies. Of particular interest is the emerging field of computer-based inter-active design with television networks such as MSNBC, NBC and FOX, and web-page design with major corporations like Prudential and Microsoft.

Degree Requirements

Art therapy majors are trained to work with persons with physical, emotional and social disabilities, and to develop leadership skills in programs serving the mentally retarded, physically disabled, emotionally disturbed, economically disadvantaged, and aged in both institutional and community settings.

Through lectures, studio work and field experience, graphic design majors prepare for careers in graphic design, advertising publication design, packaging and electronic media.

ART 203 – Two Dimensional Design

Basic problems involving the control of space, light and color, line, shape, and texture. Organization of two-dimensional space using varied techniques and materials.

ART 208 – Ancient through Renaissance Art

Painting, sculpture and architecture from pre-historic to medieval times, in relation to political, economic, social and religious influences.

ART 210 – Photography I

Basic course in black-and-white still photography. Development of skills in the use of cameras, films, and darkroom procedures.

ART 219 – Art as Therapy

An overview of art therapy. Pioneers in the research and the use of art as a tool in the therapeutic process. Art in diagnosis and treatment and as an alternative to verbal expression.

COMMUNICATION ARTS

The communication arts program prepares students for entry into the fields of film, broadcast and cable television, radio, journalism, multi-media, business communication, and public relations. Students receive a mix of theoretical and practical hands-on course work relating to human expression and mediated communication. Courses with an emphasis in the areas of interpersonal communication such as speech communication and public speaking form the basis of advanced studies in mediated communication. We offer two major areas of study: communication arts with a specialization in journalism, and communication arts general studies. All communication arts majors graduate with extensive theoretical knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for success in the rapidly evolving and ever expanding national and international workspace.

Communication arts majors receive real world experiences with major television, radio, newspaper and film companies through internships located in the greater N.Y.C. area. Major corporate contacts and networking opportunities have been established through student internships with ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and many other metropolitan media corporations.

A few of the advanced course offerings in communication arts include:

CA 403 – Media Law and Ethics
Beginning with constitutional protections and freedoms this topical course examines the central legal and ethical concerns and issues encountered by journalists and other professional communicators.

CA 316 – Great Filmmakers
An in-depth study of a representative body of films by one or more famous filmmakers. The course allows students to observe and evaluate the evolution of some of the world’s greatest film artists.

CA 413 – Theory and Criticism of Media and Performing Arts
An extremely lively and memorable course involving an investigation into critical responses to various media as well as the performing arts.

CA 407 – Broadcast Media Programming
The course includes the study of radio and television content and context in detail. This course highlights current programming issues as they relate to network, syndicated, local, public, and emerging cable programming.

CA 400 – Video Magazine Production
This course should be considered the capstone course of our communication arts students’ study of television and video production at St. Thomas Aquinas. In the past students have participated in the creation, development, and promotion of a news-based weekly magazine-style programming for cablecast on Cablevison, Channel 28, of Rockland County

ENGLISH

After graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas College, English majors go on to establish interesting and rewarding careers not only in literature and journalism but also in professions including law and business. The program in English offers courses which stress the appreciation and analysis of literature and the development of artistic creativity. English majors may be eligible to receive an English teaching certificate (7-12) upon completion of the appropriate education requirements. Many English majors go on to establish interesting and rewarding careers in writing and literature as well as journalism and criticism.

The program of studies in English offers courses which address cultural enrichment, appreciation of the creative imagination, and development of analytic and critical skills in reading and writing.

A few of the interesting courses in the English program include:

ENG 211 – Critical Methods

Students at St. Thomas Aquinas College take this course in preparation for more rigorous studies in literature. An introduction to critical thinking about literature.

ENG 208 – Expository Prose

This is a challenging and rewarding advanced composition class. No student interested in the professions should be without this course.

ENG 305 – Shakespeare

                            An intensive survey of the English speaking world’s most influential writer.

ENG 410 – Senior Seminar

This is a capstone course which provides English majors with the opportunity to do original research and demonstrate acquired knowledge and skills.

ENG 311 – Creative Writing - Fiction

A seminar/workshop for critical evaluation of individual student’s creative work in fiction. Includes individual conferences with the instructor.

ENG 312 – Creative Writing – Poetry

A seminar/workshop for critical evaluation of individuals student creative work I poetry. Many opportunities to work independently and with the instructor.

 MODERN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

Modern language students can major in one of two areas of study: Spanish or romance languages. Spanish majors study in depth the literature, history, and culture of Spain and Spanish America. Majors in the romance languages focus on Spanish, but also incorporate work in French or Italian (or both) into their preparation. Graduates with a degree in either of these majors can pursue postgraduate work in the humanities or social sciences, and they are prepared for diverse fields where good writing, general communication skills, and a knowledge of history are essential. Among the careers modern language majors might enter are law, translation, trade and finance, and education. St. Thomas also offers a teacher certification program for students who wish to teach Spanish in grades 7-12.

A few of the upper-level Spanish courses include the following:

SPA 402 – Cervantes and the Quijote

This course involves a careful reading and interpretation of the first modern novel and one of the masterpieces of world literature, viewed in the context of its author’s innovative vision of the role of fiction and against the background of a weakening world power.

SPA 319 – The Novel in Spanish America

A close study of the major novels by writers from Spanish America, with an emphasis on contemporary masterpieces that have greatly influenced the novel in English; e.g., works by Julio Cortazar, Carlos Fuentes, G.Garcia Marques, and Isabel Allende.

Spanish 404 – The Generation of ’98

The writings of members of the Generacion del ’98 – essays, poetry, plays, novels – have had profound and far-reaching consequences for the intellectual and political lives of Spain and Latin America. In this course, major works by Unamuno Azorin, Machado, Valle-Inclan, Baroja, and Ortega y Gasset are studied and interpreted, and the contributions of this generation are evaluated.

 PHILOSOPHY/RELIGIOUS STUDIES

A philosophy/religious studies major offers specialization in either philosophy or religious studies. This major represents the most rigorous introduction to critical thinking at St. Thomas Aquinas College. Students taking course work in the philosophy/religious studies programs acquire abstract thinking skills necessary for success in the professions and graduate school as well as the corporate world.

Philosophy Specialization

Philosophy is the systematic study of ideas, a reasoned pursuit of fundamental truths, a quest for a comprehensive understanding of the world, a study of principles of conduct, and much more. Philosophy majors prepare to move on to graduate studies, historical and cultural research, as well as areas of ethical and moral guidance. Coursework at St. Thomas Aquinas seeks to offer a balance between the historical development of philosophy and an analysis of philosophical problems.

Some of the exceptional courses in philosophy include:

PHIL 101 – Introduction to Philosophy

This is a rigorous introduction into the nature of philosophical thinking emphasizing the place of man in the universe and our construction of rational world views.

PHIL 109 – History of Ethics

This course helps students develop the conceptual tools necessary to analyze some of society’s more complex problems and arrive at reasoned positions of their own.

PHIL 102 – Logic and Critical Thinking

As a preparation for more advanced studies, Philosophy 102 helps students to develop critical thinking skills in diverse areas of study.

RELIGIOUS STUDY SPECIALIZATION

The program in religious studies offers a variety of courses which examine religion, its origin and nature as a cultural phenomenon, and particular expressions in the great world religions of the West and East. The courses concentrate on Biblical literature, the characteristics of different world religions, the historical development of Western religious thought, particular themes in theology and ethics, and various issues of contemporary significance. The program provides the opportunity for students to prepare for graduate or seminary studies and offers a range of courses to suit individual needs and preferences.

Courses within the religious study specialization include:

RELS 101 – Introduction to Religion

This is a popular course survey of diverse views as well as a lively introduction into theological speculation.

RELS 204 – Jews and Judaism: A History

A history of Jews and Jewish civilization from Biblical times to the present. Both primary and secondary source material will be analyzed using various tools of historic interpretation.

RELS 300 – Contemporary Religious Issues in America

This course explores the creative forces that have shaped American religion and examines the challenges that confront the religious community today.

RELS 401 – Christian Ethics in Contemporary Society

The meaning of Christian ethics with a special reference to contemporary problems is included in this provocative course

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