Human Sciences

Global Studies, History, Legal Studies, Modern Languages, Philosophy, and Political Science

Chair: Brett McCormick, Ph.D.

Courses in global studies, history, legal studies, modern languages, philosophy, and political sciende offer students an understanding of the social and cultural forces that have shaped the contemporary world. Increasingly, citizens of a global society need to gain expertise in the rich array of courses offered in this division, from an understanding of international relations and the analysis of historical events, to the discussion of the role of women and religion in modern society.

The department offers B.A. degrees in history and political science, a B.S. degree in Legal Studies, and minors in global studies, history, philosophy, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish-Latin American area studies. Modern languages include elementary and intermediate-level courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. Faculty members also have organized intersession and summer study abroad programs in Europe, Central and South America, China, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Dubai, Jordan, Oman, and Russia.

Study Abroad

All majors are strongly encouraged to complete at least one study abroad experience.

History

Chair: Brett McCormick, Ph.D., Cornell University

Professor Emeritus: Edmund N. Todd, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania;

Associate Professors: Brett McCormick, Ph.D., Cornell University; Bradley Woodworth, Ph.D. Indiana University; April Yoder, Ph.D., Georgetown University

Assistant Professor: Jason Jordan, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Lecturers: Matthew Wranovix, Ph.D., Yale University

History provides a framework for a liberal education. The study of human experience - failures as well as achievements - is the core of historical study. It gives insight into related disciplines in the humanities and social sciences and broadens the perspective of students in the professional fields of business and engineering by revealing the complexity and interrelatedness of human experience.

History is also excellent preparation for a variety of careers in business, government, law, journalism, foreign service, and many other areas. Because of the great variety of professional programs at the University of New Haven, the student interested in history can combine this interest with highly technical professional training.

The Department strives to meet its objectives by teaching not only content but critical and writing skills through reading, class presentations and discussion, research, and writing. Historical methodology is stressed in all advanced courses, and students take the history seminar in their senior year to sharpen their critical and analytic skills.

All History majors are strongly encouraged to complete at least one study abroad experience.

Phi Alpha Theta

Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) in History, achieve a minimum GPA of 3.1 in History and a GPA of 3.0 or better overall. A maximum of 3 credit hours of online, transfer, or AP credits may be applied to the membership eligibility requirement. Membership is not limited to History majors.

Legal Studies

Coordinator: Victor R. Rodriguez, J.D., Columbia University

Professor Emeritus: Donna Decker Morris, J.D., Yale University

Visiting Assistant Professor: Victor R. Rodriguez, J.D., Columbia University

From the principles in the U.S. Constitution to the regulation of the food we eat, law governs our society. With the impact of globalization as well as new forms of dispute resolution, legal policy will increasingly shape our future. Legal studies is a unique and exciting undergraduate degree program designed to prepare graduates to be part of that future - and to help shape it.

Students select a program of study depending on interests and career goals. Pre-law students or students interested in graduate school in other areas choose either the public affairs or dispute resolution bachelor degree concentrations. Students interested in careers as paralegals choose from the following American Bar Association approved options: the bachelor degree concentration in paralegal studies, the associate degree in legal studies, or the paralegal certificate program.

Students whose needs are best served by a mixture of legal studies and other field of study courses may construct an individualized minor, in consultation with a departmental adviser.

Political Science

Coordinator: Victor R. Rodriguez, J.D., Columbia University

Professors Emeriti: James W. Dull, Ph.D., Columbia University; Natalie J. Ferringer, Ph.D., University of Virginia; Joshua Sandman, Ph.D., New York University

Assistant Professors: Chris Haynes, Ph.D., University of California Riverside; Matthew Schmidt, Ph.D., Georgetown University

Visiting Assistant Professor: Victor R. Rodriguez, J.D., Columbia University

Governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and change agents - at the local, state, and national and international level - powerfully impact our lives.

As a political science major at the University of New Haven, you will develop an understanding of our complex political system and its players, and explore how and where you can make an impact. You will have the opportunity to conduct data-driven projects with well-respected researchers, learn the craft of politics from real policymakers, become a part of the University's award-winning Model United Nations team, explore the world through our study abroad programs to France, Japan, Germany, and England, and pursue a variety of internships in Washington, D.C., Hartford, and the New Haven area. Studying political science can open up a wide range of job opportunities in government, business, the nonprofit sector, the legal system, and entrepreneurial occupations. The reason? The quality high-impact learning experiences our program provides will develop and sharpen your leadership, data analysis, writing, public speaking, intercultural competence, critical thinking, and networking skills.

Students whose needs are best served by a mixture of political science and other field of study courses may construct an individualized minor, in consultation with a departmental adviser, or a certification in campaign management.

All students pursuing degrees in legal studies and political science should discuss career goals and educational objectives with a department adviser within one month of entrance into the program.

Our department offers pre-law advising and tracking. The American Bar Association statement on preparation for legal education and for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) serves as a guide for pre-law advising course selection.

Modern Languages

Coordinator: Alessia Dalsant Ph.D., Yale University

Assistant Professor: Robert Irizarry, Ph.D., University of Kansas

Lecturers: Halima Belemlih, Ph.D., Morocco and Suffield University UK; Alessia Dalsant, Ph.D., Yale University

In an interconnected world, the knowledge of modern languages has become increasingly important and greatly enhances global awareness. The Division offers a variety of courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. Courses in other major world languages may also be offered on a less regular basis. These courses fulfill the core curriculum requirements on all worksheets. In addition, students interested in study abroad are encouraged to begin their study of a modern language at UNH. Refer to the course section of this catalog for courses beginning with the prefixes ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GERM, ITAL, RUSS, and SPAN.

The Division also offers five minors in Modern Languages:

Philosophy

Visiting Assistant Professor : Douglas Ficek, Ph.D., Temple University

Philosophy is about the "big" questions. Who are we? Why are we here? What should we do? And, of course, how should we do it? As an intellectual endeavor, philosophy explores these questions - and many others - critically, creatively, and without dogmatic inflexibility. Animated by the "love of wisdom," which is actually its etymological meaning, philosophy is a universal phenomenon that we, as human beings, have been pursuing all over the world for thousands of years - from Africa to Europe, from Asia to the Americas.

Why should you study philosophy?

To begin with, philosophical skills have practical value, not only in your professional life, but also in your personal life. Students of philosophy practice critical thinking, analytical reading and listening, and precise writing and speaking. They also "think outside the box," which fosters creativity, innovation, and even humor. Obviously, these are valuable skills, and they are sought after in education, journalism, law, medicine, and music - to say nothing of business and the arts.

Above and beyond that, philosophy can also help you, as a human being, understand yourself and the complex world you live in. Socrates, the wise teacher of Plato, once said that the "unexamined life is not worth living." Well, philosophy is just that: the critical examination of life - of who you are, of what you should do. And given the various problems facing humanity today, the importance of wisdom and critical examination cannot be overestimated.

Philosophy courses at UNH emphasize ethical inquiry, philosophical diversity, and real-world.