In the Humanities & Diversity minor, you’ll have the opportunity to examine ideas and perspectives about issues such as diversity, identity and lived realities through the study of literature and related disciplines in the liberal arts.
Program Overview
Examine how the world is enriched by our differences.
At Western Colorado University, we view inclusive excellence as an essential value that defines who we are and pervades everything we do. The program celebrates diversity through an educational environment that honors the entities, experiences and intersectionality of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical abilities, intellectual abilities, religious and political beliefs. It also supports a firm and unyielding stance in support of diversity, inclusivity, scientific inquiry and creative expression.
The program also offers a variety of hands-on opportunities for you to learn more about the diversity that makes the world a fuller place. The Multicultural Center is your chance to collaborate with a diverse group of students on community service projects and organize cultural events. You can also volunteer with Gunnison County’s Multicultural Resources and Project Hope to provide support for local Spanish-speaking individuals and families. Paired with any major, the Humanities & Diversity curriculum will help prepare you for life after graduation and for success in a highly diverse and competitive workforce.
Constructive conversations
The Humanities & Diversity program examines ideas and perspectives relating to issues such as diversity, identity, sexuality and lived realities.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
A minimum of 21 credits is required, including the following courses:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ENG 151 | Borderlands: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality | 3 |
ENG 250 | Critical Approaches to Literature | 3 |
Two of the following: | 6 | |
ENG 152 | Women and Literature | |
ENG 230 | Environmental Literature (GT-AH2) | |
ENG 255 | Ancient World Literature (GT-AH2) | |
ENG 270 | Folklore | |
ENG 331 | Literature and Ethnicity: Studies in: | |
ENG 337 | Women Writers | |
ENG 358 | Global Literatures: Studies in: The Underworld | |
ENG 370 | Myth and Culture | |
ENG 371 | Literary Theory and Criticism | |
ENG 384 | American Literature Early to Civil War | |
ENG 385 | American Literature-Civil War to Present | |
ENG 397 | Special Topics | |
ENG 463 | Major British Authors: | |
ENG 464 | Major American Authors: | |
Three of the following: | 9 | |
COM 121 | Introduction to Theatre (GT-AH1) | |
COM 216 | Dramatic Literature and Script Analysis | |
COM 352 | Advanced Cinema Studies | |
COM 371 | Small Group and Conflict Management | |
COM 377 | Intercultural Communication in the Digital Age | |
PHIL 101 | Introduction to Philosophy (GT-AH3) | |
PHIL 315 | Eastern Philosophy | |
PHIL 325 | Women and Gender in Philosophy | |
SPAN 321 | Spanish for Business | |
SPAN 324 | Spanish for Medical and Social Services | |
SPAN 341 | Latin American Civilization and Culture | |
SPAN 482 | Spanish in the U.S. | |
Total Credits | 21 |
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Maximize your educational experience at Western.
Pursue your passions, manifest your ideas and get hands-on experience in your field by participating in the wide variety of extracurricular activities Western offers.
- Bistro Philosophy: A monthly gathering of philosophy students and faculty at a local bistro to discuss concepts taught in classes, then brainstorming and expanding upon them creatively to address “burning questions” that arise through the semester.
- Contemporary Writer Series: Emerging and established literary artists visit campus and community venues.
- Multicultural Center: Immerse with students from many cultures on campus and participate in community service and organizing cultural events.
- Philosophy Intersections: A series of discussions and lectures that highlights work among disciplines campus-wide, where students and faculty look at how their fields intersect and interact with Philosophy.
- Sigma Tau Delta: Join the international English honor society.
- Volunteering: Students serve at Gunnison County’s Multicultural Resources and Project Hope to provide support for local Spanish-speaking individuals searching for additional resources to succeed in life.
- Western Theatre Company: A co-curricular program and student-run producing board that oversee and provide quality live performance to the campus and Gunnison community.
- Wordhorde: This group hosts slam poetry and fiction at open-mic nights.
Sharing ideas
Western holds multiple events in a variety of venues throughout the year including hosting well-known poets like Kenneth Arkind, Kai Davis, and Buddy Wakefield.
News & Research
Department Information
Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department
Department Chairperson
Tamara Toomey, M.S.Chair – Communication Arts, Languages and Literature and Lecturer in English
Administrative Assistant
Cindy PetitoAdministrative Assistant III
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 216
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231