Humanities

College of Arts and Sciences

The humanities offer fundamental insights into the human condition as they are expressed in thought, on stage, paper, film, the internet, and through human communication.

Students of the humanities explore what it means to be human through our connection to others, society, and the natural world. At a moment in history when the very nature of “truth” and “reality” are hotly contested, the humanities provide necessary insight into the character of civilizations past and present, and cultures and experiences that differ from our own.

Photo above: A student performs in Metamorphoses, based on the myths of Ovid, in Robinson Theatre.

Environmental Humanities

Your assignment: convey your vision for the future of Mount Hood National Forest through a written public testimony—and a 15-second Instagram video. This is just one of the projects for the introductory environmental humanities course. It’s a different way to study the environment—through creative approaches that just might be what’s needed to address the world’s biggest natural challenges.

Learn More About Humanities Humanities Majors

Priscilla Peña Ovalle

Associate professor of Cinema Studies

Priscilla takes on assumptions, things that are accepted as true without proof. Whether based on race, gender, or even a style of hair, these presumptions are the focus of her research into film and mainstream media. She asks questions about why people don’t question. Priscilla finds that pop culture is a great avenue for introducing students to research, so they’ll start asking good questions too.

Ben Saunders

Professor of English

Ben is fascinated by the ways powerful forms of representation can change how we see the world. He has analyzed a wide variety of these in his books, ranging from the theater of Shakespeare to the ironies of Marvel’s Iron Man. He founded the first-in-the-nation undergraduate minor in comics and cartoon studies and recently curated the largest transmedia museum exhibition ever devoted to the Marvel Universe.

Ben Saunders

Professor of English

Ben is fascinated by the ways powerful forms of representation can change how we see the world. He has analyzed a wide variety of these in his books, ranging from the theater of Shakespeare to the ironies of Marvel’s Iron Man. He founded the first-in-the-nation undergraduate minor in comics and cartoon studies and recently curated the largest transmedia museum exhibition ever devoted to the Marvel Universe.

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Undergraduate Areas of Study

Computer and Data Sciences

Natural Sciences

Art and Design

Music and Dance

Global Studies and Languages

Humanities

Journalism and Communication