Humanities and Arts Experience
Humanities and Arts in the First Year
The Humanities and Arts (HUA) are integral to the WPI Plan and each student’s academic journey here.
The aim of WPI’s six-course HUA Requirement is to educate well-rounded, globally aware graduates with exceptional analytical skills and sensitivity to culture and context.
In the first year you have the opportunity to embrace art, theatre, music, and other forms of creative expression. Alternatively, you can explore themes of complexity, diversity, and the richness of human experience by examining art/architecture, history, languages, literature, philosophy, or religion. Once you have started your HUA experience on campus, you will later have the option to complete your HUA Requirement at select HUA off-campus project centers whether in London, Argentina, Japan, Morocco, or Taiwan.
No matter how you choose to explore HUA here at WPI, you will acquire broad-based skills that complement and enhance the technical side of your WPI education. By understanding yourself and the diversity and creativity of human experience, you will become a more well-rounded scientist, engineer, entrepreneur, innovator, or change agent. HUA will allow you to see the world and solve its problems through a lens that is uniquely your own.
Through HUA, WPI undergraduates get a chance to embrace their inner musician, thespian, poet, artist, creative writer, historian, linguist, or philosopher. To learn More about completing the Humanities and Arts requirement, click here.
First Year Introductory Courses in HUA
New students are encouraged to design their own HUA experiences and can start wherever their curiosity and passion take them – from art to music, languages to writing, history to philosophy, theatre to literature, and religion to gender, sex, and women’s studies.
In Fall 2023, WPI is offering a number of first-year introductory courses across HUA disciplines. These seven-week courses in A and B Terms offer spaces for new students to collectively explore their interests while building connections with other members of the Class of 2027. In addition, these courses will build academic skills and prepare students to follow a purposeful pathway through the HUA Requirement, while encouraging students to understand and embrace WPI’s Mental Health and Well-Being Initiatives.
These First Year Introductory Courses in HUA are available in A and B Terms with the following courses available:
A Term
HI 1322-A01 – Introduction To European History
This course introduces students to the major currents that have defined modern European History. Themes and topics will vary and may include the philosophical impact of science on modern thought, the development of liberalism and socialism, the crisis of culture in the twentieth century. Students read selections on major episodes in European history and develop their skills in critical thinking, analysis, oral and written argument.
HI 1333-A01 – Introduction to American Histories of Protest and Power
Introduction to American Histories of Protest and Power (Cat I) Why do people organize and protest to change the world around them? This course takes a topical approach to introduce the historical questions, intersectional methods, and contemporary sources that shape the study of social movements on the political left and right. Balancing the exploration of the ideological, political, and economic roots of protest movements and the identities, strategies, and technologies that inspire individual and collective action, this course examines the varied responses that protest movements elicit from society and the structures of power from suppression to realization to cooptation. Although protests movements, such as abolitionist, populist, white supremist, Civil Rights, Black Power, feminist, gay liberation, anti-war, environmental, socialist, labor, and/or alt-Right movements, under consideration in this course will change, students can only receive credit for it once. Recommended background: None.
HI 1333-A02 – Introduction to American Histories of Protest and Power
Introduction to American Histories of Protest and Power (Cat I) Why do people organize and protest to change the world around them? This course takes a topical approach to introduce the historical questions, intersectional methods, and contemporary sources that shape the study of social movements on the political left and right. Balancing the exploration of the ideological, political, and economic roots of protest movements and the identities, strategies, and technologies that inspire individual and collective action, this course examines the varied responses that protest movements elicit from society and the structures of power from suppression to realization to cooptation. Although protests movements, such as abolitionist, populist, white supremist, Civil Rights, Black Power, feminist, gay liberation, anti-war, environmental, socialist, labor, and/or alt-Right movements, under consideration in this course will change, students can only receive credit for it once. Recommended background: None.
HI 1350-A01 – Introduction To Environmental History
An introduction to the questions, methods, and source materials that shape historical studies of the environment. This course will explore the influence of nature (i.e., climate, topography, plants, animals, and microorganisms) on human history and the reciprocal influence of people on nature.
HU 1500-A01 – Introduction To Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies
This foundational course offers an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of gender, sexuality and women’s studies . The course fosters critical examination of gender, sexuality and women and asks how the interlocking systems of oppression, including colonialism, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and ethnocentrism, shape people’s lives, and how individuals and groups have worked to resist these oppressions. Potential course topics include histories of gender activism, gender, sexuality and their relationships to the law, religion, reproduction, education, technology, and mental health, globalization and transnational experiences, and the role of popular culture. No prior background is required
INTL 1300-A01 – Introduction To Latin America
This course reviews the past and present of South America, Central America and the Caribbean through an interdisciplinary approach. It examines historical and contemporary issues related to social mobilization, cultural innovation, political activism, economic development, and environmental sustainability through the critical analysis of books, films, and creative arts from and about the region. It also presents an overview of Latin American relations with other parts of the world through the region’s experiences with global culture, migration, imperialism, dependency, and entanglements with the United States. This course is especially appropriate for students who expect to complete their HUA, IQP, and/or MQP at WPI project centers in Latin America. No prior knowledge is expected. Recommended background: None.
ISE 1800-A01 – Introduction To Academic Reading And Writing For Non-Native Speakers Of English
The goal of this course is to provide international students for whom English is not their native language the necessary skills for academic success through reading and writing assignments. Students will focus on developing vocabulary, critical reading, paragraph, and essay writing skills. Emphasis is also given to a review of English grammar through intensive written and oral practice to promote accurate and appropriate language use. Strongly recommended for first-year international non-native English speakers. Admission determined by Writing Placement or consent of the instructor.
ISE 1801-A01 – Composition For Non-Native Speakers Of English
This course is for international students who want to develop their academic writing skills through a sequence of essay assignments, with emphasis on rhetorical and grammatical issues particular to second language learners (ESL) . Students will concentrate on producing coherent paragraphs, developing short essays in a variety of rhetorical modes, and improving mechanics (grammar and punctuation) and vocabulary usage . Both personal and academic writing assignments provide practice in the process of writing and revising work for content and form . Recommended Background: ISE 1800 or equivalent skills (determined by Writing Placement or consent of the instructor) .
MU 1611-A01 – Fundamentals Of Music I
This course concentrates on basic music theory of the common practice period. If time permits, instruction includes ear training, sight singing, and work on scales and intervals. Recommended background: basic knowledge of reading music.
PY 1731-A02 – Introduction To Philosophy And Religion
This course provides an overview of key concepts, methods and authors in both fields. These introduce the student to the types of reasoning required for the pursuit of in-depth analysis in each discipline. Emphasis on topics and authors varies with the particular instructor.
WR 1010-A01 – Elements Of Writing
This course provides an overview of key concepts, methods and authors in both fields. These introduce the student to the types of reasoning required for the pursuit of in-depth analysis in each discipline. Emphasis on topics and authors varies with the particular instructor.
WR 1011-A01 – Writing About Science And Technology
This course will examine the appropriate dissemination of scientific information in common science writing genres such as science journalism, consulting reports and white papers, and policy and procedure documents . In a workshop setting, students will write and revise documents that promote broad understanding of scientific research and analysis of specialized knowledge . Course lectures and discussions investigate ethics of scientific reporting and teach students how to recognize deceptive texts and arguments (both quantitative and qualitative) . The course is reading and writing intensive and is intended for students with backgrounds in a scientific discipline who are interested in applying their disciplinary knowledge
B Term
AR 1111-B01 – Introduction To Art History
How do we understand a work of art? Through readings and the study of objectsat the Worcester Art Museum, the student will survey the major developments inworld art and be introduced to various critical perspectives in art history. Studentswill learn how art historians work with primary materials and formulate arguments. No previous knowledge of art is required.
EN 1219-B01 – Introduction to Creative Writing
This course introduces the student to a variety of critical perspectives necessary to an understanding and appreciation of the major forms, or genres, of literary expression (e.g., novel, short story, poetry, drama, and essay). Writing and class discussion will be integral parts of this course.
HI 1311-B01 – Introduction To American Urban History
An introduction to the history of the American city as an important phenomenon in itself and as a reflection of national history. The course will take an interdisciplinary approach to study the political, economic, social, and technological patterns that have shaped the growth of urbanization. In addition to reading historical approaches to the study of American urban history, students may also examine appropriate works by sociologists, economists, political scientists and city planners who provide historical perspective.
HI 1333-B01 – Introduction to American Histories of Protest and Power
Introduction to American Histories of Protest and Power (Cat I) Why do people organize and protest to change the world around them? This course takes a topical approach to introduce the historical questions, intersectional methods, and contemporary sources that shape the study of social movements on the political left and right. Balancing the exploration of the ideological, political, and economic roots of protest movements and the identities, strategies, and technologies that inspire individual and collective action, this course examines the varied responses that protest movements elicit from society and the structures of power from suppression to realization to cooptation. Although protests movements, such as abolitionist, populist, white supremist, Civil Rights, Black Power, feminist, gay liberation, anti-war, environmental, socialist, labor, and/or alt-Right movements, under consideration in this course will change, students can only receive credit for it once. Recommended background: None.
HI 1350-B01 – Introduction To Environmental History
An introduction to the questions, methods, and source materials that shape historical studies of the environment. This course will explore the influence of nature (i.e., climate, topography, plants, animals, and microorganisms) on human history and the reciprocal influence of people on nature.
ISE 1801-B01 – Composition For Non-Native Speakers Of English
This course is for international students who want to develop their academic writing skills through a sequence of essay assignments, with emphasis on rhetorical and grammatical issues particular to second language learners (ESL) . Students will concentrate on producing coherent paragraphs, developing short essays in a variety of rhetorical modes, and improving mechanics (grammar and punctuation) and vocabulary usage . Both personal and academic writing assignments provide practice in the process of writing and revising work for content and form . Recommended Background: ISE 1800 or equivalent skills (determined by Writing Placement or consent of the instructor) .
MU 1611-B02 – Fundamentals Of Music I
This course concentrates on basic music theory of the common practice period. If time permits, instruction includes ear training, sight singing, and work on scales and intervals. Recommended background: basic knowledge of reading music.
WR 1010-B01 – Elements Of Writing
This course provides an overview of key concepts, methods and authors in both fields. These introduce the student to the types of reasoning required for the pursuit of in-depth analysis in each discipline. Emphasis on topics and authors varies with the particular instructor.
WR 1010-B02 – Elements Of Writing
This course provides an overview of key concepts, methods and authors in both fields. These introduce the student to the types of reasoning required for the pursuit of in-depth analysis in each discipline. Emphasis on topics and authors varies with the particular instructor.
