Interdisciplinary Studies

Public Humanities

Public Humanities makes specialized knowledge accessible to diverse public audiences.

Students at a campus event.
Dynamic Conversations

The public humanities major and minor takes an intersectional approach unique for the undergraduate level, to educate students for a life, not just a job. This program engages diverse audiences in dynamic conversations about democracy, art, history, technology, well-being, sustainability, sovereignty, cultural heritage and social change. Students pursuing the Public Humanities prepare for careers in non-profit organizations, social activism, digital content creation, urban design, museums, archives, library science, public arts administration, historic preservation and national park services.

Student presenting a paper at the front of the class

Your Four-Year Journey

Students often combine Public Humanities with a major or minor in Art, Communication and Media, History, and Philosophy.

Understanding

Your first year experience is designed to prepare your mind for everything that follows. The courses you take will prepare you to think critically, communicate creatively, and question everything.

New Approaches

As a sophomore, you’ll declare your major and select your mentor. But that’s just the start of it. You’ll also be asked to choose a minor from an alternate discipline to keep your perspectives fresh and your mind wide open.

Delving Deeper

As you delve deeper and take on a Junior Seminar, you’ll develop an even more eloquent understanding of your chosen fields. And you’ll begin to focus on improving your research skills and rhetorical ability in preparation for your Senior Comp.

The Comp

One of the accomplishments our alumni are most proud of is their Senior Comp. Every Allegheny student must research, propose, create, and defend an original creative or critical project. You’ll be paired with a mentor throughout the project, and the experience will prepare you well for any step you take after graduation.