Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a series of reponses to common questions regarding the humanities sequence, and reasons to consider these courses as a valuable step towards becoming a successful student and scholar.

Why two terms?

The HUM courses cover a great range of eras and texts. Two Dartmouth quarters allow barely enough time to study this material. Hence the two-term sequence.

If I am accepted, do I have to take both terms?

No. You may choose to complete Humanities 1 in the fall and receive credit for fulfilling the Writing 5 requirement. If you choose not to take Humanities 2 in the winter, which fulfills the first-year seminar requirement, you will be required to take another designated first-year seminar

* Please note: If you begin by taking Writing 5 in the fall term and then decide you would like to apply for Humanities 2 in the winter term as your first-year seminar, you may do so if there are spaces available.

What do I need to know about the First-Year Writing Requirement?

The first-year writing requirement is a sequence intended to equip students with the skills to develop and present scholarly work. Humanities 1 & 2 together fulfill the first-year writing requirement. That is, Humanities 1 replaces Writing 5 and Humanities 2 replaces the first-year seminar.

What dates do I need to know?

The application period for Humanities 1 (Fall 2023) and Humanities 2 (Winter 2024) opens on June 1, 2023 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023.  Apply at http://www.dartmouth.edu/hums1-2/forms/appform.html.

Who are this year’s faculty?

Fall  2022, Dialogues with the Classics: Colleen Boggs (English), Devin Singh (Religion), Udi Greenberg (History), Roberta Stewart (Classics), Darrin McMahon (History) and Andrea Tarnowski (FRIT)

Winter 2023, The Modern Labyrinth: Lucas Hollister (FRIT), Petra McGillen (German) and Laura Edmondson (Theater)