Humanities with Tracks in Creative Writing and Translation, Literature, Philosophy and Religion, and World History
Available only to the Class of 2028 and beyond.
The Humanities major invites students to explore the interplay between texts—broadly conceived—and the world around us. From literature and philosophy to social media and video games, students engage with the ideas, narratives, and cultural traditions that have influenced societies across time and around the globe.
What makes this major distinct is its emphasis on the movement of ideas across time, space, and media. Students do not merely analyze texts within a single historical or cultural tradition; they research how stories, philosophies, and artistic expressions travel, transform, and intersect across different worlds. Unlike conventional humanities programs that focus on static traditions, Humanities highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of human expression.
The major is structured around three key themes that unify its diverse tracks:
Text and Interpretation: Students learn to analyze cultural artifacts critically and closely, uncovering how authors, audiences, and historical contexts shape meaning.
Storytelling and Communication: Whether crafting historical narratives, translating literary works, or developing persuasive arguments, students gain the skills to communicate complex ideas effectively across languages and cultures.
Translation and Comparison: By studying how ideas and texts move across linguistic, cultural, and historical boundaries, students develop a deep understanding of the processes that shape global knowledge exchange.
The major is organized into four interdisciplinary tracks.
Creative Writing and Translation: Emphasizing the craft of writing across genres, this track supports students in developing original works that engage with and reflect on global traditions and contemporary issues, combining theory and practice.
Literature: Focusing on written, spoken, and visual storytelling, this track teaches students to analyze stories that span cultures and historical periods.
Philosophy and Religion: Investigating fundamental questions about meaning, morality, and existence, this track examines philosophical and religious traditions across diverse global contexts.
World History: Focusing on how people, ideas, and events have shaped—and been shaped by—global forces across time, this track emphasizes that history is not confined to national borders. Instead, it is a dynamic, interconnected web of stories, interpretations, and cultural exchanges.
Students in the Humanities major graduate with soft skills in cultural literacy, critical and creative thinking. They will build communication skills that prepare them for graduate studies in the fields of history, literature, religious studies, creative writing, law, and business. They are well-equipped for careers in international business, law, media, education, consulting, and the nonprofit sector. By mastering the art of reading, writing, and translating the world, they become adaptable, globally conscious professionals equipped to navigate and shape the complex narratives of the future.
Major Requirements
(Not every course listed is offered every term, and the course list will be updated periodically. Please refer to the online Course Catalog for Courses offered in 2025-2026.)
Humanities / Creative Writing and Translation
Divisional Foundation Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| ARHU 101 | The Art of Interpretation: Written Text | 4 |
| ARHU 102 | The Art of interpretation: Images and Sound | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| HUM 105[99] | Text, Translation, and Storytelling | 4 |
| HUM 202[100] | Empires and Culture | 4 |
| HUM 205[101] | Texts in Motion | 4 |
| HUM 301 | Superstories: Narratives that Shaped the World | 4 |
| HUM 302[102] | Gender in Global Perspective | 4 |
| HUM 490 | Senior Seminar in Humanities | 4 |
[99] This course was named GCULS 105 Critical Comparative Studies prior to Fall 2025.
[100] This course was named GCULS 202 Empires and Culture prior to Fall 2025.
[101] This course was named GCULS 205 Texts in Motion prior to Fall 2025.
[102] This course was named GCULS 302 Gender in Global Perspective prior to Fall 2025.
Disciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| LIT 216 | Introduction to Creative Writing and Translation | 4 |
| Students are required to take an additional 20 credits from the two lists below, with at least 8 credits from each list. At least 8 of these credits must be 300-level or above. Other electives offered at Duke and DKU may meet these requirements: please approach the relevant major convener with any questions. : | ||
| List 1: choose at least 8 credits from the list below, which focuses on the context, audience reception and networks of publishing. : | ||
| LIT 223/CHINESE 423 | Topics in Modern and Premodern Chinese Literature | 4 |
| LIT 219 / MEDIART 219 | Stage Translation for Kunqu | 2 |
| LIT 310 | Translating Kunqu for the Global Stage | 4 |
| LIT 315 | Translation Theory | 4 |
| WOC 207 / CHINESE 408 | Translation Workshop | 2 |
| WOC 210 | Translation Workshop: Adaptation and Transformation | 2 |
| WOC 213 | From Text to World: Editing and Publishing | 2 |
| WOC 216 | Introduction to Feature Writing | 2 |
| WOC 217 | Introduction to News Writing | 2 |
| HUM 405 / MEDIART 405 | The Curatorial: Theory and Practice | 4 |
| List 2: choose at least 8 credits from the list below, which focuses on developing authorial voice and genre awareness. | ||
| LIT 220 | Line Breaks and Chapbooks: Poetry Workshop | 4 |
| LIT 311 | Poetry in Conversation | 4 |
| LIT 314 | Big Stories: Fiction and Non-Fiction Workshop | 4 |
| MEDIART 110 | Audio Documentary and the Podcast | 4 |
| MEDIART 207 | Elements of Story: Introduction to Narrative Technique | 4 |
| MEDIART 310 | Screenwriting | 4 |
| WOC 108 | Intercultural Communication | 2 |
| WOC 190 | Creative Nonfiction: People and Places | 2 |
| WOC 214 / CHINESE 414 | Reading Chinese Love Stories in Novels and Memoirs | 2 |
| WOC 290 | Special Topics: Writing Across Cultures | 4 |
| HIST 314 | Writing the History of War | 4 |
Humanities / Literature
Divisional Foundation Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| ARHU 101 | The Art of Interpretation: Written Text | 4 |
| ARHU 102 | The Art of interpretation: Images and Sound | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| HUM 105[103] | Text, Translation, and Storytelling | 4 |
| HUM 202[104] | Empires and Culture | 4 |
| HUM 205[105] | Texts in Motion | 4 |
| HUM 301 | Superstories: Narratives that Shaped the World | 4 |
| HUM 302[106] | Gender in Global Perspective | 4 |
| HUM 490 | Senior Seminar in Humanities | 4 |
[103] This course was named GCULS 105 Critical Comparative Studies prior to Fall 2025.
[104] This course was named GCULS 202 Empires and Culture prior to Fall 2025.
[105] This course was named GCULS 205 Texts in Motion prior to Fall 2025.
[106] This course was named GCULS 302 Gender in Global Perspective prior to Fall 2025.
Disciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| LIT 214 | Introduction to Literary Research | 4 |
| Students are required to take an additional 5 courses from the two lists below, with at least 2 courses from each list. At least 2 of these 5 courses must be 300-level or above. Other electives offered at Duke and DKU may meet these requirements: please approach the relevant major convener with any questions. | ||
| List 1: choose 2 courses from the list below, which focuses on literary traditions specific to a time, place, or language. | ||
| LIT 298-1 | Special Topics in U.S. Literature | 4 |
| LIT 298-2 | Special Topics in Literary Traditions | 4 |
| LIT 216 | Introduction to Creative Writing and Translation | 4 |
| LIT 223 / Chinese 423 | Topics in Modern and Premodern Chinese Literature | 4 |
| LIT 311 | Poetry in Conversation | 4 |
| LIT 314 | Big Stories: Fiction and Non-Fiction Workshop | 4 |
| LIT 310 | Translating Kunqu for the Global Stage | 4 |
| List 2: choose 2 courses from the list below, which focuses on broad thematic and comparative analysis. | ||
| LIT 203 | Reading Empire | 4 |
| LIT 210 | Writing Machines: Literature, Technology, and the Future | 4 |
| RELIG 221/LIT 221[107] | Comparing Religions: Text, Orality, and Myth | 4 |
| LIT 398 | Special Topics in World Literature | 4 |
| LIT 315 | Translation Theory | 4 |
| HUM 405 / MEDIART 405 | The Curatorial: Theory and Practice | 4 |
[107] This course was named RELIG 101 Comparative Religious Studies prior to Fall 2025.
Humanities /Philosophy and Religion
Divisional Foundation Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| ARHU 101 | The Art of Interpretation: Written Text | 4 |
| ARHU 102 | The Art of interpretation: Images and Sound | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| HUM 105[108] | Text, Translation, and Storytelling | 4 |
| HUM 202[109] | Empires and Culture | 4 |
| HUM 205[110] | Texts in Motion | 4 |
| HUM 301 | Superstories: Narratives that Shaped the World | 4 |
| HUM 302[111] | Gender in Global Perspective | 4 |
| HUM 490 | Senior Seminar in Humanities | 4 |
[108] This course was named GCULS 105 Critical Comparative Studies prior to Fall 2025.
[109] This course was named GCULS 202 Empires and Culture prior to Fall 2025.
[110] This course was named GCULS 205 Texts in Motion prior to Fall 2025.
[111] This course was named GCULS 302 Gender in Global Perspective prior to Fall 2025.
Disciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| HUM 201 | Research in Philosophy and Religion | 4 |
| Students are required to take an additional 5 courses from the lists below, with at least 2 courses from each list. At least 2 of these 5 courses have to be 300-level or above. Other electives offered at Duke and DKU may meet these requirements: please approach the relevant major convener with any questions. | ||
| List 1: Choose at least one PHIL course and one RELIG course from the list below, which focuses on specific traditions, times, or places. | ||
| PHIL 210[112] | Special Topics in U.S. Literature | 4 |
| PHIL 226/HIST 226[113] | History of Chinese Philosophy | 4 |
| RELIG 203 | History of God | 4 |
| RELIG 302 | Topics in Modern and Premodern Chinese Literature | 4 |
| List 2: Choose at least one PHIL course and one RELIG course from the list below, which focuses on broad thematic and comparative analysis. | ||
| RELIG 221/LIT 221[114] | Comparing Religions: Text, Orality, and Myth | 4 |
| PHIL 305 | Cross-Cultural Philosophy | 4 |
| PHIL 398 | Special Topics in Philosophy | 4 |
| RELIG 398 | Special Topics in Religion | 4 |
[112] This course was named PHIL 101 History of Western Philosophy prior to Fall 2025.
[113] This course was named PHI 102/HIST 101 Ancient Chinese History and Philosophy prior to Fall 2025.
[114] This course was named RELIG 101 Comparative Religious Studies prior to Fall 2025.
Humanities /World History
Divisional Foundation Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| ARHU 101 | The Art of Interpretation: Written Text | 4 |
| ARHU 102 | The Art of interpretation: Images and Sound | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| HUM 105[115] | Text, Translation, and Storytelling | 4 |
| HUM 202[116] | Empires and Culture | 4 |
| HUM 205[117] | Texts in Motion | 4 |
| HUM 301 | Superstories: Narratives that Shaped the World | 4 |
| HUM 302[118] | Gender in Global Perspective | 4 |
| HUM 490 | Senior Seminar in Humanities | 4 |
[115] This course was named GCULS 105 Critical Comparative Studies prior to Fall 2025.
[116] This course was named GCULS 202 Empires and Culture prior to Fall 2025.
[117] This course was named GCULS 205 Texts in Motion prior to Fall 2025.
[118] This course was named GCULS 302 Gender in Global Perspective prior to Fall 2025.
Disciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| HIST 201 | History Methods and Research | 4 |
| Students are required to take an additional 5 courses from the two lists below, with at least 2 courses from each list. At least 2 of these 5 courses must be 300-level or above. Other electives offered at Duke and DKU may meet these requirements: please approach the relevant major convener with any questions. | ||
| List 1: choose at least 2 courses from the following list, which focuses on broad historical trends and analysis. | ||
| HIST 111 | Ancient Roots to Global Routes | 4 |
| HIST 212 | Pandemics in World History | 4 |
| HIST 228 | Power, Technology, and the Environment | 4 |
| HIST 233/RELIG 203 | History of God | 4 |
| HIST 309 | Global Commodities and Their Discontents | 4 |
| HIST 401 | Special Topics: Global connections | 4 |
| List 2: choose at least 2 courses from the following list, which focuses on local, national, and regional histories. | ||
| HIST 227 | The Global Economy in History | 4 |
| HIST 229 | Labor, Migration, and the Making of the Modern World | 4 |
| HIST 230 | The History of Everyday Life | 4 |
| HIST 314 | Writing the History of War and Peace | 4 |
| HIST 217/ARTS 217 | Arts of China | 4 |
| HIST 402 | Confluences: Histories of Rivers, Oceans, and the Environment | 4 |
[112] This course was named PHIL 101 History of Western Philosophy prior to Fall 2025.
[113] This course was named PHI 102/HIST 101 Ancient Chinese History and Philosophy prior to Fall 2025.
[114] This course was named RELIG 101 Comparative Religious Studies prior to Fall 2025.