What Are Humanities Classes?

Humanities classes aim to give students a broad, well-rounded education in understanding the human experience. They're a requirement for most degree programs. But what are humanities classes, exactly? Put simply, humanities classes are courses that explore human culture and creativity, like literature, history, philosophy, art, music, and languages.

Today, we'll get into the topic in depth — what are humanities classes, plus examples of humanities classes, common college humanities subjects, and how the skills you learn in humanities classes can be applied to real-world careers.

TL;DR: What are Humanities Classes? 

• Humanities classes explore human culture and thought. Examples of humanities classes are literature, philosophy, art, history, and film.
• Humanities courses emphasize critical thinking and help students understand diverse perspectives and creative expression.
• Humanities classes aren't the same as social sciences. Social sciences focus more on empirical studies of human behavior and societies.
• Want to study humanities? It can lead to careers in fields like media, marketing, law, and education, enhancing skills in communication and cultural analysis.

What are Humanities Classes? Definitions and Examples

What are humanities classes? Humanities classes dive into the world of human thought and culture. Examples are humanities classes like literature and history to philosophy, art, film, and cultural studies. They’re all about seeing the creative and intellectual achievements of humanity through a fresh lens—helping learners appreciate the richness, diversity, and complexity of human expression.

The word “humanities” comes from the Latin humanus, highlighting qualities that make us distinctly human: curiosity, creativity, and culture. The roots of the humanities stretch back to ancient Greece in the 5th century BC, where thinkers like Aristotle and Plato began shaping the ideas that would form the backbone of these fields. Later, during the Renaissance, scholars rediscovered classical texts, sparking a renewed focus on critical thinking, creativity, and the celebration of cultural achievements.

Of course, the boundaries of the humanities can get a little fuzzy—philosophy overlaps with literature, art intersects with history—but that’s part of the fun. Let’s unpack these categories and see how they each contribute to understanding what it means to be human.

Humanities vs. Liberal Arts

Think of liberal arts as the big umbrella under which many fields fit. Liberal arts covers not just literature, philosophy, and the arts, but also social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. The goal is to cultivate critical thinking and a broad intellectual foundation. The term comes from the Latin liberalis (“free”) and ars (“art” or “principled practice”), reflecting an education designed to develop well-rounded thinkers capable of reasoning, questioning, and connecting ideas across disciplines.

Humanities vs. Social Sciences

While the humanities explore ideas, culture, and human expression from a more abstract and theoretical perspective, social sciences focus on the systematic study of human behavior, societies, and social patterns—often using data, experiments, and empirical research. Some fields blur the line between the two. Take anthropology, for example: it combines the social science approach of studying societies and behaviors with humanities-style cultural interpretation, ethnography, and the exploration of human experiences.

What Classes Are Considered Humanities?

Perhaps the best way to clarify the question "what are humanities classes?" is with a few examples. One  thing all college humanities courses share is a focus on critical thinking and exploring the human experience. For anyone wondering what are examples of humanities classes, StraighterLine offers a range of options you can take online. Here are just a few of them:

Philosophy

Philosophy is the examination of thought, human nature, and our place in the world. It encompasses topics such as existentialism, free will, metaphysics, and determinism while focusing on the development of critical thinking skills. A typical philosophy course will usually start with the famous philosophers of Ancient Greece and trace the history and schools of philosophy up to today’s greatest minds. 

Take our Introduction to Philosophy course.

Religion

By studying religion, students can gain an in-depth knowledge of beliefs held by cultures throughout history and around the world. Most college-level religion courses explore the sources of religions and examine similarities and differences among global religious traditions.

Learn more about Introduction to Religion.

Art

The appreciation of art includes more than being able to recognize a masterwork. As a part of the humanities, art appreciation includes developing the vocabulary to talk about art, including principles of design, color, and space, as well as understanding the history and value of art. 

Enroll in Art Appreciation

Anthropology

Studies in anthropology cover human diversity across cultures, including economic, political, social, and cultural spectrums. It often includes studies of how communication and language have evolved throughout our history and influenced different cultures. 

Get started with Cultural Anthropology.

History

History encompasses an enormous variety of topics, from the earliest days of human existence up to recent events. Depending on which course you take, it also covers specific geological areas or societies, such as Western Civilization or U.S. History.

Explore our Western Civilization course.

Communications

The study of communication, as both an art and a science, is at the foundation of nearly every other field. In a communications course, you might learn about communication theory and its evolution. Classes usually include both verbal and written communication skills and ways to improve your own communication with others, whether one-on-one or in a group setting.

Sign up for Introduction to Communications.

What are humanities class requirements and do all colleges require humanities courses?

Most colleges and universities have a humanities requirement for graduation. That's because they want to graduate well-rounded students who are able to read and analyze a text, research a topic thoroughly, and think critically about a variety of subjects. 

Humanities requirements vary by school, with some requiring a specific humanities course or courses for all students and others requiring only a certain number of humanities credits to graduate. In most degree programs, “humanities requirements” refer to completing a certain number of credits in subjects like literature, history, philosophy, art, or music. These courses are designed to develop critical thinking, cultural awareness, and communication skills. You'll typically have some flexibility in choosing which humanities classes you want to take to meet the requirements.

But what are the easiest humanities classes? The answer often depends on your personal interests and strengths. At StraighterLine, all of our online humanities courses are designed to be flexible and accessible for all students.

What Can I Do With A Degree In Humanities?

There are plenty of ways to get a great job with a humanities degree. The careers listed below are some of the most popular fields for humanities graduates. While a degree in one of the humanities isn’t a guarantee you’ll get one of the jobs listed below, it’s certainly a good first step in the right direction.

Historian

If you enjoy history, whether across the board or in a more specialized area of study, you might consider pursuing a career as a historian. 

Historians are academic researchers who meticulously study and analyze past events, providing insights into the ongoing growth of human history. You’ll delve into primary sources, such as documents, artifacts, and eyewitness accounts, to construct a narrative of a time and place or a specific event. Or, you might choose to specialize in fields like military history, economic history, or social history. 

Most professional historians start with a bachelor’s degree and advance to a master’s degree or even a Ph.D. in their specialty. But it all starts with taking the right humanities courses as an undergraduate.

Teacher

Aspiring educators often find that degrees in the humanities provide a well-rounded foundation for their careers. Teachers need a comprehensive understanding of various subjects to effectively engage students and foster critical thinking. A humanities degree equips educators with diverse knowledge, enhancing their ability to connect with students on multiple levels. 

For example, the Education Studies Career Pathway at StraighterLine includes courses in communication, philosophy, American government, and environmental sciences to prepare you for the general education courses required for many education degrees.

Bear in mind that no matter what grade you’d like to teach, you may be required to complete certain certifications in addition to your college degree(s). This ensures educational proficiency and practical teaching skills on top of any humanities you might choose to specialize in, like history or English.

Museum Curator

If your interests gravitate toward art or history and you enjoy engaging with the public or working for a worthy cause, then you might consider a career as a museum curator. By exploring the diverse range of topics covered by the humanities, you’ll prepare yourself for a rewarding career that educates and entertains the public and helps to shape our culture.

A curator usually works for a museum or similar educational institution. They must possess a range of skills, including creativity and knowledge of history. Depending on where you work and what you do, a degree in anthropology, art, religion, or philosophy may be of use. Note that many museum curators start with a bachelor’s degree in one of these humanities and go on to earn a specialized master’s degree or Ph.D. in their chosen fields.

Earn Your Humanities Credits With StraighterLine

Now that we're answered the question "what are humanities classes", given some examples, and clarified career opportunities, it's time to get started! StraighterLine offers a range of humanities courses that can earn you credit toward your school’s graduation requirements or start you on your path to a new career. Our credits are transferable to over 180 schools and are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education at even more colleges. Try a humanities course with us today and see where it can take you!