CRITERIA FOR LIBERAL STUDIES AREA IV:
HUMANITIES/FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

Humanities:

Following are criteria a course shall meet to be accepted for humanities liberal studies credit:

1. The course content shall fall within the humanities, including studies of culture and its intellectual and artistic expression, and studies of civilization.
2. The course shall examine a significant segment of material either by an introduction to a subject area or by a survey of a subject area.
3. The course shall communicate methods of analysis or interpretation so the student will not only learn the course content and how to assess it but will also gain analytical or interpretive skills to study similar materials in an independent and critical fashion.
4. While the precise method of evaluation in a course is the prerogative of the instructor, each humanities liberal studies course shall contain a significant essay component.
5. For a humanities course to satisfy the literature requirement, works of creative literature shall constitute the principal subject matter.

Fine and Performing Arts: The function is to introduce the student to the fine and performing arts in such a way that he or she gains the basic understanding necessary to become an appreciative and discriminating audience of the fine and performing arts. Thus, the courses which warrant inclusion should emphasize:

1. The appreciation of the art under scrutiny, which could include a historical or critical component, or a study of the practice of the art, not limited to the acquisition of the skills of the art, but rather, an introduction to the skills which might be useful in further self-study or enjoyment of the art.
2. The acquisition of analytical and/or interpretive methods so the student will learn not only the content of the course and how to assess that content but also will gain the analytical and/or interpretive skills needed for similar arts related material in an independent and critical fashion.
3. Content and methods which are not dependent on a student's prior knowledge or experience with the subject matter. A student intent to pursue further formal study of the subject matter would not be essential. Therefore, no prerequisite skills or course work would be required in the subject area.

The following statement must be included in the course syllabus:

The Liberal Studies Program at Florida State University has been designed to provide a perspective on the qualities, accomplishments, and aspirations of human beings, the past and present civilizations we have created, and the natural and technological world we inhabit. This course has been approved as meeting the requirements for Liberal Studies Area IV, Humanities and Fine Arts, and in combination with your other Liberal Studies courses, provides an important foundation for your lifelong quest for knowledge.

Revised: 11/07