Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Humanities?
2. What subjects do you study as part of the Humanities Courses?
3. What are the Career Options for Humanities Graduates?

Introduction
Humanities Programme
B.A Humanities
Diploma Humanities
Educational Objectives and Outcomes
Admissions
Humanities Staff
Contact Humanities

Please Note: if you have questions you would like to ask re the humanities, please email humanitiescc@carlowcollege.ie

1. What is Humanities?

The ‘Humanities’ is a study of ideas and subjects drawn from philosophy, literature, history, religion, theology, art and science. This study focuses on a particular subject or on a range of Arts subjects such as English and History, French and Spanish, Philosophy, etc. Alternatively, the study of the Humanities can be broader ranging, endeavouring to give students several perspectives on important topics and issues that are associated with the achievements and controversies surrounding the human condition. The latter type of broader course of studies is what the students of the Humanities take at Carlow College. At Carlow College, students take various core-mandatory subjects and elective subjects drawn from disciplines, such as, Philosophy, Theology, English Literature, Psychology, History, Irish Studies, Drama & Theatre and Creative Writing. Through a multi-disciplinary approach to important topics in classical, medieval, renaissance and modern culture, students and encouraged to examine the knowledge and ideas central to the Humanities and to integrate these concerns in original and critical ways. Students of the Humanities therefore gain a reflective understanding of the history of ideas and of the many national and international influences determining the course of contemporary Irish society. At Carlow College, students of the Humanities learn the skills of critical and constructive thinking and become articulate in communicating and expressing viewpoints and ideas.

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2. What subjects do you study as part of the Humanities courses?

As a student of the Humanities at Carlow College, you will study a range of philosophy, theology and liberal arts subjects. These are mandatory and elective subjects on the B.A. (Honours) and B.A. (Ordinary) Programmes in Humanities. The following subjects are part of the current Humanities Programme at the College: Philosophy [which involves modules on History of Philosophy, Ethics, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, and  Metaphysics). Theology (which includes modules on Moral Theology, Church History, Christology, Church & Sacraments, Theology of Trinity, The Prophets, writings of St. Paul & St. John, World Religions and Catechetics).  English Literature (which involves modules and Ancient & Medieval Literature, Renaissance Writings, Roman, Victorian Literature, Modernist and Post-Modernist Writing) Other Liberal Arts subjects on offer at Carlow College include: Irish Studies, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, History, Psychology, An Gaeilge, French, Spanish, Communications & Media Studies, and Organisation & Management.] You will study a selection of these subjects as part of the B.A. (Ordinary) in Humanities and B.A. (Honours) in Humanities courses at the college. In third and fourth year, if you choose Catechetics, this subject has a practical component of supervised placement in local primary and secondary schools.

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3. What are the Career Opportunities for Humanities Graduates?

Graduates of the Humanities enter a wide-range of professions and find employment in many diverse areas such as in education, secondary and primary school teaching; journalism, radio, television and media in general; civil service and community based employment schemes. Graduates of the Humanities may wish to develop their Computer and I.T. skills that would make them good administrators of work related to the Arts and Technology. Today, large corporations are increasingly valuing Humanities students for their quick intelligence, their comprehensive perspective on tackling problems, their ability to articulate viewpoints and ideas, and their capacity to reason clearly and independently. Some graduates may wish to continue their academic studies at post-graduate degree level by doing Masters of Arts degree courses in Philosophy, Theology, English and other cognate disciplines. The Registration Council of the Post Primary Teachers' Section of the Department of Education and the Register for Intermediate (Secondary) School Teachers recognise the B.A. (Honours) in Humanities. For teaching English and/ or Religious Education, English and/ or Catechetics and Placement alongside Theology and Scripture Subjects are chosen as Elective Subjects in Years 3 & 4. Please Note: In order to become a qualified, full-time Secondary School Teacher one must also acquire the Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Education, which can be applied for via the CAO after successful completion of the B.A (Honours) in Humanities Degree course.

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