The humanities explore the nature and communication of the values that guide not only science and technology but all parts of the human experience. You may study art and architectural history, communication, a foreign language, history, linguistics, literature, and philosophy in the Department of Humanities. You will learn critical thinking and communication skills, gain ethical awareness, and understand the global and historical perspectives on culture, science, and technology.
What Programs Are Available for Me at the Undergraduate Level?
- The Bachelor of Science in Digital Humanities allows you to examine a blend of traditional humanities disciplines—history, philosophy, linguistics, rhetoric, literature, and art history—in the context of practical, hands-on work in the digital world.
- The Bachelor of Science in Humanities lets you construct a broad-based program with courses from across the humanities, or to specialize in one area such as history or philosophy. You may also want to explore the Honors Law Program.
- The Bachelor of Science in Communication with a specialization in Professional and Technical Communication prepares you to communicate effectively in businesses and organizations. You will gain practice across media, genres, and situations, through studies in document and web design, editing, writing, linguistics, and verbal and visual communication.
- The Bachelor of Science in Communication with a specialization in either Journalism of Science or Journalism of Technology and Business, two of the few programs of their kind in the country, help you develop content-area knowledge, communication skills, and practical experience through field projects.
What Programs Are Available for Me at the Graduate Level?
At the graduate level, our certificates and non-degree programs in technical communication and information architecture prepare you for research, teaching, and working in corporate settings. Coursework combines theory, application, and practice in areas like document design, editing, information architecture, linguistics, knowledge management, project management, usability testing, and web design.
You are encouraged to work on collaborative projects with Chicago-area businesses, government agencies, and community organizations. Our alumni work in a variety of academic and corporate settings: Deloitte, 37 Signals, Facebook, Grainger, Mantra, Navistar, Morgan Stanley, and others.
What Can I Do After Graduation?
After graduation, you are ready for positions that require strong communication skills, and you will have a solid foundation for graduate work in the humanities, social sciences, law, business, and other professional schools. And, on a practical note, Money magazine recently ranked technical writing as #13 of the best 50 jobs in the United States, based on salary and job prospects.
Careers are available to you in fields such as:
- Web design
- Technical writing
- Communications (including social media)
- User experience and interface design
- PR and marketing
How Is a Humanities Degree at Illinois Tech Unique?
Throughout our curricula, we offer you:
- Small classes, which allow for daily opportunities to learn through dialogue with your colleagues
- Quality instruction and personal attention from our faculty members
- Practical learning experiences that build upon the strengths of our faculty, the Illinois Tech community, and the rich opportunities offered in Chicago and beyond
How Can I Learn More?
Explore this site or contact one of the following:
- Undergraduate Adviser: Greg Pulliam
- Director of Graduate Studies: Carly Kocurek
- Department Chair: Matt Bauer
