Undergraduate Minors at the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Why Pursue a HASS Minor
Cut through traditional academic boundaries and broaden your professional appeal by earning an academic minor in the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
Earning a HASS minor is an attainable and advantageous goal, as Stevens' humanities requirements can be strategically aligned with the minor's necessary courses. Craft your transcript with purpose, embracing the advantages that a minor can bring to your undergraduate experience and future success.
Data Visualization
Built through a partnership by the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science, this minor gives students a interdisciplinary introduction to data visualization as a tool for communicating ideas, decisions, problems, and stories.
Students will learn to parse and visualize data using industry-standard tools, to use the basics of graphic design, to apply programming for creating visuals, and to consider the implications of data on society and culture.
Six courses are required for the data visualization minor, as outlined below.
Four required Courses:
HAR 241 – Design 1
HAR 271 – Creative Programming 1
EM 622 – Decision Making via Data Analysis Techniques (open to juniors and seniors only, undergraduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher)
EM 570/CAL 570 – Data Storytelling (open to juniors and seniors only)
Plus one course from the following list:
SYS 501 – Probability and Statistics for Systems Engineers
EM 365 – Statistics for Engineering Managers
EM 243 – Probability and Statistics
MA 222 – Probability and Statistics
Plus one course from the following list:
HST 325 – Visualizing Society
HAR 250 – Designing with Data (currently titled Data Visualization)
HAR 340 – Design 2 (prereq HAR 241– Design 1)
HST 320 – Science and Media
Minor Coordinator: Professor Jeff Thompson
Film Studies
A film studies minor provides students with a creative outlet to explore cinema, fostering critical thinking and visual literacy. Through a curated selection of courses spanning film history, theory and practical skills, students gain an understanding of storytelling, culture, and the evolving intersection of technology and the arts.
Seven courses are required for the film studies minor, as outlined below.
One required course:
HLI/HTH 221 – Introduction to Cinema
Plus five courses from the following list, with no more than nine credits in any one discipline:
HASS 495 – Independent Study (minor coordinator approval)
HAR 225 – Moving Images: In Space
HAR 226 – Moving Images: On Screen
HAR 280 – Modern Art History and Theory
HAR 281 – History of Photography
HAR 342 – Motion Graphics
HAR 380 – Media Culture and Theory
HAR 385 – Contemporary Art
HAR 425 – Moving Image: Advanced Projects
HHS 387 – History of American Film
HLI 302 - African-American Cinema
HLI 307 - Afrofuturism
HLI 357 – American Films - American Fiction
HLI 390 – Modern Culture: Lit and Film
HHS 395 – Images of American Life
HLI 225 - Introduction to Screenwriting
HLI 408 – Creative Writing
HLI 476 – Contemporary Culture: Lit and Film
HMU 406 – Audio Post-Production
HMU 407 – Sound Design
HPL 348 – Aesthetics
HPL 464 – Philosophy in Film
HTH 305 – Director as Auteur
Plus one 300/400-level School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences course outside of this discipline
Minor Coordinator: Professor Anthony Pennino
Gender Studies
A gender studies minor challenges students to examine societal norms, fostering an understanding of the intersections of gender, race, and culture. Through courses spanning history, literature, philosophy and sociology, students gain insights into the dynamics of power, identity and social justice, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to inclusive and equitable dialogues.
Seven courses are required for the gender studies minor, as outlined below.
Five 300/400-level courses from the following list, with no more than nine credits in any one discipline:
HHS 210 – History of Medicine
HHS 322 – American Cultural History
HHS 325 – African-American Studies
HHS 357 – Latin American History
HHS 415 – Religion in America
HHS 420 – Modern East Asian Studies
HHS 475 – Environmental Sustainability in Historical Perspective
HLI 354 – American Culture
HLI 363 – Modern Irish Literature
HLI 380 – Survey of Latin American Literature: Motorcyclists, Writers, and Revolutionaries
HLI 413 – Literature by Women: The Tradition in English
HMU 350 – Music of the Eastern Mediterranean
HPL 459 – The Philosophy of Social Science
HPL 460 – Philosophy and Feminism
HPL 468 – Women Philosophers of the Twentieth Century
HSSC 324 – Comparative Ethnic Culture
HQSS 377 – Sociology of Globalization
HQSS 441 – Gender and Race in Science and Engineering
HQSS 478 – Psychology of Gender
HQSS 479 – Sociology of Gender
Plus one 100/200-level course that counts for humanities credit
Plus one 300/400-level School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences course outside of this discipline
Minor Coordinator: Professor Amber Benezra
History
Through a minor in history, students explore the tapestry of human experiences, developing an understanding of societal developments, cultural shifts and the evolution of ideas. A range of courses spanning different periods, regions and themes promote an appreciation for the complexities of the past and its relevance to the present.
Seven courses are required for the history minor, as outlined below.
Six courses from the list of history courses provided in Stevens' Academic Catalog (either two 100/200-level courses and four 300/400-level courses OR one 100/200-level course and five 300/400-level courses)
Plus one 300/400-level School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences course outside of this discipline
Minor Coordinator: Professor Michael Steinmann
Literature
A literature minor invites students to explore the human experience through a narrative lens, nurturing critical thinking and empathy. By considering the intricacies of language, plot and cultural expression, students develop perspectives that enhance their communication skills and deepen their appreciation for the complexities of the human condition.
Seven courses are required for the literature minor, as outlined below.
Six courses from the list of literature courses provided in Stevens' Academic Catalog (either two 100/200-level courses and four 300/400-level courses OR one 100/200-level course and five 300/400-level courses)
Plus one 300/400-level School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences course outside of this discipline.
Minor Coordinator: Professor Anthony Pennino
Medical Humanities
A medical humanities minor instills an understanding of healthcare through the social sciences, preparing students for compassionate and informed engagement in the field. The interdisciplinary curriculum explores health, society and ethics, ensuring a well-rounded perspective and enhancing students' readiness for professions related to healthcare.
Six courses are required for the medical humanities minor, as outlined below.
Required Courses:
HST 250 – Medical Humanities
HST 340 – Global Public Health
OR
HQSS 332 - Health Psychology
Plus four courses from the following list:
HHS 210 – History of Medicine
HSSC 131 – Introduction to Anthropology
HQSS 141 – Introduction to Sociology
HQSS 175 – Fundamentals of Psychology I: Brain, Mind and Behavior
HSSC 330 – Developmental Psychology
HSSC 331 – Biological Psychology
HSSC 375 – History of Psychology
HPL 339 – Ethics
HPL 457 – Bioethics
HPL 367 – Philosophy of Biology
HST 140 – Failure
HST 160 – Introduction to Science Communication
HST 325 – Visualizing Society
HST 355 – Technology and Medicine
HST 370 – Biology and Society
HST 401 – Seminar in Science Writing
HST 495 – Health, Policy and Society
HST 350 – Medical Anthropology
Minor Coordinator: Professor Theresa MacPhail
Music and Technology
Earning a music and technology minor equips students with a skill set at the intersection of creativity and innovation. Offering a curriculum that combines music theory, electronic composition and sound recording, this minor prepares students for roles in the evolving landscape of music and audio production.
Seven courses are required for the music and technology minor, as outlined below.
Six courses from the list of music and technology courses provided in Stevens' Academic Catalog
Minor Coordinator: Professor Lainie Fefferman
Philosophy
Seven courses are required for the philosophy minor, as outlined below.
Six courses from the list of philosophy courses provided in Stevens' Academic Catalog (either two 100/200-level courses and four 300/400-level courses OR one 100/200-level course and five 300/400-level courses)
Plus one 300/400-level School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences course outside of this discipline
Minor Coordinator: Professor Michael Steinmann
Pre-Law and Public Policy
Seven courses are required for the pre-law and public policy minor, as outlined below.
One required course:
HQSS 127 – Introduction to Political Science I: National Government
OR
HQSS 128 – Introduction to Political Science II: Judicial Process
Plus one philosophy (HPL) or literature (HLI) 300/400-level course related to logic, theory and writing
Plus four courses from the following suggested course list:
HHS 125 – United States History to 1865
HHS 126 – United States History Since 1865
HHS 325 – African-American Studies
HHS 355 – U.S. Foreign Relations
HHS 370 – US Constitutional Law I
HHS 371 – Mod. US Presidency & Legis. Proc
HHS 373 – US Constitutional Law II
HHS 46 – The Sixties: A Decade of Protest
HLI 348 – James Baldwin
HPL 339 – Ethics
HPL 340 – Social & Political Philosophy
HPL 341 – Philosophies of Good and Evil
HPL 380 – Environmental Ethics
HPL 442 – Logic
HPL 443 – Philosophy of Language
HPL 449 – Philosophy of Law
HPL 450 – Global and International Ethics
HPL 455 – Ethical Issues in Science and Technology
HPL 456 – Ethics of Business and Technology
HPL 457 – Bioethics
HPL 480 – Environmental Policy: Philosophical and Economic Issues
HQSS 280 – Social Psychology
HSSC 321 – Modern Urban Culture
HQSS 360 – Public Policy Analysis
HQSS 361 – U.S. Congress
HQSS 362 – Campaigns and Elections
HQSS 363 – Judicial Process
HQSS 365 – Health Politics
HSSC 371 – Computers & Society
HSSC 379 – International Politics
HSSC 401 – Seminar in Leadership Studies
HQSS 402 – Political Psychology and the Media
HQSS 441 – Gender and Race in Science and Engineering
HSSC or HQSS 495 – Seminar in Social Science
HQSS 517 – Quantitative Social Science
HQSS 570 – Data Storytelling
HST 340 – Global Public Health
HST 370 – Biology and Society
HST 385 – Internet Protocols and Politics
HST 415 – The Nuclear Era
HST 470 – War and Science
Plus one 300/400-level School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences course outside of this discipline
Science Communication
Seven courses are required for the science communication minor, as outlined below.
One required Course:
HST 160 – Introduction to Science Communication
Plus five courses from the following list:
HHS 210 – History of Medicine
HHS 310 – Social History of Science
HHS 311 – Science and Society in the 20th Century
HHS 363 – Darwin and the Darwinian Revolution
HHS 369 – Studies in the Scientific Revolution
HHS 414 – Industrial America
HHS 465 – Engineering in History
HHS 479 – Studies in the History of Technology
HLI 316 – Science Fiction
HLI 321 – Literature, Science and Technology
HLI 338 – Thoreau and Environment
HLI 409 – Rhetoric and Technical Writing
HMU 205 – Introduction to Digital Media
HPL 368 – Philosophy of Science
HPL 369 – Science and Religion
HPL 370 – Philosophy of Technology
HPL 380 – Environmental Ethics
HPL 455 – Ethical Issues in Science and Technology
HPL 457 – Bioethics
HPL 480 – Environmental Policy: Philosophical and Economic Issues
HQSS 127 – Introduction to Political Science I: National Government
HQSS 141 – Introduction to Sociology
HQSS 175 – Fundamentals of Psychology I: Brain, Mind and Behavior
HSSC 371 – Computers and Society
HQSS 441 – Gender and Race in Science and Engineering
HQSS 458 – Sociology of Science and Technology
HST 120 – Intro to Science & Tech Studies
HST 140 – Failure
HST 320 – Science and the Media
HST 330 – Environmental Communication
HST 340 – Global Public Health
HST 355 – Technology and Medicine
HST 360 – Humans and the Environment
HST 401 – Seminar in Science Writing
HST 450 – The History of Stevens
Plus one 300/400-level School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences course outside of this discipline
Minor Coordinator: Professor John Horgan
Science, Technology and Society
Seven courses are required for the science, technology and society minor, as outlined below.
One required course:
HST 120 – Intro to Science & Tech Studies
Plus five courses from the following list:
HST 140 – Failure
HST 250 – Medical Humanities
HST 325 – Visualizing Society
HST 340 – Global Public Health
HST 350 – Medical Anthropology
HST 355 – Technology and Medicine
HST 370 – Biology and Society
HST 380 – Standardization and Society
HST 390 – Anthropology of Technology
HST 470 – War and Science
HHS 210 – History of Medicine
HHS 310 – Social History of Science
HHS 363 – Darwin and the Darwinian Revolution
HHS 369 – Studies in the Scientific Revolution
HHS 414 – Industrial America
HHS 465 – Engineering in History
HHS 479 – Studies in the History of Technology
HLI 316 – Science Fiction
HLI 321 – Literature, Science and Technology
HLI 338 – Thoreau and Environment
HMU 205 – Introduction to Digital Media
HPL 368 – Philosophy of Science
HPL 369 – Science and Religion
HPL 380 – Environmental Ethics
HPL 455 – Ethical Issues in Science and Technology
HPL 457 – Bioethics
HPL 480 – Environmental Policy: Philosophical and Economic Issues
HQSS 127 – Introduction to Political Science I: National Government
HQSS 141 – Introduction to Sociology
HQSS 175 – Fundamentals of Psychology I: Brain, Mind and Behavior
HSSC 331 – Biological Psychology
HSSC 371 – Computers and Society
HQSS 377 – Sociology of Globalization
HQSS 441 – Gender and Race in Science and Engineering
HQSS 458 – Sociology of Science and Technology
HSSC 478 – Psychology of Gender
HST 160 – Introduction to Science Communication
HST 320 – Science and the Media
HST 330 – Environmental Communication
HST 360 – Humans and the Environment
HST 401 – Seminar in Science Writing
HST 415 – The Nuclear Era
HST 450 – The History of Stevens
Plus one 300/400-level School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences course outside of this discipline
Minor Coordinator: Professor Theresa MacPhail
Visual Arts and Technology
Seven courses are required for the visual arts and technology minor, as outlined below.
Six visual arts and technology courses as listed in the Stevens Academic Catalog
Plus one 300/400-level School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences course outside the visual arts & technology discipline
Minor Coordinator: Professor Jeff Thompson
Social Sciences
Seven courses are required for the social sciences minor, as outlined below.
Two of the following three courses:
HQSS 127: Introduction to Political Science I
HQSS 141: Introduction to Sociology
HQSS 175: Fundamentals of Psychology I
Plus four additional upper-division (300/400-level) HQSS and/or HSSC courses
Plus one upper-division (300/400-level) non-HQSS/HSSC School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences class
Minor Coordinator: Professor Yu Tao