Humanities Department
The humanities are academic disciplines that study human culture, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, and having a significant historical element, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences. The humanities include ancient and modern languages, literature, philosophy, religion, and visual and performing arts such as music and theatre.
Academic Options
Associate in Arts – DTA Art Major
The Department of Visual Arts (DoVA) regards art as an essential product of culture. Faculty are sensitive to the plurality of ideas and approaches inherent to its creation and strive to foster a critical awareness of process, content, and history. Instruction is in fundamental skills, while stressing the relevance and function of art regarding culture and the human experience.
Students considering the visual arts as a major or minor at a four-year transfer academy or university, or those pursuing a standard Associate in Arts degree with a visual arts emphasis, should consult with art faculty about planning their curriculum here at YVC. Students pursuing a degree in Art should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers art as a major.
Art Appreciation is not a recommended course for students planning to transfer to an Art program.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associates in Arts – DTA Communications
Today’s methods of communicating information through speaking, print, and electronic media require developing proficiency in the traditional skills of verbal, written, and visual presentations as well as exploring new techniques and new media. Courses are designed for majors and for all wishing to improve their personal and professional communication skills or to gain personal enhancement. These skills are consistently listed as those thought by employers to be among the most important qualities for hiring and success in advancement and promotion.
Students pursuing a degree in Communications should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Communications as a major.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associate in Arts – DTA Art Major
Drama courses are designed for theatre majors and non-majors alike. Courses focus on performance, production, and general appreciation of theatre as a major fine art and as a major channel of cultural communication. Three main stage productions from a range of genres, including musicals, the classics, and experimental theatre, are prepared and performed each year. There are also opportunities for faculty-mentored, student-directed productions in our “black box” theatre. The program meets the proposed accreditation standards of the American Theatre Association. The department is an active member of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education.
Students choosing to pursue a degree in Drama should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Drama as a major.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associate in Arts – DTA Modern Language
American Sign Language (ASL)
The goal of our ASL courses is to enable students to interact successfully with native signers and to relate language behavior to real-world situations. The regular academic courses meet daily. It is advisable to begin the ASL 100-level sequence Fall quarter. That will enable completion of a full-year program in ASL in fulfillment of the requirement at many four-year colleges or universities. Students pursuing a degree in American Sign Language should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers American Sign Language as a major.
Students choosing to pursue a degree in Spanish should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA)and then transfer to a college or university that offers Spanish as a major. All Spanish courses are offered at both campuses each academic year.
English Language Learning (ELL)
The goal of the English Language Learning (ELL) courses is to enable the students to interact successfully with native speakers and to relate language behavior to real-world situations. The regular academic courses meet on a daily basis. It is advisable although not required that the student begin the ELL 90 sequences in the fall quarter and thereby complete a one-year program in ELL.
Spanish
The goal of all of our Spanish courses is to enable students to interact successfully with native speakers and to relate language behavior to real-world situations. We also hope to encourage and nurture a strong cultural pride and awareness of the Hispanic world. Students pursuing a major or a minor in Spanish are strongly encouraged to consult with Spanish faculty about planning their course of study here at YVC.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associate in Arts – DTA Music Major
The Department of Music provides students with academic courses and performing opportunities in vocal and instrumental music and opportunities for private lessons. The YVC Jazz Ensemble is the flagship instrumental group with additional small ensembles focusing on a variety of styles including jazz, classical chamber music, salsa, tango, and rock. The YVC Concert Choir, Community Choir, and Chamber Singers have traveled throughout the state and possess a tradition of artistic quality and breadth of style.
The department offers courses ranging from Music Appreciation and History of Jazz to Music of the World and History of Rock and Roll. These courses, along with courses for beginning piano, beginning guitar, and music fundamentals, are designed for students who have an interest in music as non-majors. Non-majors are also encouraged to participate in the performing ensembles.
Students pursuing a degree in Music should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Music as a major.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associate in Arts – DTA Philosophy Major
Course offerings in philosophy are intended for transfer students and for those wanting personal enrichment. Courses stress the cultivation of personal and interpersonal expression of ideas through critical and constructive reading, writing, listening, speaking, and observing. The program also organizes film and discussion events, conference attendance, participation in essay competitions, and community involvement.
Students pursuing a degree in Philosophy should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Philosophy as a major.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Academic Programs
Humanities Department Contacts
Department Contact: 509.574.4881
Department of Visual Arts
Department of Communications
Department of Drama
Department of Modern Language
Department of Music
Department of Philosophy