The Division of Humanities offers one of the oldest Humanities degree programs in the country. Officially established in 1933 to provide an integrated and interdisciplinary cultural background in art, literature, music, theatre, and philosophy, the Division continues to pursue its original mission of encouraging students "to begin upon what should be a lifelong clarification" of values, outlook, and personal philosophy. Based on the conviction that the "best education" is one which provides students with opportunities to pursue their own interests within a structured program while emphasizing the continuing development of students' skills in reading, thinking, and writing, the Division faculty works with each Major to create individual programs of study that reflect the student's interests and goals.

The interdisciplinary programs in Humanities are designed to provide students with a broad grasp of the arts and humanities with special strengths in selected areas. The disciplines included in the Division are art history, literature, classical and modern languages, music history, philosophy, theatre arts and religious studies. In addition, the Division offers programs in cultural studies that allow students to focus on a cultural period. The periods included are the ancient, medieval and renaissance, early modern, and modern world cultures.