COURSE CURRICULUM

The Philosophy and Theory Track in the Master of Humanities program at University of Colorado Denver is an interdisciplinary graduate pathway designed to provide advanced training in philosophy, critical theory, and related fields of intellectual and cultural analysis. Students begin with the program’s core interdisciplinary courses: Foundations and Theories of Interdisciplinary Studies, Methods and Practices of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Research Perspectives in Interdisciplinary Studies, which establish a foundation in theory, research methodology, and interdisciplinary inquiry. In addition to these core requirements, students must complete one approved 3-credit course in philosophy or theory, followed by a minimum of 15 credit hours of philosophy- or theory-related elective coursework. The program culminates in either a 3-credit final project or a 6-credit thesis focused on a philosophy or theory topic, allowing students to demonstrate advanced analytical and research abilities through sustained scholarly work. The curriculum is highly flexible and allows students to draw from a wide range of disciplines, including philosophy, English, anthropology, history, political science, sociology, gender studies, and religious studies. Suggested elective courses cover a broad spectrum of theoretical traditions and topics such as ethics, bioethics, philosophy of mind, phenomenology, existentialism, political theory, feminist thought, media theory, and classical philosophical traditions including Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Nietzsche, and Marx. Students may also engage with interdisciplinary themes such as social movements, democracy, law, consciousness, religion, and aesthetics. This structure allows learners to develop a deep understanding of abstract and applied theoretical frameworks while also connecting philosophical inquiry to real-world social, political, and cultural issues. Overall, the Philosophy and Theory Track prepares students for careers and further study in academia, education, law, public policy, writing, cultural analysis, and other fields requiring strong critical thinking, argumentation, and interpretive skills.