All Peabody students will be required to fulfill 30 credits of Humanities courses. The majority of Peabody students will enroll in a two-year Core Curriculum (12 credits). Students may petition the Humanities to substitute designated courses at Homewood or other institutions in place of the Core Curriculum. Students needing intense writing instruction will take 6 credits of Writing Intensive before beginning the Core Curriculum. A regular rotation of electives (including languages) will be offered by the Humanities Department to meet the additional credit requirements.

A. Core Curriculum

First year (6 credits): required of incoming first year students, with exceptions for students taking first-year Critical Writing Intensive:

Core I: Analytical Thinking and Writing (3 credits, fall), 260.115

A first semester course addressing significant historical, philosophical, and/or literary texts with relevance to contemporary culture and artistic production. This discussion course prioritizes analysis, interpretation, and self-expression through carefully supervised reading and writing assignments. Students typically write and revise four short analytical papers on assigned texts. Students must earn C+ or better to receive core credit for this course.

Core II: Writing and Research Methods (3 credits, spring) 260.216

This course exercises skills of academic research by employing tools and resources of the Sheridan Libraries of Johns Hopkins University. Students complete a formal academic research paper, typically of 15 – 18 pages, on a research topic of their choice. Following models of professional research, students will identify appropriate source materials, properly employing and documenting them in their writing. Students must earn a C+ or better to receive core credit for this course. Prerequisite:  Core I or approved placement.

Second year (6 credits): required of all students (3 credits)

Core III: Critical Methods (3 credits, offered fall and spring) PY 260.2xx

Introduction to methods and practices in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences. Course objectives: ensuring competence in understanding critical methodologies and academic debate. Students will write two critical assessments involving evidence, evaluation, synthesis, and conclusion (4-6 pages each) and pass a final exam or final project with minimum C+ grade.

Core IV: Art, Culture, and Society (3 credits, fall and spring) PY 260.3xx

Sustained consideration of the role of art (music, literature, fine arts, film) in all aspects of society, focusing on particular periods in history or under particular regimes and political structures. Course objectives: ensuring that all Peabody students have the opportunity to think historically about the role of art and culture in political society and about the economic and cultural systems supporting the creation of art (e.g. patronage, guilds). Students will be required to write one historical “review” of a work of art in historical context (2-3 pages) and one historical research paper (6-8 pages minimum) for a final grade of C+ or better.

B. Electives

In their third and fourth years (or earlier), students will take the appropriate number of Humanities courses to reach 30 credits. At least one of these courses (or 3 credits) must be a class at the .300 level, which indicates that the course engages with secondary literature or requires a substantial research paper. While students may take some courses at Homewood or elsewhere, Peabody’s Humanities Department will provide a rich and rigorous menu of courses designed specifically for Peabody students. U.S. History and Introduction to Psychology, are required by the Music Education Department, and will accordingly be a staple of the curriculum.

C. Languages

The Language Program will offer full-year 6-credit courses in French I, German I, and Italian I, as well as German II, to meet the requirements of Peabody Voice Majors. Language courses at Peabody will be focused primarily on language acquisition. Languages may be taken as electives to meet Humanities requirements after completion of the Core Curriculum.

Critical Writing Intensive and ESL Writing Intensive

The proposed Writing Intensive courses will involve close coordinating with faculty members teaching the Core Curriculum. The second semester of Writing Intensive will incorporate visits to Core Courses to familiarize students with the coursework ahead.

Reading and Writing Intensive for ELS students

Writing Intensive is a year-long course designed for International students new to writing in English. The course will introduce foundational writing practices and teach formal writing skills, enabling students to achieve success in the Humanities Core Curriculum. Students will be given models of writing to follow, to become familiar with the modes of writing they will encounter in subsequent classes. Course objectives: teaching students the elements of formal writing, including spelling, grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and the elements of thesis, evidence, and conclusion.

Critical Writing Intensive for students needing additional formal writing instruction

Writing Intensive is a year-long course designed for students with inadequate preparation. The course will introduce students to foundational writing practices and teach formal writing skills, enabling students to achieve success in the Humanities Core Curriculum. Students will be given models of writing to follow, to become familiar with the modes of writing they will encounter in subsequent classes. Course objectives: teaching students the elements of formal writing, including spelling, grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and the elements of thesis, evidence, and conclusion.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Peabody offers intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) courses for students whose English language skills are not at college level. All incoming international students will be tested and interviewed to determine their level of English proficiency during Orientation Week. Students placed in ESL courses must successfully complete these courses in order to fulfill the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree program. Some Peabody courses require ESL courses as a prerequisite. The ESL requirement may extend the length of a student’s program. Intensive English study over the summer months is strongly recommended for ESL students.