Division of Humanities

Anthropology is the study of humans. The anthropological endeavor involves both the sociocultural and biological aspects of humankind. The study of anthropology requires a holistic approach; it is comprehensive, inclusive and integrates information from many areas of study through ethnographic, biological, cross-cultural, archaeological and sociological inquiries.

An anthropological perspective — including an examination of the similarities and differences among human groups, cultures and societies both locally and worldwide — emphasizes the concepts of cultural relativism, multicultural perspectives and globalization processes that are vital to many areas of study at Saint Louis University.

Courses taught at SLU-Madrid:

• ANTH 1200 Introduction to Anthropology
• ANTH 2200 Cultural Anthropology
• ANTH 2240 Archaeology
• ANTH 3390 Studies in Culture: Spain

Authors who formulated their ideas and theories in classical Greek or Latin are considered the pioneers of Western culture in many different fields: literature, philosophy, theatre, art, natural sciences, mathematics and astronomy.

The Gospels were written in Greek and soon translated into Latin. Western philosophy is based on the works of philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. It is almost impossible to understand much of Western art without knowing the Greek or Roman myths. What's more, a huge percentage of English words have Latin roots. Learning Latin is essential for a deeper comprehension of all Romance languages and even contributes to a better understanding of English.

Courses taught at SLU-Madrid:

• GK 1010 Reading Greek I
• GK 1020 Reading Greek II
• LATN 1010 Reading Latin I
• LATN 1020 Reading Latin II

History is the basis of all human experience and consequently forms an essential part of our understanding of everyday life.

Our internationally recognized faculty have expertise in medieval, early modern and modern European history, with special interests in the interaction of Spain's Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures, as well as colonial Latin America, the Spanish Civil War and the classical Hellenistic world. At the campus in St. Louis, academic areas of specialization include the 20th-century American West, immigration, women's civic and social movements and the African-American experience.

Courses taught at SLU-Madrid:

• HIST 1110 Origins of the Modern World to 1500
• HIST 1120 Origins of the Modern World: 1500 to the Present
• HIST 1600 History of the United States to 1865
• HIST 1610 History of the United States since 1865
• HIST 2800 The Historian's Craft: Methods Proseminar
• HIST 3090 The Age of Renaissance
• HIST 3170 Colonial Latin America
• HIST 3320 Early Modern History of Spain
• HIST 3420 The Atlantic World
• HIST 3720 Cultural Encounters
• HIST 3760 Medieval Spain
• HIST 3770 History of the Jews in Spain
• HIST 3930 The Making of the Spanish Nation: Identity, Myth & History

For more than two centuries, SLU has promoted philosophical thinking in the Catholic Jesuit tradition. SLU-Madrid's philosophy program is characterized by a pluralism of methodologies and interests.

Our faculty have strong records of scholarly achievement in many areas of philosophy, including ethics and socio-political philosophy. You'll learn to appreciate the rich history of philosophy as your courses include material from four historical periods (ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary).

SLU-Madrid offers a full range of philosophy courses, including Spanish philosophy, medical ethics, business ethics, the meaning of life and Latin American philosophy. Courses that fulfill the university's liberal arts core requirements count toward both the philosophy major and minor and enhance the study-abroad experience for visiting students.

Courses taught at SLU-Madrid:

• PHIL 1050 Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality
• PHIL 2020 Ethics
• PHIL 3380 Business Ethics
• PHIL 3930 Bioethics: Human Nature through Film
• PHIL 4310 Topics in Ethics
• PHIL 4350 Survey of Social and Political Philosophy
• PHIL 4740 Philosophy of Karl Marx
• PHIL 4750 Latin American Philosophy
• PHIL 4760 Spanish Philosophy
• PHIL 4850 Topics in Philosophical Anthropology - Value, Mind and God

Theology seeks to understand the interrelationship of God with humanity, and the basic life questions of the past and present.

You’ll learn to evaluate and appreciate the most valuable and vital aspects of religious experience and thought. The Department of Theological Studies enters into this investigation from an academic perspective with the aim of helping you clarify your own understanding. The department approaches this study from the Christian Catholic tradition while respecting other religious traditions. 

Courses taught at SLU Madrid:

• THEO 1000 Theological Foundations
• THEO 2110 Old Testament
• THEO 2210 New Testament
• THEO 2330 The Christian Church Since 1500
• THEO 2425 God in Human Experience
• THEO 2430 Jesus and Salvation
• THEO 2515 Social Justice
• THEO 2715 Jerusalem: Three Faiths, One City
• THEO 2720 Islam: Religion and Culture
• THEO 2725 The Quran and the Bible
• THEO 2930 Religion and Violence: A Cross-cultural Perspective
• THEO 3110 Pentateuch
• THEO 3115 Old Testament: Prophets
• THEO 3130 Ancient Israel and the Near East
• THEO 3220 Archaeology & the Bibles
• THEO 3420 Women and God: Feminist Theology
• THEO 3730 Jewish Life: Bible to Middle Ages
• THEO 3745 Jesus in the Qur'an
• THEO 3930 Theology and the Visual Arts