Collaborative Humanities Cohort

1. Integrated Coursework

• Three Courses, One Experience: Instead of taking your core Theology, Philosophy,and English classes separately and in isolation, students in the CHC move through them together.
• Interdisciplinary Focus: The faculty teaching these three courses collaborate closely. They design shared assignments, deliver guest lectures in each other’s classes and ensure the major themes and questions overlap. This allows you to see how the humanities connect to big questions about justice, ethics and your future career.

2.  Community

• Cohort Structure: You will belong to a fixed, close-knit group of 50–75 peers. These are the same students you will see in all three core CHC classes, building an instant academic and social community.
• Small Seminars: While the overall cohort is 50-75, your actual discussion and seminar sections will be small (18–24 students). This ensures you get personalized attention, mentorship and a chance for focused intellectual discussion.

3. The End Goal

• Success and Belonging: The cohort model is a proven, high-impact practice. By starting college with this kind of built-in academic and social support, you are far more likely to succeed, thrive and graduate on time.

Theology 111: Theological Foundations 

This course goes beyond typical religion studies to explore the big questions about human faith and its connection to global issues like justice, race, and violence. You'll gain a foundational understanding of theology that helps you navigate a diverse world and define your own values and global responsibility.

Taught by: Dr. Ashley Theuring

Philosophy 100: Ethics as an Introduction to Philosophy

This course uses classics like Plato’s Republic to introduce you to philosophical thought and core moral philosophy. You’ll wrestle with fundamental ethical questions and develop a powerful framework for defining justice in complex modern situations.

Taught by: Dr. Alexis Dianda

English 205: Literature and Moral Imagination

This course explores personal and social ethical issues in literature. This course invites students to explore what it means to be human, how communities shape our lives, and how imagination can guide choices in a complex world. Using literature, students investigate questions such as: Who am I becoming? What responsibilities do I have to others and to the world? How can hope and creativity help us respond to injustice and crisis?

Taught by: Dr. Sheena Steckl

There is not a separate application process. Admission to any of the following Xavier programs automatically grants you acceptance into the CHC program.

• Art
• Classical Humanities
• Communication Studies
• Digital & Strategic Communications
• English
• French & Francophone Studies
• Gender & Diversity Studies
• Graphic Design
• International Studies
• Medical Health Humanities
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Theology

First-year students in our Exploratory program and Business Undecided program can also opt-in to the CHC program.

CHC doesn't include any extra credit hours, financial cost or time. The three classes (Theology, Philosophy and English) are required by the University Core Curriculum and are traditionally taken in the first or second year by all Xavier students.

However, the CHC offers optional added value resources. If you choose to participate in the community events, career development workshops or utilize the CHC-specific tutoring services, these activities will take additional, non-required time outside of your regular schedule.