Overview
The humanities at Trinity break down barriers and create new connections between disciplines. Combining research and experiential learning with an interdisciplinary perspective, we create curious, critical thinkers and innovators who apply themselves beyond the classroom.
Fast Facts
- 18 humanities majors and 31 humanities minors
- No. 55 in the nation - U.S. News and World Report (USNWR)
- No. 53 in Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects - USNWR
Campus Initiatives
- Humanities Collective
The Humanities Collective promotes student and faculty research in the humanities and coordinates humanities events and programming both at Trinity University and in the larger San Antonio community. - Mellon Initiative
The Mellon Initiative promotes undergraduate research in the arts and humanities at Trinity University.

Humanities Programs at Trinity
What are the humanities departments, majors, and minors at Trinity?
The humanities comprise nine academic departments with a wide range of majors and minors, in addition to several interdisciplinary programs.
Student Opportunities
Scholarships and Awards
Trinity awards financial aid and scholarships specifically for fine arts and humanities students as well as humanities department scholarships and financial awards.
Fine Arts and Humanities Scholarships
Research Opportunities
Mellon Initiative Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Mellon SURF is a 10-week summer program during which students work on a project directly related to their faculty mentor’s research. Participants receive:
- A $4,200 stipend
- Free dormitory housing for the summer research period
- A travel and supplies budget
- One credit hour on their transcript
Participants present their research at the end of the summer at the Trinity Summer Research Colloquium.
Mellon Initiative Mini-Grants
Mellon Initiative Mini-Grants provide funding opportunities for student-directed projects guided by faculty mentors in independent study work or as a supplement to coursework.
There are two types of mini-grants:
- Traditional Arts/Humanities projects
- Innovative Arts/Humanities projects
Humanities Lab Courses
- ART-3480 Academic Making for the Built Environment
- COMM-3180-1 or HCOM-3180-1 Healthy Relationships Lab
- COMM-3181-1 Research Lab
- CMLT-3190/3290 Horror Lab
- ENGL-3161-1 or CLAS-3161-1 Early Book and Manuscript Lab
- ENGL-3162-1 Scholarly Editions Lab
- LATN-3160-1 or RELI-3160-1 Roman World Lab
- StoryLab Special Topics in History, Sociology, or Education
Student Organizations
Publications and Writing
- Trinity Review
- 1966: A Journal of Creative Nonfiction
- Trinitonian
- Mirage Yearbook
- Creative Writing Hour
Performing Arts
- Instrumental Ensembles and Vocal Ensembles
- Loon-E Dance Crew
- Swing Bums
- Prowlers Dance Team
- Theater Auditions
Study Abroad
Studying the humanities opens Trinity students up to cross-cultural learning. By crossing borders, they seek to understand the differences and recognize the commonalities between cultures across the world and throughout time.
Spaces and Facilities
- Chapman-Halsell-Dicke Complex
- Chapman Center
- Halsell Center
- Dicke Hall
- Brown-Hirschfeld Humanities Suite
- Coates Library
- Laurie Auditorium
- Northrup Hall
- Richardson Communications Center
- Ruth Taylor Fine Arts Center
- Storch Memorial Building
Events
Humanities Collective Events
- Humanitea
- Humanities Day
- Douglass Day
- Spring Resume Workshop
Humanities Lecture Series
- Lennox Seminar Series
- Mexico, the Americas, and Spain (MAS) Álvarez Seminar
- Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture
- Reading TUgether Lecture Series
- Southwest Texas Archaeological Society Lecture Series
- Stieren Arts Enrichment Series
- Women’s History Month
When You Graduate
Skilled, Versatile, and In-demand
Trinity’s humanities alumni are sought-after for their problem-solving, creative vision, and well-roundedness, all of which give them the ability to thrive across multiple career fields.
She may have a weakness for a particular confection, but there’s nothing weak or candy-coated about the strength of Khaniya Russell’s convictions about faith, family, and education.
When you think of art, you probably imagine paintings, sculpture, or even music. Art doesn’t only have to be observed through your eyes and ears, though. Mengyu Liu ’19 is dedicated to producing art that appeals to the nose.
Trinity University’s annual Humanities Day Panel is the perfect opportunity for current students to explore different pathways they can pursue with their humanities degree after graduation.
How Can the Humanities Work for You
Faculty members interview alumni about how their humanities degrees helped them navigate their paths after graduation.
- Sarah Worzer ’12, English major and film studies minor
- Dilpreet Sidhu ’09, English and religion double major and economics minor