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Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello, PhD
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What is The Humanities Brigade?
A new and dynamic year-long learning community for 20 first year students no matter your major. It combines humanities coursework, collaboration with local non profits, and a paid summer internship to explore and address social justice concerns. THB students take f ive classes together over the course of the year, and work intensively with faculty and community leaders. You will apply the skills and knowledge of the humanities to make change in the “real world.”
Who is the Humanities Brigade For?
Any incoming, first-time, full-time student except Honors program students. It does not matter your major or intended major.
*Please note, however, that Nursing students may find this program conflicts with required courses.
Benefits
- Earn 15 credits
- Complete 4 general education quest requirements
- Build humanities skills and knowledge
- Intellectual community and supportive faculty
- All course books/material costs covered
- Field trips and transportation costs covered
- Earn $3,500 stipend for completing a summer internship
- Coursework towards humanities majors/minors
- Partial completion of the SSU public engagement seal, the SSU diversity, social justice, power dynamics seal, and the civic engagement minor
What's Included and Required
- 4 humanities-based general education courses and 1 civic humanities course (15 credits total).
- Humanities courses will be linked by a shared social justice concern. Students will also take a Civic Humanities workshop-based course.
- Completion of a 2-day mini retreat Aug 27 and 28, 2025 on site at SSU 8:30 -4:30.
- Completion of a 120-hour summer internship Summer 2026.
Note: Credits earned in THB courses can be used to fulfill requirements in those humanities majors/minors if students choose to major or minor in these areas.
Fall 2025 Courses
IDS 232: American Identities (fulfills HP and DPDS Gen Ed QUEST requirements)
PHL 101: Introduction to Philosophy (fulfills PGR Gen Ed QUEST requirements)
Spring 2026 Courses
ART100A: Introduction to World Art (fulfills CEA Gen Ed QUEST requirements)
MCO 304: Mass Media & Society (fulfills CS and DPDS Gen Ed Quest requirements)
IDS 289: Civic Humanities
Schedule and Key Dates
Late August 2025: 2-day mini-retreat with all program students and faculty (on site at Salem State week before classes begin)
Fall and Spring 25-26: courses run at regular times during the semester
Summer 2026 Internships will be completed late May through June/July.
Apply Now! Only 5 Spots Left
Spots filled on a rolling basis as applications come in.
Complete the Humanities Brigade application.
Application Deadline: 7/25 - but spots may fill before this date, so apply soon!
Notification of acceptance or not within two business days of applying. Within one business day of acceptance, sign statement agreeing to attend two-day mini-retreat in late August (August 27 and 28) and completing all requirements of the Humanities Brigade.
Selection Process
Review of application by Program Director and program faculty.
Selection based on student interest in and commitment to all aspects of the program while ensuring that the cohort reflects the diversity of SSU’s incoming class.