Information for Students

Western Civilization Enrollment Information

The Western Civilization requirement can be fulfilled in several ways:

HWC 204 and HWC 205 are offered both semesters during the academic year and in the two-month summer session as well as through the Western Civilization Study Abroad Program in Florence and Paris.  A special spring semester section of HWC 205 includes Spring Break in London.  Independent Study is also available through KU’s Office of Continuing Education. At present an online course is not available. 

A limited number of Kansas and Missouri community colleges offer courses whose content most closely follows our KU courses and are approved for equivalent credit. These approved courses can be confirmed on KU’s Credit Transfer. If in doubt about whether a course is approved you are advised to contact the HWC office

Western Civilization classes fill quickly.  Early enrollment is advised. Hardship cases may be directed to Jennifer Heller, HWC Assistant Director, jheller@ku.edu.

In the academic year HWC 204 and HWC 205 are available in two formats:

1.  Three 50 minute weekly sessions: two lectures, auditorium style, for 200+ students and one discussion section for approximately 20 students.

2.   Two or three weekly “independent” sessions combining lecture and discussion of three 50 minute or two 1 ¼ hour sessions for approximately 35 students.

Students accepted in the University Honors Program may enroll in HWC 114 and HWC 115
The entire honors class meets together on Tuesday afternoons in Alderson Auditorium to listen to a lecture on the topic/book assigned for the week. Most weeks, the lecturer is a professor from a KU Liberal Arts department who has some expertise on the topic. Students then meet later in the week in small groups, usually 10, to discuss the assigned reading.

Majoring in Humanities

Peace & Conflict Studies

Scholarships & Awards

Study Abroad