Introduction to the Theme Requirement
Approved Theme Courses
Theme Declaration/Paperwork
Theme Design Options
Creating a Successful Theme
Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction to the Theme Requirement
The social science/humanities theme requirement (known generally as the theme) is a set of seven courses required to earn a McCormick degree. There are more than 1,000 courses that qualify. To fulfill the requirement, each student must select a group of related courses built around one central "theme" or topic of interest to the student.
Regarding what is meant by "the humanities," Wikipedia defines the humanities as "those academic disciplines which study the human condition using methods that are largely analytic, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural and social sciences. Conventionally the humanities include ancient and modern languages and literature, history, philosophy, religion, visual and performing arts (including music). Additional subjects sometimes included in the humanities are anthropology, area studies, communications and cultural studies, although these are often regarded as social sciences" (accessed July 5, 2007).
Approved Theme Courses
All theme courses fall into one of three general areas: FAL (Fine Arts, Language, & Literature), SBS (Social & Behavioral Sciences), and HSV (Historical Studies & Values).
There are two options students may use to structure the theme; with either option, students are required to take seven courses total.
In Option A, students take three thematically related courses to form the focus of their theme. Under this option, three courses must be from one area (SBS/FAL/HSV), and two courses must come from each of the other two areas, for a total of seven. These "distribution" classes are intended to create a well-rounded set of courses.
Option B allows the student to study a subject more in-depth by taking five related theme courses and two distribution courses. Under this option, a maximum of five courses can come from one area (SBS/FAL/HSV), with two additional courses from one or both of the other areas.
A listing of the current courses approved for use in a theme, and the categories into which they fall, can be found in the Academic Services Office, Tech L269. The listing is also included below in PDF format. Not all courses in the listing are offered every quarter – contact the department to find out when they might be available. If you feel a course might count, but it is not included in the listing, stop into the Academic Services Office, Tech L269.
Theme Declaration/Paperwork
By the end of the sophomore year, a completed Theme Form should be turned into the Academic Services Office. The student will receive an email indicating whether the theme has been approved. If it is approved, a copy is placed in the gray theme binders in L269. Students should pick up their copy three to four weeks after submission. If a theme is denied, the student will receive an e-mail with suggestions for revisions.
Social Sciences/Humanities Theme Form 
Theme Design Options
Students have two framework options for structuring their theme. Any approved theme course will fall into one or more of three general categories: FAL (Fine Arts, Language, and Literature), HSV (Historical Studies and Values), or SBS (Social and Behavioral Sciences). These categories appear in the approved theme course listing. If a course falls into more than one category, the student can choose which category they would like to use.
Option A
This option is designed for the student who is interested in many different subject areas, as it features greater breadth and less depth.
- Seven courses total
- The subject matter of at least three courses must be thematically related
- Maximum of three 100-level courses, unless the student has taken three 100-level foreign language courses; in the latter case, a maximum of four 100-level classes total can be used.
- Minimum of two courses in each general category (FAL, HSV, SBS) (3+2+2)
- The thematic linking of courses can cross categories (HSV, FAL, SBS) but the linking needs to be obvious
Option B
This option is ideal for the student who would like to focus on a specific area of study, as it features greater depth and less breadth.
- Seven courses total
- The subject matter of at least five courses must be thematically related
- No more than five courses are allowed from any one category (HSV, FAL, SBS) (at most 5 + at least 2)
- All three categories need NOT be represented (though they can)
- The thematic linking of courses can cross categories (HSV, FAL, SBS) but the linking needs to be obvious
Creating a Successful Theme
In selecting the courses you will use towards your theme, it is helpful to consider the questions below before submitting the form. If the answer to each is "yes," you have an excellent start.
- Is my theme built around one central, focused topic of study? In other words, do the courses (not including distribution courses) build competence in one concentrated area of focus? Is there a clear and direct connection among these courses as a whole?
- Is this focus clearly described in a concisely stated theme title?
- Are all the classes I listed on the approved list of theme courses? If not, have I obtained a syllabus or course description to submit with my theme form?
- Did I list full information for each course on the form, including the course title, the quarter in which it was taken, and its category (SBS/HSV/FAL)?
- For students selecting Option A: have I selected at least two courses from each category (SBS/HSV/FAL)? Did I list less than four 100-level classes?
- For students selecting Option B: have I selected less than six classes from the same category (SBS/HSV/FAL)?
- Did I get my advisor to sign the form?
Frequently Asked Questions
Theme Basics
Why is there a humanities theme requirement?
McCormick has created the social sciences/humanities theme requirement in order to provide engineering students with a well-rounded educational experience.
Is there any way to see how the courses I've already taken could be used towards my theme?
Yes. In CAESAR, go to "View Degree Progress" on the left side of the screen and pull up your online degree audit. In the humanities theme section, the audit will indicate which of your courses would apply to the theme requirement and the category/ies into which the courses would fall.
How have other students constructed their theme requirement? Can you give me some examples?
To choose the classes for your theme, simply pick related courses that you are interested in. Check the list of approved courses to make sure you can use each class towards your theme.
Some examples of titles of themes that have been approved in the past include:
- World Religions
- European Art History
- Economics and Society
- Russian Language and Literature
- Theater Studies
- International Politics
- Gender and Sexuality
- Spanish Language and History
You can also choose to focus all of your courses on classes from one major – i.e., taking five Psychology classes to create a Psychology theme. The courses in your theme area do not all have to be from the same category (SBS/FAL/HSV).
Why wasn't my theme approved?
Themes might be denied for a number of reasons. Some of the most common reasons are listed below.
- The theme courses are not sufficiently related.
- The three categories (FAL/HSV/SBS) are not distributed correctly as instructed on the form.
- The student has not submitted all of the paperwork for study abroad, transfer credits, or a course that is not already on the approved list.
I received an email stating that my theme was denied, but I think it should have been approved. Is there anything else I can do?
If you disagree with the decision that was made on your initial theme form submission, you can submit a curriculum petition for review by the McCormick Curriculum Committee, which convenes on a quarterly basis. The committee's decisions are final.
Can I be excused from the theme requirement for any reason?
No. The theme is part of the McCormick degree program and cannot be waived or excused.
Questions about Creating the Theme
I would like to use a class towards the theme requirement, but it's not on the list of approved courses. Is there any way to add it to that list?
Yes. You would need to submit a syllabus from the class to Mary Stanton in the Academic Services Office, Tech L269. McCormick will evaluate the syllabus and assign the course a theme category if it is approved.
Do my distribution courses have to relate to my theme topic?
No. Courses listed in the distribution area do not have to be related to the theme at all.
Do my related theme courses all have to come from the same area (HSV/SBS/FAL)?
Not necessarily. You should just make sure that you have a sufficient number of courses from each area, based on the rules for the option (A or B) that you are using.
I've taken the following five SBS classes: Industrial Economics, Human Sexuality, Sociological Theory, Medical Anthropology, and Speech Writing. Would this theme be approved, since all the courses are from the same category?
This theme would not be approved, because the courses are not related to one another. Your main theme courses must all relate to a central topic. Using courses from the same category is not enough to make them an acceptable theme. In fact, as mentioned in the previous answer, all of the courses in a theme do not need to be from the same category.
I'm taking intro-level Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy. Could I use those three courses as my theme?
No. You must demonstrate a focused object of study across your related theme courses.
I took language courses in French, Spanish, and Chinese. Can I use these courses as my theme?
No. You cannot use various language courses towards a theme, unless you have also taken a linguistics course to tie them together.
Why can't I use my research methods and Econometrics classes towards the theme requirement? What about McCormick classes?
Research methods, statistics, and/or econometrics and accounting courses cannot be used towards the theme requirement because they draw too heavily on math and science. For the same reason, engineering courses are not considered social sciences/humanities classes.
What am I supposed to title my theme?
Your theme title should describe the related courses you have designated as your theme courses. Titles such as "Option B" or "My theme" would not be acceptable.
Why does Option A limit the number of 100-level classes I can take?
Option A limits the number of 100-level classes as a means of encouraging the student to develop a knowledge base in the humanities beyond the introductory level.
Can I double-count courses towards both my theme and another McCormick requirement?
No. Each class can only fulfill one of the 48 degree requirements for a McCormick degree.
I am a Co-op student. Am I excused from the theme requirement?
No. Co-op students are expected to fulfill the same McCormick degree requirements as students who do not participate in Co-op.
I'm double-majoring in another subject through another school at Northwestern. Does that mean my theme requirement is waived?
No, but many double-majors do apply the coursework from their non-engineering major towards the theme. For instance, an Economics/Industrial Engineering student could use his or her approved Economics classes towards the theme.
Can theme courses be taken P/N?
Yes. For the theme, the P/N (pass/no credit) option can be used for any 300-level course and a maximum of four 100 or 200-level courses. You should review these additional P/N rules for McCormick to make sure that taking theme courses P/N would not interfere with the rest of your McCormick degree.
Please also be aware that if you are using theme courses as part of another major for another school (i.e. Weinberg), that school or department may have separate rules that prevent taking a class P/N, so it is best to check with the respective department as well.
Using Outside Credit towards the Theme
Can I use study abroad credits towards the theme requirement?
Yes. To use study abroad credits towards any McCormick requirement, a curriculum petition form must be submitted with a transcript from the host institution.
Can I use AP or transfer credits towards my theme?
Yes. List the AP or transfer credits on your theme form as they appear on your transcript. For instance, a 200-level Political Science class might appear as "Poli Sci 2XX." Be sure to note on the form whether the classes were test credit or transfer credit.
Other Questions or Concerns
I still have questions about the theme requirement! Who should I talk to?
If your question was not answered above, please contact Mary Stanton, Freshman/Sophomore Program Coordinator, in the Academic Services Office, Tech L269.
