why the humanities matter

Also, my father was a geologist, and he had a profound sense of the earth as an historical document that could be read. I agree with her argument that the integrity of democracy depends on an informed public. So from an old grad, I highly recommend the topic be included in the required classes. I thought it was a waste of time and not relevant. I do believe the humanities matter but the concept of being a well rounded person encompassed in non-stem degrees really isn’t well rounded. I studied Metallurgical Engineering and a class in humanities was required. Investigating a branch of philosophy might get you thinking about ethical questions. Why the humanities matter now more than ever The liberal arts are essential to any functioning liberal democracy and the American experiment as a whole. Contemplating a sculpture might make you think about how an artist's life affected her creative decisions. The reality is that a BA can mean anything from “a student put in a minimum of effort and passed with D’s and C’s” to “this is a person who is really motivated to learn and apply the information made available to them through their education.” There is only so much teachers can do if students aren’t interested. Dr. Adam L. Tate Chair, Department of Humanities G-210 Arts & Sciences Bldg AdamTate@clayton.edu (678) 466-4809. I subscribe to the thought that “If all I had was a loaf of bread, I would sell half to buy white hyacinths to feed my soul.” However, I also agree with the comments of Thomas Johnson, above, that to be well rounded one must also have a grasp of math and other sciences. They are like a flat tire. The Humanities Matter! You are torturing animals in the most inhumane and unimaginable ways with taxpayer money. But just as important, we also know from that data that humanities degree holders have among the highest rates of lifelong job satisfaction and fulfillment because they are pursuing meaningful work and enriching their lives—and the lives of others—by using the skills they acquired through their humanities majors. The earliest curricula at the U focused on liberal arts and classics, and the College of Humanities will celebrate its 50th anniversary as a free-standing college in 2020. Why Do Humanities Matter? Through the work of humanities scholars, we learn about the values of different cultures, about what goes into making a work of art, about how history is made. The persuasive argument that LM Jennings feels is missing here might be more of an indicator of how in late era American capitalism, there is only one civilizing force: the market. WHAT ABOUT THE CONCERNS SOME STUDENTS AND PARENTS HAVE ABOUT THE EARNING POTENTIAL OR JOB PROSPECTS OF STUDENTS WHO STUDY HUMANITIES? We orient ourselves exclusively to the marketplace at our peril. The humanities are the study of what makes us human, of what it means to be human. Why the Humanities matter. Arizona State University Humanities Lab But before she left the U, we asked her to share why she believes the humanities matter. Humanities Matter. I welcome your feedback and discussion. Yet today, with increasing emphasis on the disciplines of science, business, and technology, the value of a humanities education has become a debated topic on campuses, in workplaces, and on the political scene. Reading a book from another region of the world, might help you think about the meaning of democracy. Nevertheless, during these tumultuous times their importance is thrown into greater relief. U medical students visit remote high schools around the state to promote health care as a career. rounded except flat on one side. But I’m also recurringly struck by the ways in which we consistently and necessarily turn to the humanities and arts for answers, for healing, and for resolution in the most difficult and trying of times. In the wake of national trauma, for example, we look to the poets and writers, to artists, historians, musicians, and philosophers, for the tools that help us ease the pain of trauma into memory, and to help us process grief and sorrow. Copyright Complaints, Stanford scholar unpacks the rhetoric behind extremist politician's mainstream success, Stanford historian explores how gender analysis leads to innovation, Stanford historian unearths greed-drenched origins of Mexico's groundwater crisis. Welcome to "Why the Humanities Matter" I am trying to make the case that literature, the arts, the study of languages are indeed important in today's society. While the exact sciences are unrivaled in their ability to reveal objective facts about the universe, they are curiously silent when it … Meanwhile, and probably not coincidentally, employers across the country express concern that newer hires often lack the very skills learned through humanities courses, such as critical thinking, contextual understanding, and the ability to write well. Ah, the humanities. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*). I was TA to a few students who put taking their Gen Ed history class off until the final semester of their Bachelor’s program, who lacked a basic grasp of reasoning. Instead of summer camp, we would head to the library every week and check out books to keep us busy. In short, the study of the humanities pushes physicians to reflect on the proper use of medical knowledge, reflections which are vital when trying to avoid awful moral compromises that other physicians have made in the past. Even higher education is now driven by the market, as is religion, and government, the other anchors to what we traditionally viewed as “the town square.” Unless something can be measured as valuable by the market, or has a quantifiable (read: monetary) value, then the warrants aren’t there for what he refers to as “a persuasive argument” for the humanities in education and everyday life. Responding to essential questions regarding whether the humanities can remain politically and academically relevant amid this twenty-first-century uncertainty, Why the Humanities Matter offers a guided tour of the modern condition, calling upon thinkers in a variety of disciplines to affirm essential concepts such as truth, goodness, and beauty. There is no question that STEM education is tremendously important as well. Bringing Clarity to the Future Humanities Why are the Humanities Important? Listening to a history course might help you better understand the past, while at the same time offer you a clearer picture of the future. HOW DO THE HUMANITIES BENEFIT US AS A SOCIETY? They foster a genuine and deep understanding of individual and social justice, an authentic appreciation and admiration for difference, and a thrilling and life-enhancing recognition of beauty in its many forms. Harris: Like many, I was fortunate to have parents who read to me when I was very young, and who frequently took me to the local public library when I was a child. If that is true, then logically all intellectual disciplines should ultimately be judged by the same measures. In the wake of national trauma, we look to the poets and writers, to artists, historians, musicians, and philosophers… to help us ease the pain.”. At first, reading was simple entertainment, but books quickly became an entry point into entirely unknown worlds of adventure, mystery, fantasy, history, and more. However, the U printed 2” thick book of required reading was interesting. The journalist you are citing may have a degree, but that doesn’t mean they cared about learning or even remember much of what they were taught. Why the Humanities Matter Today: In Defense of Liberal Education is an attempt to do so by having philosophers, literature and foreign language professors, historians, and political theorists defend the value and explain the worth of their respective disciplines as well as illuminate the importance of liberal education. They foster social justice and equality. BS 68. "Why we still need to study the Humanities in a STEM world" Gerald Greenberg "What Engineers and Humanists can learn from one another" "Why 'worthless' Humanities degress may set you up for life" Amanda Ruggeri INTERDISCIPLINARY HUMANITIES INITIATIVES Duke University Humanities Laboratories. I worry that universities have prices themselves out of the education market and that more and more people will go on to technical training and not have any exposure to the humanities. I can’t imagine, nor do I wish to do so, a life without the beauty of artfully crafted texts, images, and sounds. “It provides an opportunity to have a positive impact on the humanities at an unparalleled scale,” she says. Through exploration of the humanities we learn how to think creatively and critically, to reason, and to ask questions. Shame on you!! © Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305. I don't believe the problem facing the humanities is hostility. Harris: The humanities are crucial to a healthy democracy, just as they also provide opportunities for fulfilled and gainful employment and an enriched life. A pioneering textual analysis of French political speeches led by Stanford Professor of French Cécile Alduy reveals how Marine Le Pen, leader of France's surging far-right National Front, has made extremism palatable in a land of republican values. Working with an international team, Stanford history Professor Londa Schiebinger has used gender analysis to spark discovery in science and innovation in technology. We lived in a place where it was too hot to play outdoors during much of the day in the summer, so indoor reading kept us occupied and out of trouble for hours at a time. Responding to essential questions regarding whether the humanities can remain politically and academically relevant amid this twenty-first-century uncertainty, Why the Humanities Matter offers a guided tour of the modern condition, calling upon thinkers in a variety of disciplines to affirm essential concepts such as truth, goodness, and beauty. But in the absence of a strong background in the humanities, STEM education alone will leave our society impoverished and ill-prepared for the rapidly changing world ahead. Their efforts preserve the great accomplishments of the past, help us understand the world we live in, and give us tools to imagine the future. Technology will move forwards always, but the humanities are what make each society unique. Harris makes a convincing rational argument, which is effective to those that believe as she does. It pains me to go to the symphony and ballet and see only half the seats filled much of the time. Tips for choosing a major and navigating the academic journey. These trends and ongoing discussions are paramount to those who champion the humanities, including Dianne Harris, a history professor and former dean of the U’s College of Humanities. Those early conversations forever shaped my sense that we are responsible to and for other humans and for the planet. Many claim that it sounded the death knell for history, art, ideology, science, possibly all of Western philosophy, and certainly for the concept of reality itself. Why the Humanities Matter Today: In Defense of Liberal Education is an attempt to do so by having philosophers, literature and foreign language professors, historians, and political theorists defend the value and explain the worth of their respective disciplines as well … Professional Development for Institute for K-12 Teachers . 4Humanities invites additional statistics (including from more parts of the world) so that it can expand the infographics initiative and, funds allowing, produce future versions. Anna Hitchings 16 July 2020 0 Reading Time: 3 minutes. The humanities seek to understand the broad range of human experience. Former NEH chairman on campus March 27-28. Your email address will not be published. A student who put an effort in will likely work harder in the job place as well; someone who is okay with putting in the minimal effort will probably do the same at work. I think it’s also important to consider the level of education that comes with a bachelor’s in any topic. It is intended for general readers. Utah lacrosse blazes a new trail as a Division I program. The humanities teach empathy. This is from Why the Humanities Matter: In Defense of Liberal Education. Exposure and understanding is important, at the very least because we decide whether to fund the humanities, or the arts, or even public science. They often report study results listing the number of people responding to a survey in a particular way without giving the context of how many people are included in the sample. Harris: All the available data that have been collected over the past decade by reputable sources such as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (see their Humanities Indicators project) show us that humanities degree holders do every bit as well financially over the span of their working lives as do those who hold degrees in business, education, and in many of the sciences. Highly recommend the topic be included in the humanities have defined civilization for all history! Our peril bachelor ’ s new 2020 cohort being matriculated into … “ arts... Douglas Blvd., Building 601Salt Lake City, utah, 84113801.581.6773 the ideal foundation for exploring and understanding the experience...: in Defense of Liberal education what about the CONCERNS some students PARENTS. The broad range of human experience G-210 arts & Sciences Bldg AdamTate @ clayton.edu ( 678 ).... Is tremendously important as well not relevant, to reason, and ask! 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