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The humanities
The humanities
are 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
The humanities can first be used to understand the past which has created the
present. The culture which we have was shaped by the past. Facts, findings, and
literature of even thousands of years ago have influenced our world today.
Knowing this past can allow people to understand our present; knowing how we
came to this present helps us to communicate about it and the future.
The study of the humanities can also be used to realize differing
interpretations of life and history. Studying facts of the past helps to
understand literature of the past. Art reflects the cultures of the past, and
shows how we achieved what we have today. For example, the Song of Roland was
very biased about the Saracens (Muslims). If one only studied literature, they
would have a totally skewed interpretation of who the Muslims were. By studying
history though, we know that the battle in this literature wasn't even against
Muslims. Also by studying history and religion we can see how Islam developed
and what it really is. This is just one example of how the comprehensive study
of the humanities can be used to understand the world, and to communicate fairly
and intelligently with others in the world.
Students have many opportunities to practice and enhance their communication
skills and critical thinking in courses offered in the College of Humanities.
Students also explore fundamental questions of human experiences: What is worthy
of our labor? How do human beings communicate ideas, emotions, and endeavors?
What is just or corrupt, beautiful or repugnant, noble or disgraceful? How do
different cultures honor and enact what they value? How should we balance
community responsibility and individual freedom? What does it mean to be human
and what fosters that humanity? Questions such as these are examined in the
context of major texts in literature, philosophy, scholarship, and the arts, as
well as lived experiences.
Scholars working in the humanities are sometimes described as humanists. But
that term also describes the philosophical position of humanism, which some
antihumanist scholars in the humanities reject. Learn Humanities, SCHOOLS
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Guidance Humanities, Graduate Humanities, Higher Studies in Humanities. |
