What are the Humanities?
The humanities are defined as any study of the human culture. They include the study of art, music, theater, history, philisophy, sociology, law, literature, language, basically anything having to do with human experience.
Basically the Humanities are mankind's attempt to answer the questions, "What does it mean to be human?" and, "What is the meaning of life?" These questions have plagued human kind since the beginning and we, as humans, do not like unanswered questions. In our quest to find the meaning of life, some of us have delved into science trying to find answers in atoms and cellular structure. Others try to talk out their thoughts, thus resulting in literature and music. Still, others use images to explore the meaning of life, thus resulting in visual art. |
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Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. |
Although science and mathematics are nessessary in life, we must ask ourselves, for WHAT are we sustaining that life?
As you read the articles pay attention to how the author defines the Humanities and why they are important. In other words be looking for the answers to the questions: WHAT are the Humanities? WHY are they important. In your comp book, identify at least 2 WHATS and 2 WHYS.
GROUP ARTICLE: Why do the Humanities Matter? Stanford University
Article 1: "The Economic Case for Saving the Humanities," Christina Paxton
As you read the articles pay attention to how the author defines the Humanities and why they are important. In other words be looking for the answers to the questions: WHAT are the Humanities? WHY are they important. In your comp book, identify at least 2 WHATS and 2 WHYS.
GROUP ARTICLE: Why do the Humanities Matter? Stanford University
Article 1: "The Economic Case for Saving the Humanities," Christina Paxton
_1_humanities_can_save_us.pdf | |
File Size: | 105 kb |
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Article 2: "Why the Humanities Matter," Sarah Churchwell
2._why_the_humanities_matter.pdf | |
File Size: | 202 kb |
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Article 3: "Here are 9 Reasons Why Humanities Matter. What's Your Number 10?" Curt Rice
3_here_are_9_reasons_why_humanities_matter._whats_your_number_10__-_curt_rice.pdf | |
File Size: | 5212 kb |
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Article 4: "Lessons from the Humanities and Social Sciences," Mary Sue Coleman and John L. Hennessy
4._lessons_from_the_humanities_and_social_sciences_.pdf | |
File Size: | 129 kb |
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Article 5:"Why Study Humanities? What I tell Engineering Freshmen," John Horgan
5_why_study_humanities_what_i_tell_engineering_freshmen_.pdf | |
File Size: | 555 kb |
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Article 6: "At MIT, the Humanities are Just as Important as STEM," Deborah K. Fitzgerald
6_at_mit_the_humanities_are_just_as_important_as_stem_.pdf | |
File Size: | 99 kb |
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Article 7: "What Medical Students Can Learn From Art Museums," Priscilla Frank
what_medical_students_can_learn_from_art_museums.pdf | |
File Size: | 5723 kb |
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What is Art?
The word "art" can refer to a very broad scope of images, ideas, even products. When does something go from being just an object to art?