In this class, we’re going to ask a number of crucial questions:
Why are we studying the humanities?
How do we create “meaning”?
What role do the humanities play in terms of helping us to understand social order, faith, and science?
How are we to understand “progress,” and how do we r...
we’re going to ask a number of crucial questions why are we studying the humanities how do we create “meaning” what role do the humanities play in term
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INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITIES
Introduction to the Humanities
HUMA 1021
Where are we going?
In this class, we’re going to ask a number of crucial questions:
Why are we studying the humanities?
How do we create “meaning”?
What role do the humanities play in terms of helping us to understand social order, faith, and science?
How are we to understand “progress,” and how do we reconcile it with art?
What, ultimately, do the humanities do? Why?
But I don’t want to take this class…
Every year, students complain about the fact that they are being forced to take a course in the
humanities (which include literature, history, political science, anthropology, cultural studies, philosophy,
religion, art, and SO MUCH MORE!).
First of all, it’s important to remember this important lesson: life isn’t fair.
I’m sorry to be the one to tell you that.
However, that isn’t the main reason you’re here…
Why am I here?
HUMA 1021, like all of your college classes, is intended to provide you with depth and breadth of
knowledge.
But what does that really mean? How will studying and writing about the humanities help you in your
“real life”?
What can this course do for you and your career?
What the Humanities Do (The Past)
The humanities help us to understand where we came from and why things are as they are today by
looking closely at how issues, ideas, and cultures developed over time.
Everything has a source, and the humanities seek to examine those sources as a means of appreciating
and understanding our world today.
What the Humanities Do (The Present)
Once we understand what has come before, it becomes easier to identify and discuss why things are the
way they are.
The humanities thus provide us with tools that we can use to engage our present world in a critical and
intelligent (rather than passive) way.
What the Humanities Do (The Future)
If we understand where we have come from and where we are now, then we are better prepared to
progress into the future.
The humanities ensure that we do not simply move forward blindly, accepting everything as it is or was –
instead, we can try to make things better.
The humanities are as significant a source of positive change as science; in fact, the humanities often
identify the need for new scientific advancement, as the two fields co-exist symbiotically.
Those who claim that technology and science can get along just fine without the humanities are
deluding themselves – we cannot move forward without understanding what it means to be human.
How the Humanities Do It
We can only figure out who we are and where we fit into the world by asking questions.
The humanities explore the human experience – across the past, present, and future – by trying to figure
out the answers to these critical questions.
We are thus compelled to engage with the world, with all of its different cultures, religions, orientations,
politics, and ideas, in an active way.
I Can Haz Job?
This study source was downloaded by 100000841341657 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2022 00:18:04 GMT -05:00
, The bottom line is this: the humanities are a mandatory requirement because your future employers
want the breadth they demand.
The humanities provide what the CIS refers to as “Essential Employability Skills” – in other words, these
skills are not specific to one particular job or field, but are, instead, desired by all employers.
Essential Skills
1. Open-mindedness (to new ideas, religions, races, ethnicities, cultures, etc.)
2. Problem solving through critical thought
3. Ability to work with others from diverse backgrounds
4. Empathy and understanding (essential for customer service!)
5. Literacy – that’s right, the ability to spell, write, and speak well. Every job requires this!
6. Cultural literacy (knowing the world around you)
7. Organization (especially of ideas)
8. Appreciation – of human accomplishments, failings, needs, problems, and differences
And So…
The only way to attain these goals is by investigating human cultural artefacts, such as books, movies,
philosophies, works of art, music, and cultural ideas.
It is precisely for this reason that colleges and universities want everyone (yes, including you) to have at
least one humanities course on his or her transcript.
This is also the reason why people continue to generate these cultural artefacts – they are what
separates us from the other species and make life worth living.
No, that was not a lame thing to say. YOU’LL SEE.
Explaining the Unexplainable
One of the most persistent questions that we as human beings have asked ourselves is the following:
how are we to explain the universe and our place within it?
Similarly, when we are confronted with disease, tragedy, injustice, death, or the loss of love (in other
words, human suffering), we try to make sense of these abstract concepts.
In many ways, we are constantly seeking answers to the events and feelings that we endure throughout
our lives – and that have been endured by others in the past.
This is probably the greatest goal of the humanities: to understand the human condition.
What Does It All Mean?
How can we create meaning in a seemingly meaningless world?
Human beings draw on a number of sources, such as institutions, God/faith, science, and art.
Institutions
What are some of the institutions that help us to organize and explain the world around us?
Government
Law
Language
Education
Family
Society
Class
Government
Like it or not, the government often becomes the location of much of our meaning making because it
regulates many other human institutions.
We allow the government to make decisions that are meant to be in our best interests (though we often
complain about them).
Therefore, we surrender part of our own autonomy to a larger – and somewhat trusted – body.
This study source was downloaded by 100000841341657 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2022 00:18:04 GMT -05:00
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