Humanities at Work

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

“What are the humanities good for? And what can you do with that degree?” These are questions that most if not all people in Literature, History, Philosophy, Art History, and Rhetoric have faced at some time or another. What’s more, as STEM fields seem only to grow in prominence and funding, and career options for those with humanities degrees become murkier, university leaders and public commentators continue to cite the “humanities crisis.” It is in this context specifically that this course will ask 2 immensely important questions: What are the humanities for and what are they capable of? What does humanities training equip you to do in the world and how can you most effectively tell that story? This course explores these questions through what is known as the “public and engaged humanities,” the application of humanities ideas and perspectives to enduring questions and complex problems. Through case studies, guest lectures, and public engagement, we will explore how the humanities help tell the most important cultural stories, present persuasive and meaningful narratives, and make visible the multiple histories of our society. By doing so, we will forge new ways of telling our own stories while also articulating the value of humanities knowledge and methods throughout one’s career. In this course, students will read in and around the public humanities in order to understand the breadth of its possible applications, as well as attend panels of industry experts and visit the sites of public humanities projects (virtually and IRL). Assignments, in text and other media forms, will include project/organization audits, informational interviews, personal statements, and project proposals.