Humanities is an umbrella term for many academic fields that seek to understand and discover the wider effects of human activity on our world. In common, humanities scholars broadly refer to such areas as history, anthropology, art, literature, philosophy, sociology and psychology. The word humanities is more widely used than any of its predecessor humanities (the older ones were humanities and science). In the Renaissance, it refers to what would become the dominant field of study in Europe at the time and contrast with religion which was considered heretical. In modern times, however, humanities scholars generally use a broader range of terms that collectively explain broad theories and themes of human life and endeavor.
Field of Humanities:
The field of humanities has been particularly shaped by the history and experience of Western society. One can speak of the humanities when it comes to the arts, sciences, education, business, politics, etc. Humanities scholars have produced hundreds of important texts across all of these disciplines. Some have made important contributions to the development of humanities theory and practice. Others, for example, like Edward Said’s Orientalism or Michel de Montaigne’s Critique of Modernism, have profoundly influenced the creation of courses and modules on this very subject. The impact of humanities scholars is most clearly seen in the social sciences, particularly in the social studies.
Sociology: Is one of the most important areas of humanities research. It looks closely at the associations between people and the environment. The major function of humanities scholars in sociology is to question traditional views about race, gender, class, and nationality. They also strive to create more inclusive, multicultural environments through programs such as the Center for Studies of Human Origins and Critical Concepts in Social Sciences.
Function of Humanities Scholars:
The field of Education has always included humanities scholars. A major function of this particular segment of the humanities is to contribute to the study of how knowledge is acquired, developed, and transmitted across the various levels of a system of education. As part of their work, they seek to overcome the barriers to learning placed by the socio-cultural boundaries that affect students from different cultures and backgrounds. The field of Education includes numerous sub-disciplines, including curriculum development, counseling, behavioral science, English language and teaching, and teacher training. All of these disciplines seek to develop knowledge and make teachers more effective.
- History is another area that humanities scholars normally specialize in.
- They look at historical figures from different time periods and try to analyze their thinking, writing, politics, ethics, technology, and societal context.
- The major function of historians in the humanities is to present the full range of human thought and behavior from all time periods and locations.
- Historians produce large quantities of primary and secondary sources, which they often draw from across many disciplines.
- In addition to producing large amounts of primary and secondary sources, humanities scholars also write extensively in journals, contribute to books and articles, and publish widely in various media.
Archaeology: Is an area that humanities scholars usually include in their research. They search for physical artifacts, such as paintings, pottery, and artifacts of a cultural nature, in order to learn about human history and the origins of civilization. Humanities research scholars can also specialize in particular areas of humanities research, such as American studies, East Asian Studies, Western European Studies, and Gender, Sexuality, and Ethnicity. In addition, they may decide to conduct a wider research on historical and social issues affecting today’s society and culture from a humanistic perspective.