What is the value of the humanities? Why should we study the humanities given the current economic recession? In this new era of continuous unemployment slides and shrinking university funds, questions about the importance of the humanities in a complex and technologically demanding world have taken on new urgency.
While the humanities may not seem as important as engineering, chemistry, or any of the other “hard” sciences, it still plays a significant role in the world. There is a great misunderstanding of what the humanities are and what they can do. People often assume that the humanities are just about reading the great literary and philosophical works and understanding the question of what living is for.
I would argue that humanities – at least from a Cultural Studies perspective – is much more than reading the classic works and speculating about the meaning of life. In Cultural Studies, we apply theory to practice. Thinking and acting outside of the ivory tower, Cultural Studies attempts to produce research that engages with the public. As a cultural researcher, I am constantly asking myself the “So what?” question. Why does this topic matter? Why should people care?
This continuous self-questioning helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. While I am learning for the sake of learning, I believe scholars have the responsibility to think about the ways in which their research relates to the larger picture. What is the point of research if it doesn't affect the way people think about and act in the world?
One thing I think Cultural Studies does effectively is rethinking the way we have traditionally thought about things. In Cultural Studies, few things – if anything – are taken for granted. Our research is largely driven by the question of what it means to be human. Through critical and creative engagement, we attempt to speculate on a question in a way that inspires people to imagine what might be instead of what is.
This critical and creative engagement is especially important given the worsening state of the economy and the need for creative ways of being in the world.
While the humanities may not seem as important as engineering, chemistry, or any of the other “hard” sciences, it still plays a significant role in the world. There is a great misunderstanding of what the humanities are and what they can do. People often assume that the humanities are just about reading the great literary and philosophical works and understanding the question of what living is for.
I would argue that humanities – at least from a Cultural Studies perspective – is much more than reading the classic works and speculating about the meaning of life. In Cultural Studies, we apply theory to practice. Thinking and acting outside of the ivory tower, Cultural Studies attempts to produce research that engages with the public. As a cultural researcher, I am constantly asking myself the “So what?” question. Why does this topic matter? Why should people care?
This continuous self-questioning helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. While I am learning for the sake of learning, I believe scholars have the responsibility to think about the ways in which their research relates to the larger picture. What is the point of research if it doesn't affect the way people think about and act in the world?
One thing I think Cultural Studies does effectively is rethinking the way we have traditionally thought about things. In Cultural Studies, few things – if anything – are taken for granted. Our research is largely driven by the question of what it means to be human. Through critical and creative engagement, we attempt to speculate on a question in a way that inspires people to imagine what might be instead of what is.
This critical and creative engagement is especially important given the worsening state of the economy and the need for creative ways of being in the world.
举一反三
- The following two selections are from the campus newspaper column "Humanities Studies". Complete them with appropriate collocations from the texts. You are provided with the first letter(s) for each of the collocations in brackets as hints. Remember to write a complete word in each blank. The situation of humanities studies State tax dollars support science and high-tech studies, but they don't educate more people who, for example, can't get a job in psychology. Science graduates are provided with 1) (pr) jobs in a time when the job market 2) (wo). There is no question that more graduates in the science and technology fields are essential, especially in a 3) (shr) job market. Science and technology have become, more than ever before, 4) (do)pillars of university life. It is hard for graduates of the humanities to 5) (la) a job. This leaves humanities studies and the humanities graduates in an awkward position. – Laura Davies The value of humanities studies It is clear that the ultimate goal of education is to cultivate 6) (g) insight into passions and dreams common to all humanity. The humanities are the integrative arts that help young people grow to be 7) (w … -r …) human beings. Humanities studies invest us with creative talent, thus releasing our 8) (cr)energy. We have to have engineers who can communicate efficiently with the ability of 9) (el) analysis, who can appreciate and respect cultural and individual differences containing complex ideas, and who can work with other people effectively to develop their potential in a 10) (con) manner. If we double-major in both science and the humanities, we can apply our critical thinking 11) (s) to cope with urgent problems, 12) (m) breakthroughs on many barriers and eventually have a bright career.
- According to the speaker, what is the society's attitude toward the humanities? A: The humanities are as important as STEM. B: The humanities can widen people's horizons. C: The humanities are less important than STEM. D: The humanities are more important than STEM.
- From the video and script, what do you think about humanities? And what do you plan to do in the rest years in college? (1 minute)
- “My culture is important and I am proud of what I am. Japanese people have so much to offer.” This thought is a typical example of the unexamined cultural identity stage.
- What do studies about men and women in scientific research show?