Voices For the Humanities

4Humanities is a platform for people from different parts of society and the world to give voice to the enduring and contemporary importance of the humanities. Why study and creative expression in such areas as literature, history, languages, philosophy, classics, art history, cultural studies, and others (see “What Are the Humanities?”) so valuable to individuals and societies? The voices gathered here say why.

* 4Humanities seeks out both original and reposted statements about the humanities from people in business, the sciences, entertainment, universities, high schools, and other sectors. We also report on significant developments and initiatives related to the humanities.

* Listen to the voices in our sections on “Advocacy Statements & Campaigns,” “The Changing Humanities,” “Student Voices,” and “International Correspondents.”

* Also listen to the voices gathered in our special projects “Humanities, Plain & Simple” and “Backpack Mini-documentaries.”

For those wishing to consult resources in framing their own statement for the humanities, 4Humanities offers a “Guide to Issues in Humanities Advocacy” and its “The Humanities Matter!” infographic.

Humanities and the Public Good

Posted by LindsayThomas

January 17, 2014Advocacy Statements & Campaigns, The Changing HumanitiesOxford, public humanities, TORCHLindsayThomas

Starting in 2014, TORCH (The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities) will host a special series of events bringing together leading scholars in the humanities and sciences, and influential figures beyond academia, to consider the role of the humanities in addressing contemporary challenges. The opening event, on 27th January, will be a presentation by Earl […]

The Humanities Matter Bus Tour

Posted by Alan Liu

January 15, 2014Advocacy Statements & CampaignsAlan Liu

Faces. Stories. People. What is the humanities if not the stories of people? The Humanities Matter Bus Tour and Webseries will serve to engage the public with this notion of humanities education. This summer, the teams behind the DHMakerBus and 4Humanities collective, together with Alex Gil from Columbia University, are planning an extraordinary experience. In […]

Interview with Areti Damala

Posted by LindsayThomas

December 11, 2013International CorrespondentsLindsayThomas

By Eva Kekou, 4Humanities International Correspondent Eva Kekou: Can you give us some information about your background? Areti Damala: I started studying Classics, more specifically history, philosophy, Latin and Ancient Greek, before specializing in Material Culture, or more specifically, Archaeology and History of Art of the Mediterranean. I was lucky enough to follow courses both at […]

Interview with William Latham

Posted by LindsayThomas

December 2, 2013International CorrespondentsLindsayThomas

By Eva Kekou, 4Humanities International Correspondent Eva Kekou: Hello William! What made you move into the world of computing? William Latham: It was largely due to having done work in a geometric Russian Constructivist Style, and to producing hand drawn animated films using 3-point perspective when I was 19 – 20 years of age. The sheer […]

National Humanities Report Reinforces Stereotypes about the Humanities

Posted by LindsayThomas

November 27, 2013Student VoicesLindsayThomas

By Lindsay Thomas Originally posted on Remaking the University: http://utotherescue.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-heart-of-matter-humanities-do-more.html In June 2013, the American Academy of Arts & Science’s Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences released “The Heart of the Matter,” a report meant to “advance a dialogue on the importance of the humanities and social sciences to the future of our nation” and […]

Interview with Alex May

Posted by LindsayThomas

November 25, 2013International CorrespondentsLindsayThomas

By Eva Kekou, 4Humanities International Correspondent Alex May is a digital artist who utilises his extensive programming knowledge to create his own software for interactive digital artworks and video projection installations that explore our relationship with digital technologies and how human perception of reality can be altered and extended through code and light. He has performed […]