Advisors Workshop

The Advisors Workshop on Humanities and University Education saw a total of 130 advisors across all four campuses along with invited staff and administrators. There were 14 Bachelor's degree holders, 49 Master's degree holders and 9 Doctorate degree holders across several disciplines such as Social Work, Education, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities/Arts, Business, Counseling, Public Affairs/Public Policy/Law, Interdisciplinary. Not only did advisors receive a buffet lunch and Project Humanities t-shirts, but the first 25 Advisor registrants received complimentary copies of Martha C. Nussbaum’s Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs Humanities (Princeton, 2010).

The Itinerary of the Advisors workshop can be viewed here.

How does humanities contribute to an undergraduate education?

• Many areas of education overlap, relate, and are broad enough to expand a student’s knowledge as it relates to the world they live in.
• Helps students to be more well rounded
• General studies as well as provide an important perspective
• Learn to appreciate complexity & ambiguity, a critical & inquiring attitude, develop empathy & tolerance for people of different backgrounds/values, and respond more fully in complex world!
• I believe it helps foster a better understanding of self and others and contributes to one’s overall sense of culture
• It broadens students’ knowledge beyond their majors. Increase intellectual capacities.
• They give students insight to society and people as a whole.
• Allows students to enroll in courses and learn about the areas that they may have a strong interest.
• Writing and Critical thinking are integral parts of a humanities program. There are invaluable skills for students to develop.
• They help us understand people through the study of culture, religion, philosophy, etc.
• Humanities studies offers a well-rounded range of skills like critical thinking, interpersonal, communications, and writing skills , all of which are valuable in any workplace.
• Give them all a well-rounded experience.
• Gives students a broad knowledge base, makes students well-rounded.
• Allows student to broaden knowledge, not so tunneled.
• Historical perspectives learn how to think creatively & critically, values of different cultures.
• It’s important for students to have a “well-rounded” education and to have some knowledge in all areas.
• I believe humanities education make undergraduate students more well-rounded and instills a greater appreciation of the arts and how humankind expresses itself and why.
• Gives a well-rounded background to a college degree – opens more areas of interest
• Views of other disciplines & subjects that add to and impact society.
• For many majors it is one of the few opportunities to broaden perspective.
• Humanities give students a greater awareness of the depth & diversity of the human condition.
• A world without arts is not worth living in. Humanities make a world worth living in.
• It is important to give students a broader perspective of the world, how it works and global and cultural influence on our thoughts, behaviors, action and way we see things.
• Adds breath to the undergraduate degree.
• Creates good citizens knowledgeable in different areas that provide other avenues of connecting with other individuals.
• Contribute to broadening perspectives, develops new interest, passion
• Students can discover the commonalities they share with other human beings
• It gives students the ability to learn about the human existence and to have an open mind to ideals/people, etc. They perceive as ‘different,’ learn to have empathy as well.
• It adds a well-rounded aspect to any degree.
• This allows students to see how social sciences, natural sciences, etc. connect to the real world and culture.
• Increases understanding and empathy of all populations and individuals.
• Gives breadth to their education, expand knowledge in areas they wouldn’t otherwise explore.
• It makes a more well-rounded student by becoming aware of different disciplines.
• Helps students see the world and understand the world. Introduces students to religion, art, music, philosophy.
• Students learn what is to be human through exposure to our history and cultural ideals.
• Helps students understand more than just what their major is about.
• By providing a broader understanding of the world around us, they give a greater/richer context for their own studies.
• Humanities “flesh out” and give meaning to the physical sciences and social sciences. Humanities is the study of human condition & provides students with intellectual skills, specifically; critical, analytical & speculative skills.
• It broadens a student’s perspective and exposes the students to paths they may not have been familiar with previously, hopefully heading to a more well-rounded education and understanding of humanity.
• The questions addressed by humanities underpin all other disciplines. They tell us what it means to be human. They enrich our humanity and make us special.
• All majors need humanities courses as part of their education. It is of utmost importance for people to become good citizens to learn about what it means to be human.
• You can learn how to live your life but arts and humanities give a reason to live your life.
• Humanities contribute by studying values, philosophies, religions, and ethics. Also, contributes towards understanding and interpreting historical traditions. Moreover deepens one’s awareness of literature and the analysis of such.
• Broad understanding of the world & how people express themselves & make meaning.
• They are part of a ‘well-rounded’ education; helps us realize our value as human beings, what makes us unique.

For a detailed review of the Advisors Workshop from the perspective of Kristen LaRue, click here.