Investing in the Humanities Disciplines
In the late 1980’s, I was given an exam at school. The test was used as a measure to determine which students to invite to an honors “humanities” class. The class size was limited, and would be the same students and teachers for our sophomore, junior, and senior years. In fact, it was even in the same room. It was taught by two teachers, and used a classroom where two rooms were combined into one.
Being a student that loved the sciences - especially physics - I was not thrilled about taking this class. However, I enjoyed tests and the possibility of getting to do something exclusive. Plus, I excelled at school, and felt that I could handle any class offered.
Fast forward a few months, and I found myself sitting in that humanities class. It was the hardest class I had in high school, and required that I put in significant effort to earn an acceptable grade. Most days, I disliked the subject matter and wished I did not have to complete the voluminous reading. I eventually graduated, and now I look back on that class with fondness - something I never imagined at the time. I learned more from that class than I ever expected. About literature, philosophy, creativity, political thought, and the laws that govern society. Nothing even remotely close to physics. I learned to appreciate life. And I was all the better for it.
Recently, I found an article published by the New York Times titled “The Dangerous Decline of the Historical Profession” by Daniel Bessner. In the article, Bessner argues that “the historical profession itself is in rapid — maybe even terminal — decline.” He states that tenure-track professors are becoming increasingly rare, and that to reduce costs, universities have eliminated many of the tenure-track positions. Along with this has been the push for STEM classes - science, technology, engineering, and math. This all comes at the expense of the humanities, including history classes.
Unfortunately, the humanities have often been the subject of ridicule and derision. How many times have you heard someone question the value of an art-history or literature major? We say these things in jest, but over time, they have consequences on our population.
If Americans don’t seriously invest in history and other humanities disciplines, we encourage the ahistoric ignorance upon which reaction relies… Progress depends on studying and arguing about the past in an open and informed manner… If there are no historians to reflect meaningfully and accurately on the past, then ignorance and hatred are sure to triumph.
I’m exceptionally grateful that I took the time to take that exam and attend that humanities class in high school. To this day, I can recall many of the things I learned, much more than the physics class I also attended. Whether it was reading The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand or discussing Ancient Greek philosophers, I enjoyed learning outside of my comfort zone in that class. It made me a more well-rounded student, open to new ideas and willing to accept criticism in order to improve.
Because of my experience, I encourage everyone to do everything in their power to protect the uncommon or unpopular disciplines. We need to continue teaching these both in high school and college. Because if we do not, we risk creating a society that is incapable of thoughtful, meaningful discussion. Our future needs a widely educated generation to give a sense of purpose to our nation, and to help us appreciate our history, literature, ancient and modern languages, law, philosophy, art, and music. This is why we must continue to invest in and study the humanities.