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The Value of Humanities Courses
By Dario Diorio, Torrington
Before continuing my studies in the U.S., I received a classical education, mostly based on what we call the humanities. I studied Latin for eight years and classical Greek for five years. During that time I translated and studied many classics, both Latin and Greek. From this exposure to the works of Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Xenophon, Ovid, Virgil, Dante, etc., I learned a great deal.
I could give you many reasons why the study of humanities is important, whether a student is majoring in elementary education, chemistry, engineering, pre-med, etc. Humanities courses foster the development of mental flexibility and confidence in the ability to think and understand. Many journal articles on this subject have stressed that humanities develop abilities in reading, speaking, writing and thinking.
We know that academic studies are very often compartmentalized within each discipline. Humanities courses cut across discipline boundaries and try to integrate opinions, information and ideas from a variety of perspectives. When we study humanities we also become more global, we understand various cultures, and we become more complete. I notice that studies in humanities also increase tolerance for cultural differences and help us to build a healthy respect for individual differences. We also learn to analyze ambiguous moral situations and we become better equipped to deal with difficult problems.
I remember when George Bush was not able to name a political philosopher during his presidential campaign; had he studied humanities, he might have been able to mention at least Machiavelli, or Alexander Pope, Hegel, Montesquieu, David Hume, Rousseau, Benjamin Franklin, John Dewey, Herbert Spencer, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Henry Huxley, etc.
I think humanities courses awaken the spirit and provide inspiration because the study deals with important facts—ancient and modern. And, of course, they help the future generation to understand better the role which we play in our society in comparison to other societies. Finally, humanities courses strengthen community resources by improving the quality of life in the community in which we live.
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