The power of the humanities in shaping tomorrow’s world

How humanities can equip us to navigate the complexities of an uncertain future

The School of Athens" by Raphael, alongside a graph showing the drop in Bachelor's Degrees in English, History, and languages from 1966 to 2015

I have been cursed to have my aspirations pointing me toward the humanities in a world where technology steals the spotlight, and STEM fields perform like chart-topping hits.

I remember the first time I saw the 1959 movie Dead Poets Society and feeling a nostalgic longing for a past I never experienced. The film follows an English teacher who inspires his students to appreciate the beauty of poetry and literature, inviting them to think critically and challenge conventions. It does such a great job of capturing the spirit of intellectual exploration and rebellion against conformity. It reflects a time when education and the humanities were revered. 

Of course, the 1950s were the glory days of the humanities in the United States. In 1958, the year the Soviets launched Sputnik, the US National Defense Education Act appropriated more than a billion dollars for education. They had money flowing into fifty states, all the way down.

When I started middle school in 2006, the 2008 global economic crisis was around the corner, so the situation was very different. I remember the hours in my school in Chile dedicated to history being reduced to prioritize math while elective courses in the humanities remained largely vacant. Few took them seriously. 

I was frustrated that I was not allowed to delve into my interests. I wanted to take more history classes out of curiosity. I was eager to understand our world, which felt like a puzzle with several missing pieces. I wanted to read more books and fewer study guides. I wanted to have more discussions and face less questions with a single correct answer. 

But the message was clear: The kinds of lessons I was interested in were not a priority.

In 2008, things worsened for the humanities. In the United States and across OECD countries, funding and financial support for the humanities plummeted following the global economic crisis. This trend continued as enrollment in bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in the humanities declined by 5%, 11%, and 9%, respectively, on average between 2015 and 2018¹. Consequently, universities began eliminating majors like a game of Jenga, nervously removing blocks until the tower teetered. A poignant example is the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point's consideration in 2018 to ax thirteen majors, including English, History, and Philosophy, due to dwindling enrollment².

I remember when the time came for me to choose my university major. A few years prior, as a starry-eyed teenager, I mentioned a program in literature that my parents were not very enthusiastic about. "You can do that on the side," was the response. A choice that is usually exciting turned into a vocational crisis.

Eventually, I put my interests aside, put on "big woman" pants, and booked the golden ticket to stability: Business Administration. Because, you know, who needs storytelling when you can have spreadsheets?

I was drowning in Excel sheets faster than you can say “ROI.” 

It was a short but tortuous time, and I eventually switched to journalism, which merged academia with practical application. Yet, had I been taught how to apply the humanities professionally, I would have gained confidence in their practical skills and relevance, potentially steering clear of my time in the business classes.

Why are the humanities so undervalued, cut down, or eliminated? You might be thinking what The New Yorker writer Nathan Heller explained clearly:

“Today, the academic profession of the humanities is a notoriously haywire career track, with Ph.D. programs enrolling more students than there are jobs, using them for teaching, and then, years later, sending them off with doctoral gowns and no future in the discipline.”³

The decline in humanities enrollment is a symptom of broader societal shifts rather than a devaluation of the humanities. Some factors contributing to the decline:

• Perceived lack of career prospects. Humanities lack obvious vocational practicality, and skills are difficult to demonstrate.

• Financial pressures. Perception that humanities don’t lead to lucrative careers.

• Shifting societal values. Lack of diversity and representation in course offerings. Coursework is out of touch with students’ needs and interests. 

People educated in the humanities are different from what the world at large seems in demand of. It's a matter of browsing through the job offers. However, professionals with a background in the humanities are what we need today to reckon with our desperate state of affairs. In a world with socioeconomic inequality, political polarization, threats to democracy, and other issues, the unique skills and perspectives gained through humanities education are essential for addressing our complex challenges. Here are some reasons why:

1. Critical thinking: Humanities education emphasizes critical thinking skills, which are essential for analyzing complex problems, understanding different perspectives, and developing creative solutions. It allows a more interdisciplinary approach and more sustainable solutions. 

2. Cultural understanding: History, literature, and philosophy provide insights into diverse cultures, societies, and historical contexts. This understanding is crucial for navigating global issues and fostering empathy and cooperation. 

3. Ethical leadership: Professionals develop strong ethical principles and integrity, which guide their decisions and actions in times of crisis. For example, a journalist would refuse to publish a story that may harm vulnerable individuals, prioritizing integrity over sensationalism.

4. Adaptability and resilience: The humanities expose students to different ideas, perspectives, and interpretations of the world. This flexibility is valuable for navigating uncertain and rapidly changing environments. 

5. Historical perspective: Studying history provides valuable lessons from the past, helping professionals understand the roots of current challenges and avoid repeating past mistakes.

6. Interdisciplinary insights: Humanities education allows professionals to draw connections between different fields and approaches to address complex, multifaceted issues.

7. Human-centered solutions: Since they emphasize the human experience and the importance of addressing the needs and values of individuals and communities, humanities are crucial for addressing social and environmental challenges. Using urban planning as an example, it would be designing a public transportation system that considers the accessibility needs of all citizens, including those with disabilities, elderly individuals, and low-income communities, ensuring equitable access to essential services and opportunities.

We’ll soon have a society that lacks many of these skills. What does it mean to graduate a college generation with less education in the human part than any that has come before?

A 2020 Georgetown University report⁴ demonstrated a connection between liberal arts education and the “taming” of authoritarian attitudes, with liberal arts students more likely to oppose authoritarianism than their STEM-focused counterparts globally. This underscores the role of humanities education in fostering critical thinking and societal resilience, paving the way for more democratic and open-minded societies.

The Role of Education in Taming Authoritarian Attitudes, Georgetown University (2020)

How do we reframe the narrative around the humanities so that more people are inclined to study them? 

If we approach them in an interdisciplinary way, integrating them with STEM to address complex challenges, people might see their benefits more clearly. However, that integration is a challenging task. It is evident that humanities disciplines also need greater diversity and representation in their curriculum. 

Universities are currently hiring marketing firms to sell the humanities better. They are also conducting student surveys, which show that the big issue is that students don’t know which careers humanities studies lead to. That must be corrected to suppress the idea of the humanities as a hobby. 

Institutions must show students that what they are teaching will help them with what potential employers are looking for. In other words, the humanities need to use marketing to their advantage.

Some ways to reframe the narrative around the humanities: 

1. Emphasize transferable skills: Such as critical thinking, communication, and empathy. These skills are valued in various professions and industries, not just traditional humanities fields. Highlighting how humanities education equips students with versatile skills and enhances their employability in today’s diverse job market. 

2. Highlight real-world applications: Showcase examples of how humanities graduates contribute to society and address real-world challenges. Show students and potential students that what they are learning will help them with what potential employers are looking for. This could include stories of successful professionals who studied humanities and are making a difference in public policy, journalism, or social advocacy.
   An example is the Founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson, a human rights lawyer who has been instrumental in challenging racial injustice and advocating for criminal justice reform in the United States. 

3. Promote interdisciplinary approaches: Emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of humanities education and its ability to bridge gaps between different fields of study. Encourage collaborators between humanities disciplines and STEM fields to address complex issues from multiple perspectives.
   For example, postgraduate programs like Digital Humanities integrate humanities and STEM disciplines, leveraging computational methods to analyze cultural artifacts and historical texts, fostering innovative research and scholarship.

4. Connect with current events: Studying literature, history, or philosophy can provide valuable insights into understanding and addressing pressing societal challenges. 

5. Highlight diversity and representation: This is one of liberal art’s biggest flaws. We must advocate for greater diversity and representation in the humanities curriculum, highlighting the richness and diversity of human experiences.  

6. Engage with community: Outreach initiatives that demonstrate the value of humanities education beyond the classroom. This could include partnerships with local organizations, public lectures, or cultural events that showcase the importance of the humanities in enriching communities. 

7. Promote lifelong learning: Educators and institutions have a role in promoting the humanities and advocating for their importance in education. This should start in middle school and continue in high school. The point is to encourage intellectual curiosity, where individuals continue to engage with humanities topics throughout their lives, regardless of career paths. We need to ensure that the benefits of the humanities are broadly accessible, even as students pursue more professionally oriented programs of study.

In the face of societal shifts and the changing landscape of education, it's evident that professionals with a background in the humanities are not just relics of a bygone era but indispensable assets in navigating the complexities of our world today. 

It's time to champion the humanities and recognize their power to cultivate critical thinking, empathy, and ethical leadership. Students, educators, policymakers, and people in general should be aware of and consider the profound impact the humanities can have on our collective future. Let's embrace a world where the humanities are not merely an afterthought but an integral part of shaping a more informed, compassionate, and resilient society.

–Catalina

1. American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2021)

2. A University of Wisconsin campus pushes plan to drop 13 majors — including English, history, and philosophy, The Washington Post (2018)

3. The End of the English Major, The New Yorker (2023)

4. The Role of Education in Taming Authoritarian Attitudes, Georgetown University (2020)