The Humanities at Brandeis University
The humanities at Brandeis encompass six departments: Classical Studies; English and American Literature; German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature; Near Eastern and Judaic Studies; Philosophy; and Romance and Comparative Literature. These departments are united by a common concern for important texts and ideas throughout history and across cultures. Humanistic inquiry seeks both to deepen our understanding of the past and to enlarge our conception of human possibilities. It proceeds on the conviction that such inquiry is central to our ability to grasp the present and to shape the future.
What sets humanistic study apart is its emphasis on critical reading, thinking, and writing. Its goal is to equip students with the discursive and analytic skills necessary not simply to acquire knowledge, but also to become responsible and informed citizens of The twenty-first century. The habits of thought cultivated by the humanities— openness, flexibility, alertness to moral complexity— are useful in any form of intellectual pursuit. Intimate acquaintance with the products of human culture, whether they emanate from within or fall outside traditional canons, offers endless opportunities for enriching one’s own life and the lives of others.
The humanities are especially needed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. They are crucial to understanding difference and appreciating diversity. As they range over cultures and genres, from ancient texts through modern films and popular culture, the humanities expand the mind and hone powers of discernment and reasoning. They allow each of us to enter into the ongoing conversation of humankind about things that matter, and to gain the ability, over time, to contribute to that conversation.