Historical Development of Humanities What is humanities u

What is humanities? u A group of extensive disciplines (such as arts, art criticism,

u The humanities is generally considered to include the study of classics, art history

Our definition: An institutional tool to gain knowledge that concerns human; this “knowledge” is

History of humanities Medieval u In the medieval (12 th and 13 th century),

The late Middle Ages • Heresies aroused (Beginning of skepticismdissatisfaction with church as an

Renaissance u Humanities in this period included disciplines that would make man’s life richer

u Renaissance man (universal man): acquire all knowledge and all the skills of the

u Universal Man (polymath) : excels in multiple fields, particularly in both arts and

u Baldassare Castiglione, in his The Book of the Courtier (1528), wrote a guide

16 th century u By 1535, humanities, which is the study of literae humaniores

19 th century u Humanities is the key to the history, the thoughts, and

Recent years u There is a wave of neglect of the humanities (after the

Where does New Humanities come from? u Historical trend: new academic disciplines are rising

New Humanities u The field has become richly theoretically pluralist and increasingly interdisciplinary. u

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Historical Development of Humanities

What is humanities? u A group of extensive disciplines (such as arts, art criticism, literature, film studies, photography, music, history, and philosophy).

u The humanities is generally considered to include the study of classics, art history and literature. u OED’s definition of humanities: humanities did not appear until 1702 and it is referred to the activity of the humanist

Our definition: An institutional tool to gain knowledge that concerns human; this “knowledge” is a rather forceful ideology that has different connotations in different historical eras shaped by various forces yet has the same attempt to humanize man, to make man more man.

History of humanities Medieval u In the medieval (12 th and 13 th century), humanities meant primarily philosophy and theology. u Theology was the most prestigious area of study.

The late Middle Ages • Heresies aroused (Beginning of skepticismdissatisfaction with church as an institution). • The starting point of humanism (Protagoras: "man is the measure of all things).

Renaissance u Humanities in this period included disciplines that would make man’s life richer and more meaningful: the languages and literature of Greece and Rome, fine arts, music, philosophy.

u Renaissance man (universal man): acquire all knowledge and all the skills of the various arts. (These arts are those that are unrecognized by the church. )

u Universal Man (polymath) : excels in multiple fields, particularly in both arts and sciences l Leonardo Da Vinci: archetype of the Renaissance man l Desiderius Erasmus

u Baldassare Castiglione, in his The Book of the Courtier (1528), wrote a guide to being a polymath, describing what makes a well rounded person.

16 th century u By 1535, humanities, which is the study of literae humaniores (greats), became the head of the arts.

19 th century u Humanities is the key to the history, the thoughts, and the mind of civilized man.

Recent years u There is a wave of neglect of the humanities (after the Industrial Revolution, the competition between countries is focused on technology).

Where does New Humanities come from? u Historical trend: new academic disciplines are rising because of new social realties are in place

New Humanities u The field has become richly theoretically pluralist and increasingly interdisciplinary. u What are these larger contexts? Who produces them? Who has access to them? How are they circulated? How can they be interpreted? Where are they located? What values do they espouse?