This class exists for a reason. Someone took the time to allot money from the school district budget for this class. Why?
This will be due at the end of the first week of school. We will also be doing an in-class writing on this subject at the beginning of next week.
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ReplyDeleteThe purpose of studying the humanities is to provide students with the tools to rigorously analyze and add depth to their ideas. Math and science courses focus on the study and manipulation of proven facts. Such studies can be completed with a book and do not require anything more than superficial analysis. Studying the humanities augments math and science by training students to think independently and by teaching them to add useful insight while working in any setting.
ReplyDelete-Matt Goodman, Periods 1 & 2
The purpose of studying humanities is to find out the underlying meanings that all aspects of human culture have. Without humanities, life would be just as it seems and people would not take the time to try and discover the hidden meanings behind today’s world. Humanities teaches people that there is more to life than just culture and that every work of art can have a different meaning to a different person.
ReplyDelete-Kayley Treichel
-Periods 1/2
The study of the humanities is to study, as may be gathered from the name, what it is like to be human. Literature, art, philosophy, music, even history, all are expressions of, for lack of something better, the human soul, and the emotions and perceptions and ideas stored within; the "Big Shaggy" as that New York Times article calls it. Understanding what makes a human gives one advantages. One would be able to write more effectively, being able to gain more appeal with the target audience. One would be more able to swing someone around to one's point of view and influence someone else's decisions. One would be able, if need be, to manipulate and control people and their decisions.
ReplyDelete-Arthur Lee, Periods 1-2
The purpose of studying humanities is to give people a better understanding of how to analyze a certain work of art whether it be literature or architecture. It also gives a different view of how something can be translated. I think that someone put time and effort in this class because it challenges us to be creative and search deeper instead of the obvious.
ReplyDelete-Tim Foelker, Periods 5-6
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ReplyDeleteThe purpose of studying the humanities is to understand the various underlying meanings of different kinds of art in our culture, analyze different art forms such as literature, or visual art, and apply the information gained to real world situations or to express your own artistic side. Some people may argue that study of the humanities is useless in a modern-day office or other job environment, and that technical training and science or math skills are much more useful. However, while the skills needed for America's job market may change, as some jobs become obsolete and others become more important (i.e computer programming, which hasn't been around that long), someone who studies the humanities will always have the ability to think critically and freely, and come up with new and innovative ideas. In addition, knowing and understanding historic literature, art, and mythology gives us a better insight into other cultures, and the history of how our own customs, arts, and traditions developed from previous cultures.
ReplyDeletePrevious Comment
ReplyDelete-Roger Cain
Period 1/2
When one studies humanities it allows them to view pieces of art, literature, music, and architecture in a better sense. We are able to see the deeper meaning the author/maker intended toward the audience. Thus, we would not only be better off understanding more than others, but also improve our written communication. This includes being able to influence someone towards your beliefs and thoughts.
ReplyDelete-Ashvin Roharia, Periods 1 and 2
The purpose of learning about humanities is to provide a path to insight into why people make statistically inefficient decisions and the emotions that influence said decisions. Such as these emotions exist in others, these emotions also exist in ourselves, and realizing this can evoke a better self-understanding. We are able to be more in touch with ourselves, and if we want, we can find these emotions and systemically eradicate them in order to become super-efficient automatons.
ReplyDelete-Nate Hattersley
Periods 5/6
The purpose of studying the humanities is to further our understanding of the world in which we live. Culture provides a window into our world and we get a distinct glimpse into that when we look at the humanities. We can also use the humanities to open our minds to a new perspective and thinking process that can help us look at situations and problems in a new light. In dissecting the little aspects of culture we gain that new and different way of critical thought that can help tremendously in the real world.
ReplyDelete-Rebecca Gilson
Periods 1/2
The purpose of studying the humanities is to have a sense of the world around you. Most classes give us essential tools to use in today's economy, while Great Ideas will give us the ability to manipulate them to make us stand above the crowd. It helps us gain a new perspective that will help us in many things, from assignments to real problems. Instead of looking at things the traditional way, we'll be tought to thing of alternative solutions. We'll understand why decisions are made, why some of them fail, and why some of them are successful, as well as the emotions behind it.
ReplyDelete- Zoe Obkirchner
1st/2nd
Studying the humanities allows us, as human beings, to further our understanding of ourselves. The cultures of people around the world are all based off of a set of beliefs and human understandings of the world. Humanities allows us to look closely at the things we have done at many points in history, and make sense of them. If we can figure out why we are how we are/were, and analyze the mistakes that we have made in the past, then perhaps we can make ourselves better people for time to come.
ReplyDelete-Zach Krebs
Periods 1/2
Studying humanities allows us to better understand why humans feel the emotions we do, and what prompts us to perform the actions we perform. The class offers us a chance to look at how humans process ideas and make decisions that lead to actions. By looking at what other cultures have done in history, and analyzing why they were done, we can understand our own culture better. Understanding the people around us is important for communication, both written and spoken, and good communication is key for succeeding in life.
ReplyDelete-Luisa Venegoni
Period 5/6
I believe that humanities is a good subject for us students to learn because without a good knowledge of the subject, we would go around and take things for granted first off. If we see a book, then whoop de doo, it's a book. If you see a drawing of a flower, then whoop de doo, it's a drawing of a flower. But with a good knowledge, you would be able to look deeper than just what is on the outside. You would get a better understanding of why the person wrote that book, what they were trying to convey, what the picture of the flower is trying to represent. And second, you would get a better understanding of culture in general. With humanities, we understand the choices people make, why they made them, why others chose to do the same, why some chose not to do the same, and how that comes together to form a culture.
ReplyDelete-Alec Brown
Periods 1/2
We study humanities to understand at a deeper level of why it is that we humans act the way we do. In taking this class we will be able to critically analyze anything from an historic pieces of art and architecture or just an innocent Disney Film. So it seem that someone thought that this skill was important enough that they just had to make a whole class dedicated to perfecting it.
ReplyDelete-Jaquice Horton 1/2 period
Studying the humanities is certainly a useful thing to do. It gives us a more colorful view of the world as opposed to simply a black and white one. One of the skills this class will teach us is to not just listen to some piece of literature and simply say something along the lines of "Cool story, bro.". It will teach us to analyze things closer and look for that hidden meaning in it. One practical use for this is that it will keep you from buying useless products you don't need. Seeing as how modern society is basically a gaping hole with advertisers pouring products in by the truckload, this is helpful to anyone.
ReplyDelete-Dillon Emberson, Period 5/6
The reason to study the humanities is as simple as to understand and study the human culture of both past and present. Humanities are very important to conqure in the sense that it isnt just a class you have to take, but a part of life you will have the privilage to learn. Another purpose of this class is to catch a form of message in all of culture wether it be in advertising, articles, painting etc. to better understand the reason behind such things. I belive this is a talent worth having.
ReplyDelete- Daniel Maldonado, period 5/6
Studying the humanities allows a student to develop more advanced abstract thinking and analytical skills, in addition to a more complete image of various cultures past and present. In addition, this study helps the student develop better writing and reading skills. This can be very important, especially when asked to create or analyze very high level material.
ReplyDeletePrevious Comment Sam Shook, periods 1/2
ReplyDeleteEven before I took Great Ideas, I wondered why classes like Ezine and SciTech existed. My friend has a T-shirt that has a list of things that "teachers don't teach you". It's not the list that is important, but that it reminded me of a quote from Neil Gaiman:
ReplyDelete“I've been making a list of the things they don't teach you at school. They don't teach you how to love somebody. They don't teach you how to be famous. They don't teach you how to be rich or how to be poor ... They don't teach you anything worth knowing.”
What Gaiman says made a lot of sense, but there is a huge difference between can't and don't teach. For example, while this class may not teach us to be rich or poor, it will try to clarify why there are classes and the connections between income and life expectancy. Classes that are designed like this is to hone a skill, in this case, this class is honing one's "garbage detector" to filter out superfluous words thrown out there in the world.
Another reason that this class exist is to act as a counter example to Gaiman's statement. If anything, my math teacher have always told me: Think that's the right answer? Find a counter example.
-Kim Pham
5/6 Period
Studying humanities allows oneself to survey one's own surroundings with a deeper level of analysis. The studies provides a foundation of new knowledge which allows the student to examine subtler emotions and preferences displayed in works. Studying the humanities allows you to critically observe human interaction through art, texts, architecture, and other facets of culture. It allows a higher plane of thinking, with which you can peer into a subject's soul and see finer trains of thought that may have gone unnoticed before. With a greater knowledge of past cultures and societies, you can more effectively navigate through your own. Studying mythology, philosophy, and customs, you can understand allusions and hints which gives you a more comprehensive and scholarly view.
ReplyDelete-Cody Pfund Pulliam
1/2 period
The purpose of studying humanities is to learn about the way our culture shapes us as humans. Whether now or in the past. It helps us understand why we act and function socially as we do now, as well as actions that were made in the past. This class will teach us to find hidden meanings in the things that shape our entire life, whether it's a movie, art, architecture or texts.
ReplyDelete-Ariel Timkovich
1/2 period
Why should people ever bother studying humanities? The fact is this. Humanity is still an on-going process every single individual practices at every moment in time. The study of humanity helps people communicate and deeper understand one another. It teaches how exactly to explore the world through a more analytical and critical viewpoint. It forces people to practice the analytical thinking skills that are vital to becoming a successful person in life. Studying humanity is simply put: important. It is everything around you- art, film, music, philosophy, literature, culture itself. It links the past to the present and leads it to the future. Studying humanities can help people develop a more honest appreciation for the world around them and inspire ideas and minds that could bring innovative work to the society. Not knowing how to dissect the little aspects of culture and how to understand the many different cultures that exist in this world would most certainly be a huge disadvantage in life. It also shows how others have dealt with issues that have happened in the past to teach and give wisdom to the present society of the rights and the wrongs and the dos and the don’ts. A lot of the successes people have had in the world largely relied on the ability to think, perceive, imagine, and dream. Studying humanity teaches just that, it is not only worth while studying but it also gears people to success.
ReplyDelete-Daniel Kim
Period 1/2
We study humanities for so many reasons but I think the main reason we do is to learn why. Why do people feel the need to act, write, draw, create, design and think? Humanities is us looking into human culture to see the reasons why people do what they do and what makes them do it. The skills that you can access when you know why a group of people puts on plays for their rulers or why cultures worship an omnipotent god are endless. Socially you begin to understand people more and that shines though in everyday life and in any environment with others. Though you could argue that, unlike addition or reading, understanding human culture is not a necessity of life, you could counteract that with the fact that understanding culture makes like a heck of a lot easier.
ReplyDeleteAnnalee Alston
Period 1/2
Studying the humanities allows for students to have a much broader look at the world around them through the ability to pick apart situations around them, thinking abstractly to discover hidden meanings or to extrapolate a more meaningful point from all forms of art and media. For some, art is a pile of paper and clay and junk. To others, it is a means to inspire oneself, and I believe that the humanities are a means to teach oneself how to appreciate the arts and the world around them. However, like all tools, the humanities can be used correctly or incorrectly, and only by active desire can we fully utilize this information.
ReplyDelete-Elie Ferdman
Periods 1+2
The purpose of studying humanities is more than just taking a class in school. It involves interpreting an ongoing process known as life. Analyzing multiple sources of humanities- art, film, music, etc,- allows us to understand various aspects of the past which greatly shaped our present. Literature from hundreds of years ago are still read by people today. For example, Shakespeare wrote many plays that entertained the people of the past, and people of the present. John Locke wrote "Second Treatise on Government" which included his thoughts on what a government is supposed to function as, and it is still relevant today. By studying multi-cultural humanities of the world, people will have a better opportunity to communicate intelligently with others. Having the wisdom of humanities will further aid us in our analyzing skills which will help in future endeavors. Having the knowledge of the humanities will deepen our understanding on how the arts play a role in every facet of life.
ReplyDelete-Abdulkarim Bora, Period 1/2
Studying the humanities allows people to better understand humanity as a whole as well as individually. Using what we learn about the humanities, we can appeal to, or take advantage of other people even being employed in a different area. Because so many people are going into occupations that are more readily successful, to excel in those fields one would need to have a deeper understanding of the human psyche, allowing them to reach the masses in ways that others would not be able to. Studying the humanities is like having a glimpse into the reasoning behind the actions of the masses.
ReplyDelete-Rebekah Pruett, per. 1,2
The study of humanities is one of utmost importance. The ability to understand and analyze the “why” behind events, arts and history is a skill that many do not possess. However, this skill forms a more aware and informed human being. This knowledge allows one to formulate deeper and more learned thoughts than a person who does not have the same awareness. It also allows those versed in the study of humanities to understand why society functions the way it does today.
ReplyDeleteEmily Tubbs
1st/2nd
The Question of Humanity
ReplyDeleteBy studying Humanities, we hope to achieve a better understanding of the human condition. What is it they say about history? Those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it. While I think it would be hard to repeat cultures it does allow one to look at culture in a new perspective. Humanities allows one to view how affected our society is by culture and though how much it peculates. The studies of humanities helps us view history thought a different lens and thought history, ourselves. Humanities often opens our eyes, to history and ourselves, and it is frequently needed, i believe, to have i eyes reopened to the world around us.
Blair Creedle Reynolds
Period 1 and 2
8/35/10
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhile the humanities may not always seem a pressing issue, the things that are studied in humanites are naturally all around us, as humans, and going farther, make up life as we know it. Having a deep understanding of the humanites opens our eyes to being human and what it means to live and act in our life, what our lives mean to the universe, and explains the our feelings and reactions. Knowing the humanites gives us an understanding as an individual, as a culture, and as a species on the earth.
ReplyDeletePhillip Hawkins
5/6
To study the humanities is important because through analysis of what cultures have thought was important such as traditions or beliefs, how emotions were expressed, and what they most valued can give people a broader way of thinking and understanding. Broader knowledge and understanding of cultures present and past can only help an individual understand why modern cultures act as they do, making them more tolerable of peoples differences and ideas they might not necessarily agree with, but can understand how or why others have come to that conclusion. Another benefit of studying the humanities would be that knowledge of what people have done with their circumstances during bad times or good would make a person facing an issue able to make better choices. This is because they have a better understanding of why everything has come to be a certain way, and how an action will most likely affect the future. Studying the humanities can help a person make better decisions, be more understanding of people they disagree with, and always keep people questioning things around them opposed to just accepting whatever they have been told.
ReplyDeleteLisa Trejo
5/6
The purpose of studying the humanities is to better comprehend what all types of human philosophy, emotion, and the arts were intended for or what we can draw from them. Upon further examination in the humanities, we begin to find deeper meaning in what once seemed a very simple statement. Humanities allow us to learn from past and present societies, by looking at different viewpoints, so that we can see the motivation and reasoning behind every event that happens. Understanding the 'why' in life becomes a necessity to keep humans from becoming robots that can only function with definitive right or wrong answers, and this liveliness and understanding is what makes each person unique in their own sense and makes everyone a valuable part in human life as a whole.
ReplyDelete-John Gormley
-1st and 2nd
The purpose of studying the humanities is to give people a larger understanding of the environment around them, and to be able to question pieces of information other people give you, not on whether they are right or wrong, but why it would need to be given in the first place. It is also useful to be able to understand the reasons for people’s actions, and to learn how society is shaped, how the style reflects choices, and how history also is driven.
ReplyDelete-Geoff Shannon
-5/6
The purpose of studying the Humanities is to broaden our horizons by increasing our understandings of ourselves and other cultures. The humanities are the subjects concerned with human culture and ideas, so studying them can help us better recognize our own culture and way of life, and that of other people. Knowing about other cultures and their perspectives allows us to better grasp humanity itself; after all it is the root of the word humanities. Having a deeper understanding of the way people think will not only help us to perceive things academically, but it also can help us excel in life by allowing us to work with people, think critically, and formulate our own opinions. Cultural knowledge will give us an edge in the workplace and as human beings.
ReplyDelete-Zach Nirenberg
5/6
A person who has studied the humanities is able to delve deeper into the art and culture of the world's societies, past and present. They are able to not only see the hidden messages and aspects of the world's cultures, but have the power to discern the motivation and the cause behind such hidden details.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think the short article we read in class provides another effective argument for the study of the humanities; often technical knowledge can be outweighed by emotional knowledge. In today's world, understanding people and culture can be much more important than understanding machines and procedures.
And so that's why we study the humanities. To be the kinds of humans that can think critically about culture and art, and who understand people and society as well as their technical, book-smarts information.
-Thomas Massad, 1/2
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ReplyDeleteHumans are very self centered. We study bugs, mammals, reptiles, birds, trees and even dirt. We are fascinated with everything around us and are constantly exploring and pushing boundaries. But the thing we like to study most is ourselves. Hmans are the only animals that can move back the basic boundaries of predator and prey. We dont kill or get killed, we adapt as we see fit, no matter what situation. And as we adapt we thrive, creating art, buildings and new technology so far beyond what ever been created before that sometimes we even question if we are meant to create such things. And this is what Humanities is for, to help recognize that, as humans adapt in amazing new way, we also have constructed what I would call self-made miracles, and what we did to make these miracles and how they affect us.
ReplyDelete-Aaron Weintraub 1/2
The purpose of learning the humanities is to be able to understand the history of other peoples' past. We can learn from their mistakes, lifestyle, family, and culture. If we can learn and study that then, we will be able to make progress in our lives such as technology. If we look at what other people have done in the past then studying them can help us build off of what they have done. So studying the humanities is another way for us to understand their way of life and learn from their past. It is important for kids our age to learn about the humanities so that we will have people in our future looking at the history made to move into more advanced lives. If more people knew about the humanities then the idea will live on and not die out.
ReplyDeleteEmily Steger 5/6
The purpose of this course is to be able to analyze our culture and the aspects in our lives so that we may make conscious decisions for ourselves and truly know what we are choosing. The study of the humanities provides knowledge over our culture that we can then use to improve our society by understanding the meanings behing art and other cultural aspects that can be used innovatively through our lives by emotionally understanding things that can better our relationships with people and situations we are dealt.
ReplyDeleteStudying humanities is very important. Aside from giving you intrinsic interest and information on our society and culture, humanities teaches people useful insight that can be used in any given setting. Studying humanities helps you express yourself more clearly and in depth either by writing or by speaking. It also helps you think about human behavior, affairs and creative activities in a great depth.
ReplyDelete-Glenn Sampayan 1/2
Studying the humanities is important because it better helps to understand the social aspect of our culture and ways to spot "BS". In other words, it helps students learn how to approach the world with skills of the mind, and ways to out smart, or look more in depth at things previously "blind" to them.
ReplyDelete-Zach Johnson 5/6
Studying the humanities is important because it is an opportunity to learn about how the human mind works. We can delve into theories, study the arts, and discover what things mean to people and why. Learning about cultural aspects that we never thought about before can provide valuable insight on the thought processes of people and it helps us to see what objects and ideas are important to fellow human beings.
ReplyDelete~Kerry Anderson, 1/2
We study the humanities to gain a better understanding on our fellow human beings. Humanities is the study of human interactions with each other and their surrounding environment, as well as studying human ideas, why humans think a certain way, how people suggest and advertise ideas, and how people percieve things. By studying these we are not only able to understand why people do specific actions better, but we are also able to understand why we think certain things and act in specific ways.
ReplyDelete- Mariah Park, 5/6
I think we study the humanities to be able to better communicate with one another. For instance, once we all read epidus rex, we can make references and analogies to the play with sophisicated people and they will better understand what message we are trying to convay. Humanities also help us relate to peoples emotions and being able to relate to what other people are feeling can be a great skill to have when trying to communicate with an adult. That is why we study the humanities, to help us communicate.
ReplyDeletePaul Holmes, 1/2
I think the purpose of studying the humanities is to provide knowledge to generations about genertations past and those now. It helps us to be able to study us as people and can lead to knowledge of past generations and their cultures. It tells us more about what it means to be human. This class is helpful for teaching us (being the students) how to look furthar than words, art, and media to see the ideas behind things. It helps us to think about, as well as see, the world differently, understand why certain things are displayed the way they are, and understand why people do what we do.
ReplyDeleteKendra Faulkner, 5/6
I just spent some time reading my classmates' answers to this question, and in the process I noticed one thing about which almost everyone agrees: the humanities teach us about people. Beyond that each one differs on what, exactly, about people it teaches us, and why this is important, but they all have that much in common. And while anyone could have figured as much simply form the word "humanities," it is no less true for its obviousness. Studying humanities teaches us about people, their art, their literature, what they think and how they behave and why. More importantly it gives us the skills to see the evidence of human thought and consciousness behind the things that people make - the reason behind art and architecture and literature. And all of those are great and all, but none of them are the most important thing an education in the humanities can do. Much more valuable about the humanities is that, over time, thinking critically about art and literature and all the things people make and say and do, teaches us to be more conscious of ourselves and our own mostly unconscious desires and reactions to things. An interest in the humanities makes us stop and think about things we would have otherwise have been automatically certain of. This ability to keep on questioning even the things we are deeply sure of is ultimately much more beneficial to our intellectual lives than any skill or piece of knowledge that the humanities can teach us.
ReplyDeleteThe point of studying the humanities is understanding culture. Culture is what makes us, us. Everything we are is shaped by the things around us. If all we have are gray, square buildings, a place where art is forbidden, and literature doesn't exist, then we would be a depressed and repressed culture. The humanities let us catch a glimpse of the world through another person's eyes. They let us see what they see, and experience what they've experienced. Without the humanities, we wouldn't know how to interact with people from another city, or country, because we wouldn't understand their culture. This is especially important today, because we are a globally connected and interdependent community in a digital age.
ReplyDelete-Miranda Donnellan
-Periods 5/6
I think that it is very important to know everything about the cultures of other civilizations. It allows us to see a smal amount into the culture of their lives, be it simple or complex. I believe it is a very important part of knowledge to know about other country/civilization so we know their beliefs, likes, dislikes, culture, and we know how to interact with them
ReplyDeleteTyler Scholz
Period 5/6