Humanities, as a subject, that deals with the quality or condition of being a human. It is the study of the innumerable ways in which human beings, from every period of history and every corner of the world, process and document their experiences. Since the old days, humans have used literature, philosophy; art, music and religion to record and understand the world. All these subjects fall under the umbrella of humanities; therefore, the data of these records of personal experiences give humanity and individuals the opportunity to unite with those who came before us, that is, our ancestors, as well as contemporaries.
It is important to study humanities because it helps in creating meaning and purpose in life, overcoming diversity and communicating effectively. Ultimately, the experience for humans to work with each other meaningfully determines the success of people’s enterprises and this ability is honed through studying and understanding social sciences and humanities. For example, students who study engineering and technology need humanities to succeed in life and not only technical information. This is because they need leadership skills, cultural understanding and emotional intelligence. They also need a capacity for a global perspective and strategic decision-making in their career. Not all these skills can be acquired through technical familiarity, but through the study of humanities.
Humanities are also important because even people who hold leadership posts require it in dealing or addressing complex challenges that are interconnected to the world. These challenges vary in the field they are emerging from; therefore, a person needs to be equipped in all areas. Employers are looking for a candidate who understand what is going on earth, and this cannot be learned through technical information, but through the humanities, where a person gets to learn about the diversity in the world.
Humanities are an integral part of human life and every student’s life, even after school because it allows them to fulfill educational and civic responsibilities. This broad subject allows students to become better citizens and provide an insightful understanding into ethical, political, moral and ideological forces. This is because the society requires a successful individual that depends on charity, compassion, civility, altruism and generosity. This subject, therefore, emphasizes and evaluates the importance of good characteristics that will benefit the society.
This study helps and allows a person to become familiar with the use of creative ideas that have already been thought of by great minds. These great minds help in innovations and technology that humans use today. For example, biology, history and literature offer an opportunity to understand human nature, as well as the society. The three humanities introduce ideas and thoughts outside a person’s interest, and help in critical thinking, and finding new directions in life. Great minds such as those of Charles Darwin helped in the development of the evolution theory. It subsequently helped in the development of humanities in those science students, and people understood the nature of humans.
The study and understanding of humanities have been held to be the most important subjects that any student can be offered in school. This is because it helps a person in acquiring knowledge of foreign cultures and languages. Globalization has increased recently, and there has been an increased need to learn and understand international markets. Understanding overseas markets can only be done through learning other people’s cultures and languages. By so doing, a person can obtain a successful career in the commercial industry. For example, when a person is a clinical nurse, he or she can be sent in any area in the world, and by having knowledge of different languages, he can interact with many people.
The subject of humanities help the individual understand and appreciate the value of the world’s music, literature and art in that by learning all the contents, a student understands and learns about their origin, educational background and other people’s social environment. Music and art are not only in the pictures, but they also speak to many people in various ways, thus transforming them to better persons. For example, music that was sung in the past had many lessons and many inspiring messages. Music also gave people freedom to express their traditions as well as their cultures, especially at a point in time when they had no other means of expression.
Humanities also helps both students and people to understand the impacts of science, medicine and technology on the society and the need for future scientific strategies in the world. For that reason, people are encouraged to learn and understand humanities to enable the world in understanding the need for future science and why it is needed. Therefore, this subject is very important in people’s lives, even after school as they help in the improvement of good communication skills that are necessary even after life after school. For that reason, humanities faculty in colleges and schools should put more resources on the subject and inform students of the future benefits, to help in the increase of humanity in the world.
