Humanities and a Global Education

Tyler Wida

HUMN 220

Dr. Beyazit Akman

Blog #1

Humanities and a Global Education

            As a member of Western Civilization I see the need to study what is considered Western Humanities. To be educated about the literature and philosophy that has helped form many elements of modern literature and ideas in our culture. Every collegiate student, of what most would consider the Western world, should have at least a knowledgeable understanding of the Western canon. As a student of International Relations, I believe it is also important for students to understand the humanities of other civilizations. Western humanities and civilization can only be identified if you understand the humanities of the rest of the global community.

           

            The purpose of understanding the humanities isn’t just to know the literature of Shakespeare or philosophical works of Plato but mainly to understand how to THINK about the connection between all of the humanities. A student should be able to analyse the ideas behind the Christian faith and the ideas of Greek philosophers and make connections and compare the two side by side. This could even be extended to comparing the influence of Christianity on modern western literature to the influence of the Qur’an on modern eastern literature. After studying humanities on a global level I expect to be able to see these connections and be capable of the thinking that allows me compare the humanities of my own western culture to that of eastern culture.