Photograph; Stan Gutiontov, a student at Northwestern University’s Feinberg/Chicago Tribune
By Times Editorial | Originally Published at Tampa Bay Times. Friday, June 21, 2013 5:30am
The humanities and social sciences have been under attack by Gov. Rick Scott and other politicians who are insisting on a more direct connection between university studies and specific jobs. Now an encouraging new report to Congress provides a path to promoting the humanities, such as philosophy and literature, as critical components in higher education and in creating well-rounded citizens.
Called “The Heart of the Matter,” the American Academy of Arts and Sciences’ report outlines recommendations from kindergarten through college and beyond. It sets three worthy goals for the humanities: provide the knowledge, skills and understanding Americans need in a modern democracy; foster innovation and competition; and focus on global leadership.
Career-oriented fields in the hard sciences are indispensable. But their importance does not negate the humanities, which are vital in honing skills of critical thought, reason and debate. Humanities provide a framework to understand the world, educating students broadly about civics, leadership, language and more. The report suggests a new program to create a fleet of “master teachers” who are well-trained to advance education in the humanities, similar to today’s master teacher corps geared toward science, technology, engineering and math fields. A renewed focus on “qualities of mind” would stress inquisitiveness, inventiveness, critical analysis and the communication skills that are so essential in all disciplines.
Less than a quarter of eighth- and 12th-grade students are proficient in reading, writing and civics, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress test. Yet as the economy faltered, humanities empathyeducates – Editorial: A Complete Education Includes Humanities: