Introduction : Why the humanities matter / Lee Trepanier -- The third era of education / Kirk Fitzpatrick -- Is philosophy impractical? : yes and no, but that's precisely why we need it / Kristopher G. Phillips -- Comparative literature : from "crossroads" of the humanities to "rhizome" / Nozomi Irei -- The limits of language as a liberal art and Hugo von Hofmannsthal's "Letter to Lord Chandos" / James W. Harrison -- Ancient history's contribution to liberal education / David Lunt -- The relevance of political philosophy and political science / Lee Trepanier.
Summary:
The humanities in American higher education are in a state of crisis, with declining student enrollment, fewer faculty positions, and diminishing public prestige. Instead of recycling old arguments that have lost their appeal, the humanities must discover and articulate new rationales for their value to students, faculty, administrators, and the public. Why the Humanities Matter Today: In Defense of Liberal Education is an attempt to do so, as philosophers, literature and foreign language professors, historians, and political theorists defend the value and explain the worth of their respective disciplines as well as illuminate the importance of liberal education. By setting forth new arguments about the significance of their disciplines, these scholars show how the humanities can reclaim their place and prominence in American higher education.--Cover.
