Discussion about Humanities at Marymount University

Discussion about Humanities at Marymount University

The event at Marymount University was well organized and facilitated by the institution. The seats where the students and the professors were supposed to sit were well arranged to accommodate a large number of learners. Every individual who attended the event was given a leaflet detailing the aspects of humanities that were supposed to be discussed in the conference. From a planner’s point of view, I think that giving the flyers to the students allowed them to have a prior understanding of what was to be discussed at the conference. This prepared them psychologically hence inspiring their meaningful contributions. Additionally, the conference was being moderated by a humanities professor who was well known by the student’s. This was a positive step in encouraging most students to participate in the discussion.

From an attendee’s perspective, the event was exciting to me. Since it was held in a calm hall, there was no disturbance from outside. The sitting arrangement was also excellent, where students would closely sit with the professor’s. Student’s in different years were also allowed to mix, and this led to the exchange of exciting ideas about humanities in the university. Issuing leaflets about the event at the entry point informed all the attendees about the fine details of the event. This gave the students who had little information about the conference an opportunity to understand the nature of the event.

In addition, the organizers invited different people from various fields. There were technology experts who came to narrate their opinions about humanities. Professionals working in science-related areas such as meteorology were also invited to share their views. This broadened the point of understanding of the attendees. We got to learn about how humanities are important in fields like sciences and technology. For instance, a professional from the meteorological department argued that philosophy helps one to contemplate on certain issues before making a final decision. Through philosophical theories, the critical thinking skills of a professional are enhanced ((Strauss 1). The reasoning also changes where it is now based on facts and principles. Therefore, this informed most of the attendee’s opinions that teaching humanities at Marymount University will impact the decision-making skills of the students.

Moreover, the organizers of the conference ensured that most students contributed to the discussion. I believe that this was an exciting way of allowing students to express their opinions about humanities. Any student with something to say was given a chance. There was no condemnation of giving a negative opinion about humanities. Students were also allowed to ask the questions they had regarding humanities. All the controversial views about humanities were spoken out by the students to help the professors understand them. This was a big win at the conference as it inspired students to speak out their minds without fear.

From the conference, we learned that some of the common humanities include religion, music, arts, literature, philosophy, and history. Through humanities, our culture, as well as other cultures, are taught. Understanding culture is one of the ways that can help in appreciating the beliefs of other people. This can include their values and habits in life. Additionally, this promotes respect among the people as they understand why members of a certain community behave in a particular manner.

Linguistics and literature are some of the ways students learn how to communicate effectively (Hughes 6). Formal and informal communication is taught to help students understand the differences. For instance, senior communication directors in top companies must be conversant with various linguistic rules. This is important in creating sound communication protocols that ensure there is timely delivery of information. Besides, some foreign languages are taught in linguistics, thus empowering the students to communicate in multiple dialects.

Humanities also create a sense of morality to the students. Ethics is taught in humanities and helps students to know what is right or wrong. Ethics also creates a sense of awareness among the students when approaching various issues (Bérubé, and Jennifer, 2). Most of them become morally upright after learning how ethics promotes order and cohesion in society. In addition, religion is also taught in humanities hence increasing the student’s faith. Teaching religion helps students to comprehend the origin and basis of a certain denomination. This makes them conscious when joining any religious grouping. Besides, different religions such as Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity are taught, thus creating tolerance in society. The students also appreciate the need for respecting followers of a certain religion. This creates cohesion in the nation, as all people respect each other regardless of their religious differences.

Nevertheless, the conference has the opportunity of being more forthcoming if it is organized outside the school. The organizers should find a hotel where students feel that they are out of the school environment. The organizers can also invite students from other universities to share their opinions about the humanities. However, the conference had a weakness of lacking projectors and screens to display to the students clear points about humanities. The involvement of school professor’s also intimidated some students who shied away from raising their contributions. In terms of threats, science and technology professionals could easily turn it into a competition between humanities and sciences. This could leave the students more confused and wondering which courses would help them in the future.

In conclusion, the conference was well organized to give us more information about the humanities. We got the chance to understand what are the humanities taught and how they could help us in the future. Humanities are essential in the curriculum of Marymount University. Students acquire communication skills that empower their interaction with other citizens. Additionally, students obtain soft skills in approaching various issues in life. They also become creative and apply logic when approaching various issues. Philosophy sharpens their critical thinking hence formulate sound decisions in most instances.

Works Cited

Bérubé, Michael, and Jennifer Ruth. The humanities, higher education, and academic freedom: Three necessary arguments. Springer (2015):2

Hughes, James. Future of the Humanities: Teaching Art, Religion, Philosophy, Literature, and History. Routledge, (2017): 6-7

Strauss, Valerie. “Why we still need to study the humanities in a STEM world.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/10/18/why-we-still-need-to-study-the-humanities-in-a-stem-world/(2017): 1