2 Introduction to Humanities Overview

This resource is an introductory survey of the genres and themes of the humanities.  Readings, video lectures, learning activities, and class discussions will focus on music, the visual arts, drama, literature, and philosophy, and themes of freedom, love, happiness, death, nature, and myth are explored from a western and non-western point of view. This resource is centered on global content highlighting our shared humanity. To introduce these ideas, let’s listen to Chris Abani speak about shared humanity.

In this Ted Talk video, Chris Abani tells stories of people: People standing up to soldiers. People being compassionate. People being human and reclaiming their humanity. It’s “ubuntu,” he says: the only way for me to be human is for you to reflect my humanity back at me.

Chris Abani: On Humanity

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