With the second semester quickly approaching and course registration on the horizon, students are finding themselves having to make decisions and pick classes relevant to their chosen area of focus. Some students who are interested in majoring in humanities could be found at Brothers College on Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a classics and humanities fair.
Department Chair of Classics John Lenz, who was present at the event, commented on why he believes it is important that students take interest in humanities, especially classics, “classics is for everyone. We are multidisciplinary: the ancient Greeks invented the study of history, philosophy, political science, drama and advanced science.”
This event provided students with the opportunity to engage with professors in departments such as classics, history and philosophy, as well as several others. They were also able to pick up flyers at each table, promoting classes within each department and see outlines of required courses they would potentially take if they chose to major or minor in that subject area. This event was especially helpful for individuals in the freshman class who have yet to decide what they are going to declare as their major and minor.
“We must study humanities because being human involves developing yourself, your mind as well as your body,” emphasized Lenz. “Life is not all about getting money and jobs and stuff. ‘Liberal,’ in the original Greek and Roman creation of the liberal arts, means we are free to develop ourselves, our full humanity.”
In addition to the classics/humanities fair, other similar events promoting different subject areas and their respective courses will be held around campus for the rest of the month and into November.
“Whatever your major, you will become better educated with some classics and humanities,” said Lenz. “The Greeks said, ‘know yourself.’”
Delaney Smith is a first year who is double majoring in English literature and English creative writing and double minoring in history and law, justice, and society.
