As a lifelong student and enthusiast of the subject, I have encountered the humanities in many contexts and in a wide range of artistic expressions. I find the Great Conversation of humanity and its search for meaning endlessly fascinating and rewarding. Listening to it, we realize that we are not alone, and that we have survived and learned from disasters of all kinds, including pandemics and the failures of human institutions. We also see the undeniable fact that humanity is progressing in key ways–relieving suffering, protecting human rights, and raising the quality of life on a global scale.

I created this text specifically for students who have not encountered clear explanations of what the humanities encompass and how they inform our lives, even though we may not be aware of the wide range of their presence and influence. This publication provides an overview of the subject, a deeper dive into specific artistic expressions in their cultural context, a closer focus on a particular form that is part of our ongoing cultural discourse, and a look at new directions in the study of the humanities.

It is my hope that students find the material interesting and relevant, and are encouraged to connect in their own ways with the humanities’ search for meaning.

K. R. Bailey