Every now and then, I share an essay from the archives, an essay no longer available to free subscribers. For those who don’t know, all free essays on Homo Vitruvius — the Thursday creative flights — in addition to the four semi-accessible paid subscriber series, move behind the paywall into the archives after 3 months. That’s a long time for them to be freely available, I think. But I do believe that what I offer, creatively and intellectually, has value. I think it’s worth paying for if someone can afford it. So I offer periodic peaks into the vault and its deeper riches, frankly, in order to tempt you. (I’m a devil.)
Thank you for sharing this today. I needed to read it. It’s easy to get caught up in the hysteria about the death of the humanities, especially when you work at a predominantly STEM institution (like I do) where being an undergraduate English major is considered irresponsible (at least in my students’ experiences). But, this beautifully written essay affirms what I know from my personal experience, and what I try to express to my students: namely, literature’s power to help us better understand ourselves and our lives, to hopefully navigate the dark times with a bit more grace and clarity. Or something like that. Thanks again.
Jacob, thank you for this affirmation. When I think back to my undergrad days in the 70s and early 80s, (the days when English was the most common major!), I recall that along with the students who already knew entering college that they wanted to be doctors or lawyers, there were very large numbers who just didn't know yet what direction they wanted to pursue that specifically. They went to college in part to find out, and to do that they needed to experience a wide array in fields of knowledge and activity. They needed to learn about the world. They knew that. Of course, the students I as one person came in contact with are not representative of the whole, but that phenomenon was widespread enough to be meaningful. Today, students track themselves much earlier, with career and income at the fore of their thinking. That's not a change in the makeup of human beings. That's a change in the culture. That's what needs addressing.
Exactly. It very much feels like a cultural shift. For now, all I can do is support my students and encourage them to read and write regardless of their major and career plans. I understand why they feel the way they do and the pressure they’re under (from advisors, parents, etc.). If I can create a space for them to explore literature and writing, that’s something, I suppose. Thanks Jay.
Thank you for sharing this today. I needed to read it. It’s easy to get caught up in the hysteria about the death of the humanities, especially when you work at a predominantly STEM institution (like I do) where being an undergraduate English major is considered irresponsible (at least in my students’ experiences). But, this beautifully written essay affirms what I know from my personal experience, and what I try to express to my students: namely, literature’s power to help us better understand ourselves and our lives, to hopefully navigate the dark times with a bit more grace and clarity. Or something like that. Thanks again.
Jacob, thank you for this affirmation. When I think back to my undergrad days in the 70s and early 80s, (the days when English was the most common major!), I recall that along with the students who already knew entering college that they wanted to be doctors or lawyers, there were very large numbers who just didn't know yet what direction they wanted to pursue that specifically. They went to college in part to find out, and to do that they needed to experience a wide array in fields of knowledge and activity. They needed to learn about the world. They knew that. Of course, the students I as one person came in contact with are not representative of the whole, but that phenomenon was widespread enough to be meaningful. Today, students track themselves much earlier, with career and income at the fore of their thinking. That's not a change in the makeup of human beings. That's a change in the culture. That's what needs addressing.
Exactly. It very much feels like a cultural shift. For now, all I can do is support my students and encourage them to read and write regardless of their major and career plans. I understand why they feel the way they do and the pressure they’re under (from advisors, parents, etc.). If I can create a space for them to explore literature and writing, that’s something, I suppose. Thanks Jay.