The humanities have often been overlooked in favour of more practical and career-oriented fields of study. However, recent examples of successful individuals from various sectors who have studied humanities subjects have highlighted the essential skills and perspectives that can be acquired from this discipline.
This article explores the value of humanities in acquiring skills, fostering youth engagement for local and global action, debunking myths about the field, and reviving its relevance.
We have created research-based articles and understand the importance of humanities in shaping well-rounded individuals who can contribute meaningfully to society.
5 Essential skills you can acquire from Humanities
Did you know that Jeff Weiner, former CEO of LinkedIn, studied Economics and Arundhati Bhattacharya, former chairman of SBI, studied English Literature? Jack Ma (co-founder of Alibaba) says students must acquire skills and qualities like “independent thinking, teamwork and care for others”. These qualities will ensure that students contribute to society. This knowledge can be acquired by learning many Humanities subjects.
If you wish to know more about the skills you can acquire from humanities, then please read our article: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/5-essential-skills-you-can-acquire-from-humanities/
How Humanities help in youth engagement for local, national and global action
Some great examples of young leaders who influenced global action are Greta Thunberg, Ridhima Pandey (climate change); Malala Yousafzai (women’s right to education); Iqbal Masih (Child Labour, Children’s Rights) and Sophie Cruz (Immigration Reform Advocate).
So, what makes them take action?
Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace prize winner talks about how her personal experiences led to her actions in her book ‘I Am Malala’.
Most of the young leaders wanted to bring this change because they directly experienced and witnessed certain situations which had a negative effect on them. Some of them become aware through media, reading and education, making them empathize with these issues.
To know more how humanities helps in youth engagement for local, national and global action, then read our article here: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/how-humanities-help-in-youth-engagement-for-local-national-and-global-action/
Myths vs Reality: Busting 5 myths about Humanities
‘Oh, you are taking Humanities?’ ‘Will you even get a job?’ ‘What is there to study?’
These are some common sentences that we keep hearing when someone wants to pursue Humanities. Myths such as these have clouded our perception of many subjects. These myths developed over time due to the lack of awareness and understanding of the value of applying the knowledge gained from humanities in solving various problems.
After 34 years, India has taken a step to go along with the change by revising the National Education Policy. This is proof of our willingness to change. This change has already begun, as we see many single-stream colleges, including subjects from humanities.
However, for humanities to get the respect it deserves in our society, we need to bust a few myths that bring out the discipline’s relevance today.
Click on the article link to know more: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/myths-vs-reality-busting-5-myths-about-humanities/
Making Humanities work: 5 ways to revive the discipline and make it relevant
Today, humanities, Social Sciences and Liberal Arts may be at the bottom of the pyramid when it comes to making choices in higher secondary and university-level courses in India. The preference for Engineering and Management Studies over subjects like Economics, History, Sociology, Public Administration, Psychology, Language and Literature and Mass Communication hardly surprises us because that is how the Indian education system has got moulded over the years and shaped by sociocultural perceptions, economic compulsions and unquestioned priorities.
With suitable interventions for skill development and job-oriented training in Humanities can be made less academic and more vocational. There is tremendous scope to renew interest in these disciplines and make them aspirational for career, research and higher education.
Check out the 5 ways these can help us get started: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/making-humanities-work/
Humanities subjects cultivate crucial skills like independent thinking, teamwork, and empathy, driving youth leaders such as Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai to make a global difference. Despite prevailing myths, the humanities hold the potential to solve pressing problems and deserve recognition. We can revive the discipline through skill development and vocational training, shaping individuals who contribute to a compassionate and informed society. Let us embrace the power of humanities for a brighter future.
