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The '''humanities''' are those academic disciplines which study the [[human condition]] using methods that are largely [[analytic]], [[critical]], or [[speculative]], as distinguished from the mainly [[empirical]] approaches of the [[natural science|natural]] and [[social sciences]]. Conventionally the humanities include [[Languages|ancient and modern languages]] and [[literature]],  [[history]], [[philosophy]],  [[religion]], [[visual arts|visual]] and [[performing arts]] (including [[music]]).  Additional subjects sometimes included in the humanities are [[anthropology]], [[area studies]], [[communications]] and [[cultural studies]], although these are often regarded as social sciences. Scholars working in the humanities are sometimes described as "humanists". But that term also describes the philosophical position of [[humanism]], which some "[[antihumanist]]" scholars in the humanities reject.

The '''humanities''' are those academic disciplines which study the [[human condition]] using methods that are largely [[analytic]], [[critical]], or [[speculative]], as distinguished from the mainly [[empirical]] approaches of the [[natural science|natural]] and [[social sciences]]. Conventionally the humanities include [[Languages|ancient and modern languages]] and [[literature]],  [[history]], [[philosophy]],  [[religion]], [[visual arts|visual]] and [[performing arts]] (including [[music]]).  Additional subjects sometimes included in the humanities are [[anthropology]], [[area studies]], [[communications]] and [[cultural studies]], although these are often regarded as social sciences. Scholars working in the humanities are sometimes described as "humanists". But that term also describes the philosophical position of [[humanism]], which some "[[antihumanist]]" scholars in the humanities reject.

==Humanities fields==

==Humanities fields==

===Classics===

===Classics===

The classics, in the Western academic tradition, refer to cultures of [[classical antiquity]], namely the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures.  Classical study was formerly considered one of the cornerstones of the humanities, but the classics declined in importance during the [[20th century]].  Nevertheless, the influence of classical ideas in humanities such as philosophy and literature remain strong.

The classics, in the Western academic tradition, refer to cultures of [[classical antiquity]], namely the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures.  Classical study was formerly considered one of the cornerstones of the humanities, but the classics declined in importance during the [[20th century]].  Nevertheless, the influence of classical ideas in humanities such as philosophy and literature remain strong.

===Languages and literature===

===Languages and literature===

The study of individual modern and classical languages form the backbone of modern study of the humanities, while the scientific study of language is known as [[linguistics]] and is a [[social science]].  Since many areas of the humanities such as literature, history and philosophy are based on language, changes in language can have a profound effect on the other humanities.  Literature, covering a variety of uses of language including [[prose]] forms (such as the [[novel]]), [[poetry]] and [[drama]], also lies at the heart of the modern humanities curriculum.  College-level programs in a [[foreign language]] usually include study of important works of the literature in that language, as well as the language itself (grammar, vocabulary, etc.).

The study of individual modern and classical languages form the backbone of modern study of the humanities, while the scientific study of language is known as [[linguistics]] and is a [[social science]].  Since many areas of the humanities such as literature, history and philosophy are based on language, changes in language can have a profound effect on the other humanities.  Literature, covering a variety of uses of language including [[prose]] forms (such as the [[novel]]), [[poetry]] and [[drama]], also lies at the heart of the modern humanities curriculum.  College-level programs in a [[foreign language]] usually include study of important works of the literature in that language, as well as the language itself (grammar, vocabulary, etc.).

===Law===

===Law===

Law in common parlance, means a rule which (unlike a rule of ethics) is capable of enforcement through institutions. Crimes Against Humanity, Geoffrey Robertson, Penguin, ISBN 9780141024639 The study of law crosses the boundaries between the social sciences and humanities, depending on one's view of research into its objectives and effects. Law is not always enforceable, especially in the international relations context. It has been defined as a "system of rules", Hart [[The Concept of Law]], Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-876122-8 as an "interpretive concept", Ronald Dworkin, Law's Empire, Harvard University Press ISBN 0674518365 to achieve justice, as an "authority" Joseph Raz, The Authority of Law Oxford University Press to mediate people's interests, and even as "the command of a sovereign, backed by the threat of a sanction". John Austin (legal philosopher) The Providence of Jurisprudence Determined . However one likes to think of law, it is a completely central social institution. Legal policy incorporates the practical manifestation of thinking from almost every [[social science]] and humanity. Laws are [[politic]]s, because politicians create them. Law is [[philosophy]], because moral and ethical persuasions shape their ideas. Law tells many of [[history]]'s stories, because statutes, case law and codifications build up over time. And law is economics, because any rule about [[contract]], [[tort]], [[property law]], [[labour law]], [[company law]] and many more can have long lasting effects on the distribution of wealth. The noun ''law'' derives from the late [[Old English language|Old English]] ''lagu'', meaning something laid down or fixed. see [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=law&searchmode=none Etymonline Dictionary] and the adjective ''legal'' comes from the Latin word ''lex''.see [http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/legal Mirriam-Webster's Dictionary]

Law in common parlance, means a rule which (unlike a rule of ethics) is capable of enforcement through institutions. Crimes Against Humanity, Geoffrey Robertson, Penguin, ISBN 9780141024639 The study of law crosses the boundaries between the social sciences and humanities, depending on one's view of research into its objectives and effects. Law is not always enforceable, especially in the international relations context. It has been defined as a "system of rules", Hart [[The Concept of Law]], Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-876122-8 as an "interpretive concept", Ronald Dworkin, Law's Empire, Harvard University Press ISBN 0674518365 to achieve justice, as an "authority" Joseph Raz, The Authority of Law Oxford University Press to mediate people's interests, and even as "the command of a sovereign, backed by the threat of a sanction". John Austin (legal philosopher) The Providence of Jurisprudence Determined . However one likes to think of law, it is a completely central social institution. Legal policy incorporates the practical manifestation of thinking from almost every [[social science]] and humanity. Laws are [[politic]]s, because politicians create them. Law is [[philosophy]], because moral and ethical persuasions shape their ideas. Law tells many of [[history]]'s stories, because statutes, case law and codifications build up over time. And law is economics, because any rule about [[contract]], [[tort]], [[property law]], [[labour law]], [[company law]] and many more can have long lasting effects on the distribution of wealth. The noun ''law'' derives from the late [[Old English language|Old English]] ''lagu'', meaning something laid down or fixed. see [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=law&searchmode=none Etymonline Dictionary] and the adjective ''legal'' comes from the Latin word ''lex''.see [http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/legal Mirriam-Webster's Dictionary]

===Performing arts===

===Performing arts===

The performing arts differ from the [[plastic arts]] insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some [[work of art|art object]]. Performing arts include [[acrobatics]], [[busking]], [[comedy]], [[dance]], [[magic (illusion)|magic]], [[music]], [[opera]], [[film]], [[juggling]], [[marching arts]], such as [[brass band]]s, and [[theatre]].

The performing arts differ from the [[plastic arts]] insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some [[work of art|art object]]. Performing arts include [[acrobatics]], [[busking]], [[comedy]], [[dance]], [[magic (illusion)|magic]], [[music]], [[opera]], [[film]], [[juggling]], [[marching arts]], such as [[brass band]]s, and [[theatre]].

Music as an academic discipline mainly focuses on two career paths, music [[performance]] (focused on the [[orchestra]] and the [[concert hall]]) and [[music education]] (training music teachers).  Students learn to play [[musical instrument|instruments]], but also study [[music theory]], [[musicology]], [[history of music]] and [[musical composition|composition]].  In the liberal arts tradition, music is also used to broaden skills of non-musicians by teaching skills such as concentration and listening.

Music as an academic discipline mainly focuses on two career paths, music [[performance]] (focused on the [[orchestra]] and the [[concert hall]]) and [[music education]] (training music teachers).  Students learn to play [[musical instrument|instruments]], but also study [[music theory]], [[musicology]], [[history of music]] and [[musical composition|composition]].  In the liberal arts tradition, music is also used to broaden skills of non-musicians by teaching skills such as concentration and listening.

;Theatre

Theatre

Theatre (or theater) (Greek "theatron", ''θέατρον'') is the branch of the [[performing arts]] concerned with [[acting]] out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle — indeed any one or more elements of the other performing arts. In addition to the standard narrative dialogue style, theatre takes such forms as [[opera]], [[ballet]], [[mime artist|mime]], [[kabuki]], [[classical Indian dance]], [[Chinese opera]],  [[mummers' play]]s, and [[pantomime]].

Theatre (or theater) (Greek "theatron", ''θέατρον'') is the branch of the [[performing arts]] concerned with [[acting]] out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle — indeed any one or more elements of the other performing arts. In addition to the standard narrative dialogue style, theatre takes such forms as [[opera]], [[ballet]], [[mime artist|mime]], [[kabuki]], [[classical Indian dance]], [[Chinese opera]],  [[mummers' play]]s, and [[pantomime]].

===Philosophy===

===Philosophy===

Philosophy is [[ancient Greek]] for the love of wisdom.

[[Philosophy]] is [[ancient Greek]] for the [[love]] of [[wisdom]].

 

 

===Religion===

===Religion===

Most historians trace the beginnings of [[Religion|religious belief]] to the Neolithic Period. Most religious belief during this time period consisted of worship of a [[Mother Goddess]], a [[Sky Father]], and also worship of the [[Sun]] and the [[Moon]] as deities. (''see also [[Sun worship]]'')

Most historians trace the beginnings of [[Religion|religious belief]] to the Neolithic Period. Most religious belief during this time period consisted of worship of a [[Mother Goddess]], a [[Sky Father]], and also worship of the [[Sun]] and the [[Moon]] as deities. (''see also [[Sun worship]]'')

===Visual arts===

===Visual arts===

The great traditions in [[art]] have a foundation in the art of one of the ancient civilizations, such as [[Ancient Egypt]], [[Ancient Greece|Greece]] and [[Ancient Rome|Rome]], [[China]], [[Indus Valley Civilization|India]], [[Mesopotamia]] and [[Mesoamerica]].

The great traditions in [[art]] have a foundation in the art of one of the ancient civilizations, such as [[Ancient Egypt]], [[Ancient Greece|Greece]] and [[Ancient Rome|Rome]], [[China]], [[Indus Valley Civilization|India]], [[Mesopotamia]] and [[Mesoamerica]].

Eastern art has generally worked in a style akin to Western medieval art, namely a concentration on surface patterning and local colour (meaning the plain colour of an object, such as basic red for a red robe, rather than the modulations of that colour brought about by light, shade and reflection). A characteristic of this style is that the local colour is often defined by an outline (a contemporary equivalent is the cartoon). This is evident in, for example, the art of India, Tibet and Japan.

Eastern art has generally worked in a style akin to Western medieval art, namely a concentration on surface patterning and local colour (meaning the plain colour of an object, such as basic red for a red robe, rather than the modulations of that colour brought about by light, shade and reflection). A characteristic of this style is that the local colour is often defined by an outline (a contemporary equivalent is the cartoon). This is evident in, for example, the art of India, Tibet and Japan.

Religious [[Islam]]ic art forbids iconography, and expresses religious ideas through geometry instead. The physical and rational certainties depicted by the 19th-century Enlightenment were shattered not only by new discoveries of relativity by [[Albert Einstein|Einstein]] [http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1035752,00.html] and of unseen psychology by [[Sigmund Freud|Freud]], [http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook36.html] but also by unprecedented technological development. Increasing [[globalization|global]] interaction during this time saw an equivalent influence of other cultures into Western art.

Religious [[Islam]]ic art forbids iconography, and expresses religious ideas through geometry instead. The physical and rational certainties depicted by the 19th-century Enlightenment were shattered not only by new discoveries of relativity by [[Albert Einstein|Einstein]] [http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1035752,00.html] and of unseen psychology by [[Sigmund Freud|Freud]], [http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook36.html] but also by unprecedented technological development. Increasing [[globalization|global]] interaction during this time saw an equivalent influence of other cultures into Western art.

Painting

Painting

[[Painting]] taken literally is the practice of applying [[pigment]] suspended in a carrier (or [[Paint#Components|medium]]) and a binding agent (a [[adhesive|glue]]) to a [[surface]] (support) such as [[paper]], [[canvas]] or a wall. However, when used in an artistic sense it means the use of this activity in combination with [[drawing]], [[composition (visual arts)|composition]] and other aesthetic considerations in order to manifest the expressive and conceptual intention of the practitioner. Painting is also used to express spiritual motifs and ideas; sites of this kind of painting range from artwork depicting mythological figures on pottery to [[Sistine Chapel|The Sistine Chapel]] to the human body itself.

[[Painting]] taken literally is the practice of applying [[pigment]] suspended in a carrier (or [[Paint#Components|medium]]) and a binding agent (a [[adhesive|glue]]) to a [[surface]] (support) such as [[paper]], [[canvas]] or a wall. However, when used in an artistic sense it means the use of this activity in combination with [[drawing]], [[composition (visual arts)|composition]] and other aesthetic considerations in order to manifest the expressive and conceptual intention of the practitioner. Painting is also used to express spiritual motifs and ideas; sites of this kind of painting range from artwork depicting mythological figures on pottery to [[Sistine Chapel|The Sistine Chapel]] to the human body itself.