Historian defends the humanity of humanities

An internationally renowned cultural historian will discuss the merits of studying the arts and humanities during a public lecture organised by Charles Darwin University.

Professor Sander Gilman from Emory University in the United States said he would also investigate what he described as an “attack” against these disciplines and would determine whether these criticisms were valid.

“The attack on the humanities seems to be everywhere, from London to Tokyo to New York to Darwin,” Professor Gilman said.

He also will demonstrate ways that the arts and humanities added value in the lives of people.

Professor Gilman is a Distinguished Professor of the Liberal Arts and Sciences at Emory University, where he is also director of both the university’s Program in Psychoanalysis and its Health Sciences Humanities Initiative.

He is the author or editor of more than 80 books. For 25 years he was a member of the humanities and medical faculties at Cornell University, where he held the Goldwin Smith Professorship of Humane Studies.

Professor Gilman has been a visiting professor at universities in North America, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, China, and New Zealand.

The public lecture, entitled “Why Study the Arts and Humanities? A Practical Lesson in Higher Education for Students, Faculty, and (even) Administrators”, has been organised by CDU’s School of Creative Arts and Humanities.

It will be held at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory’s theatrette on Wednesday, 18 November from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

To RSVP E: Ashlee.Brown@cdu.edu.au