Evolving Social Prestige: The Ascendancy of a Humanities Degree
The world of academia is witnessing a shift, as elite universities channel their endowment strength and donor support into a renewed embrace of the humanities. This trend is particularly evident in the United States and the United Kingdom, where institutions are making significant investments in liberal arts education.
In the heart of Oxford, the University of Oxford is constructing the Stephen A Schwartzman Centre for the Humanities. This new centre will house departments for English, History, modern languages, and a groundbreaking department for AI and Ethics. The centre's establishment signifies the university's commitment to bridging the gap between traditional humanities and emerging technologies.
Across the pond, Princeton University and the University of Chicago have also joined the movement. Princeton launched a new Humanities initiative in 2024, aiming to address global challenges by linking literature, history, and philosophy. Meanwhile, the University of Chicago announced it is pausing or cutting back admissions in several PhD programs, including multiple programs in the arts and humanities.
The humanities are not just about literature and philosophy; they are increasingly seen as relevant for the business world. The department for AI and Ethics at the University of Oxford's Stephen A Schwartzman Centre for the Humanities is a testament to this shift in perspective.
Silicon Valley insiders are also contributing to this trend. They are sending their kids to Waldorf or Montessori-style schools, where devices are absent, creating a new kind of digital divide. In this divide, being unplugged and well-read are the ultimate luxuries.
The trend of increasing investment in liberal arts education is not limited to the ultra-wealthy. Peter McCausland, CEO of Airgas, donated $75 million to the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina, citing the critical thinking skills he acquired while studying history as an undergraduate.
Tadashi Yanai, founder of Uniqlo, has also shown his support for the humanities. He made a $31 million donation to UCLA's College Division of Humanities in October 2024, the largest gift in its history, to expand the Yanai Initiative for Globalizing Japanese Humanities.
However, the humanities were never meant to be exclusive. Despite the erosion in public support and elimination in certain institutions, there is a risk that recognition of cultural and intellectual knowledge may function as a class marker. The humanities, at their best, are democratizing and liberating, according to Thomas Jefferson.
This renewed interest in the humanities is not without challenges. Institutions like Indiana University Bloomington, Boston University, Wagner College, St. Norbert College, and West Virginia University have announced plans to eliminate or consolidate humanities programs.
As the landscape of higher education evolves, the humanities continue to play a crucial role. They offer a unique perspective, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and empathy, skills that are increasingly valuable in our rapidly changing world.
