Humanities
Humanities at 51¹ÙÍø
Humes at 51¹ÙÍø is community. Humes is critical.
The Humanities Program (Humes) starts with the assumption that no single disciplinary approach can answer the big questions, and so faculty come from across the college. You will hear lectures and be in discussions led by faculty with expertise in Africana Studies, Philosophy, Asian American Studies, History, Latin American Studies, German Studies, French and Francophone Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Film and Media Studies, Global Literary Theory, Religious Studies, Theatre, and Dance and Performance Studies.
Humes is about learning to engage with the body of human experience, with "the best which has been thought and said in the world" where "the best" is contingent and up for debate—by you. Humes has a history as well as a present. Humes is about revolution. Humes is about the future—our theme for 2022-2024. At 51¹ÙÍø, we believe that a liberal arts education requires a balance of courses from across the disciplines, including the humanities, so that our graduates can have the greatest impact in their post-51¹ÙÍø worlds. Please contact Program Chair Patricio Boyer at paboyer@davidson.edu with any questions.
The Humanities Program receives substantial programming support from the Warren and Catherine Cox Endowment in the Humanities, established by Warren M. Cox, Jr., 51¹ÙÍø Class of 1924, and his wife Catherine Cox Gaither, to provide support for the Humanities Program.
In addition, the Humanities Program receives support from the Epes Distinguished Lectureship in the Humanities, which provides substantial support for a visiting distinguished public intellectual or scholar to visit the course and give a public lecture related to the course each year.
All students in the Humanities Program participate in a pre-orientation program, Sapere Aude, where they engage in four days of community building and discussion of key texts and artifacts with Humanities faculty, librarians and fellows.
Take Risks, Ask Hard Questions, Explore New Things: Endowed Professorship Honors Prof. Scott Denham
Alum honors 51¹ÙÍø professor by funding an endowed professorship in his name. Learn more about the Denham Family Professorship in the Humanities.