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Hello. I am a freshman at Penn State studying English. Being an English major, I am thoroughly convinced that the humanities are an important component, not only to every person's education, but also to every person's life. Although we are all not born with the same passions and skills, it is important that every level of education include a substantial portion of humanities education. This type of learning is just as essential and important to any well-rounded education as math and science subjects. Here are just a few reasons why the humanities are integral to our lives.
1. Humanities education teaches us how to think critically.
The humanities is often about finding the question rather than the right answer. Unlike other realms of education, the humanities encourage students to think out of the box and work without a textbook.
2. Humanities education encourages and emphasizes open-mindedness. When we regard a piece of artwork, or read a novel, look at a photograph, or watch a film--each of these things challenges us to see the world from a different perspective. Every person will experience a moment in their life where they begin questioning their own ideas and values. Humanities education can teach students to consider any life dilemma, whether it be personal or professional, from a new vantage point.
3. Humanities education gives us the opportunity to express ourselves. Although self-expression is considered by most to be a natural ability, it is actually something that has to be learned. The only way we can get better at anything is to practice, and humanities education stresses the importance of practicing, not only expressing yourself, but understanding the expressions of others. This is an invaluable skill in both the personal and the professional sense. If you need to be able to read, write, and deliver presentations effectively, the humanities can help you hone those skills; if you want to be able to express yourself for your own personal release, through art or creative writing, the humanities can teach you those things as well.