Exposure to the humanities—engagement with texts, languages, history, culture, and civilization—is essential preparation for students to become informed citizens and productive members of society. It not only provides them the skills and knowledge to obtain gainful employment, but also the ability to adapt, grow, and learn throughout their lives. Through the humanities, students learn to navigate cultural similarities and differences; to read, digest, and interpret many different kinds of information; and to respond to the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.

Interested in Studying the Humanities?

Photo of Brian Reed

Brian Reed, Divisional Dean of Humanities

Divisional Contact
Meta Godsell
206-616-2128
godsell@uw.edu

Humanities News

Hunter Jung in a research lab, with shelves of lab equipment on either side of her.

Before Med School, A Year in Paris

Graduating with bachelor's degrees in neuroscience and French, Hunter Jung is heading to France for a cognitive neuroscience program that reflects both interests.

Greg Rahuoja on the UW campus, with Denny Hall in the background.

Supporting a Threatened Language

For his UW master's in Scandinavian Studies, Estonian student Greg Rahuoja addressed political and practical challenges for Khanty, an Indigenous language spoken in parts of Siberia. 

Illustration of a student at a desk, with a computer monitor replacing his head.

AI in the Classroom? For Faculty, It's Complicated

Three College of Arts & Sciences professors discuss the impact of AI on their teaching and on student learning. The consensus? It’s complicated.