“Practically Human”: An Invitation to the Liberal Arts

A collection of my colleagues have produced a wonderful little book entitled, Practically Human: College Professors Speak from the Heart of Humanities Education, published by the new Calvin College Press (who’ve produced a very handsome text).  It’s an engaging, accessible manifesto of sorts, articulating the unique strengths of a liberal arts education that values the humanities at the core of its educational vision.

But what’s unique about the book is that it is written for high school students and parents who are thinking about college choices.  It would be a great resource for high school juniors and seniors, their parents, high school guidance counselors, and youth pastors.

Here’s a peek at the Table of Contents:

Introduction: Two Farms Gary Schmidt and Matthew Walhout 

Greater Than Gold: The Humanities and the Human Things Lee Hardy, Philosophy 

“The Ducks Are Hazards in the Classroom”: Learning to Listen with Perception and Grace Benita Wolters-Fredlund, Music 

Who Wants to Live in the “Real” World? Will Katerberg, History 

Getting Engaged: The Joys of Studying History Karin Maag, History 

Good Looking Henry Luttikhuizen, Art and Art History 

Science in a Human Matrix Matthew Walhout, Interdisciplinary Studies of Science 

Ruining the Movies? Carl Plantinga, Film and Media Studies 

Why Stories Matter More Than Ever: A Letter to a Friend Just Beginning College Jennifer Holberg, Literature 

Why Come to College to Study Writing? Gary Schmidt, Writing 

How a Speech Can Change an Audience: Why Studying Public Address Is ImportantKathi Groenendyk, Rhetorical Studies 

Shouting at Your Neighbor: Why We Bother with Other Peoples’ LanguagesDavid I. Smith, Foreign Languages 

New Life from Ancient TextsDavid Noe, Classics 

An Invitation Won Lee, Biblical Studies