Author: Commission on the Humanities

Publication Year: 1979

Media Type: Book

Summary:

The report of the Commission on the Humanities, sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation, assesses the state of the humanities at the beginning of the 1980s. The commission examines education, cultural institutions, and public and private funding for the humanities, and concludes that the humanities need rethinking as much as financial support. The commission proposes broad definitions of literacy, vocationalism, and of the purposes of education at all levels; points to the unique capacities of museums and libraries for interpreting our cultural heritage; and urges bridging the gulf that often separates the humanities from science, technology, and the electronic media.

Abstract:

The report of the Commission on the Humanities, sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation, assesses the state of the humanities at the beginning of the 1980s. The commission examines education, cultural institutions, and public and private funding for the humanities, and concludes that the humanities need rethinking as much as financial support. The commission proposes broad definitions of literacy, vocationalism, and of the purposes of education at all levels; points to the unique capacities of museums and libraries for interpreting our cultural heritage; and urges bridging the gulf that often separates the humanities from science, technology, and the electronic media.

The commission also recommends formal collaboration between educational and cultural institutions an new roles for private corporation, which have the greater capacity to provide new support for the humanities. Strengthening the humanities is essential, according to the commission, if we are to improve the quality of education in our elementary and secondary schools - the highest educational priority for the 1980's. (Book cover).

CONTENTS
Membership of the Commission on the Humanities.
Preface.

1. The humanities in America.
    Domains of the humanities.
    Culture and citizenship.
    Science and technology.
    Priorities and recommendations.
    Priorities for the 1980's.
    Summary of recommendations.

2. The humanities in the schools.
    Education policy.
    Curriculum: beyond the basics teaching.
    School-college collaboration.

3. The humanities and higher education.
    Undergraduate education.
    Graduate education for the profession.
    Graduate training in the humanities.
    Research and scholarship.

4. The humanities in community and private life.
    Educational institutions.
    Vocational education.
    Adult basic education.
    Continuing education.
    Cultural institutions.
    Museums.
    Public libraries.
    Historical organizations.
    Media.
    Television and radio.
    Newspapers.

5. Support for the humanities.
    Problems of support.
    Sources of support.
    Foundations.
    Corporations.
    The National Endowment for Humanities.
    Index.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Arts Education