“Humanities is the ability to stand on the shoulders of the giants who’ve come before us,” said Matthew Robertson, the religious studies program coordinator at Murray State University, about the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and announcement of its new collaborative program featuring the work of Murray State students, alumni and faculty members.
Through an extensive series of public lectures, practical seminars and cultural events, the Humanities+ program offers an innovative approach to understanding the human experience by encompassing a range of intellectual and educational opportunities for participants, regardless of major or profession.
As the academic year begins, many of us fall into a notion of perfectionism—whether through education, sports or social performance. In this mindset, we often filter our perspective through a preferred outcome, forgetting the essential elements that help us thrive, both individually and as a community. Many overlook the need for a state of meditation to reach their own definition of self-fulfillment.
Robertson said meditation “allows us to see the world without distractions.” In a culture filled with quick sources of dopamine, taking a step back can be challenging. Robertson and Michael Bordieri, an assistant professor of psychology at Murray State, will host a seminar and practical approach on meditation and mindfulness on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Bordieri said he encourages all members to attend regardless of background knowledge.
“My simple advice would be to just breathe,” he said. “Understanding mindfulness is not one thing to be explained but to be experienced.”
Building on this focus on self-reflection, Humanities+ also emphasizes creativity as a way to engage with the world. Trevor Martison, an assistant professor of English, will share his approach to nurturing and sustaining creativity in “Creativity Without Suffering” later this semester. Participants in his seminar will explore expressing creativity without requiring suffering as a catalyst, particularly in writing.
“True art emerges from a place of experience in the world that might include pain, but it doesn’t succumb to it,” Martinson said.
Josh Adair, a professor of English and the humanities program coordinator, said Humanities+ differs from past programs by welcoming a broad selection of disciplines and practices. He said he believes the program will make a positive impact on campus and beyond, engaging a wide range of individuals across Murray State University.
In addition to these featured seminars, Humanities+ will offer many opportunities for intellectual curiosity and skill cultivation, helping participants better understand what it means to be human.
The series begins Friday, Sept. 5 with “Humanities+ Skill Share: Grant Writing,” an RSVP only event held in Faculty Hall, room 106 at 2 p.m. All following events in the Humanities+ series are open to the public and will take place at Faculty hall, Room 208, at 4 p.m.