Humanities: Standing tall among the techies

The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences.

The humanities include ancient and modern languages, literature, philosophy, religion, and visual and performing arts such as music and theatre. The humanities that are also regarded as social sciences include history, anthropology, area studies, communication studies, cultural studies, law, economics and linguistics. Scholars working in the humanities are sometimes described as "humanists". However, that term also describes the philosophical position of humanism, which some "antihumanist" scholars in the humanities reject. Some secondary schools offer humanities classes, usually consisting of English literature, global studies, and art.
Human disciplines like history, cultural anthropology and psychoanalysis study subject matters to which the experimental method does not apply, and they have access instead to the comparative method and comparative research.

Article By GEETA PADMANABHAN: Studying Humanities in the country’s top technical institution is transformative and helps one evolve. Read what four students of Humanities and Social Sciences of IIT-M have to say.

Love for Economics sown by a “terrific” teacher took Vaishnavi Srivatsan to IIT-M. Namita Krishnamurthy reached there because of her dream of becoming a writer “ever since I was seven.” A science student in school, Ardra Manasi had the epiphany “Humanities was her true passion” and proceeded to IIT-M. Pranathi Diwakar was attracted by the “marginalised” courses “schools were reluctant to offer”. The opportunity to “study in an institution of global repute” was a common draw. Surprised? Don't be. All four joined the integrated five-year BA+MA in Humanities & Social Sciences that IIT-M introduced in 2006 — a full-fledged, stand-alone humanities course in a tech campus.

Getting there is no IIT walk, they tell you. As a first-batch candidate Vaishnavi knew little of the pattern and preparatory requirements. She always read beyond prescribed texts and for the entrance test included diligent reading of newspapers, non-fiction and magazines. “Those attempting the HSEE are well-prepared,” said Namita. “You need to be a notch above them.”