Humanities are a group of academic subjects that were combined with a commitment of studying various aspects of human condition

and to do a qualitative approach. The subject of Humanities is generally distinguished from other subjects like various natural sciences and other social sciences. The subjects that are included in Humanities are Philosophy, Literature, Classics, Languages, Music, Religion, Visual Arts and the Performing Arts. In some parts of the world there are added subjects in humanities, these subjects include History, Cultural Studies, Archaeology, Communications and Area Studies. However these subjects are also considered in social sciences in other parts of the world. 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, history, philosophy, religion, and visual and performing arts such as musicand theatre. The humanities that are also regarded as social sciences include technology, history, anthropology, area studies, communication studies, cultural studies, law and linguistics. Scholars working in the humanities are sometimes described as "humanists".[1] However, that term also describes the philosophical position of humanism, which some "antihumanist" scholars in the humanities reject.

LESSON 1. MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HUMANITIES Meaning of the Humanities The term Humanities comes from a Latin wordhumanus, which means human, cultured and refined. Generally, human beings possess and show quality like rationality, kindness and tenderness. Such basic qualities of humans gain different connotations based on ones environment, values, beliefs and experiences. They are the contributing factors to the refinement of humans basic qualities. At present, we know of humanities as a loosely defined group of academic subjects united by a commitment to studying aspects of the human condition and a qualitative approach that generally prevents a single paradigm from coming to define any discipline. Unlike other subjects, it is not a group of scientific or technical subjects. Humanities, however, should not be confused with the termhumanism, which refers to a specific philosophical belief, nor withhumanitarianism, which is the concern for charitable works and social reform. Academically, we refer to the humanities as the study of arts the visual arts such as architecture, painting and sculpture; music; dance; the theater or drama; and literature. They are the branches of learning concerned with the human thought, feelings and relations. The study of arts is the study of mankind. Humanities, being the study of arts, have always been concern with the importance of human being, his feelings, and how he expresses those feelings. However, it should be stressed that the humanities emphasize analysis and exchange of ideas rather than the creative expression of the arts or the quantitative explanation of the sciences. Significance of the Humanities Art is very important in our lives. It constitutes one of the oldest form and most important means of expression developed by man. It is a language, which is charged with feelings and significance that has sprung up among men living together. Art is concerned with the communication of certain ideas and feelings by means of a sensuous medium color, sound, bronze, marble, words and film. This medium is fashioned through a symbolic language marked by beauty of design and coherence of form. It appeals to our minds, arouses our emotions, kindles our imagination, and enchants our senses. (Machlis, 1963). Thus, each artwork reflects the ideals, hopes and fears of the times in which an individual live. The humanities are the stories, the ideas, and the words that help us make sense of our lives and our world. The humanities introduce us to people we have never met, places we have never visited, and ideas that may have never crossed our minds. By showing how others have lived and thought about life, the humanities help us decide what is important in our own lives and what we can do to make them better. By connecting us with other people, they point the way to answers about what is right or wrong, or what is true to our heritage and our history. The humanities help us address the challenges we face together in our families, our communities, and as a nation. Why should we study the Humanities? The different subject areas are studied not for their own sake but in the light of how they relate and speak to contemporary man. More importantly, the course is expected to help the students grow up to be better human beings than they were before they enrolled in the course. The teaching of the humanities is intended to make the students realize that the mere possession of knowledge is useless unless put to useful ends. Moreover, they would become aware that knowledge alone is meaningless unless it is accompanied by values, sentiments, priorities, insights, interrelationships and other transcendent realities not subject to empirical proofs also form part of the persons education. In the humanities, the students are exposed to these, thus, the development of the whole person, which is the goal of present day education. --------------Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items (often with symbolic significance) in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of

expression, including music, literature, film, photography, sculpture, and paintings. The meaning of art is explored in a branch of philosophy known as aesthetics, whereas disciplines such as anthropology, sociology and psychology analyze its relationship with humans and generations. Traditionally, the term art was used to refer to any skill or mastery. This conception changed during the Romantic period, when art came to be seen as "a special faculty of the human mind to be classified with religion and science".[1] Generally, art is made with the intention of stimulating thoughts and emotions. The Importance of Art Throughout the ages art has played a crucial role in life. Art is universal and because art is everywhere, we experience it on a daily basis. From the houses we live in (architecture) to the movies we see (theatre) to the books that we read (literature). Even in ancient culture art has played a crucial role. In prehistoric times cave dwellers drew on the wall of caves to record history. In biblical times paintings recorded the life and death of Christ. Throughout time art has recorded history. Most art is created for a specific reason or purpose, it has a way of expressing ideas and beliefs, and it can record the experiences of all people. Subject of Art It is varied. It may refer to any person, object, scene or event represented in work of art. Representational (objective arts) arts that have subjects. Non-representational (Non-objective arts)- those that do not have subjects. It does not present descriptions, stories, or references to identifiable objects or symbols.

Ways of Presenting Sources Landscpaes- observing the beauty of physical environment. Still-life- to illustrate their beauty when touched by the painters Animals- the vigor and grace of animals in motion have captured painters imaginationa nd sculptors imagination too. Legends and life of the Saints- many stories about them have been told w/c have found their way into the arts. Church Rituals & religious activities- have great influence on language and speech patterns. Realism- the manner or presenting the subject depends to a large extent on the interest, imagination, creativity and purpose of the artist. Abstraction is a technique of simplfying and reorganizing objects and elements according to the artists creative expressions. Distortion- is a technique employed by the artist to dramatize the shape of a figure to create an emotional effect.