How F&M Does Humanities

When you hear us say “humanities,” we mean subjects that study aspects of human society and culture. Subjects as wide-ranging as art and art history, music, dance, philosophy, literature and more can be found under the humanities umbrella.

When you study humanities at F&M, you'll explore the ways people across different times and places make sense of their lives in diverse forms of artistic, cultural and intellectual expression. Through your courses and hands-on work, you'll examine the range of human experience through the study of languages, literatures, philosophies, religions and cultural and artistic productions.

Mia Gwirtzman '23 has a discussion with Nicholas Bonneau, adjunct professor of history. Gwirtzman recorded a podcast focus on research in art history and public health.

Out-of-the-Classroom Learning

We emphasize hands-on experiential work. When you study humanities at F&M, you’ll have opportunities to step out of the classroom and into the field to engage in different, dynamic forms of learning. With off-campus study and research opportunities, internships and more, you’ll collaborate with world-class humanities faculty, engage with the community, get practical, real-world experience and explore questions students elsewhere might only read about.

Explore experiential learning at F&M

Careers in Humanities

After graduating from F&M, many of our students pursue graduate studies in the humanities at leading programs around the world.  Other students leverage the skills they've gained from the humanities — writing, analysis, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and cultural knowledge and awareness among others — and find success in careers in education, law, medicine, business, the nonprofit sector, and more.

Explore success beyond F&M »

See Humanities at F&M in Action

May 7, 2024

Student Explores Food in Italian Slow-Food Culture

Franklin & Marshall College senior Jonathan Izzo combined his twin passions for his family’s Italian heritage and for sustainable food systems to cap his academic career.

May 3, 2024

Senior Spotlight: Olha Shapovalenko

A double major in mathematics and studio art, international senior Olha Shapovalenko made the most of her F&M experience. From designing theater costumes to discovering new artistic mediums, the College “enriched my creative vocabulary,” she said.

May 1, 2024

Chilamo Taylor ’24 Forges Unique Path to Japan

How did football and fashion lead Franklin & Marshall senior Chilamo Taylor to a prestigious postgraduate fellowship in Japan? Learn more about his upcoming Princeton in Asia fellowship.