Dean of the Faculty Gene Andrew Jarrett (English) recently authored an opinion piece titled “Don’t laugh: A humanities degree is a smart investment,” for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“The humanities, of course, have substantive educational benefits. Their themes enable students to learn several critical things about humanity, such as the impact of human intelligence and creativity, the evolution of ideas about humankind, and the vitality of language and culture in how to see and survive in the world,” Jarrett said in the piece, which was published on November 30, 2025.
“But the true value of the humanities includes their ability to build the professional skills students need to thrive in the global workforce — especially at a time when colleges may be deciding whether to consolidate or eliminate humanities departments, majors, and courses,” he continued. “The question, then, that parents and children should ask isn’t, ‘What can you do with a degree in art history or philosophy?’ The better question is, ‘What can’t you do with it?’”
