Welcome to the Humanities at Brock!

“But what is the Humanities?” you might find yourself asking. It’s a good question, and one we think about a lot.

You might start by reviewing the list of the programs in the Humanities at Brock: Arts Leadership; Canadian Studies; Classics & Archaeology; Digital Humanities; Dramatic Arts; English Language & Literature; History; Medieval & Renaissance Studies; Modern Languages, Literatures, & Cultures; Music; Philosophy; Visual Arts.

You might find yourself thinking, “Oh, History! I love History!” or “Digital Humanities—like, video games?!?!” or “NO WAY! Medieval Studies!!” You might be familiar with studying English, or Philosophy, or Art; you might have longstanding interests in performing, or modern and ancient languages, or historical sites and digs; you might dream about writing or singing or painting, or doing a deep dive into Canadian (or local, or international) histories, politics, and cultures.

But when we speak of the Humanities more broadly, we aren’t just talking about the disciplines that are housed within it. We are also talking about what links those things together: a deep concern for what it means to be human, and how that meaning has and will continue to change; where our stories, histories, languages, and other modes of cultural expression come from, and how they help us make sense of our world; how our efforts to make sense of things have shaped our present moment and will further shape our understanding of what’s to come. We are talking, ultimately, about the things we all care about, on campus and off, whether or not we are actively engaged in their study.

So while the term “Humanities” might be unfamiliar, we know far more about it than we think we do. And that’s why, when I’m asked, “what is the Humanities?” my immediate, unabashed response is simply: we are the public face of the University. We are the artists and performers, the historians and writers, philosophers and language experts, teachers-in-the-making and lifelong students. We teach, study, and model empathy in all of its forms; we commit to seeing the world with new eyes and strive to engage with and understand other experiences—of other times, other places, other people—while always seeking a deeper understanding of our own times, place, and selves.

Brock’s Faculty of Humanities, which includes the magnificent Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, features a wide range of nationally and internationally recognized programs, taught by field-leading experts and dedicated teachers. Whether you are interested in language acquisition, the performing arts, the study of ancient civilizations, global histories, literatures new and old, or our relation to emerging digital technologies, you will find exciting, rigorous classes in cutting-edge programs. We offer many options to co-major or pursue a minor, or just to sample individual courses purely for interests’ sake.

Let us help you explore your passions and pursue your dreams, while introducing you to possibilities you haven’t yet imagined.

Dr. James Allard
Interim Dean, Faculty of Humanities