Part 1: We’ve been working towards a definition of the Humanities. For your second journal entry, think about how you’d explain their significance or why the humanities matter: what do you feel you gain personally by studying and working within the humanities? What do you think you gain professionally? What do you think of claim(s) for the broader social value of the humanities? Use Helen Small’s introduction to The Value of the Humanities as a starting point for your response. 

Through the past classes and readings we have been beginning to workshop a definition of the Humanities and its purpose within society. Within this examination, we analyzed Helen Small’s The Value of Humanities to gain further insight on how humanities contribute to both our individual life, in addition to society as a whole. When questioned on how to explain the significance of the humanities, I believe that by Small’s prefacing the complexity of the justification of the humanities is a relevant consideration to make. Specifically, Small states “The act of justification has seemed to many humanities scholars to beg more than one question :that the value of their subject area is in question, and that the value is capable of being expressed in the mode of justification” (1). I think similarly–that the justification and explanation of the importance of the humanities and what they do is not able to be fully obtained through arguments and reasoning but rather through reflection of how the humanities impact our society and the individuals within it. While saying this, I can understand the need for a clear justification as a means of protection against political and social pressures. This context, highlighted throughout the texts, creates a forced platform that often results in the comparison and critiques of humanities to other disciplines (9). 

I think that by working with the humanities, it does provide a different type of thinking which requires you to often further interpret a subject. However, to circle back to the discussion in the text, Small presents two arguments which support the significance of the humanities. This includes, “the argument with ‘use value’ and the argument for a contribution to happiness.”. Yet Small presents that these arguments while supportive of the humanities throughout history can not relate entirely to what the humanities exist to be in our modern day, especially when considering regional differences between places of study (22).

Personally, I think access to the humanities is a significant factor in shaping our societal beliefs and standards. As mentioned in the text, while the sole purpose of many course is to not necessary teach civic engagement–it can help shape beliefs of individuals through historical and political knowledge.

Part 2: Part 2 may feel somewhat disconnected, but One of our course goals is precisely to create bridges from your academic study to your professional work. Write a brief description of the kind of work you enjoy doing and/or think you’re well equipped to do. In general, you want to think about the nature of the work, its specific responsibilities, the environment you’d work in, who you’d work with, and your qualifications and temperament/disposition. 

• What kind of job is this, or what is the main purpose of this job? 
• What kind of tasks would you perform? 
• Which of your skills, training, or experiences would this job call on? What did your analysis of past projects reveal (or remind you) about your skills?
• How might you explain how your undergraduate study (including your humanities degree) has prepared you for it?

Growing up I always knew that I wanted to work within the “realm” of History. However, I battled the idea of having to choose between working in a museum or becoming a history teacher. I struggled with this decision for a bit, primarily because I loved the environment of the museum but wanted a more hands-on education job. I knew that I wanted to teach people of all ages and that I could not fulfill this desire in a high school history teacher position. I recently discovered museum education and the many roles within the Education Department of a museum. 

Specifically, I am interested in being an Educational Program Coordinator. This individual is responsible for creating and facilitating curriculum and workshops that are both engaging and historically relevant. This includes working with children K-12 as well as adult museum patrons. I believe that this role would call upon a variety of my skills that I have obtained through both my academic and career experiences. 

Recently, I completed an internship with the Education Department at the Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH. Here, I worked very closely with our Education Department Direct, Bekki Coppola and our Education Program Coordinator, Maddi Beihl. During this summer, I had the opportunity to create and revise previous lesson plans for the various summer camps held at the museum each week. Additionally, I was able to be a camp assistant/teacher, which required me to work with children 6-17 years old and teach lesson plans based on the weekly theme. This experience gave me both hands-on experience with children and teaching in a fast paced environment. However, most importantly it gave insight on the responsibilities and dynamics that exist within a museum and its staff, specifically one of a smaller size. 

Thinking ahead, I would definitely enjoy working in a museum that was larger than Strawberry Banke.  Prior to working there, I worked at the Fenimore Art Museum in rentals and catering and noticed that there were certain aspects of that museum I preferred over Strawbery Banke. I felt like there were greater opportunities and resources at the Fenimore Art Museum and less of a blur between departmental duties. 

Connecting my Academics to my career goals, last semester and continuing in the fall, I have had the opportunity to intern at the archival department of UNE. Here, I have expanded my historical knowledge of the 19th and 20th centuries, specifically about the personal and academic lives of the students who attended Westbrook during this period. My ongoing projects include developing descriptive finding aids for other researchers examining the collections and an exhibit exploring the social culture and activities of Westbrook students. 

Along with this, I have also taken courses which explore topics such as Public History, Art History, Scientific and Medical History, Indigenous History. Through these courses, I have developed a strong ability to interpret various texts to form arguments. Additionally, these courses have shaped my writing style, improving my overall language and presentation of my arguments.