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

December 5, 2024

Student Research Explores Pennsylvania History

Undergraduate research and community-based learning are key components of Reckoning With Lancaster, a curricular project at F&M supported by a Humanities for All Time Grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Students Jessica Kinker ’26 and Hallie Hushion ’25 had a chance to experience both this summer while researching the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.

November 25, 2024

A Passion for Art of the Past Inspires a Future

At F&M, Keats Dai ’23 felt empowered to explore all her interests. After finding her niche in art history, she is now a curatorial assistant at Shanghai Arts and Design Company. “My experiences equipped me with the bravery to dive into the unknown to explore,” she said.

November 18, 2024

F&M Professor Joins Elite Company of Scholars

A Franklin & Marshall College religious studies professor has taken a fellowship at a prestigious scholarly center where some of the 20th century’s intellectual titans have studied.