HUM 101 NOTES sculpture, architecture, and graphic arts, and the auditory and

performing arts, music, dance, theater, opera and cinema, and

Meaning and Nature of Humanities literature. In a more specialized sense, arts apply to such activities
The word humanities come from the Latin word "humanus" which that expresses aesthetic ideas using skills and imagination in the
Means "human" who is refined, cultured, and worthy of dignity of a creation of objects through experiences about the environment or
man. It is also based on the philosophical view of the sophist's dictum through other personal collective experiences, which can be shared
of the Greek Pythagoras, who said that: "Man is the measure of all worthy to others.
things! " The study of Humanities includes the appreciation of the arts What Is Art Appreciation?
which can strengthen our values about life and reality. The Webster
dictionary defines "humanities" as any of the branches of learning Appreciation of the visual arts goes beyond staring at a painting
embraced by philosophy, literature, language, art, etc., excluding hanging on the wall of a museum—art is in everything and
theology, natural and social sciences. everywhere you look. Opening your eyes to the world of art is
essential in understanding the world around you. Art is more than
Humanities is a broad term and the study of humanities is the study of pretentious museums; only a few enter and comprehend. Instead, art
people. Humanities disclose how humans were created, how humans appreciation is:
passed their values to generations, and how humans developed their
civilizations. The term unfolds a variety of aspects including
language, history, literature, linguistics, jurisprudence, philosophy,
archaeology, religions, ethics, art, social science. Humanities also Gaining the knowledge to understand the art.
demonstrate how human shapes culture and how culture shapes us.
Acquire the art methods and materials to discuss art verbally or by the
“The humanities are the stories, the ideas, and the words that help us
written word.
make sense of our lives and our world. The humanities introduce us
to people we have never met, places we have never visited, and ideas Ability to identify the movements from ancient cultures to today's
that may have never crossed our minds. By showing how others have contemporary art.
lived and thought about life, The humanities help us decide what is
important in our Own lives and what we can do to make them better. Learning how to appreciate art is a necessary cultural foundation
By connecting us with other people, they point the way to answers enabling people to critically analyze art, art forms, and how cultures
about what is right or wrong, or what is true to our heritage and our used art. All it takes to understand the art is just to look!
history. The humanities help us address the challenges we face
together in Art appreciation centers on the ability to view art throughout history,
our families, our communities, and as a nation." focusing on the cultures and the people, and how art developed in the
specific periods. It is difficult to understand art without understanding
Art is a subject under Humanities. The importance of the human the culture, their use of materials, and a sense of beauty. Art is
being and his feelings are the main concern of the humanities. A conveyed by the simple act of creating art for art's sake. Every person
person learns to become human, through humanities, an individual
is born with the innate desire to create art, and similar to other
can positively enrich and empower himself by developing his
professions, training is essential in honing skills to produce art. Art
potentials. He acquires the right values in his relationship with others
such as humility, compassion, love, patience, and socially correct education broadens a person's comprehension, development, and
decorum. The humanities can also bring reflection, self- criticism and visions of art. Art brings an understanding of diversity, how people
enlightenment in the quest for individual identity; the act of discovery lived in the past, and connects the issues concerning contemporary
for some can be on itself a reward an accomplishment in art, music, life and art today.
and literature. The arts can also be a refuge to evaluate one's feeling
and acts that can transform them positive forces in the world's best
with occasional failure. The history of the world is similarly the history of art, continually
The study of the humanities is needed for the following specific
intertwined. For millions of years, as humans roamed the earth,
reasons;
evolution, and environment shaped many different cultures depending
1. The study of humanities gives us broad knowledge of our history
and cultural traditions. With this knowledge, we come to understand on location, weather, natural resources, and food. These cultures
man in the different stages of his cultural development, struggles, formed the foundation of all art today. Art appreciation analyzes art
advances, retrogressions, and discover the elements of his culture at using the methods and materials, allowing people to make
every stage; connections to the context of art and the interactions of societies.
2. It also helps us to acquire the values and wisdom that are essential
for human survival and progress. We can understand and appreciate It is difficult to understand the art without understanding the culture.
those measures of human greatness, which may inspire us to greater
efforts and at the same time "refine our taste of judgement";
3. By exposing us to avoid varied concepts, ideas and forms that man
has created, the study of humanities helps us develop reflective and
critical thinking, which are important in our everyday life. Critical
thinking enables us to form sound judgement and make wise
decisions. It may also help discourage fanaticism and rabid
partisanship; and
4. Humanities encourage us to think creatively and teaches us to
reason about being human and to ask questions about our world.
Arts: Their Nature and Meaning
The term art (from Latin word ars) is often used to describe the fine
arts, which consist of painting, sculpture, architecture, literature,
dance, music, and film. Works of arts can be classified as verbal or
non-verbal. Missed arts are the combination of two or more basic arts
like dance, drama, and film (Webster
International Encyclopedia)
Art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and desires,
but it is even more personal than that; it's about sharing the way we
experience the world, which for many is an extension of personality.
It is the communication of intimate concepts that cannot be faithfully
portrayed by words alone. And because words alone are not enough,
we must find some other vehicle to carry our intent. But the content
that we instill on or in our chosen media is not in itself the art. Art is
to be found in how the media is used, the way in which the content is
expressed. (Wm. Joseph Nieters, Lake Ozark, Missour)
Art is a way of grasping the world. Not merely the physical, which is
what science attempts to do; but the whole world, and specifically,
the human world, society and spiritual experience.
Nature of Art
Art is used in many varies ways. It covers those areas of artistic
creativity that seek to communicate beauty or ugly subjects primarily
through the sense. An art embraces the visual arts, paintings,