A Methodological Approach to Understanding the Contribution of the Humanities to Human Development

• In Event: 28.024 - Considering Methods: Epistemologies, Evidence, and Representations

Abstract

While many theoretical arguments have been made about the value of the humanities, there is a need for more empirical research that examines how the instructional methods of the humanities make a contribution to human development. A central challenge in such work is developing methodologies for empirical research that can capture the complexity of humanistic practice. This paper describes a methodology that seeks to address this challenge by identifying the implicit craft logic of the humanities and identifying the implied learning theories that humanists employ in their instruction. To show how this might be done, this paper describes the application of this methodology in a study that examines grant applications funded by Illinois Humanities.

Authors

• Christopher George Pupik Dean, University of Pennsylvania

• Maggie Schein

• David Kidd

• Melanie Webb

• Sheena Kang

• Annie Doyle

• Danielle Allen, Harvard University