Steven Spielberg. Alfred Hitchcock. Undoubtedly, you’re familiar with these legendary filmmakers. Both widely admired and imitated directors are the subjects of their own dedicated courses in The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Master of Arts in English. Our program takes a deep dive into consequential historical and modern English-language literature and film, giving special…
Currently Viewing: Humanities
The humanities cover a wide variety of subjects, including communications, history, languages, and literature. In short, this broad field focuses on the study of the human experience and the expression of that experience. Students pursuing a humanities degree, whether studying art or anthropology, learn new ways to engage with the world around them, gaining critical…
Whether you were spellbound by the cinematic world of ‘Harry Potter’ or terrified by the eerie corridors of ‘The Shining,’ you’ve likely experienced the unique thrill of watching a movie adaptation of a beloved novel. If you’ve ever read the book before watching the film, you know the mixed emotions it can evoke. As avid…
Whether we’re aware of it or not, semantics is something we all use in our daily lives. It involves grasping the meaning of words, expressing emotions, and resolving ambiguous statements others make. For example, when your professor says your contributions to today’s discussion were “interesting,” you may wonder whether she was complimenting your input or…
Many of us enjoy a good book, and while we can usually identify what we like about it—interesting characters, an intriguing plot, the setting, etc.—we don’t always think more deeply about how those specific qualities connect with us. We certainly do feel them, however, and those evoked emotions are just one area in which psychology…
This November, American families will gather around the dinner table to feast on stuffed turkey before celebrating a timeless Thanksgiving tradition: Thursday Night Football. Thanksgiving as we know it bears little resemblance to historical events. Once upon a time, Native Americans shared stores of food with English settlers—strangers from across the Atlantic—who would have starved…
“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure …” — Gandalf in “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien Adventure calls and a hero answers. Along the way, they encounter unlikely allies, formidable foes, and trials that will test their resolve. Against all odds, they prevail, and the world will never be the same. Sound…
The Boston Tea Party is one of those historical events that most Americans know about, though for many the details are somewhat sketchy. (Spoiler alert: It wasn’t a party, and no tea was consumed, though it was the focus of the event.) The Boston Tea Party was actually a revolutionary statement to Parliament and the…
Remember when Roman numerals were taught in school? Or when knowing how to read an analog clock was a necessity? These skills may seem trivial today, but there was a time when they were critical. Let’s explore five life skills that have nearly disappeared, and why learning the skills that last is more important than…
We’re back with five more feminist writers who changed history. If you didn’t catch our first list, you can find it here. History is replete with authors and poets who turned pain into prose, giving voice to the women of their time. There are so many feminist writers worth mentioning (and reading); we couldn’t possibly…
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