We have seen a massive growth in the tech industry in recent years. Thus, there is massive demand for workers who specialize in Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Content. This has exacerbated interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
However, we believe that despite the huge interest, there is still a lot of potential for Humanities subjects such as History and Social Studies.
Humanities help us understand others through their languages, histories and cultures
Firstly, through subjects such as Social Studies, we learn about other countries, their languages, histories and cultures. This is an important skill due to the rapidly globalizing world we live in. Increasingly, we find ourselves working alongside people with different nationalities, cultures and religions.
If we studied humanities, it would be easier for us to work together with these people. Therefore, humanities subjects are crucial in this globalized world.
Humanities teach us to deal critically and logically with subjective, complex, imperfect information
Secondly, humanities help people deal with information. Our world is filled with knowledge, most of them complex and even contradictory. Furthermore, must of the information we receive is imperfect, incomplete and subjective. How can people even start to approach these data?
Humanities help to weigh evidence through a sceptical eye and to consider many perspectives. It helps us process and sieve out critical information, which will put us in make correct decisions.
Humanities explore the moral, spiritual and intellectual sense of the world
Finally, humanities help people bring clarity to the future by exploring the moral, spiritual and intellectual issues of the world. Investigating philosophy might inspire us to think about ethical concerns regard artificial intelligence. Reading a book on ancient cultures might make us reflect on our place in the world. Attending a history class might help us better understand the past and offer us a clearer picture of the future.
Even though Humanities does not seem practical, it helps to bring about a better world for everybody.
Not Against STEM
In conclusion, this is not a rant against STEM. In truth, education is not a zero-sum game. Just because we emphasise Sciences does not mean we neglect Humanities. Together, both build the world we live in.
What we should address is that Humanities being perceived as not important and can be neglected. Humanities brings about unique benefits: helping us to understand and work together with people of diverse cultures and interests; helping to analyse, evaluate and sieve out vital information and providing a blueprint to map our future.
Humanities subjects like English, History, Social Studies and Geography are thus important subjects to study. A good basic Humanities subject that we recommend is Social Studies Singapore. This is the O Level Social Studies subject that is offered by Cambridge. It has all the necessary ingredients to help students get a basic understanding of all the things we have mentioned.
