The Humanities and Ethics Center (HEC) was founded by faculty and students at Drury in 2013. The center serves as a vibrant interdisciplinary hub at the university that promotes the study and celebration of the humanities beyond the classroom. The term, humanities, builds upon the idea of the human, and indeed the humanities at Drury encompass disciplines that study the records of human experience: Languages and Literature, Writing, Film, History, Philosophy, and Religion.
Through its Speaker series, Reading series, Film series, Works in Progress series, and more, the HEC cultivates intellectual rigor and public dialogue among faculty, students, members of the larger Drury community, and the region at large. Whether we are discussing free speech and human rights, the avant-garde and democracy, Jane Austen, bell hooks, Plato, Buddhism, the Civil War, or the staging of Shakespeare’s plays, we find that at the heart of these conversations is the question of what it means to be human—in the past and today.
While the humanities emerged during the Classical period and experienced renewed attention during the Renaissance, humanistic inquiry and dialogue about ethics are just as relevant today. The question of how great thinkers, writers, historical and cultural figures, filmmakers, and artistic creators experience the world and translate those experiences into artifacts that teach us about our own moment is a question that never gets old.
The HEC aims to foster intellectual inquiry as well as celebration of the humanities, as we believe their study makes life richer and more meaningful. We also know that probing questions at the heart of these conversations allow students to sharpen their critical thinking skills and provide students with a unique footing as they move into the professional world after college. A strong democracy—and even a strong economy—require a vibrant humanities culture for nourishment and creativity; professionals of all types need the deep thinking, rational, and creative skills developed in the study of the humanities not only to succeed, but also to lead in their careers.
The HEC takes seriously the importance of public humanities, as they provide unique opportunities for students and faculty to engage in dialogue with each other and members of the larger community, both on and off campus. We invite all Drury faculty, staff, and students to participate in this ongoing project with us!
Questions about this report or the center? Reach out to Dr. Katie Gilbert, Director of the HEC, at kgilbert@drury.edu.