Securing the Humanities in an Age of Failing Economics April 7, 2010
Posted by Peter in : Humanities and Education Studies, Projects, Uncategorized , add a commentProf Peter Vale, Co-Chair, ASSAf Consensus Panel on the Humanities
From almost every corner of the Anglophone world, the complaint is the same: “The Humanities are under threat”. I use the qualifier because, sadly, my ability to access other language worlds – beyond the Dutch-Afrikaans link – is limited.*
The question is what is to be done to recover and revive the Humanities?
Research and deliberations into ASSAf’s own Consensus Report on the Humanities in South Africa is well under way and the hope is to issue a preliminary report in late October, 2010. My own view of this issue is framed by an understanding of political economy – the rise of neo-liberal economics has emphasized economic growth and efficiency and, in this particular universe, the Humanities have no place ( the State of Science in South Africa, pg 210). This is a fallacy, of course. Take the creation of jobs. In this country alone, right now, one of the strongest areas of economic growth is Afrikaans cultural production – most of this is both creates jobs and pushes economic growth. (more…)
Role of libraries in research March 24, 2010
Posted by Zweli in : Events, Humanities and Education Studies, Open Access Scholarly Publishing , add a commentSouth African Library Week 2010 will be celebrated from 22 – 27 March 2010 with the theme: “Reading changes lives“. SALW2010 was launched on Saturday 20 March at the National Library of South Africa to coincide with the date of the declaration of the first public library in South Africa in 1818.
The Academy is made up of researchers wanting to benefit society through their research. Libraries play a crucial role in this endeavour.
During Library Week we acknowledge the role that libraries play in the production of research. Whereas the internet at large provides general information resources, libraries provide authoritative information resources such as books, journals and access to academic electronic resources. Click here to read more about SALW2010.
Do the Humanities matter? August 13, 2009
Posted by Zuki in : Humanities and Education Studies , add a commentIn the 21st century, more and more emphasis has been put on science and technology. There are certain jobs that did not exist two decades ago, and others that have completely disappeared from the employment seeking websites and newspapers. As a result of these “new job demands”, the education system has structured its curriculum to suit the current needs of a society which is more technological than two decades ago.
The new societal demands have resulted in a huge shift in terms of who is funded for further studies, putting the humanities in a somehow unpopular position in attracting funding for those students that would like to pursue studies in social sciences and humanities. A few questions have been asked: Do Humanities matter? Is there a future for the Humanities?
