Humanities
Humanities, in education, the studies that are designed primarily to promote culture. The humanities are in contrast to practical studies, which are designed primarily to help students make a living. The humanities always include languages, literature, and philosophy, and usually include also history. mathematics, and art and music appreciation. Many universities divide their courses into three main groupings: humanities, social sciences, and the natural sciences. Sometimes the field of the humanities is expanded to include the social sciences, and then the term becomes almost synonymous with liberal arts.
The term humanities originated during the Renaissance period, when many scholars revolted against the traditional interest in religion and abstract philosophy and insisted on more study of humanity—that is, of humankind. The humanities at first consisted mainly of the study of Greek and Latin and the ancient classics.