Humanities

Humanities is a course that encourages students to gain new understandings of themselves and the world around them. Through study of philosophy, history, and artistic disciplines, I have relearned what it means to be human in our society and gained greater empathy for those who are wrongfully treated as less than human.

One of the greatest understanding I have gained from the course is the function of bodies. Bodies are what often defines our humanity. Unit 3 explored this through the Rwandan genocide. Though the genocide occurred across class lines, physical differences between the classes were emphasized by the dominant class. Oppressors utilize differences between bodies to dehumanize those they wish to subjugate. Furthermore, bodily harm is the most invasive and devastating way to objectify someone. This is often why sexual violence is so traumatic. It robs its victims of their bodily autonomy in the most personal way possible.