<p>What if humanities is your only passion and the only thing you can truly excel at? I am also interested in social sciences, but they are too competitive and the top careers are only reserved for extremely driven people. I wish I could suck it up and major something lucrative like engineering, computer science or economics, but I'm terrible at math. I would fail out of college no matter how hard I tried if I did that. Science is not my strong suit either. </p>
<p>I'm mostly wondering why people smirk at humanities majors.</p>
<p>This is not intended to be a parody thread, although I don't care if anyone makes fun of it.</p>
<p>The only people that look down on the humanities and social sciences are the insecure, supposed "math/science geniuses" who think that the only subjects worth studying are math/science. A friend of mine who is a ninth year Ph.D math student at UMich is of this lovely persuasion, unfortunately. </p>
<p>Personally, I plan on majoring in Economics (with a heavy math focus), but I certainly realize the immense value of the humanities.</p>
<p>People who judge anyone's value based on major are generally idiots anyway. I'm majoring in social sciences (Econ, with a double minor in International relations and neursosci...I know the last one isn't a social sci but still) and sometimes I get funny looks as well. But if you're interested in econ, they ask, why don't you study Business? Well, because I don't see the point in getting a vocational degree for a non-technical field, and plus business is basically simple basic applied econ along with other stuff i'm not into. I tell them I'm going to Law school and have the luxury of studying whatever I like, and then they get it. </p>
<p>Tell them you're interested in Humanities because that's what you're good at, and you enjoy it, and you'd be bored with any other major. and then ask them why they're majoring in ___? chances are they're doing it for the same reason you are - cause they like their major just like you. if they don't like it, then you should feel sorry for them for studying crap they don't even like for 4 years.</p>
<p>I don't smirk at humanities majors, because I'm a history major myself, but there's no denying that science/math classes are graded much tougher than a humanities class in college.</p>
<p>You're rarely going to find professors giving out Ds or Fs in humanities courses unless the student is really just ****ing them off. But in science/math courses there are always a few people who end up with Ds or Fs. For example, if I show up without studying to a history midterm and BS it, I'll probably get a C. If I show up to an organic chem midterm without studying, I'm definitely getting below a 50. And humanities classes also are often graded on "class participation" which is generally an easy A.</p>
<p>That being said, the reason I am a history major is because I love history, not because it is easier than a physics or mathematics major.</p>
<p>Humanities majors are just easier IF you do the bare minumum and take the easiest classes compared to doing math/science/engineering while doing the bare minimum. That is where the beef comes in. For the technical majors, the easiest path in the technical majors can be pretty tough. Which is why people with these majors take their electives in intro humanities to help their gpa. This rarely goes the other way, humanities majors don't take calculus as elective to help their gpas.</p>
<p>Keep in mind i'm saying that when comparing easiest possible course loads. Most CCers don't take the easiest schedule possible, so elitism doesn't really make sense on these boards when it comes to major. </p>
<p>Hardest possible load are impossible to compare. Could anyone imagine taking 6 upper level math classes at the same time? The time spent on problem sets would be insane, and doing well would be impossible. What if you were an english major taking 6 upper-level classes? You would have to read like 30+ books. I would spend most of my time crying. What about a science major taking 6? Could you imagine how you could handle doing all those labs? What about history? Most upper-level classes at my school require huge papers at the end. Could you imagine having to write 6 ten page papers that are all due in the last week? Not to mention probably twelve 3-5 page papers due throughout the course of the semester?</p>
<p>I think we all need to get off our high horses.</p>
<p>Great approach to the problem, Euler. This should put it in (correct) perspective for some people who are confused about the humanities-natural sciences dichotomy. </p>
<p>I think we can end the thread at your post. :)</p>
<p>hey i am A Liberal Arts Major with double minor in humanities + History don't diss humanities(however i have a goal too apply too grad school for the above) im a huge American History + World cultures buff, and i want a phd in history focusing on American Colonial History(yes theres such thing as) I love history + humanities its the best</p>
<p>I'm an American just like you, muffin. But though we're equal in that station, I can still smirk at you for looking forward to being a business major. I suggest you read Babbitt (which I assume you haven't, being the haughty Liberal Arts major that I am) and think about your pitiful future.</p>
<p>The answer is -- unfortunately for a different reason from why they smirk at math majors, to go along with the nonexistent parody. Unfortunately it frequently is "Ohh...just a humanities major."</p>
<p>I really despise that attitude to the extreme, but don't see it going anytime soon. Keep in mind that Euler's comments above are accurate, and that hence, it'll usually be those who find math and science tough <em>even at the lower division</em> who'll mock the humanities people. Generally, the people who're very good at technical subjects will have the maturity not to smirk, unless they're jerks by nature.</p>
<p>Just remember that the math and science "geniuses" who make fun of you would probably fail if they had to write the papers that you do. They think that science/math are the only things worth studying, but if everyone became a doctor, engineer, economist, or mathematician, this world would be in pretty sad shape.</p>
<p>Honestly, just do what you want. You may not be "guaranteed" a specific job when you graduate like science majors think they are, but doesn't mean you won't get a great job that you love. It doesn't really matter what you major in at this point, you can get most any job with a degree, so study what you like in college and you'll enjoy your time there a lot more.</p>
<p>Math and Science people know HOW to do things and get a job doing them, Liberal Arts majors know WHY they need to be done and are the boss."
It's your favorite quote because it is ridiculous and makes you laugh right? Thats what you meant I'm sure.</p>