Journal #2:

For Journal #2 Part 1: We’ve been working towards a definition of the Humanities. For your second journal entry, think about how you’d explain their significance/why the humanities matter: what do you feel you gain personally by studying and working within the humanities? What do you think you gain professionally? What do you think of claim(s) for the broader social value of the humanities? Use Helen Small’s introduction to The Value of the Humanities as a starting point for your response. 

My Response: 

In Helen Small’s Introduction The Value of the Humanities when she is describing the five arguments for why the humanities matter I think they are all true but I agree the most with number three “the claim that the humanities have a contribution to make to our individual and collective happiness.” Even though Helen describes it as the least trusted argument right now I strongly believe in this argument.  

As stated in one of my favorite movies, Dead Poet Society STEM gives us incredible tools that are necessary but the humanities give us something to live for. The humanities give us the critical thinking skills that help us think for ourselves and navigate through the world.  The humanities are created from all human emotions: love, empathy, compassion, sorrow to name a few. I believe that the humanities become vital when we are going through these human emotions and wondering if has anyone ever felt like this before then you hear a song or see a painting or a poem that perfectly embodies what you are experiencing and suddenly you feel a little less alone. If we were to cut out and defund these fields of study. Who would be left to stand up and ask the big questions that the humanities are asking today? The questions of justice, knowledge and reality, the questions that will shape our government and democracy.  

Part 2: Part 2 may feel somewhat disconnected, but one of our course goals is precisely to create bridges from your academic study to your professional work. Write a brief description of the kind of work you enjoy doing and/or think you’re well equipped to do. In general, you want to think about the nature of the work, its specific responsibilities, the environment you’d work in, who you’d work with, and your qualifications and temperament/disposition. 

• What kind of job is this, or what is the main purpose of this job? 

The work I aspire to do is wildlife and environmental documentary filmmaking, a career that blends creative storytelling with scientific understanding and ethical communication. The main purpose of this job is to document the natural world, investigate environmental issues, and emphasize the voices of scientists and local communities, and inspire audiences to care about ecological challenges. 

• What kind of tasks would you perform? 

Researching wildlife behavior, ecosystems, and environmental topics

Planning and developing storylines, scripts, and shot lists

Filming on location, often in challenging outdoor environments

Interviewing scientists, conservationists, and community members

Recording natural sound and maintaining audiovisual equipment

Editing footage, crafting narratives, and shaping the emotional arc of the film

Collaborating with production teams, environmental organizations, or field researchers

Communicating scientific information clearly and responsibly to general audiences

• Which of your skills, training, or experiences would this job call on? What did your analysis of past projects reveal (or remind you) about your skills?

This career draws on the skills I have developed through my coursework, internships, field experiences, and past creative projects. Some of these include:

• Strong research and analytical skills
• Storytelling ability
• Interviewing and communication skills 
• Technical proficiency with cameras, audio equipment, and editing software.
• Adaptability and problem-solving, especially when filming outdoors or working with unpredictable wildlife conditions.
• Empathy and cultural awareness, 
• Organization and project-management skills, 

• How might you explain how your undergraduate study (including your humanities degree) has prepared you for it?

My undergraduate studies have prepared me for documentary filmmaking by strengthening my ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and understand complex environmental and social issues. Humanities coursework taught me how to analyze ethical questions, consider multiple perspectives, and tell stories that connect scientific facts to human experience. Writing and media-focused classes improved my narrative and communication skills. Altogether my work in these classes deepened my awareness of how culture, history, and values shape environmental challenges.