What are the Different Branches of Humanities - Assignment Example

Lecturer Humanities As the suggests, humanities are studies, which concern the attempt to explain the existence of humans past, current and perhaps even future lifestyles. At times, humanities are also termed as the social sciences because they focus on societies, how they exist and operate as one unit. The different branches of humanity make an effort to explain human existence by taking an intent look at the way people from the past and present relate with their environment, their ancestors and how they relate and interact with each other. In order to achieve this, the different branches of humanities such as arts, religious studies, politics and mythology observe and analyze the way human beings express themselves in different circumstances (Issu.edu). Once a pattern is established to exist in the behavior of a group of people, scholars often compare the actions with the preceding or current situation of the doer and they speculate on their motivation for doing what they do. Other than the physiological differences between humans and other beings, it is the things we do that makes up to be human. If we were to lack the qualities studied in humanities, there would probably be no difference between the apes and us. One of the prominent branches of humanities is the area of religion. Religion is the study of how individuals and their communities relate with their deities. When religions are studied under humanities, their history, origins, development and spread are focused upon. The worlds religions being practiced today are as a result of the social developments that have taken part in these societies. Religion is a serious issue in the study of humanities; this is because religion is used by most societies to explain the meaning of life (Shulman, 2004). The way a person relates with their deities and other people is pegged in their religious practices. This means that the moral values that are held up in a community are pegged in their religious teachings and practices. This is because religious teachings usually the duties that a people owe to their higher power and also the duty they owe each other. Religion and religious practices are structured in a way that they hold societies together. This is because the activities that people take part in during worship demand that they congregate in central locations that are deemed as holy (issu.edu). In the past, there were religious shrines and altars where sacrifices were often held. Religions were often accompanied with material items. These were either to symbolize the presence of the higher beings or to be used as instruments of worship. They were mostly made of precious metals such as gold and silver. The Mayans had flat topped pyramids where they conducted human sacrifices. In the modern world despite the civilization that had spread throughout, religion has maintained its basic structure though today they are universal. Unlike the past, religions go beyond the geographical boundaries. The symbols of religions today are churches, temples, religious attire, crosses and ceremonies such as Easter for the Christians and Diwali for the Hindus. People in these different religions take part in their religious practices abide by the religious teachings in an attempt to give their lives meanings so that they can live a truly purposeful life (issu.edu-1). Arts are another branch of humanities, which is widely studied by scholars because it is an avenue for people to express themselves. Art is defined as a deliberate application of creative skills, as well as imagination to come up with sculptures, paintings and other crafts for aesthetic purposes. This is known as fine art. The other branch of the arts is known as performing arts. This form of art, as the name suggests is expressed through performances such as song, dance, skits and masquerades. Arts are a relevant category under humanities because by observing different societies’ performing and fine arts, we can get to know what is exceedingly beneficial to them. Art can also be used to show sophistication, economic activities, paying tribute to ancestors, spirits and other higher beings. The last point tells us that arts are also intertwined with the religious activities of a people. Examples of fine art forms that are studied by sociologists include cave paintings, sculptures made from woodcarvings, architecture, clothing, statues of Deities and body art. Historical forms of performing arts storytelling, songs, dances, poetry and drama. The subject of these art forms was usually depicting the community’s economic activities, religious practices, elaborating a myth in the form of a story (issu.edu). The importance of this to humanity scholars and students is the fact that understanding the essence of these forms of art enables the people involved in humanities related research to understand the way of life of past and present societies. An understanding of art found in a community can be crucial in explaining the development and evolution of the society in question (Harpham, 39). In the long run, a humanity scholar should be in able to explain the reason why people from different places appreciate different forms of art. In the modern world, we also have contemporary art forms such as graffiti and fashion, which if studied, may show the motivation of those who take part in them In today’s world, criminal gangs use graffiti to mark their territories and communicate with members. They are also known to use tattoos to tell their life stories especially after serving time in prison. Such behaviors undoubtedly have roots in the practices of past societies who have handed down their beliefs and practices down the generations. Politics is concerned with the governance of people and the allocation of power to different people based on their position in society. The earliest forms of organized politics were in the form of kingship though, at the time, such a position was reserved for men with military prowess before later on being a hereditary affair (issu.edu, 1). Different societies organized themselves into different political configurations through which they were governed. The political systems clearly spelt out the responsibility owed by the subjects to their leaders and also the responsibility of the leaders to their kingdoms. In African Societies of old, there were chiefdoms for smaller communities and kingdoms for more expansive regions being governed. The ancient Greeks for instance are credited with giving the world democracy as a form of leadership. Today we still have different political systems in existences all over the world depending on the prevailing ideological beliefs that are ascribed to. Democratic countries normally accommodate freedom of expression, whereas communist countries usually have a firm grip of the freedom of expression. The behaviors and the ways of life of people are affected by the political systems in force within their home countries (Shulman, 2004). Mythology is associated with a people’s attempt to explain the origin of a certain phenomenon that they witness. There are several myths found in virtually all communities. Majority of these myths tend to associate themselves with the creation of the world as well as the creation of people who live in it. Other myths are used to instill moral values in those who hear of them. The exact origins of myths are seldom known; however, mythology is usually discussed in the same weight as religion. This is because the different myths that are in existence attribute the happenings being explained as being the works of some higher power, (Doyle, 1997). Moral behavior and moral standards of people both past and present have a close link with religion. These myths in a way make an effort to fill the void between human understanding and unexplainable events. For societies that live or lived proximate to each other, the myths are similar, and it appears that they are generic versions of one story or at least have some common origins. Such speculation can help to unravel mysteries such as the development of language and the migration of people centuries ago (Doyle, 1997). In conclusion, we see that the different branches or categories of humanities are all interrelated in that one cannot exist without the other. Religious practices hold societies together. In addition, political systems are a tool for governing these societies. In view of this, art provides the members of the society a chance to express themselves, and mythology shows their attempt to explain and perhaps justify their existence. It may also tend to explain the existence of different phenomena, which they witness, on a day-to-day basis. Works Cited Doyle Bernard. Introduction to mythology. 17 April 1997. Web. March 6, 2012 Harpham, Geoffrey G. The Humanities and the Dream of America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 2005. Print. Issu.edu. Introduction to humanities. Web March 6, 2012 Shulman, Laura E. Introduction to the study of Religion. 13 Oct. 2004. Web. March 6, 2012 Read More