Are the Humanities No Longer Relevant in the 21st Century?

The case of Israel – Supply and demand for the humanities in Israel’s academic institutions: Between academic policy and “market forces”

Autor

  • Nitza Davidovitch Education Studies, Ariel University POB 3, Kiryat Hamada, Ariel, Israel

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2020.2.17.38

Słowa kluczowe:

Humanities, higher education, student profiles, values, motivation, academia

Abstrakt

Aims. In view of the diminishing demand for the humanities in Israel, we explore the profiles of current students of humanities in one high school and one university in Israel.

Method. This study reviews the changes in the demand for and status of academic humanities studies and maps the profile of students of the humanities, both high school students and high school graduates over the age of 18. In total, 136 students (73 males and 60 females) participated in this survey-based study

Results and Conclusion. The results show a positive and significant correlation between attitudes regarding the humanities and motivation to study these subjects in the future. In addition, a positive correlation was found between values of honesty, helping others, and contribution to the country, and motivation to study the humanities.

Contribution. The findings of this study contribute by daring to challenge the perception concerning the insignificant status of the humanities in our day and age – aimed at eliminating them and rendering them irrelevant.

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Biogram autora

Nitza Davidovitch - Education Studies, Ariel University POB 3, Kiryat Hamada, Ariel, Israel

She is one of the founders of Ariel University, and a driving force in its recognition as the 8th research University in Israel. The research under the supervision of Prof. Davidovitch deals with academic curriculum development, development of academic instruction, Holocaust awareness and Jewish identity, student exchange programs with Germany and Poland, preservation of the heritage of Jewish sects, and moral education.

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Opublikowane

2020-09-11

Jak cytować

Davidovitch, N. (2020). Are the Humanities No Longer Relevant in the 21st Century? The case of Israel – Supply and demand for the humanities in Israel’s academic institutions: Between academic policy and “market forces”. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 11(2), 17–38. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2020.2.17.38