8 Interesting Humanities Subjects & Career Opportunities You Should Know

Humanities subjects are a vast field of study with many fascinating and ever-expanding professional options. The practical application across all industries makes these humanities subjects highly valued.

So, suppose you contemplate taking any course in the humanities. In that case, it is recommended that you do comprehensive research and thoroughly analyze your interests, aptitudes, and career goals before deciding.

Professionals with backgrounds in humanities are needed in a wide range of fields, and given their broad knowledge of education, it should be no surprise that humanities graduates have various career options.

This article explores what humanities are, some humanities subjects, and the benefits of studying these courses.

Read to learn more.

What exactly is humanities?

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Humanities is an academic discipline that studies the human condition using analytical, critical, and speculative techniques.

Subjects like history, languages, literature, law, philosophy, religion, performing arts, anthropology, sociology, psychology, etc., all fall under the humanities umbrella.

This discipline is also for students interested in mass media, journalism, history, geography, and other liberal arts subjects.

The subjects are diverse, giving you an in-depth understanding of human cultures, customs, evolution, etc.

Humanities subjects

1. Law and human rights

Law is an interdisciplinary field of study committed to gender and gender-related issues. There are sections on women’s issues (feminism, gender, and politics), men’s problems, and LGBTQ studies.

The discipline teaches the effects of gender on our identities, social interactions, and the world. Human rights teach the fundamental rights for human development and their relationship to the environment and the rest of the world.

2. Physical education

Physical education is one of the most practical disciplines for athletes. It emphasizes physical fitness, a healthy lifestyle, and sports.

The discipline teaches other sorts of physical education, sports, yoga, leadership training, sports psychology, sports measurements, and the fundamentals of anatomy.

This course will prepare you for employment as a physical trainer in various schools, colleges, and sports organizations.

3. Political science

Political science is another humanities discipline that explores political processes. It also explores the operation of various government and institutional structures and various administrative ideas and concepts.

Political science is your proper discipline if you are interested in power, politics, and foreign policy. History, public administration, and international relations also relate to political science.

4. Sociology

Sociology is a unique humanities discipline that explores the influence of human behavior on society.

The discipline also explores social status, movements, and transformation, such as crime, deviance, and revolution.

As a sociologist, you may play a significant role in this research by examining societal issues and how individuals interact with them.

Social and community service organizations often prefer individuals with a background in sociology.

5. Geography

If you want to know everything there is to know about Earth, then geography is the right humanities discipline for you.

Geography is an interdisciplinary course that discusses the underlying relationships between people and their environment.

Physical and human geography are popular with most geography students and are interesting academic subjects with promising career possibilities.

Other exciting career possibilities in geography include climatologists, soil conservationists, hydrologists, GIS specialists, climate change analysts, travel and tourism planners, etc.

6. Economics

Economics is one of the essential disciplines in the humanities. The course teaches an understanding of the mechanisms behind the production and distribution of commodities and services.

Furthermore, economics is a subject in the humanities that can be studied at the secondary, college, and university levels. The economics courses at the undergraduate level, such as BSc Economics and BA Economics, can help establish a successful career.

It offers enticing work opportunities for economic consultants, financial analysts, and researchers. And multiple prestigious universities across the world offer exceptional degrees in this field.

7. History

History is another course under humanities with future career prospects. The course explores every aspect of ancient and contemporary history, and to enjoy studying history, you must be a history enthusiast.

The primary history curriculum focuses on the Roman Empire, the Industrial Revolution, and studying Africa and Europe. The subject also covers the Harappan civilization, the British era, post-independence India, etc.

Colleges and universities offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees if you are interested in history as a major. You can get the chance to work as an academic scholar, heritage manager, archaeologist, teacher, and government official.

8. Media studies

If you are interested in journalism, mass communication, or any media courses, you should choose media studies.

This will help you acquire a fundamental knowledge of many forms of media and communication, such as print, advertising, radio, cinema, television, and new media.

In addition to academic knowledge, you will acquire practical skills such as critical thinking, interpersonal, presentation, and the ability to work in a team.

Career opportunities in the Humanities

Careers in the humanities may be both exciting and creative. Humanities jobs include editor, psychologist, linguist, historian, art director, event manager, archaeologist, foreign language expert, hospitality expert, social worker, etc.

However, unlike in the past, the discipline of humanities now provides various options because companies and institutions from all industries now want humanities specialists. Hence, becoming a fascinating field to pursue in today’s world.

There are various job possibilities, all of which have huge career prospects if given the time and effort. Humanities are much more than civil services, legal degrees, and literature.

Here are a few new-age humanities occupations that you could be interested in:

1. Gender researcher

Gender equality is becoming increasingly important in countries all over the world. Hence, governments are enacting rules to preserve all individual identities and make their countries a secure haven for everybody.

As a result, a career in gender studies is an ideal choice.

2. Habitat policy expert

It is the study of housing, the social makeup of urban communities, and the rights of inhabitants. It is a realistic way to comprehend urban realities and difficulties from a global viewpoint.

As a habitat policy expert, your job will be to learn how to develop policies and strategies for the betterment and progress of society.

3. Museologist

Museology studies understanding the formation, structuring, and management of museums.

And as a museologist, your job is to take care of museums and solve issues that may arise in their management and preserving artifacts within them.

4. Cartographer

Cartography is the study of producing maps. And while maps used to be synonymous with atlases, now they are becoming an integral part of our daily life due to technological advancement.

Hence, there is a need for cartographers who can build maps and incorporate them into future technologies for our convenience, among other things.

5. Gerontologist

Gerontology studies aging and treat physical, mental, emotional, and social issues associated with aging.

It also explores the changes in our society as a result of aging. A gerontologist uses this knowledge to help create better policies and programs.

FAQs

Are humanities subjects easy or difficult?

Humanities subjects are not remotely easy.

Courses in the humanities require you to have a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and to have carefully studied its importance.

Which is the easiest subject in humanities?

Easy is subjective. However, English is probably the easiest of all the humanities subjects because it is easy to read and understand.

How is social science different from humanities?

Humanities and social science both explore humanity, cultures, and society.

However, the humanities employ a subjective, critical-thinking, or opinion-based approach, while social science has an objective approach based on research and scientific evidence.

Conclusion

Humanities are one of the most creative professional careers as it compels you to explore yourself and develop a multifaceted perspective on phenomena.

And with subjects such as literature, performing arts, and graphic design, you learn to express yourself in many ways.

Critical thinking is one of the most fundamental abilities in the humanities. You comprehend different opinions and the why and how behind them, with subjects such as philosophy, sociology, etc.

The humanities also include the study of languages, which is relevant across disciplines and expands your global prospects.

I hope you found this article helpful. You can also read to know if a degree in political science is worth it.

Thanks for reading.